Maine’s Snowmobile Season Revs Up
You’ve seen the statistics on Maine’s snowmobiling world (14,000 miles of groomed trails; more than 65,000 resident and non-resident snowmobiles registered). But to really understand the significance of the industry, head into any of the state’s major “hubs” – such as Greenville, or Rangeley, or Jackman – and just look around. You’ll see crowds of riders, lines of sleds on the trails, and the responsive businesses that cater to the throng and rely on their patronage. In short, snowmobiling is what much of Maine does in the winter!
The January, 2025 issue of The Maine Sportsman acknowledges and amplifies on this theme, starting with the beautiful cover photo showing riders idling their machines on the ice as the sun sets over the hills. Inside, we continue our coverage, focusing this month on Franklin County, in “Rangeley – Riding at its Best” (page 25), supplemented by “Why Now is the Time to Join a Snowmobile Club,” by Staci Warren (page 28).
While you’re out there sledding on the ice, make sure you’ve got your 2025 fishing license, and set up your five traps! We tell you what you need to know, from our exclusive full-page Bait Dealers Directory, to Nolan Raymond’s “Ice Fishing with a Friend” (p. 19) and Bob Humphrey’s “Ice Fishing for Crappies” (p. 23).
For our readers farther north, Bill Graves has you covered in his “The County” column this month, titled “Aroostook’s ‘Wait and See’ Early Ice Fishing” (p. 30).
You want animals? We’ve got Kleiner Münsterländers (a/k/a “superdogs”), beagles, cougars, coyotes, bobcat, muskellunge, smelt and splake.
You want Youth Hunters? We’ve got trophy photos from several younger hunters in this issue. It’s our way of gearing up for our upcoming annual “Biggest Bucks in Maine” list and pictorial in the February issue (get those Biggest Bucks forms and photos to us without delay, by overnight mail if necessary, or you’ll miss the bus!).
Speaking of deadlines, if Christmas has come and gone, and you forgot someone important, give a subscription to The Maine Sportsman, and call it a New Year’s gift! It’s like giving the recipient a present every month of the year. Click here to go to our easy subscription link.
Questions? Contact the editor at Will@MaineSportsman.com or the office manager at Carol@MaineSportsman.com. And call (207) 622-4242 to renew your subscription, or give a gift subscription to a deserving relative, co-worker or friend.
Best New Year’s wishes from all of us here at The Sportsman.
Will Lund, editor
