By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff A new boater safety course and age restrictions on who may operate recreational watercraft will be two of the top changes the Maine Legislature made in 2023 that will affect your outdoor experience in the coming year.

ORONO — Foxcroft Academy junior Runner Jarrett earned top honors in the boys’ 2-mile during a Penobscot Valley Conference/Eastern Maine Indoor Track League meet on Dec.

Photo courtesy of Eric Ogden Photography FOXCROFT GIRLS BASKETBALL — Front, from left, Shayli Cirulli, Jasmine Hall, Kierstyn Nuite, Halle Page, Addie Day, Maddie Sands, and Sabrina Douglass.

Photo courtesy of Eric Ogden PhotographyDEXTER BOYS BASKETBALL — Varsity and JV team members are Zakary Adams, Brandon Batey, Jason Bowden, Bryce Cooper, Cole Doherty, Ethan Doherty, Tyler Gould, Simon Grenier, Holdyn Guenther, Kody Kimball, Bodhi Langlais, Kellen Peavey, Trevor Picariello, Jacob Ponte, Jacoby Pratt, Isiah Robinson, Jeremy (JJ) Saine, and Will Spratt.

Photo courtesy of Eric Ogden Photography PCHS WRESTLING — Front, from left, Haylee Marshall, Ezra Miller, Alex Hall, Tristan Billington, Karson Tibbetts, Karrigan Wilson, and Shelby Grant.

Photo courtesy of Eric Ogden PhotographyPENQUIS BOYS BASKETBALL — Front, from left, Thomas Eddy, Mickey Hager, Aidan Murano, Brayden Hobbs, Jareth Williams, and Peyton Herbest.

By Ron Chase Stormy weather ruined our plans for a western Maine mountain hike.

By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff Hunters killed fewer bears this season than in the last two years, although harvest numbers are higher than before the pandemic, according to the state’s longtime bear biologist.

ORONO — The Piscataquis Community High School girls picked up 24 points to place fifth among a field of six teams during a Dec.

By Sam Canfield, Bangor Daily News Staff The Old Town Coyotes improved to 5-0 in dominating fashion on Saturday afternoon, Dec.

By Larry Mahoney, Bangor Daily News Staff The northern Maine high school basketball tournament at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor won’t be the same this season.

Foxcroft Academy senior Jadon Richard has been named to the Big East Conference 2023-24 Week 1 honor roll.

Pirate girls fall vs.

By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff The major snowmobile trail that connects Jay, Wilton and Farmington likely will not be fixed for this season of sledding, according to the head of the Maine Snowmobile Association.

RUMFORD — The Dexter Regional High School wrestling team finished 10th among 26 teams with a score of 82 points at the Franklin Savings Bank Classic at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford.

ORONO — The 2023-24 Penobscot Valley Conference/Eastern Maine Indoor Track League season began on Saturday, Dec.

By Ron Chase North Peak of Moxie Bald Mountain was a setback for my son, Adam, and me.

By Aislinn Sarnacki The wilderness is beautiful in a special way after it snows, and I’m always eager to get out and see it.