Deirdre Fleming

Press Herald

Deirdre Fleming covers the outdoors for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, and has been a newspaper reporter in Maine for 25 years - and an outdoor writer for the past 20. During that time, she’s seen biologists trap 500-pound bear, watched fishermen land high-jumping makos, camped on Moosehead Lake in the winter, and retraced Gov. Percival Baxter’s first trip to Mt. Katahdin. She is often asked, but still does not know her favorite wildland in Maine. A graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Missouri, she lives with her husband in Buxton near the Saco River, where they both fly fish.

Latest

Published
July 26, 2020

Maine ATV dealers ‘can’t keep the showrooms stocked’

Dealerships have sold out of inventory and have back orders with manufacturers as demand skyrockets during the pandemic.
Published
July 12, 2020

Wilderness camping is a remote retreat, but not a sure thing

In a summer when Mainers are bustling to get outside, wilderness camping sites are filling up.
Published
July 8, 2020

Bear hunting petition reignites 20-year-old debate over baiting

State biologists held a virtual public hearing Wednesday to take comments on a petition to have state regulators eliminate bear-baiting by 2029.
Published
July 7, 2020

Biologist pitches new study to aid Maine’s moose herd

State biologist Lee Kantar wants to test his theory that a smaller moose population would lead to an even greater reduction of winter ticks that have been crippling the herd.
Published
July 5, 2020

Pine Tree Camp gets creative to aid those with disabilities

The camp, located in central Maine, is offering an Adventure Day Pass this year because it cannot operate its traditional overnight camps during the pandemic.
Published
June 28, 2020

Hunters excited about Maine’s new crossbow law

The law expands hunting with a crossbow, which provides a more accurate shot with greater ease than more traditional bows.
Published
June 21, 2020

More Mainers opt for state park campgrounds this year

Reservations by Maine residents are up by 37 percent during the summer of coronavirus, in what may become a record year for camping at the state’s parks.
Published
June 15, 2020

Large area of working forestland protected in Oxford County

The Conservation Fund has purchased several parcels totaling 15,408 acres from Chadbourne Tree Farms.
Published
June 14, 2020

In clashes between loons and eagles, many root for the loon

Bald eagles are a predator of loon eggs and chicks, but adult loons are quick to challenge them should the eagles get too close to nesting spots.
Published
June 10, 2020

The Virus Diaries: Portland hiker sticks it out on the Appalachian Trail

Rob Landry started the 2,200-mile trek on March 7, choosing to stay on the trail even after thru-hikers were asked to leave.