In his 2016 book “Maine Sporting Camps,” George Smith writes, “In 1904 there were at least 300 sporting camps in operation in Maine. By 2007, this number had dwindled to fewer than 40. In his interview with the Maine Sporting Camp Heritage Association Smith also learned that these few remaining camps “face serious challenges to their survival.” 

The American Legion National Organization has canceled its 2020 baseball season for teenage players across the country. American Legion officials went a step further than the Little League organization, which also cited COVID-19 concerns in canceling its regional tournaments and World Series for various age groups.

According to a group representing sporting camps around Maine, Gov. Janet Mill’s rural reopening plan falls short of providing relief to commercial sporting camps, employees, guides and rural neighbors because it bans visits from non-residents. Non-resident fishing trips over the next six weeks generates almost 90% of the annual revenue for many of the camps operating across the state.

The MLB Network on Sirius radio has been airing games from different eras with the focus on some of the great play-by-play men in the history of baseball.

On Saturday's opening day of wild turkey season, I had no intention of waking up before dawn, waddling into the woods in the dark, and trying to find a wild turkey I wasn't sure would be there. No, my initial plan looked more like this: Wake up at the crack of nine, eat a little bit, gather up my gear, and then … maybe … waddle into the woods.

With so much confusion and uncertainty this spring about what you can or cannot do and stay within the law, there isn’t a trout or salmon angler in Maine or elsewhere who isn’t asking this question: “Will I be able to access the woods and go fishing?” North Maine Woods, a recreational land management group that controls access to thousands of acres of woodlands and fishing waters in northern Maine, has announced that it will open its gates, but with conditions.

The organization that represents landowners who control more than 3.5 million acres of Maine forest have reopened those lands to day use, and hopes to reopen primitive camping sites to Maine residents beginning June 1.

The Maine Field Hockey Association announced Monday that it has canceled the 2020 Maine Field Hockey Festival and McNally Senior All-Star Game.

As the state of Maine slowly reopens businesses and public spaces this spring and summer, it may be confusing at times to figure out exactly what’s open and available -- and what’s not. To help you enjoy the outdoors safely, and with minimal frustration, we’ve compiled information about outdoor destinations and recreational opportunities, focusing on the month of May. 

On April 30 the Maine Sporting Camp Association (MSCA) requested government approval of a plan whereby non-resident commercial sporting camp clients could “self-certify” that they have been in isolation at their home for at least 14 days before traveling to Maine.

Gov. Janet Mills and her staff have outlined restrictions for the opening of golf courses on Friday as part of Stage 1 of the plan for restarting Maine’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mills on April 2 had shut down golf courses but announced Tuesday that they are among the businesses that may open on Friday with numerous safety rules in place.

There are a few realizations you have to make if you’re going to pursue wild turkeys in Maine.

There may be some good news for moose hunters next fall. Wildlife biologists have proposed an 11% increase over last year in moose hunting permits. The hunt quota figure is 3,135 permits. That’s the most since 2014! The proposal won’t be final until it has been subjected to public review and given final approval by the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council.

Hiking with kids can be a wonderful experience that leads to cherished memories. But sometimes, things don’t go so smoothly.

Only a few days remain until the start of Maine’s spring turkey hunting season on Saturday, May 2. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on Tuesday announced the season would begin earlier and suspended the requirement to register harvested birds to accommodate social distancing guidelines.

No matter how easy the hike, it’s always more comfortable, safe and enjoyable if you put some consideration into what clothes you wear and what items you carry.  Here’s how to pack and dress for an easy hike without any special gear.

Under the revised season framework, youth hunters will now get two youth hunting days, Saturday April 25 and Monday, April 27 instead of only May 2. The regular season for all turkey hunters will now start on Saturday, May 2, instead of Monday, May 4. This will give youth hunters and adult hunters each an extra day to hunt, and will start the season earlier. The season will conclude as scheduled on June 6.

Yes, come the first week of May, when many of us will head to the woods for the opening day of turkey hunting season, it'll be much nicer (unless it rains).