The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman program has scheduled the first two of many exciting outdoors programs for 2004.

For women who want to become more comfortable in Maine’s cold-weather woodlands, the Winter Skills Workshop will provide instructional and field practice in several wintertime essential outdoor skills.

The two-day workshop will be held at Southern Maine Guide Service in Parsonfield from 9 a.m. on Jan. 17 through 3 p.m. on Jan. 18.

Activities will include using, selecting, and maintaining snowshoes; building snow shelters; learning wilderness first aid; using a map and compass; cooking over an open fire; and planning food and menus for and organizing winter trips.

The $150 fee includes instruction, lodging, meals, and equipment.

In addition, a one-day snowmobile certification workshop will be held at the Washington Fire Department on Jan. 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Aimed at beginners, this program includes a DIF&W snowmobile safety course certification and hands-on snowmobile operation experience.

Classroom time in the morning will cover proper operation and safety, laws, emergencies, basic map and compass skills, self-help first aid, and conservation and landowner ethics.

After lunch, participants will head to a nearby course to hone their skills on snowmobiles. The workshop is co-sponsored by Hill & Gully Riders Snowmobile Club of Washington. The $25 fee includes instruction and snacks.

For more information about either program, contact Dorcas Miller, BOW coordinator, at 582-5600, or e-mail Miller at dorcasmiller@gwi.net. Information is also available at the DIFW Web site: www.mefishwildlife.com.

Black powder rabbit hunt set

Pine Grove Lodge in Bingham will host its annual Black Powder Rabbit Hunt on Feb. 14, beginning at 8 a.m.

There is a $25 entry fee, which covers a hunt with dogs and a hot lunch. Hunters are advised to bring their smooth-bores and their snowshoes.

Lodging is available for the night before or after the hunt for an additional $30 per night.

Contact Andrea Howe at 672-4011 or info@pinegrovelodge.com for more information.

Hooked on Fishing event on tap

The Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs event postponed due to ice conditions has been rescheduled for Jan. 17.

The event will take place at the Pickerel Pond clubhouse of Maine’s Youth Fish and Game Association.

Interested anglers can check www.maineyouthfishandgame.org for information.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.