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.

The one comment we continued making to each other for a couple weeks after our rafting trip was how glad we were that we booked our trip with your company and how well everything runs at your company. We checked in after dark one night, so finding the place in the dark with a on-again, off-again GPS was interesting.

But from the moment we arrived, everything went great. You guys really have everything planned out well, from the daily schedule to the transportation to the river to the fantastic lunch we had during our rafting trip! Our guide was Brent, who was awesome! This is our family's second rafting trip, and it far surpassed our first trip. So glad we found your company on line and decided to book our rafting trip and two night stay in your lodgominiums.

Also worth mentioning, was the awesome slide show and VIDEO that followed. We ordered the video which was at our house by the time we got back from our vacation. It was a really well made and entertaining video!! Great special effects and editing!!!!

Thanks for an unforgettable time!!

Sandra
Norco, California

Rating: 5 *****

Kennebec River White Water Rafting

The day spent with Northern Outdoors was voted the favorite vacation day by my family. We were recommended to Northern Outdoors by the owner of the camp in which we stayed in Rockwood.

I have to tell you, your staff was incredible. Ryan was our rafting guide and he was wonderful! All of the guides were. We have watched the DVD several times since returning home, wishing it were that day again. After rafting, our kids enjoyed your pool and hot tub. We also stayed for dinner.

Our waiter was Dave.....not enough good can be said about Dave. He kept us laughing and our kids had fun taking his picture on their Cam Wow.

We are already talking about next year's vacation. Our kids want to return for a day of rafting and want to request Dave to be our guide. We'll see you next year!

Tammy M
Dillsburg, Pennsylvania

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Family Rafting Adventure

My husband and I took our 3 boys (16, 14, 12). He was apprehensive about trip. Boys were excited. My 12 yr. old became scared to death walking down the steep stairs at the beginning. We threw him in the boat, and never turned back.

My husband was so surprised at how exciting and fun it was. We all loved it. No fear, just exhiliration! Sandi was our guide. She was a perfect fit for our family. So fun. We loved her!

Have already spread word to friends that they have to put Northern Outdoors on their "bucket list".

We will be back... maybe for the Dead or Penobsquat River.

Kelly P
Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

New England Family Rafting Adventure

My family (six adults and four children) spent July 16th on the Kennebec River with Seamus and Dawn. It was the highlight of our vacation. The young teens actually enjoyed spending time with the "older members" of our family. We'll be back in four years when the younger ones (who couldn't join us this year) will be old enough to paddle the Kennebec. The pictures are fabulous. The guides went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a great time.

I did the Dead River about 29 years ago and it has always been one of my fondest memories.

Keep up the great work!

Joyce E
Passumpsic, VT

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Family Rafting Adventure

Nick Menounos really captured the intensity and the beauty of the Penobscot River on his trip this past spring with Northern Outdoors. If you want to see what the river "feels" like from an "in-the-boat" perspective, through some of the biggest rapids and most dramatic scenery, watch this!

WOW! Thanks Nick for capturing this. The Penobscot river is located in northern Maine near Mt. Katahdin, in Millinocket. It is a 6 hr drive from Boston, and worth every mile to get there. Remote, rugged, intensely beautiful, and with Class III to Class V whitewater action from Ripogenous Gorge down through the lower Penobscot.

Yankee Magazine rated the Northern Outdoors Penobscot River rafting trip one of New England's Best Adventures in 2011.  Is it on your bucket list? Learn more about Penobscot Rafting here.

Here's the video link here (or click on the image above): http://vimeo.com/52460261

Dear Russell & Fellow Staff..we had a blast on this trip.

Everything was above our expectations from the condo to the people to the rafting. We totally enjoyed ourselves and are already trying to plan a trip for next year. We all agreed that everyone was just so nice and energetic and we couldn't believe how organized you had everything. Great Job Northern Outdoors.

I bought one of your moose stickers and put it on my Xterra to help advertise a little. Also, I haven't stopped raving about your place since we came back. I work in a super busy Diner in town that has been there 58 years. It's the kind of place where if you want to know anything about anything you come to Zip's. So I am spreading the word to all of my customers that it is totally worth the fivehour ride. Oh yeah, we tried the "Deer in the head lights" beer as well...pretty tastey!!!

Thank you all again for making our vacation Excellent!!!

Jaime S
Danielson, Connecticut

Rating: 5 *****

New England Whitewater Rafting

This was my group's first time with your outfit, and we were very impressed. None of us were eager to leave on Sunday, and had already started to discuss coming up next summer for more days to get a chance to do more rafting and take more advantage of the facilities you offer.

