The MDIWF (State of Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife) reports that the 2012 Maine whitetail deer season ended with a total harvest of 21,365 deer, representing an increase of 13% over the 2011 harvest of 18,839. Increases in the harvest were seen in all wildlife management districts. The highlight of the 2012 season, and testament to the recovering deer numbers, was the jump in the overall harvest of bucks between 2011 and 2012. A total of 15,271 adult bucks were harvested in Maine this past season, representing an increase of 2,473 deer over the 2011 season (i.e., 19% increase). Indeed, the overall buck harvest increased within all 29 Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs).

The health of the deer herd is good news for Maine’s hunting community, and it's good for hunting outfitters too. At Northern outdoors, we are pround of our 40 year tradition of Trophy Whitetail Deer Hunting and are pleased to showcase our expanded commitment to hunting and fishing through a newly launched, mobile-friendly website, at www.Mainedeerhunting.com. In addition to Trophy Buck Hunting, we are also excited to introduce this year custom bird & small game hunts and, moose hunting.   The new website features information on all Maine’s hunting seasons, Whitetail Deer, Moose, Bird, and Small Game, as well as information on bass, trout, & landlocked salmon fishing seasons. All inclusive professionally guided deer hunt packages start at $1050 for a week, $600 for 3 day hunts.

Jim Yearwood, Vice President noted “This past winter did not stress the deer population significantly, we believe this only supports the continued growth of Maine’s deer population in 2013. It's great news for sportsmen planning to hunt in Maine.”

About Northern Outdoors:

Established in 1976, Northern Outdoors has a 40-year tradition of Trophy Whitetail Deer Hunting from its lodge in The Forks. Northern Outdoors is a four-season adventure resort and winner of Yankee Magazine's 2011 Best New England Adventures Award. In addition to hunting and fishing, Northern Outdoors offers whitewater rafting, hiking, and ATV rentals in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. The resort includes private cabins, riverside camping, and the Kennebec River Brewery, featured on the Maine Beer Trail. Northern Outdoors is located 2.5 hours from Portland Maine, 2.5 hours from Quebec City, Canada, and 4 hours from Boston, on Route 201, The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway.

From the moment we arrived at northern outdoors I knew this was going to be a great trip! I've spent a lot of time in Maine doing everything from snowmobiling, atving, fishing, hiking etc... Everything except white water rafting. The staff at northern outdoors make you feel like family from the first moment you walk through the door!

Our rafting guide James made the expiernce even better as we were both a little nervous about the rafting, but James put us at ease and it was a unforgettable expiernce!!! The lunch along the rivers edge was amazing best expiernce we have had in Maine yet and can't wait to return to northern outdoors with the snowmobiles this winter! There's nothing better than a day on the river then returning to the lodge and soaking in the hot tub enjoying one of their own brewery's fresh beers on tap!

Thanks again!

Tom P
Coventry, Rhode Island

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Outdoor Adventures

My husband & I & our friends (another couple) shared a logominium together. The bad...the mattress on the top of the trundle bed was old and very lumpy...extremely uncomfortable, for the price of lodging it should have been changed.

The good...overall the lodging was good, clean set up nicely. The staff for the lodging and the restaurant were exceptional. Everyone went out of there way for us and always a smile on their face and a friendly hello. The ATVing in the area was wonderful, great sites to see.

I would definitely visit your establishment again and have already recommeded it to others. We all had a great time.

Holly G
Peabody, Massachusetts
 

Rating: 5 *****

Maine ATV Getaway Weekend

Russell:
Mark Montague here (Grant's fill in and one who manned Finish line till 3AM both nights). Your resort provided one of the best travel experiences I have had in 20+ yrs. Every member of your staff bent over backwards to make our stay there as easy and enjoyable as possible. From the front desk Admin staff to the Food/Restaurant Staff to the Servers and Maid staff, they were all top notch. I honestly could not punch a hole in any aspect of your business. God has blessed you and Northern Outdoors for always giving your guests the best experience possible.

