Difficulty: Moderate. The hike, out and back, is 3.6 miles if you only visit the Middle Summit and viewpoint, and it’s another 0.4-mile if you add the short side trail to the forested North Summit of the mountain. The hike is mostly gradual but includes a few short steep sections and rock staircases.

The old adage of moose-hunting holds that once a hunter pulls the trigger, all the fun is over. That’s because in many cases, actually extracting the moose from the woods can present any number of challenges.

Just two short years ago, anyone wondering how successful the state’s hunters had been in a given season had only one way to get that information.

Foxcroft Academy hosted a Penobscot Valley Conference cross country meet on Sept. 20.

The Maine high school wrestling postseason will feature an additional event this winter with the addition of team duals state championships for both Class A and Class B.

Hundreds of eager moose hunters will head afield on Monday morning for the first six-day session of the year, and the state’s moose biologist said weather reports aren’t looking particularly favorable for them.

When the temps reach 80 this weekend, you may decide that I’ve jumped the gun a bit, but believe me, this morning was downright chilly. I, for one, am ready to embrace the season. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say that this is the best time of year to be an outdoorsman (or woman) in Maine.

Brooke Rosebush, 30 of Dover-Foxcroft, finished 14th among a field of 137 entrants in the fourth annual Caribou Half-Marathon on Sunday, Sept. 15 in central Aroostook County. Rosebush covered the 13.1 miles in a time of 1 hour, 42 minutes and 39 seconds

Fewer soccer errant balls going over and around the posts will be traveling far beyond the Piscataquis Community High School goals thanks to a pair of backstops with netting provided by a pair of area businesses.

On Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Hyde School the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance held its annual Hall of Fame ceremony. The Alliance inducted four well deserving individuals who have made an impact in the sport of wrestling in Maine. Head coach Richard DeRosier of Massabesic High School, Patrick Howard of Marshwood High School, University of Southern Maine head coach Mike Morin and head coach Luis Ayala of Foxcroft Academy were all inducted at this very special event.

Difficulty: Easy to challenging, depending on what campsites you select. Some campsites require longer paddles than others, and some require portaging (carrying your canoe and gear over land to reach the next body of water).

Foxcroft Academy took full advantage of some mistakes made on offense and special teams by visiting Mount View High School of Thorndike during the Ponies 2019 home opener on the evening of Friday, Sept. 13 at Oakes Field. These changes in possession each led to a Foxcroft touchdown, including a 33-0 lead at the half, as the Ponies won 48-12 to improve to 2-0 on the young season.

The Bucksport Golden Bucks played as advertised during their homecoming football game at Carmichael Field on Friday night, Sept. 13 -- and a game Dexter team had no answers. Freshman Jaxon Gross and sophomore Josh Miller combined to rush for 360 yards and six touchdowns as coach Joel Sankey’s club methodically pulled away to a 43-7 Little Ten Conference victory over the Tigers.

Charlie Mann of Winthrop and George Smith of Mount Vernon, who has a camp at Nesowadnehunk Lake on the edge of Baxter State Park, were each honored with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award. MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso presented the award to Smith and Elaine Mann, Charlie’s widow, at the annual Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine banquet on Sept. 7. The award, one of the department’s highest honors, celebrates a lifetime of achievement and mentoring in Maine’s outdoors.

Citing a thriving wild turkey population that some have said is a bit too high, lawmakers this spring passed new laws that will allow fall turkey hunters to enjoy a long season and take more birds in many Wildlife Management Districts.

Moose are Maine’s largest big game animal by far. Bulls have been known to top the scales in excess of 1,000 lbs! Because of their sheer size and body mass, they can be difficult to put down, even with a high-powered rifle -- if shot placement is not good. For ethical, as well as practical reasons, moose hunters need to zero in their rifles carefully and practice their marksmanship at various distances long before the fall hunt of a lifetime. Shot placement is key, even more important, really, than the caliber of choice!

Gabe Irwin, grandson of the famous blind hiker Bill Irwin who moved to Sebec later in his life, completed the Appalachian Trail on Sunday, Sept. 8, reaching the trail’s northern end atop Katahdin. The long journey brought to life the family story he’s heard since he was a child, and opened his eyes to the enormity of his grandfather’s accomplishment.

Foxcroft Academy boys soccer opened the season with a huge win by defeating Dexter Regional High School 15-2 on Tuesday, Sept. 10.