While we found the restaurant a bit over-priced and the food quality variable, the foods you did well were amazing. Our dessert was amazing, the apple beef soup was tremendous, and I was impressed with the variety of your breakfast buffet. And the food ON the river trip was top-notch for what you have to do to provide it.

Overall a fantastic experience. Checking in and checking out was almost too easy and a delightful staff helped us every step of the way.

Take care
Don

Donald W
Lowell, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

New England Group Rafting Trip

I wanted to drop a quick line to thank you for a trip that was well worth the 5 hr ride. We met 4 other families for 3 days at your resort and all of us could not have been more satisfied.

Whether it was swimming in the pool with the kids, or using the giant hot tub, or drinking the home made beer (us adults anyway) the resort proved very fun. The actual whitewater trip was top notch. It was obvious from the organization and precision that this was a well thought out process, right down the the lunch on the river that reminded me of my army days and the size and scale needed to feed 100 people.

Again we all had a fabulous time and would recommend it to anyone.

Chris

Chris V
Franklin, Massachusetts
Rating: 5 *****

New England Family Rafting Adventure

Every summer we stay in Bar Harbor and my vacation would not be complete if I didn't raft with Northern Outdoors.
 

John S
Chester, Virginia
 

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Rafting Vacation

My experience with Northern Outdoors could not have been a better one! In all aspects of the river experience on the Kennebec, the service and staff, the lodge itself, as well as the surrounding natural beauty, I was very impressed.

Everyone else on my raft was equally surprised to learn that our guide, Elliot, had never been a guide before this summer. Having never rafter before myself, I was a little anxious about the Kennebec but Elliot as well as the other guides injected just the right note of humor into their extremely professional safety talk, and seemed to balance being approachable, friendly, and funny with being mindful of their own customers' safety as well as the other boats around them. The guides seem to enjoy themselves as much as the guests on the river, obviously working hard to keep track of things but with a constant smile! Elliot was very knowledgable and provided all kinds of information about local history, flora and fauna, and all aspects of the river itself. His obvious passion for the Kennebec, for Northern Outdoors, and for being a river guide was apparent in everything he did. Much like a good teacher who really loves their subject, that passion is infectious and added another dimension to the rafting experience beyond just the rapids (which were also, of course, very exciting)! Elliot seemed like the perfect balance of all the things a river guide should be, both to me as a beginner and to the more seasoned whitewater rafters in the group. It's hard to believe he is so young and hasn't been guiding for years.

I was also impressed with the extremely efficient lunchtime process, and the slide show at the end of the day in the lodge. The lunch on the river was very well organized as well as fresh, hot, and tasty. The video in the afternoon was a fun piece that I hadnt expected- the guide who narrated the slide show (nick maybe? With a moustache) was very funny and seemed to engage both the kids and adults. It was also nice to have a chance to dry off and get a drink/snack before sitting down again.

I thought the lodge was clean, beer was very good, and all of the guides/staff around the lodge were very friendly and helpful. Overall this was a fantastic experience and I would absolutely recommend Northern Outdoors to others. Thank you for an awesome introduction to whitewater!

Cynthia
Taylor, Michigan

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Adventure Vacation

This was one of the best getaways ever!! Our guide, David Parker, was awesome. We had so much fun with him. He was funny, entertaining, knowledgable and made sure we had a great time and were safe doing it. We would definitely raft again with him. Loved the brewery and night entertainment. We stayed in a tent and really enjoyed that experience.

Thanks again for a great vacation.

Melissa D
Norton, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Rafting Getaway

New England Adventure Resort

We know that whitewater, wilderness, and an honest-to-goodness real microbrewery is indeed a fantastic combination - we get to live that threesome every day from May into October! (We substitute snowmobile trails for whitewater in winter.) Northern Outdoors is not only the only rafting company or adventure resort in Maine with its own microbrewery onsite, but it's the only one in New England, and (sources close to us suggest, but have not confirmed yet), all of the US!

Maine whitewater rafting on the dam-controlled Kennebec, Penobscot, and Dead Rivers rivals the best whitewater anywhere. These rivers are big (4800CFS and more), technical in the right places (think Penobscot Cribworks Class V section!), and offer guaranteed water all season long according to their scheduled dam releases.

Maine has more trees than people. That's a shortcut way to say Maine has vast forests and mountainous regions, along with untouched rivers and pristine lakes that offer unparalleled outdoor recreation adventures. Add to whitewater and wilderness our very own Kennebec River Brewery, featured on the Maine Beer Trail, and located at our adventure resort - and you have a getaway made in heaven for beer enthusiasts and adventurous souls.

