Maine’s whitewater canoeing and kayaking season has been going on for weeks, but whitewater rafters will officially kick off their season on May 1 on the Kennebec River.

Last season more than 54,000 people rafted the Kennebec.

“Over the past few seasons, rafting has suffered through a perceived, although not real, fear of drought and the drop in travel due to global terrorism fears,” said Raft Maine president Joe Christopher. “Those obstacles seem to be behind us now. Inquiries are up 15 percent to Raft Maine, our industry trade association, and individual outfitters are reporting an increase of 5-10 percent in advance bookings with a strong return of international business.”

The rafting season on the Dead River begins May 8, while the Penobscot River season kicks off May 22. Dead River high-water rafting releases are scheduled for May 15 and 30, June 5, 12 and 20, Aug. 15, Sept. 5 and 18, and Oct. 2.

The release of water from McKay Station on the Penobscot is scheduled to begin daily on May 20.

For more information on trip planning, safety, river profiles and release levels, check www.raftmaine.com. Raft Maine also maintains a toll-free reservation line at 1-800-723-8633.

Maine Wildlife Park open

Just in time for the Patriots Day weekend and school vacation week, the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray opened Thursday.

The park is open daily through Nov. 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The 200-acre park has more than 25 different species of wildlife on exhibit, including moose, black bear, fisher, mountain lions, deer, wild turkeys, bald eagles, hawks, owls and trout.

New this year is a spacious coyote exhibit, and a new 3-acre enclosure for white-tail deer. The bull moose also has a new habitat, and the lynx kittens – new to the park last year – have grown considerably.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3.25 for children ages 4-12, and children under 4 get in free.

Marsh Stream race this weekend

While the larger Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race gets most of the attention this weekend, there are other options available for paddlers looking for a race.

The Marsh Stream canoe races – a shorter sprint and a longer down-river race – which were postponed from April 4, will be held Sunday in Winterport.

Registration for the Marsh Stream Sprint will begin at 8 a.m., with the race starting at 9.

Registration for the Marsh Stream Race begins at 11 a.m. The race starts at noon.

The Marsh Stream Canoe Race features Class II and III whitewater.

Ancient Ones event on tap

The Ancient Ones historical re-enactment group will sponsor its annual Outdoor Sports and Gun Show on Saturday and Sunday at the Augusta Armory.

The event will run from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.

The entry fee is $5, with kids getting in free. Military personnel with ID (and their families) will get in free. For more information call Ray Hamilton at 897-5058 or e-mail him at smokefromthewoods@yahoo.com.

MYFGA plans two events

Maine’s Youth Fish and Game Association has a couple of events on tap at its Pickerel Pond clubhouse.

On April 24 there will be a free turkey-hunting seminar sponsored by the Penobscot Valley Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and Top Gun Game Calls.

The seminar will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and will feature a presentation by Registered Maine Guide Nate Fenderson.

Topics include turkey calling, decoy arrangement and other tips and techniques. Participants are invited to bring their shotgun to pattern it on the new shooting range.

On April 25, the Penobscot Fly Fishers will sponsor a Youth Fly Fishing Day at the club.

Youngsters will get the chance to learn about tying flies, casting, equipment and safety.

The event is limited to 24 youngsters ages 10 to 15. Each child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and must bring a bagged lunch.

To sign up call 942-3988.

Women-only pistol class set

The Blue Hill Rifle and Pistol Club will offer an NRA Basic Pistol Course for women only April 24-26.

The class will be held at the clubhouse on Range Road in Blue Hill.

The cost is $50, which includes all materials. Firearms ownership is not a requirement, but students must be 18 years old. The class size will be limited to 15 students.

The course will cover safe gun-handling and basic marksmanship skills, with a strong emphasis on responsible firearms ownership. It is recommended for any women considering buying, owning, or using a gun for the first time.

For more information, call 537-3560.

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.