Fall Outdoor Skills Day

Fall Outdoor Skills day

Program Date: Sunday, October 19th, 2025

Logo for Maine Ousdoor Programs

Maine Outdoor Programs, offered by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife in partnership with the Bryant Pond 4-H Camp, providing hands-on learning experiences for people of all skill levels to connect with the outdoors. Whether you’re looking to build new skills or strengthen existing ones, our programs offer opportunities to explore hunting, fishing, trapping, outdoor preparedness, and wildlife viewing in a welcoming environment.

The outdoors is for everyone, and learning in nature is a lifelong journey—there’s always something new to discover! Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, learning opportunities through Maine Outdoor Programs will help you gain confidence, expand your knowledge, and deepen your connection to Maine’s incredible natural resources.

Participants can choose one activity for each of the two sessions. Sessions are rated by physical exertion levels. (L, M & S) L= little physical exertion, M= moderate & S= strenuous. Please keep these ratings in mind as you make your selections.

Fee for participation: $95.00
Age for Participation: 18 years and older

Register Online (Ultracamp)

Registration Information – Cancellation poilicy and general Q&A

Session I : 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon

Wild Edibles: Seeking Nature’s Bounty (M)
Foliage Paddle and Basic Skills (M)
Fire and Survival Skills (L)
Introduction to Waterfowl Hunting (L)
Learn to Hunt Shotgun (L)
Learn to Hunt Whitetail Deer (L)
Angling 101 (L)
Whitetail Deer Processing (L)
Fly Tying for Beginners (L)
Map and Compass (L)

Session II : 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Wild Edibles: Seeking Nature’s Bounty (M)
Angling 101 (L)
Hike Buck’s / Lapham Ledge (M)
Axemanship (M)
Introduction to Bowhunting/ Archery Shooting Sports (L)
Intro to Rifle (L)
Travel Preparedness for the Maine Adventurer (L)
Campfire Wild Game Cooking (L)
Learn to Hunt: Introduction to Turkey Hunting (L)
Map and Compass (L)

Photo Gallery: Adult Outdoor Skills programs

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Workshop Descriptions & Schedule

Check in: 8:00-8:45 AM

Introductions: 8:45 AM

Session I: Sunday, (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Wild Edibles: Seeking Nature’s Bounty – (Available- Session I & II)

There’s such a bounty to be had right 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!

Foliage Paddle and Basic Techniques – (Session I only)

What could be better than immersing yourself in a fall foliage canoe paddling experience during Maine’s peak foliage season?! You’ll be surrounded by the beautiful fall colors of Mount Christopher against the backdrop of the lakeside ledges and rolling western foothills. We’ll go over the basics of canoeing before hitting the water and will take a leisurely paddle with plenty of time for pictures and relaxation! Common Loons, Bald Eagles, Kingfishers, and other birds and wildlife are often seen while paddling. Please dress accordingly to be on the water.

Fire and Survival Skills – (Session I only)

Proper fire building is a skill that many folks will call on at some point. This workshop will combine a fire and survival lesson to provide you with the basic essential skills to survive an emergency situation. Whether you are building fires for some summer nights or to keep warm lost in the mountains, you will learn the skills to start a fire anywhere, anytime. We’ll also focus a great deal on prevention and preparedness, moving right into specific key skills that will give you the best odds at survival in the backcountry.

Learn to Hunt: Introduction to Waterfowl Hunting – (Session I only)

Maine offers abundant opportunities to hunt waterfowl, including ducks and geese, and a generous hunting season. During this session, we will cover the basics of waterfowl hunting, including laws and regulations, equipment, identifying areas to hunt, use of decoys, and calling techniques. We’ll cover duck identification and we will finish the session by demonstrating waterfowl processing techniques.

Learn to Hunt: Introduction to Shotguns – (Session I only)

Shotguns are one of the most versatile firearms for hunting and recreational shooting. Learn about various action types, shotshell selection, patterning, and more. Whether it’s hunting or target shooting that you’re interested in, this workshop will begin with safe gun handling and basic shotgunning and then we’ll take it to the sporting clays range for some high flying clay target shooting! Learn proper stance, follow through, and point and shoot techniques from certified instructors. Whether you are a novice or have some experience, this workshop will not disappoint!

Learn to Hunt: Whitetail Deer – (Session I only)

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 instructors 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.

Fly Tying for Beginners- (Session I only)

Fly tying is a hobby that dates back before fishing as we know it. Fly fishing anglers have developed a keen sense of how to read the streams and how to “match the hatch”. A skill that is handy for any angler to know is how to tie your own flies (they become expensive when learning). In this workshop participants will learn the different styles and types of flies, what equipment is needed to tie flies and even create a fly to take home themselves!

Learn to Fish: Angling 101 – (Available- Session I & II)

In this introductory angling session, you will gain a basic understanding of the angling resources available to you through Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, learn the various techniques and seasonal opportunities available for angling in Maine, build confidence, community and skills to start or continue angling, and increase your knowledge of aquatic species and their management. Join us to discover the magic of being hooked on fishing whether you are new to angling or looking to learn a bit more, this session is sure to give you a new tip or trick! This session will cover spin casting, MDIFW management techniques, and will have plenty of time for questions.

