Think Spring!!
Get outside and brush off the cobwebs from the long winter! Spring mini is being held Sunday, May 21st, 2023. This one-day intro will offer participants the chance to complete two workshop sessions of their choice.
- Date: Sunday, May 21st, 2023
- Start / End Times: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Registration Fee: $95.00
- Location: Bryant Pond 4-H Camp, 17 Conservation lane
- Minimum Age: 18 Years and older
- Group Limit: 12 per session
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Session I -9:00-12:00 (3 hours)
Hooked on Bass Fishing – In this session, learn how to become a better bass angler by learning casting, lure selection and various presentation methods. Soon you’ll be able to “flip a jig,” rip a chatter-bait, or toss a “wacky rig” like a pro! Maine’s bass fishing has grown in popularity, and it’s a great way to spend the warmer months on the water when trout and salmon need a break!
Vehicle Operation for the Outdoor Enthusiast & Trailer Usage and Upkeep – If you are an outdoor enthusiast in New England or are planning your next trip to visit, then maybe you have questions about towing a camper or backing your boat into the water. Maybe it’s loading and unloading your atv or snowmobile? Or just how to maintain your vehicle for a long trip. Either way, during this session, we will cover the “nuts and bolts” of being a responsible car and recreation vehicle operator. We will practice changing a flat tire, checking and changing your car or recreational vehicles oil, driving with a trailer (this includes in reverse) and loading, unloading and securing your toys for a fun day in the woods or water.
Archery Shooting Skills – This workshop will focus on improving form and shooting technique and you will have the advantage of adding a sight to your bow to improve accuracy and precision. We’ll shoot at various distances and learn how to compensate for added yardage. You do not need archery experience prior to this, but we’ll move quickly beyond the basics.
Mountain Hike Preparedness – Winter is on its way out and the hiking trails are reemerging, time to get out for hike! During this session, participants will cover basic hiking techniques as well as learn how to be prepared for your next hiking adventure. This session will be led by a Maine Game Warden who will also teach trail safety, what to do in an emergency and show you how Maine Wardens prepare themselves for the trail.
Fly Tying – Spring is here!… and that means fly fishing! Let us show you how to tie a fly that is guaranteed to catch fish! You will have the chance to tie several flies of your own, learn about different hatches and learn to read the menu of fishes in Maine.
Wild Edibles: Seeking Nature’s Bounty – There’s such a bounty to be had tight here in the forests of Maine, all you have to do is look in the right places! In this class, you will gain awareness and learn how to find and identify various wild edible plants and other useful components in nature. You’ll be surprised how many readily available nutritious plant species are available! From the basics to more lesser-known wild sources, you will soon look at the forests in a different light once you learn how available nutritious food items are in nature. Bring a notebook and pencil for taking notes!
Session II -1:00 - 4:00 (3 hours)
Intro to Fly Fishing – Mastering the fly rod takes a little practice, but here, you’ll learn basic casting methods, and you’ll even have time to wet a fly. You’ll soon realize it’s easier than you think! This workshop will focus on successful casting technique and fly presentation in various situations.
Safe Use of Handguns for Hunting and Recreation – In this session you will learn how to safely handle, load fire and unload various types of handguns including revolvers, semi-auto and single shot handguns. You will learn how to properly grip, aim and fire handguns. Also addressed will be various methods used to carry handguns afield and on the shooting range. The class will include topics on hunting ethics, landowner relations, range etiquette. Selection of handgun for various recreational shooting, the variety of recreational handgun shooting opportunities in Maine as well as selecting handguns for the various game hunted with handguns.
The course will include live firing of a variety of handguns. All safety gear is provided however the student is welcome to bring their personal safety equipment. All ammunition and handguns are provided. Please do not bring your personal handguns to class.
Paddling Skills – Maine is home to more rivers and navigable waters than almost anywhere else in the country. Because of this, canoeing has been one of the oldest forms of transportation, connecting villages, or allowing hunters and fishing folks to explore way off the beaten path. Rivers such as the Allagash, St Croix, and others offer experiences like no other, and to paddle in these places, you’ll need to be proficient in not only your paddling strokes but in trip planning. Learn how to paddle efficiently, paddle effectively in wind, and proper loading. Soon you’ll be ready to plan your first trip!
Learn to Hunt: Whitetail Deer Hunting – Deer hunting is an exciting way to spend time in the woods while matching your skills with one of Maine’s most sought-after big game species. Deer hunting is also a great introduction to the traditions held sacred in Maine and a way to learn about this important species in our ecosystem, while supporting Maine’s conservation goals. This workshop is a blend of hands-on demonstration and practice, led by professional staff, Registered Maine Guides and experienced hunters. Participants will learn deer habitats, what they feed on, ways a whitetail deer may be harvested in Maine, hunting tactics and equipment, personal safety, shot placement and basic game care. Come prepared as we will be outside and in the woods right in the whitetails backyard!
Vehicle Operation for the Outdoor Enthusiast & Trailer Usage and Upkeep – If you are an outdoor enthusiast in New England or are planning your next trip to visit, then maybe you have questions about towing a camper or backing your boat into the water. Maybe it’s loading and unloading your atv or snowmobile? Or just how to maintain your vehicle for a long trip. Either way, during this session, we will cover the “nuts and bolts” of being a responsible car and recreation vehicle operator. We will practice changing a flat tire, checking and changing your car or recreational vehicles oil, driving with a trailer (this includes in reverse) and loading, unloading and securing your toys for a fun day in the woods or water.
Food Preservation – Maine is full of natural bounties and hidden gems whether they were found naturally in the forest or grown in your own backyard. What do you do with all those extra herbs and greens? In this workshop participants will learn how to plan for planting crops to accommodate harvest throughout the season and how to preserve all the extra to give you fresh food all year round!