I only look fwd to coming back and actually enjoying some of the other amenities like Whitewater Rafting and ATV riding instead of all the hard work we did hiking and biking in the Mtns last week. Keep up the great work and you will continue to be Maine's Premiere Resort for vacations!

Mark M
Portsmouth, VA

Rating: 5 *****

Untamed New England Adventure Race

Untamed New England at Northern Outdoors

We arrived at Northern Outdoors on Friday afternoon and were greeted at the front desk by your pleasant and efficient staff, keys were ready for our cabin and we were provided with a map. Information sheets and our lunch choices were provided for the next day’s rafting. We were disappointed that there were no local ATV maps available.

Upon arriving at the Cabin we found it was clean and neat, the bathroom was stocked with plenty of towels for our party of 7. We were glad that we did bring our own bar soap the small soap on the bathroom sink was not sufficient for showering. After we finished unpacking a few of us drove down to Berry’s Store in search of a local ATV Trail Map. We were happy to find that they did have some 2011 ATV maps which we picked up and headed back to settle into the cabin. After dinner we headed up to the lodge to wait for the rest of our party which was arriving late. Some of us just sat and relaxed others enjoyed a few games of pool.

On Saturday morning 4 of us were ready for our day of rafting. We headed up to the lodge to meet our guides and have our safety instruction. We were glad that we had gone over the clothing recommendations prior to our trip. We all had our water shoes, bathing suits, under armor and fleeces. Wet suits were offered for rental at a reasonable rate. We were issued our helmets, paddles and life jackets I do have to say your team has that process down pat it is well organized. Next on to the buses, Mary gave us some great local information and kept us entertained during the ride, a quick opportunity to use the rest rooms once we arrived and we were off. The rafting was a blast a big thank you to Nick our guide! During the lunch stop I was once again impressed by all of the guide’s efficient manner and it was not long before we were enjoying a great lunch on the river side. The food was outstanding. After lunch we were back in the rafts to finish our day. When we arrived back at the lodge, we had a few min to change and the rafting pictures were ready for viewing. A perfect day on the river.

The group that went out on the quads had a great day as well they headed out around 9am and choose to go to Greenville the trails were excellent once they were about a mile out. They enjoyed their lunch at Kelly’s Landing and headed back. It was a beautiful day for a ride and they could not say enough about the trails.
After dinner we headed back up to the lodge, the Celtics game was on and there was live music. As the evening progressed we decided to grab some snacks in the restaurant. The food was good and the service was excellent.

Sunday morning after checking out we took a hike up to Moxie Falls (it was recommended by Mary on the rafting bus) we were glad we did what a beautiful site, and a shout out to Mary for the recommendation.

We had a great time and we are already planning to go again next year!!

Nancy J
Alfred, ME

Rating: 5 *****

Kennebec River Whitewater Rafting

ATV Trails in The Forks Area

We came to Northern Outdoors for our honeymoon. We stayed in the Boom Chain Cozy Cabin and we loved it. It was just what we wanted. Nice bathroom, kitchen, and it was very clean. We came up for an ATV trip and we rode almost everyday. It was nice to come back after riding all day and get a nice meal and relax at the lodge. The food and beer were awesome. Having a place where we could eat, relax in the hot tub or shoot pool was a real nice touch.

I would love to come back sometime. Its well worth the trip from Vermont.

Jamie P
West Topsham, VT

Rating: 5 *****

ATV Trails

We've been on two trips down the Dead and have had a great time. The staff, accomodations, equipment and food were top notch! Thanks for a great weekend! Next time Im thinking ATV'ing, or snowmobiling, or rafting the Penob...cant wait for our next trip up there, keep up the great work, you guys rock!

Steve S
Leominster, MA

Rating: 5 *****

Dead River Whitewater Rafting

Yes we both had a very nice cruise on the trails as this was our 1st time in this area. We drove 94 miles in 2 days, and would have driven more on Thursday--but it rained--These trails are different than in NH as many are dirt roads used by logging trucks.

