When the temps reach 80 this weekend, you may decide that I’ve jumped the gun a bit, but believe me, this morning was downright chilly. I, for one, am ready to embrace the season. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say that this is the best time of year to be an outdoorsman (or woman) in Maine.

Brooke Rosebush, 30 of Dover-Foxcroft, finished 14th among a field of 137 entrants in the fourth annual Caribou Half-Marathon on Sunday, Sept. 15 in central Aroostook County. Rosebush covered the 13.1 miles in a time of 1 hour, 42 minutes and 39 seconds

Fewer soccer errant balls going over and around the posts will be traveling far beyond the Piscataquis Community High School goals thanks to a pair of backstops with netting provided by a pair of area businesses.

On Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Hyde School the Maine Amateur Wrestling Alliance held its annual Hall of Fame ceremony. The Alliance inducted four well deserving individuals who have made an impact in the sport of wrestling in Maine. Head coach Richard DeRosier of Massabesic High School, Patrick Howard of Marshwood High School, University of Southern Maine head coach Mike Morin and head coach Luis Ayala of Foxcroft Academy were all inducted at this very special event.

Difficulty: Easy to challenging, depending on what campsites you select. Some campsites require longer paddles than others, and some require portaging (carrying your canoe and gear over land to reach the next body of water).

Foxcroft Academy took full advantage of some mistakes made on offense and special teams by visiting Mount View High School of Thorndike during the Ponies 2019 home opener on the evening of Friday, Sept. 13 at Oakes Field. These changes in possession each led to a Foxcroft touchdown, including a 33-0 lead at the half, as the Ponies won 48-12 to improve to 2-0 on the young season.

The Bucksport Golden Bucks played as advertised during their homecoming football game at Carmichael Field on Friday night, Sept. 13 -- and a game Dexter team had no answers. Freshman Jaxon Gross and sophomore Josh Miller combined to rush for 360 yards and six touchdowns as coach Joel Sankey’s club methodically pulled away to a 43-7 Little Ten Conference victory over the Tigers.

Charlie Mann of Winthrop and George Smith of Mount Vernon, who has a camp at Nesowadnehunk Lake on the edge of Baxter State Park, were each honored with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award. MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso presented the award to Smith and Elaine Mann, Charlie’s widow, at the annual Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine banquet on Sept. 7. The award, one of the department’s highest honors, celebrates a lifetime of achievement and mentoring in Maine’s outdoors.

Citing a thriving wild turkey population that some have said is a bit too high, lawmakers this spring passed new laws that will allow fall turkey hunters to enjoy a long season and take more birds in many Wildlife Management Districts.

Moose are Maine’s largest big game animal by far. Bulls have been known to top the scales in excess of 1,000 lbs! Because of their sheer size and body mass, they can be difficult to put down, even with a high-powered rifle -- if shot placement is not good. For ethical, as well as practical reasons, moose hunters need to zero in their rifles carefully and practice their marksmanship at various distances long before the fall hunt of a lifetime. Shot placement is key, even more important, really, than the caliber of choice!

Gabe Irwin, grandson of the famous blind hiker Bill Irwin who moved to Sebec later in his life, completed the Appalachian Trail on Sunday, Sept. 8, reaching the trail’s northern end atop Katahdin. The long journey brought to life the family story he’s heard since he was a child, and opened his eyes to the enormity of his grandfather’s accomplishment.

Foxcroft Academy boys soccer opened the season with a huge win by defeating Dexter Regional High School 15-2 on Tuesday, Sept. 10.

The Foxcroft Academy field hockey team enjoyed a nice, four-year run in Class B North. Coach Stephanie Smith’s Ponies were seeded in the top three in the Heal Points standings and reached the regional semifinals in three of those four seasons. After a drop in enrollment, the Ponies find themselves in Class C this season.

It wasn’t the result Paul Withee wanted Sept. 7 as the Madison-Carrabec football team fell to Dexter in its first game of the season. But for the veteran coach, much like many of the players on his youthful roster, the game marked the start of a new relationship.

Josh Harvey followed a familiar script as New England Fights made its mixed martial arts debut at the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono on Sept. 7. The undefeated NEF professional featherweight champion ended his non-title bout against Dominic Jones as quickly as possible.

Eleven seniors on the Dexter football team have been playing together since their middle-school days. They’re hoping to cap off their high school careers in grand style this fall and got off to a good start Saturday afternoon, Sept. 7 with a 37-10 victory over Madison-Carrabec in a Class D clash at Tiger Field.

A mutual 2019 girls soccer opener between Dexter Regional High School and host Piscataquis Community High School on Sept. 6 went back and forth with the Dexter leading twice before PCHS tied play including 3-3 late in the second half to set up bonus play. After one extra session, Tiger junior Peyton Grant wasted little time in overtime No. 2 as she scored the game-winner at the 4:24-mark.

Aroostook County has always had an allure for me. Not just because of the great trout fishing, of which my family and I have partaken often over the years, but for many other reasons, too.