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In "Getting Started," we ask the experts for advice on the best way to get involved in a sport or recreation in Maine. If you have suggestions or ideas for future Getting Started features, please e-mail: outdoors@mainetoday.com.
BACKCOUNTRY COOKING
Dorcas Miller has been cooking on the trail for 30 years. The author of two backcountry cookbooks and eight other outdoors books, she talks about planning meals, dehydrating food and essential gear. She also gives advice on getting started in backcountry cooking as well as a favorite recipe.
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BIKING: CYCLE TOURING
 
Cyclist Jeff Miller talks about getting started in cycle touring, recommends routes, offers resources and shares his Gear List.
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BIKING: MOUNTAIN BIKING
 
Mountain biker Sarah Hale talks about getting started in mountain biking, gives some key advice and shares her Gear List.
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BIRD-WATCHING
 
Lysle Brinker, a birder for more than 30 years, talks about getting started in bird-watching and suggests places and times of year to go birding in Maine.
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CANOEING
 
Canoeist Don Skolfield gives some key advice ("learn to paddle on both sides") and shares his Gear List to help you get started in canoeing.
 Watch the video of Skolfield describing different types of canoes.
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DOG SLEDDING and SKIJORING
 Jessica Maurer and Penthea Burns discuss how to get started in dogsledding and skijoring, including tips on how to choose a guide, how to train your dog and what gear you'll need.
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FISHING
If you've never been fishing in Maine, here are some tips on how to get started in fishing, including answers to frequently asked questions and lists of what you can catch and where.
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GOLF
Golf professional Anne McClure talks about getting started in golf, gives some pointers ("swing down and through") and shares her Gear List.
Watch the video of McClure demonstrating the key points of a golf swing.
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HIKING
Carey Kish, president of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club, gives some key advice ("hike at two miles an hour"), shares his Gear List for three-season hiking and tells you how to get started in hiking.
Kara Wooldrik, Environmental Education Programs Director for the Maine Audubon Society offers advice on hitting the trail with young children. So get started hiking with children.
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HUNTING
 If you've never been hunting in Maine, here are some tips on how to get started in hunting, including answers to frequently asked questions, what you can hunt, what kinds of licenses and permits you need, hunting seasons and more.
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KAYAKING
 
Sea kayaking instructor Hank Andolsek talks about getting started in kayaking, gives some key advice and shares his Gear List.
Watch the video of Andolsek demonstrating self-rescue techniques.
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SKIING: CROSS-COUNTRY
 Dorcas Wonsavage, former Olympic Nordic skier, shares some tips on how to get started in cross-country skiing in Maine, provides some key pieces of advice ("fall a lot and laugh at yourself!"), and shares her Gear List.
Watch the video of Wonsavage demonstrating classic and skating techniques.
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SKIING: DOWNHILL
 Mark Godomsky, head alpine ski coach at Colby College in Waterville, Maine, shares some tips on how to get started in downhill skiing in Maine, provides some key dos and don'ts ("Don't be afraid to be a beginner"), and shares his Gear List.
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SNOWBOARDING
 Alex Adrian, 17, from Portland, Maine, has been riding for five years. He shares his thoughts on getting started in snowboarding, gives some key advice ("It takes at least three times before you like it"), and shares his Gear List.
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SNOWSHOEING
 Denis Forest, president of Biddeford's Voltigeur Club, has been snowshoeing for about 13 years. He talks about how to get started in snowshoeing, from taking your first step to choosing the right pair of snowshoes.
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SNOWMOBILING
 Bill Billings, a lifelong sledder and snowmobile safety instructor for the state, talks about how to get started in snowmobiling, in Maine, provides some key dos and don'ts ("Never, ever ride alone"), and shares his Gear List.
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