Milo, like so many small, rural Maine towns, was once a robust, economically thriving community. Rewind back to the 1950s and even the late 1960s. The town of three rivers boasted three car dealerships, big churches, clothing, furniture and drug stores, many restaurants, movie theatre, regal homes, hardware and sporting goods stores, supermarkets, a hospital, […]
V. Paul Reynolds
Outdoors in Maine: A boon in bear hunting is needed
If you are a hunter and have never hunted a Maine black bear, you might want to give it a try. Bears are as plentiful as they have ever been. Not only is the estimated bear population figure hovering around 35,000 animals and climbing, there is an excess population that is beyond the bounds of […]
Outdoors in Maine: Book tells stories of legendary bush pilot
Maine’s rich and colorful outdoor heritage has over the years produced a parade of prominent and not-so-prominent personalities, all who helped shape and imprint this memorable and lasting legacy. Greenville bush pilot Dick Folsom was a man who left his mark in the annals of Maine’s outdoor history. After serving in the Army Air Force […]
Outdoors in Maine: Bogs demand hunters' utmost respect
For me, Maine bogs have always held an allure. It may be the deer hunter in me. The buck of my dreams is always seen in a bog, ghosting its way silently on the mossy ground, weaving slowly between gnarled old cedar trees and grey, weathered deadfall. There is a dusting of snow underfoot. The […]
Outdoors in Maine: The debate is still out on alewife runs
Smelt-runs up lake tributaries are always a sight to see. Some are better than others. The first one you ever see — with thousands of slithering, wiggling silver fish fighting their way upstream under the glow of the flashlight — leaves an impression. So does a run of alewives, or so-called river herring. Have you ever seen […]
Outdoors in Maine: State has to control its excess of big game
In the realm of wildlife management, we have come a long way since the days of Aldo Leopold, the American father of enlightened wildlife stewardship. Leopold in his writings and teachings warned about the destructive impact that industrial progress and technology was having on America’s wildlife. In fact, wildlife planning, protection and well-funded conservation efforts […]
Outdoors in Maine: Is it time for a spring bear hunt?
My wife, Diane, half-whispered and half-yelled at me: “Paul, come downstairs quick.” Standing in the shadows of the half-light by the kitchen window, she was pointing out by the bird feeder. A large black bear was standing on all fours not 15 feet from the sliding glass door on which it had slathered its drool […]
Outdoors in Maine: Bidding a fond farewell to the "Boy" Scouts
In the twilight of my life, the Boys Scouts of America — its teachings, its values, and the fun of it all — still evoke a warm glow in my overflowing storehouse of special memories. Everything about the scouting experience left me the better for it. We wore the uniform proudly, as we did the merit badges […]
Outdoors in Maine: Veazie Salmon Club arises from near extinction
In the 1980s and early 1990s, in May and June, you could catch a fresh run of Atlantic salmon on the Penobscot River. And you could play your king of game fish within eyeshot of downtown Bangor. As a result, salmon clubs popped up along the river banks like ostrich ferns. Those were heady times. […]
Outdoors in Maine: Last stretch of Boarstone hike is a real bear
“You wimp,” Diane said. “I don’t believe this. The summit is just over that pile of rocks. I’m telling you the view is 360 degrees. It’s fantastic.” “Nope,” I said with conviction. “This is far enough. I ain’t goin’.” “But we have come all this way,” she said, more pleadingly than with scorn. “Look,” I […]