We did both have a beer and food and both were great. The 1 beer I had was enough-WHOA--felt like 3 beers---what was in that Porter???

We stayed in a Cozy Cabin and the accomodations were excellent--though more shelving would be great in the kitchen area to the left of the stove/frig, as well as some hooks to hang towels as well as in the bathroom. And the outside light facing the parking spot needs to be replaced...Looking forward to returning in 2012, when the weather is warmer for us. For more ATVing and rafting next time.

We were the only ones there for 4 nights and enjoyed the quiet sounds of the darkness, along with using the fire ring....it was eerie but also serene.

Thanks for the relaxation.

Richard W
Nashua, NH

Rating: 5 *****

Maine ATV Trails
Kennebec River Pub & Brewery

Maine adventure vacations come in all shapes and sizes, and many folks that come to Northern Outdoors get here by ATV (all terrain vehicle).  We love it!  But due to the fragile nature of the trails this time of year, the connector trails leading to our Maine ATV trails and resort are closed for another several weeks or so.  The ground is still pretty muddy and wet behind our lodge, and we need a bit more time for the trails to dry.

We understand you still want to ride though cause we do too!  For the time being, our recommendation is to stick to more durable surfaces such as rail trail riding.  A rail trail is characterized as a disused railway that has been converted into a multi-use trail.  The good thing is that Maine's ATV rail trails tend to be flat, long and frequently running through historical areas.

If you plan to experience our Maine ATV trails and resort in the next few weeks, here's our rail trail recommendation:

After arriving at Northern Outdoors, trailer to the Moxie Lake Boat Landing and head to Greenville.  This is an old rail line!  Go straight down the Shirley Tote road and into Shirley.  Then take the railroad bed into Greenville Junction.

The age old saying is "know before you go" so for the latest ATV trail info, just give us a call or check out www.atvmaine.org .

Maine ATV Trails and Resort
Maine Adventure Vacations
ATV Maine




 

We had a great time at Northern Outdoors and we will be back. I'd like some info on the ATVing up there.

Carl H
Dover, NH

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Snowmobiling
Maine ATV Trails

Maine is a great place to be a kid, even if it's just for a long weekend.  There are ponds and pools to swim in, loons to spot, moose to watch for, kayaks to paddle, rivers to raft, trails to hike, ATVs and snowmobiles to ride...the list goes on and on.  There are also great books to read, good for a laugh, a gasp and fun for the entire family. 

Here is a great list of books set in Maine and often written by Maine writers that will amuse and inspire youngsters of all ages on Maine family vacations.

Some of our favorites include:

• Andre by Lew Dietz, the story of the world's most famous seal. 
• Baxter Bear and Moses Moose by Evariste Bernier  about a bear who collects hats and a moose with cold feet.
• Counting Our Way to Maine by Maggie Smith the perfect book for a roadtrip to Maine
• Lost on a Mountain in Maine by Donn Fendler and Joseph Egon is the classic an unforgettable story of a boy's survival after becoming lost in the Maine woods.  Based on a true story - with a happy ending!

There are a lot of great Maine stories out there, and we would love to hear about them. Which is your favorite?
    Tweet

Those who love Maine Snowmobile riding and the Maine ATV Trails and resort settings offered along the trail systems, are probably familiar with Tread Lightly!  For those who are not, the Tread Lightly! was program begun in 1985 by the United States Forest Service.  The goal of the program was "to encourage off highway vehicle (OHV) users to conduct themselves on National Forest Land in a way that minimizes trail, and more importantly, off-trail damage." (Tread Lightly!® In Maine - article by Steve Salisbury)

Currently, Tread Lightly! is operated as a non-profit which encourages training and responsibility with its 5 TREAD pledge (Yes TREAD actually equates to more than walking!)  In this case TREAD means: Travel responsibly, Respect the rights of others, Educate yourself, Avoid sensitive areas and Do your part.

