Posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
- Regional Characteristics
Wildlife Region B contains 135 townships and extends from the central Maine coast north to Dexter; and from the Penobscot River westerly to the Androscoggin River valley. There are nearly 4000 sq.mi. in this region including approximately 3800 sq.mi of land area and 170 sq.mi. of open water lakes and ponds. In short, Wildlife Region B contains the lower river valleys of the Penobscot, Androscoggin and Kennebec Rivers. Human population and development is centered along two major corridors: (1) Route 1 and associated coastal development from the Brunswick area north to Bangor including such towns as Wiscasset, Waldoboro, Rockland and Belfast; and (2) the I-95 corridor from Brunswick to Bangor including the urban centers of Augusta/Gardiner, Waterville/Winslow and Bangor.
The remaining portions of this region are sparcely developed containing some of the Maine’s best soils and an excellent mixture of reverting farmland, active farmland and upland mixed forests. Population densities vary across the region from greater than 170 residents per sq. mi. in Androscoggin Co. to approximately 50 residents per sq. mi. in portions of Waldo Co., eastern lower Somerset Co. and western Penboscot Co.
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Tags: Central Maine Hunting Report • Categories: Hunting Reports
Posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
- Physical Characteristics
Region A is the southern most region in the state, made up of ninety towns in York, Cumberland, Oxford, Androscoggin, and Sagadahoc Counties. While the region represents approximately 10% of the state’s area it has almost 50% of the state’s population. The region can be characterized as three main areas. The coastal strip, which is that area east of the Maine Turnpike, the central area, and the western foothills, which extend up into the lower portion of Oxford County. Over the past 50 years there has been a continual increase in both the amount of development and the amount of forested land while at the same time there has been a continual decline in the amount of agriculture. In that time the amount of agricultural land, within the region, has declined from 30% to 10%. At the same time, the human population, within the region, has increased approximately 30%. The development pressure has not been constant across the region, it is strongest along the coast and diminishes as one moves west. Some concerns within the region have been the increasing amounts of posted or restricted land, increasing amounts of development and the associated loss of quality habitat, and balancing deer accidents and crop damage complaints with the hunters request for more deer.
- Wildlife Management Areas
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Tags: Southwestern Maine Hunting Report • Categories: Hunting Reports
Posted on Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 by Maine Sportsman
This Month: It’s All Happening Now … How Can We Do It All?
Statistically, October ranks as one of Maine’s drier months with an average rain (or possibly snowfall) occurring in eight of its 31 days, and this period of relatively good weather offers cool but not frigid temperatures. Contrary to popular belief, November passes just as dry, but those cold rains in the 11th month make a lasting impression.
Against a backdrop of intense reds, yellows and oranges, outdoors folks find a bunch of options, including upland birding, waterfowling, bowhunting deer, bear hunting, small-game hunting, fall fishing, trapping, cooning with hounds, gray-squirrel shooting, chasing rabbits, wild-food gathering, capturing landscape and wildlife photos, camping, backpacking, canoe tripping, harvesting garden staples, the root veggies, or you name it.
Even retired folks don’t have enough time in the 31-day month to do it all, so we pick and choose our delights. Sometimes, we arrange cast-and-blast weekends — say grouse hunting in the morning, trout fishing in a northern river during the afternoon and vehicle camping at a secluded site. This option works when we try to crowd in as much as possible.
One scene appeals to everyone, a day afield followed by an early night in front of the woodstove, reading a good book with a faithful dog curled at our feet. An electric blanket feels sinful when it’s time to retire.
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Tags: October 2008 Issue • Categories: Almanac
