Maine’s bear harvest has been declining at the same time the bear population has been increasing through ample natural food. But despite growing bear numbers, there’s not a problem with bears clashing with the public and becoming a disturbance, state biologists say.
outdoors
Winter on the mountain
TOWNSHIP 2, RANGE 9, WELS — On President’s Day, while it was mild and 39 degrees in Portland, Dave Wilson was on the summit of Mount Katahdin, facing 60 mph winds and a new patch of frostbite on his face. He had been there before, at least once a year for the past 20 years.
WHAT’S UP IN MARCH: March skies offer plenty to check out
March was the first month of the year on the early Roman calendar. It is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. March always marks the start of spring in the northern hemisphere. That will happen Tuesday, March 20 at 1:14 a.m.
OUTDOORS: State parks are not just for summer
There’s been scarce little snow so far this winter, and those who need their Nordic fix are getting antsy.
ALLEN AFIELD: Salty seminars will provide plenty of information
The National Seminar Series 25th Anniversary event comes to the Westbrook Performance Arts Center (471 Stroudwater Street in Westbrook) on March 10, promising an entertaining, educational day for salty anglers.
OUTDOORS: Hearts of gold at Gould
NEWRY — Gould Academy in the White Mountains has inspired young skiers since it was formed in 1836. Its ski instructor program, started a quarter of a century ago, is new by comparison. But it has taught thousands of elementary school children in surrounding communities to ski.
HIKING: Adventure at AMC lodge has some comforts, too
The soft light of dawn is filtering through the cabin windows. Despite the winter chill outside, the room is cool but not cold. I should get up and stoke the woodstove, but it’s no easy task when you’re toasty warm beneath flannel sheets and a down comforter. Instead I lay content for a while, listening to the quiet of the place, and admiring the artifacts adorning the log walls, which have comfortably sheltered many an outdoorsperson since the late 1800s.
SKIING: Great places to learn
It was exactly 70 years ago when Roger Page taught his first ski lessons as an instructor on a little rope-tow ski slope in Leominster, Mass.
FOR THE BIRDS: Snowy owls make beautiful visitors
A suite of birds resides year-round on the Arctic tundra or on the taiga, the habitat of sparse trees just south of the treeless tundra. These birds include great gray owls, snowy owls and common redpolls.
KID TRACKS: Wonderful winter hiking, light snow, false starts and all
There are a lot of variables to consider when hiking with kids. This is true of hiking with a dog as well. But there is one thing you can count on with both — a bathroom break will be needed within the first dozen steps of hitting the trail. Never in all the years I’ve been hiking with kids, and the few occasions I’ve taken a dog, have I avoided a false start.