Read more about this unqiue brewery, wildernesess and whitewater combination in this our recent press release here.

There's still time to get in on whitewater, wilderness, and the Kenenbec River Brewery - now through October 7th for this season!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell you what a fabulous time my family and friends had . We were fortunate enough to meet Ryan the night before we rafted at the lodge. He was so nice we asked if he could be our guide the next day and what a good choice that was. We had two families in the raft with 4 kids having their first rafting experience. They had such a fabulous time they were asking if they could go again the next day.

I vote for Ryan as guide of the Kennebec 2012. We came home and told our neighbors to go on their upcoming vacation in a few weeks and told them to request Ryan. We will be returning next year with more family and friends. We hope that Ryan is still at Northern Outdoors. We did have the pleasure of meeting Chad who was running the games one night and Josh was my sisters guide and we will be returning hoping to see some of these great guides you have working for you. And we can't forget Dave.

Thank you for a fabulous family vacation.
Michelle

Michelle B
Falmouth, Maine
 

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Family Adventure Vacation

This was our second year rafting with Northern Outdoors and we will never go any where else. This year everyone including my two 10 year olds were able to do the whole river and it was awesome. Sandy was our guide this year ( last year was her hubby Brent) and I would highly recommend both. Sandy knew I was nervous about my little ones and she did such an amazing job at keeping them safe while allowing everyone to enjoy magic falls, white washer and big mama, little sister spots. Even though it rained we still had fun and never noticed the weather. Love Love Love....such fun and memories.

Thank you for another great ride...SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

Beth L
Windham, New Hampshire
 

Rating: 5 *****

New England Family Rafting Adventure

We have been going rafting for 4 years now. We so look forward to coming your way. Our grandson is not old enough to do the Penobscot yet, so we continue to do the Kennebec. Which is totally awsome. We had some high water this year, so it made for an extra fun experience. The food and staff were wonderful as always. We have reccomended you all to our friends, some of whom were there a week after us. Our son and his family don't raft, but still enjoy the camping from our favorite area. We look forward to seeing you all next July.

Thanks for another great family vacation, from the Johnson Family!

TAMMY J
Wakefield, Rhode Island
 

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Family Rafting

Maine Family Camping Vacation

The rafting trip was positively phenomenal, we had an AWESOME guide and a perfect day! All in all the vacation was a success, kayaking, dirtbiking, camping....Northern Outdoors really blows an outdoor adventure vaca out of this world! The only thing I have to complain about is that we DEFINITELY did not get enough time to have fun. We'll be staying longer next summer and I cant wait to adventure more with you guys!

Nissa J
Wakefield, Rhode Island
 

Rating: 5 *****

Maine Adventure Vacation

We went rafting this past weekend with Mike on the Kennebec. Not only was Mike a great guide, but he's the master brewer at the resort. We definitely enjoyed the fruits of his labor. Not only did we have a fantastic time rafting (this is our second year), we were pointed in the direction of a great hiking trail. It was straight up a mountain and a pretty strenuous climb, but the view was worth it and the secret pond at the end of the trail was the perfect way to end the hike.

Thanks for such a great vacation and we'll be back for a third year next summer!

Jessica K
Brookline, Massachusetts

Rating: 5 *****

Kennebec River Rafting

Maine Hiking Trail

A few weekends ago, 6 of my friends and I drove 5 and 1/2 hours to go rafting on the Penobscot. We were a little hesitant at first since white water rafting seems extreme and I heard many rumors about there being giant spiders in the cabins. However, we did not anticipate having one of the best vacations ever!

The bunk houses were excellent; not a spider in site! The staff at the lodge was very friendly, and we even ended up booking our cabin for an extra night to extend the fun. The rafting excursion itself was incredible. As seven 23-26 year old girls from Boston we thought our guide would be a little off-put by us but Luke was great! We couldn't have asked for someone better to coach us along the river. The best part (besides surfing and the waterfall) was when we saw a moose! He was just taking a bath in the river as we all drifted by, without a care in the world.

I would absolutely do this trip again and we might even make it an annual vacation! Thanks :)

Rachel C
Burlington, MA

Rating: 5 *****

Penobscot River Whitewater Rafting

Girlfriend Getaways

We stayed in two different cabins at Northern Outdoors. We really enjoyed them both. Very comfortable and convenient. The entire area was very inviting and the staff extremely helpful and friendly.

Thank you for supporting the adventure racing sport.

Thomas A
Germantown, Tennessee

Rating: 5 *****

Untamed New England Adventure Race