As the state of Maine slowly reopens businesses and public spaces this spring and summer, it may be confusing at times to figure out exactly what’s open and available -- and what’s not. To help you enjoy the outdoors safely, and with minimal frustration, we’ve compiled information about outdoor destinations and recreational opportunities, focusing on the month of May. 

On April 30 the Maine Sporting Camp Association (MSCA) requested government approval of a plan whereby non-resident commercial sporting camp clients could “self-certify” that they have been in isolation at their home for at least 14 days before traveling to Maine.

Gov. Janet Mills and her staff have outlined restrictions for the opening of golf courses on Friday as part of Stage 1 of the plan for restarting Maine’s economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mills on April 2 had shut down golf courses but announced Tuesday that they are among the businesses that may open on Friday with numerous safety rules in place.

There are a few realizations you have to make if you’re going to pursue wild turkeys in Maine.

There may be some good news for moose hunters next fall. Wildlife biologists have proposed an 11% increase over last year in moose hunting permits. The hunt quota figure is 3,135 permits. That’s the most since 2014! The proposal won’t be final until it has been subjected to public review and given final approval by the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council.

Hiking with kids can be a wonderful experience that leads to cherished memories. But sometimes, things don’t go so smoothly.

Only a few days remain until the start of Maine’s spring turkey hunting season on Saturday, May 2. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on Tuesday announced the season would begin earlier and suspended the requirement to register harvested birds to accommodate social distancing guidelines.

No matter how easy the hike, it’s always more comfortable, safe and enjoyable if you put some consideration into what clothes you wear and what items you carry.  Here’s how to pack and dress for an easy hike without any special gear.

Under the revised season framework, youth hunters will now get two youth hunting days, Saturday April 25 and Monday, April 27 instead of only May 2. The regular season for all turkey hunters will now start on Saturday, May 2, instead of Monday, May 4. This will give youth hunters and adult hunters each an extra day to hunt, and will start the season earlier. The season will conclude as scheduled on June 6.

Yes, come the first week of May, when many of us will head to the woods for the opening day of turkey hunting season, it'll be much nicer (unless it rains).

It has been a challenging and emotionally draining last several weeks. We’ve been encouraged to stay at home to keep each other safe and many of us have been relegated to that same (in my case tiny) space for work. Day after day. It got old. Quickly. I had no idea how much it had dampened my outlook on things -- until I went fishing.

More and more, the government’s nationwide COVID-19 mitigation measures are resembling a fictional nightmare from the pages of “1984,” George Orwell’s dystopian novel about oppressive government run amok.

As expected, the popularity of eight-player football will continue to transform the Maine high school landscape for the 2020 season. The Maine Principals’ Association has approved several proposed football classification changes, including two divisions to accomodate 26 eight-player teams. That’s an increase of 16 programs from the state’s implementation of the alternative format last year.

Maine's annual moose permit lottery, which was to have been staged live in front of a large crowd in Jackman in June, has been switched to a 'virtual' format instead due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Baxter State Park will be closed to camping, vehicle access and travel above tree line until further notice, with a target opening date of July 1.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, Three Rivers Kiwanis has canceled this year’s Sebec River Canoe Race.

To the constantly growing list of events that won't be staged this year, add this: Trout Unlimited's national meeting, which was to have been held in Bangor in August, will instead be staged in the Queen City in 2021. The meeting had been scheduled for Aug. 19-23 and would have drawn hundreds of volunteers to Bangor for a variety of meetings and recreational events.

If you have never hunted wild turkeys, you are missing a wonderful opportunity, not only to  enjoy the spring woods in Maine before bug season, but to hunt a very plentiful game bird.