BANGOR DAILY NEWS • January 17, 2022
It appears the COVID-19 pandemic continues spurring people to pursue outdoor activities in Maine. More people fished, hunted and rode snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles in 2021. Nonresidents have spearheaded the increase. There was a 25 percent boom in fishing licenses and a 10 percent gain in hunting licenses among that group. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, sales of fishing and hunting licenses are each up almost 9 percent, and ATV (14 percent) and boat registrations (5 percent) also have climbed while people seek safe and fun outdoor activities that minimize the chance of being exposed to COVID-19.