I don’t know of another state where 3.5 million contiguous acres of private land is open to the public for all sorts of outdoor fun.

Mainers are very lucky to have North Maine Woods which was started 48 years ago. At that time there were 19 landowners and managers. Today the 3.5 million acres have 35 owners. Ownership is broken down this way:

39% family groups

33% corporations

17% institutional investors

5% conservation groups

6% state of Maine.

Al Cowperthwaite does a great job leading the North Maine Woods management group which includes four year-round managers and 45 seasonal staff.

In 2018, 143,944 people enjoyed the North Maine Woods. That is a lot of people but use has significantly declined in recent years. In 2009, 172,886 people visited North Main words. The 2018 total was the lowest in 10 years.

Here’s how those users enjoyed the woods last year.

Camping 19,374 13.5%

fishing 11,675 8.1%

hunting 38,033 26.4%

canoeing 6,566 4.6%

hiking 2,026 1.4%

guiding 391 .3%

visiting 54,998 38.2%

other 10,881 7.6%.

If you’ve never been to North Maine Woods, I urge you to plan an adventure there this year.

Check out their website: www.northmainewoods.org, and give them a call: 207-435-6213.