Whitetail Deer Processing – (Session I only)

Wild game meats can be sometimes referred to as “gamey” or tough, but through better meat handling practices and a variety of cooking techniques and preparations, you have the power to turn a picky eater into a game connoisseur. Once you harvest a deer, the task of processing it may seem daunting. Understanding how to safely and efficiently process your venison will allow you to maximize your harvest in both yield and the quality of meat. Oftentimes, lesser known cuts are discarded or left in the woods. Knowing what cuts are best for various applications in the kitchen can not only broaden your culinary horizons and improve your table fare, but also helps you utilize every part of the animal. This will ensure a full freezer with minimal waste. By understanding what cuts are best for roasting, sausage making, curing, or braising you can enjoy more and waste less. This workshop will be led by experienced wild and domestic butcher Sam Margolin and supported by MDIFW instructors. Participants will leave with increased confidence in their ability to process their own wild game.

Map and Compass – (Session I and II)

GPS use is on the rise, but basic map and compass skills are the key to navigation in the back-country. Learn how to read topographic maps and put a compass to use. Orient a map, set a bearing, and set a course, and soon you’ll find out how much fun it is! We’ll cover triangulation, declination compensation, and route planning.

Lunch 12-1 PM

Session II – (1-4 pm)

Wild Edibles: Seeking Nature’s Bounty – (Available Session I and II)

Learn to Fish: Angling 101 – (Available Session I and II)

Hike Bucks Ledge/ Lapham Ledge – (Session II only)

What’s more relaxing than a nice, moderate hike in the fall. During this session, we will venture off campus to a local hiking hotspot where we will lead you to two beautiful views of western Maine. The first hike will be up to Buck’s Ledge, where a view of North Pond and its surrounding hills. Following, we will hike to Lapham Ledge for another amazing view and will continue with the loop to return to the trailhead. Along the way, we will talk about being prepared for day hikes, Trail etiquette, and some forest ecology. This is a great opportunity for a laid back adventure to make some friends, take some pictures and do a little learning along the way.

Axemanship – (Session II only)

One of the most iconic traditions in Maine is putting up firewood for the winter. But first, you’ll need to know a bit about swinging an axe and using it efficiently. The growing popularity of woods skills has sparked the interest in this workshop where you’ll learn how to choose, maintain, and use safely and effectively axes, saws, and knives. There will be plenty of hands on action so prepare for a fun woods workout!

Introduction to Archery/Bowhunting – (Session II only)

Archery hunting is one of the most primitive forms of hunting stemming from our ancestral past, yet through innovation and new technology, archery hunting has seen more changes and development than you’d imagine. Today’s archery hunters have many more opportunities available to them from extended seasons to new equipment available. It can seem confusing to a new or interested archery hunter, but after learning the basics in this class, you’ll be prepared and ready to begin your archery hunting journey. You will have the opportunity to shoot compound bows and crossbows during the class. We will cover safe practices, hunter ethics and review the equipment needed to be a successful archery hunter.

Learn to Shoot: Introduction to Rifle Shooting – (Session II only)

Have you recently completed your hunter education or maybe you’re interested in recreational target shooting? Or maybe you’re simply looking for more information on the various types of firearms, action types, and what they are best used for. This workshop will fully prepare you with a focus on safe gun handling, types of rifles and their uses, and how to shoot accurately.In this workshop we’ll cover: Safe ways to handle various firearms, types of common firearms, action types of rifles, different bullet calibers, choosing the right firearm for hunting or target shooting, and how to store and secure your firearms. This workshop will be a blend of hands-on demonstration, practice, and live fire exercises led by professional staff and range safety officers. You will soon be prepared for the upcoming season whether it’s hunting, or a day at the range. This is great for the new hunter or shooter, and an excellent refresher for experienced folks

Travel Preparedness for the Maine Adventurer – (Session II only)

Maine provides unparalleled opportunities to get outdoors- whether it’s a hunting or fishing trip into the back county, a day on the ATV trail, or a weekend snowmobiling trip. To be prepared and confident, it’s important to learn some basics on vehicle maintenance, trailering, backing up a boat, securing a load, and fixing a flat. These are just a few of the skills we’ll cover in “Finishing School! We cover the use of ratchet straps, basic knots, plugging a tire, and more.

Wild Game Cooking – (Session II only)

There’s a growing number of folks returning to wild game food choices for healthy, sustainable table fare. We will be using freshly harvested wild game and. explore new ways to prepare wild game meat for your table using recipes that are easy to follow and do at home. We will introduce camp cooking techniques, cooking over the fire, and Coleman stoves/ grills using cast iron. You’ll leave with recipes and new ideas and a deeper connection to where your food comes from. Game meat may vary depending on what we can obtain. Your taste buds will enjoy your efforts as you’ll eat well throughout this workshop!

Learn to Hunt: Introduction to Turkey Hunting – (Session II only)

The Fall wild turkey hunting season is in full swing! Wild turkey hunting is an interactive and engaging activity offering good opportunities for new hunters to quickly gain hunting experience, while also presenting an ample challenge to keep experienced hunters on their toes. In this session, you will learn about turkey habits and habitats, different tactics: camouflage, calling, decoys and roosting, Maine’s turkey hunting laws and regulations, the various equipment options: shotgun, bow and crossbow, hunting methods, scouting, setting up on a bird, taking the shot, after the shot: retrieving, processing and enjoying your bird. This workshop will be a blend of hands-on demonstration and hands-on practice led by professional staff, registered Maine guides, and experienced hunters.

University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond