It’s official. A year after some of Maine’s avid trout fishermen rolled out the state’s only fly fishing show, they’re committed to make it an annual event.

There’s an old saying that you should be careful what you wish for because it might come true. Climbing into my stand on a balmy West Virginia morning I was wishing for cooler temperatures. It was already in the 60s and forecasted to nudge 80 later in the day — hardly good weather for deer hunting. I went out just the same, and was rewarded with a nice doe.

The Upper Damariscotta River Region is one of immense natural beauty, a scenic landscape of bays and islands, salt marshes and mudflats, rivers and streams. Bordered by hills, fields, and forests, the Damariscotta River is a nutrient-rich tidal estuary that is home to a diverse array of marine life, birds and animals.

The first thing I noticed crossing the New Hampshire line on my return to Maine was that the landscape had gone all Wyeth in my absence: Gray and moody — and harsh.

Ask the people you know how they prefer to hunt deer. I’d venture to guess most hunt from a stand, whether an elevated platform or merely a favorite stump. Next you’ll find the walkers, folks who prefer to move through the forest intent on intercepting an unsuspecting deer. It’s a low percentage option, but a fairly popular one, particularly among more casual hunters.

The coastal community around Camden lost a great friend and outdoor ambassador earlier this month when Jeff Kuller was killed by a falling tree on Nov. 4. He left behind a unique recreation area and an appreciative ski community, as well as a wife and two children.

Whitetail hunters have two huge strikes against them for the next 1 1/2 weeks, and here’s why:

Are you looking for a bit of adventure in your life? Does a marathon or even a triathlon seem a bit too easy for your tastes? Well, you aren’t alone. A new breed of races built around obstacles, high stakes and sometimes-dangerous conditions has grown in popularity in recent years. Indeed, there are a number of these races to pick from here in Maine.