Not bad advice for anyone travelling anywhere, but, in this case, Tread Lightly!'s work is specific to people who enjoy the outdoors in mechanized vehicles, i.e. trucks, powerboats, jet skis, ATVs, snowmobiles, etc.  The organization offers a variety of educational and certification progams to encourage TREAD princples and to help OHVs users preserve and conserve the land so they can have long-term use of it for their activities.  Maine Snowmobile and ATV clubs encourage this type of education and smart usage of the land in order to help maintain Maine's unique system of open access to trails on private lands.

Tread Lightly! offers periodic training sessions throughout the country for those interested.  A full list of programs information is available at the Tread Lightly! website.

Unlike some areas of the world where the word vacation is attached to a specific time of year, New England is a region of adventures for all seasons. 

Here in Maine, winter means alpine, nordic and back country skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog sledding, ski jouring, and of course riding on Maine snowmobile trails.  It's a season of first tracks, swishing edges, kicked-up sprays of snow and hot chocolate in front of fireplaces.

Spring offers bright sunny days filled with the sound of rushing water for Maine whitewater rafting, the first festivals of the year, hiking, triathlons and bird watching.  Waterfalls begin to flow free with all the spring runnoff.  This is when everyone breaks out the bicycles and motorcycles for fun in the early sun.

Summer is getting out from coast to mountains, exploring lakes and rivers through kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and Kennebec River rafting, hiking long trails, boating on the lakes and ocean, beach combing, cycling, berry picking, geocaching, golfing and ATVing.  Don't forget the moose spotting!  Summer in Maine is fun in endless ways.

Come fall, leaf looking is in season, whether from horseback or from a raft, along a lonely mountain trail or a winding back road.  Dead River Rafting comes to a close with what are usually the biggest releases of the season, and fairs are everywhere this time of year — especially popular are the ones offering up the large bounty of Maine's harvest. 

New England vacations have something for everyone all year round.  It's one more thing to love about living here.

 

Whether visitors are headed to Maine for the last release of the season for Dead River Rafting, to play at Maine ATV Trails and resort adventures or to try their feet at Hut to Hut hiking trips, fall is the time to really savor being here.

From the interstate to two lane black top to the gravel backroads, seemingly endless waves of color cover the landscape.

Lakes and rivers reflect the trees, sometimes making it hard to know where land begins and water ends.  Kennebec River rafting through the Kennebec River Gorge this time of year is nothing short of spectacular.  Even just sitting on the porch of a rental cabin, sipping a hot drink and listening to the breeze in the leaves and watching them fall is a special time. 

Sometimes when people think of Maine adventure vacations, they think big and wild — huge whitewater, rocky hiking trails, skiing above treeline at Sugarloaf — but not every adventure has to be hardcore and not every adventurer has to be a rugged outdoor adrenaline fiend.

For those who live where the leaves do not change and who have never experienced the thrilling beauty of a crisp fall morning, we offer the simple joy of a fall foliage vacation.   There is nothing like waking and walking outside with a hot cup of coffee to watch mist roll through brilliantly colored maples and birch, hear loons cry on the lake below and just sigh in bliss.  A walk along the Kennebec River on the Old Canada Road trail, a site-seeing drive along Route 201 to Jackman, a geo-caching scavenger hunt among the fallen leaves — all of these are the mellower side of adventuring in Maine.

The other options also exist — Maine whitewater rafting through a fall foliage shrouded gorge - ATV rides through fallen leaves, a climb to the peak of a mountain — for those who want high adventure, but they are not required for a great fall adventure in Maine.

Heading to the Maine woods to ride on Maine ATV trails or indulge in Kennebec river rafting, means traveling a few hours from home. Most people make a weekend of it, and turn their time here into mini Maine adventure vacations.

One way to make a weekend getaway affordable is to choose to camp out instead of staying in a motel or renting a cabin. But then there's all the bother of setting up tents, rolling them up damp from dew the morning it's time to leave, drying them out at home and packing them away... Enter the cabin tent!

Made from rugged canvas, these cabin tents — also called platform tents — are semi-permanent structures set up off the ground on wooden platforms. They have wooden doors, often a window or two and have 2-4 wooden cots with mattresses upon which to spread out sleeping bags and dream the night away.   Each also has it's own picnic table and fire ring.

