HUNT WRITE UP BY Philip Tracy
WHAT TO EXPECT
Maine is a large state its rocky coast line, coastal marshes, many lakes and miles of rivers and streams can provide diverse waterfowling opportunities for those willing. The early and mid season in the southern and central parts of the state can vary from field hunting green grass and AG fields for geese and ducks to back woods beaver bogs full of teal and wood ducks buzzing the decoys or even prowling storied Merrymeeting bay in a gunning float in search of rafts of waterfowl. The northern part of the state is known for its potato industry but also produces barley, broccoli and soy beans which can provide great field hunting for geese and a variety of ducks migrating south depending on the weather. Once the inland bodies of water in the North and South zones start to freeze up towards the middle and end of the mid season the salt marshes in the Coastal zone start to fill up with Mallards, Black ducks, Canada geese, Buffleheads and other divers. The Maine coast and its marshes can have some pretty large tide swings of 10-15' in areas which plays heavily into the feeding and movement patterns of birds and also whether or not you can safely hunt certain areas. From the beginning of November to mid January the sea duck season is open. As the temperatures drop and the weather worsens the sea duck hunting heats up. The rocky coast provides many places and opportunities to sea duck hunt for Eiders, Scoters and Long tailed ducks either from ledges and rocky outcroppings to bays and coves gunning from layout boats. Sea duck hunting is also very weather and tidal dependent for both hunting and safety. Maine is not known as a great waterfowl destination in most regards. The hunting can be challenging at times whether it is the weather and temperatures or figuring out the coastal tides and currents. You won't see thousands of birds in a day and even with recent regulation changes limits are not guaranteed but what is guaranteed is the variety of birds will be large the experience one of a kind and the landscape backdrop is amazing.
Typically runs from the end of September to Mid January depending on zone.
3 zones: Northern, Southern and CoastalWeather depending on location -
Early season – Mornings in the mid 30's to 40's warming up into the 50's and 60's.
Mid season – Mornings in the 20's to 30's warming up into the 40's and 50's. Snowy weather possible.
Late Season – Mornings anywhere from below zero to high teens possibly warming up into the 20's or higher. Snow and wintery fronts probable.Early season – Green wing and Blue wing Teal, Wood ducks, Mallards, Black Ducks, Canada Geese.
Mid Season – Mallards, Black ducks, Canada Geese, Ring necks, Scaup, Buffleheads, Red breasted, Common and Hooded Mergansers, Common Eiders, White Wing, Surf and Black Scoters, Long tailed ducks (Old Squaw).
Late Season – Mallards, Black ducks, Canada Geese, Buffleheads, Common Golden eye, Red breasted, Common and Hooded Mergansers, Common Eiders, White Wing, Surf and Black Scoters, Long tailed ducks (Old Squaw)
Bonus species – Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Widgeon, Gadwall, King Eiders
Green wing TEAL / Blue wing Teal / Wood ducks / Mallards / Black Ducks / Canada Geese / Ring necks
Scaup / Buffleheads
JOIN THE TEAM
JOINING MEANS CREATING A PROFILE FOR THE GOAL OF:
1. EXTENDING YOURSELF IN AN UPRIGHT MANNER TO FELLOW HUNTERS 2. SHARE WHAT YOUR COMFORTABLE SHARING REGARDING HUNTING THIS STATE3. ENHANCING THIS COMMUNITY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF WATERFOWL AND HUNTING NATIONWIDE 4. CONNECTING WITH OTHERS AS A REAL HUMAN NOT JUST A BUSINESS 5. TREATING EVERYONE AS YOU WOULD WISH TO BE TREATED
“The thought of sitting on a small rock island while keeping an eye out for incoming Eider’s strafing the decoys is not only a want, but a wish.”