Maine Outdoor Skills Day

Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Cost: $95 per person

Space is limited.

An Outdoor Skills Experience for Men Ages 18 and Older

Join us at the University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond for a day of hands-on outdoor learning, adventure, and camaraderie. Offered in partnership with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Outdoor Skills Day is an opportunity to build your outdoor skills, try something new, and spend the day learning alongside others who share an interest in Maine’s outdoor traditions.

Whether you are new to outdoor recreation or looking to expand skills you already have, the day is all about learning by doing. Experienced instructors and outdoor professionals will guide participants through hands-on sessions designed to be approachable, engaging, and welcoming to all experience levels.

Come on your own or bring a friend and enjoy a relaxed day at Bryant Pond learning new skills, asking questions, and spending time outdoors. No previous experience is necessary, and all equipment, instruction, and lunch are included.

Schedule

Check-in: 8:30–9 a.m.
Session I: 9 a.m.–noon
Lunch: noon–1 p.m.
Session II: 1–4 p.m.

Lunch is included with registration. Participants will select their lunch option and provide any dietary restrictions during the registration process.

Photo Gallery: Adult Outdoor Skills Programs

Click on an image to enlarge it in a lightbox window.

: Instructor teaching deer processing.

: Instructor teaching waterfowl hunting. Images of ducks on the trees.

: Participant learning Map and compass

Workshop Descriptions and Schedule

Program Sessions

Session I: 9 a.m.–noon

Intro to Firearms: Rifle Shooting for Recreation or Hunting — 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
Differences between bullet calibers
Choosing the right firearm for hunting or target shooting
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.

Introduction to Furbearers and Regulated Trapping — Maine is home to 16 different furbearers, each unique in their habits and habitats. Trapping is a conservation tool that helps to keep balance in nature and is a tradition with deep roots and heritage in Maine. In this workshop, we will explore the various furbearers that are abundant here and the ways that modern trapping has evolved, including equipment, technique, and best management practices. This workshop will have plenty of hands-on opportunity to work with various traps and trap-setting scenarios. Led by MDIFW Trapper Education Instructor Josh Dostie.

Axemanship — 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 interest in this workshop, where you’ll learn how to choose, maintain, and safely and effectively use axes, saws, and knives. There will be plenty of hands-on action, so prepare for a fun woods workout!

Map and Compass — While GPS use is common these days, basic map and compass skills are the key to navigation in the backcountry. 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.

Introduction to Waterfowl Hunting — Maine has plenty of opportunities to hunt waterfowl, including ducks and geese. 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 will also venture to the shotgun range to demonstrate shotgun patterning and shooting techniques. We will finish the session by demonstrating waterfowl processing and preservation.

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 in-the-field scouting. 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.

Session II: 1–4 p.m.

Learn to Shoot: Introduction to Shotguns — Whether it’s hunting or target shooting that you’re interested in, this workshop will begin with safe gun handling and basic shotgun skills, and then we’ll take it to the sporting clays range for some high-flying clay target shooting! Shotguns are very versatile and can be used for a range of hunting and shooting sports. Learn proper shooting techniques from certified instructors. Whether you are a novice or have some experience, this workshop will not disappoint!

Campfire Cooking — Have you ever tried getting that smoky fire-cooked taste, only to wind up with a charred mess? In this class, we will teach you the art of fire cooking. We will introduce cooking directly in the coals with foil, Dutch ovens, and cast-iron skillets. This primitive backcountry skill isn’t quite as hard as it may seem; with the right direction from our experienced teachers, you will be baking up some tasty cobbler or stew in no time.

Deer Processing — Looking to increase your self-reliance and hunting skills by cutting your own wild game up after the harvest? This workshop is designed for hunters and those considering hunting to learn the proper way to break a deer down and maximize your yield from your harvest. Professional meat cutter Sam Margolin will show you the proper way to bring your deer from the game pole to the table in this informative and exciting workshop using a recently harvested whitetail deer.

Fire and Survival Skills — 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. Whether you are building fires for some summer nights or to keep warm when 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.

Crossbow Hunting: Get Certified! — Already completed your hunter education but want to start hunting with a bow or crossbow? This course builds on the standards that you have already met with hunter education and focuses on bow and crossbow use specifically. This workshop is convenient and a great way to become certified in archery hunting. We’ll cover bows and crossbows, equipment, tactics, shot placement, tree stands, and regulations. Upon completion, you will then be eligible to purchase your archery hunting license and hunt with a bow or crossbow in Maine. Available to anyone who has a valid hunter education certificate. The workshop culminates with a short exam at the end to become certified.

Learn to Hunt: Upland Birds — Join us for an exciting day of learning and adventure at our Learn to Hunt: Upland Bird Hunting workshop. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this is the perfect opportunity to enhance your hunting skills and connect with other hunters.

Led by MDIFW instructors and seasoned hunters who will share their knowledge and expertise, the workshop will guide participants through the essentials of upland bird hunting, including identifying various bird species, understanding habitat, hunting techniques, safety measures, and proper equipment handling.

Whether you’re new to hunting or looking to experience something new afield, this workshop is designed to cater to all skill levels. You’ll have the opportunity to practice your shotgun shooting skills in the second portion, and all equipment is provided.

Ready to join us? Space is limited.