With access to a shared bathhouse complete with hot showers, cabin tents offer the cost savings of tent camping, but without a big part of the hassle. Add to that the sound of the Kennebec River in the background and a short walk to the main lodge where great food, fresh beer, a hot tub and great company await, and cabin tents become a great adventure lodging option!

ATVSource.com recently carried a profile of Northern Outdoors including a  brief history and background on the company and its decision earlier this year to cater to ATV's and UTV's looking for a convenient base-camp from which to explore Maine's extensive network of ATV Trails.

Northern Outdoors is long established as one of Maine's most popular one-stop Snowmobile Resorts and is now aiming to appeal to powersports enthusiasts year-round with the addition of a spring / summer / fall spur trail which connects to Maine's extensive network of over 6,000 miles of dedicated ATV trails. 

For more information on Northern Outdoors visit www.NorthernOutdoors.com or call 800-765-7238

Cruising north out of Skowhegan on U.S. Route 201, you top a hill and a view opens up before you - mountains roll to the horizon and the sky doubles in size.  On your left, in a grassy area, is a sign announcing you are now driving on the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway.  A few hundred feet past the sign is an unmarked turn onto a gravel road that twists up to a picnic pavilion and another spectacular view.  Everything is new and this is obviously the beginnings of a larger project -  below the picnic area you can see signs of work in the woods. where walking trails are in the process of being cut.  Hmmm...a place to return to and explore some more on future trips.  Informational plaques on stands offer information about the mountains before you and the history of the area, it's clear they are the first of many you can stop and read along 201 north.

Breath in the view for a while, then continue north, into history, into wilderness and into adventure.  A National Scenic ByWay has to be more that a pretty drive - it has to be a route with history significant to the region and offer much to see and do.  The Old Canada Road is a prime example, with historical markers, spectacular scenery, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure from Kennebec River rafting, ATV trails and resorts, and Hut to Hut Hiking trips to wintertime Maine snowmobile vacations.  The houses and towns along the way are small and hardy, the people tough and friendly, the journey worth taking!

Driving up 201 toward Northern Outdoors on a New England vacation adventure, Wyman Lake and the Kennebec River hug the right side of the road for long stretches.  There are several unmarked turnouts, and one vaguely marked 'Historic Site'.  A small brown sign points the way to a narrow gravelled pullout with room for maybe two cars.  The historic marker there is simple, a plaque mounted on a small boulder on a bluff overlooking the Kennebec.  The view of the river is more impressive than the marker, but once you take a few moments to read, surprise takes hold.

Who crossed the Kennebec River at this lovely spot, and marched up the very route you are driving on the way to your Dead River rafting trip?  Benedict Arnold - on his way to fight the British in Quebec!  What is this?  A moment not only in Maine history, but the history of our country? A surprise find in an area of Maine known more for Maine ATV trails and resorts designed for outdoor adventure.  So when you're driving up see us at Northern Outdoors - take a moment to stop at this site and feel the history!

It was a rainy summer here in Maine, but all that rain has an upside folks planning a fall New England Vacation.  We're not at peak yet, but give us a few weeks.  We'll keep an eye on the trees and let you know what's happening.

Bill Ostrofsky, a forest pathologist with the Maine Forest Service was asked by mainefoliage.com what we can expect for fall color this year: "Good foliage development is a prerequisite for good fall color. The plentiful summer rain allowed the foliage to develop vigorously, and most crowns now appear full, dense, and very lush. All regions appear to be on track for another spectacular season."

Now that's what we like to hear!  There's nothing like whitewater rafting New England style to the backdrop of orange and red maples, bright yellow birch, deep green balsam.  And when we're playing on land not water, the ATV trails and hiking trails just glow gold when we travel them.  

We expect the first weekend of October to be peak color here in The Forks and that heppens to coincide with Octoberfest and the season's final dam release on The Dead River!  A perfect time for a long weekend Maine family vacation!