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2013 maine deer hunt

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mainebux

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey guys, just wondering if anyone else is headed up to the big woods to deer hunt this season.
I know some of you here go every year, as I do, and some used to go once every couple years.
Last year I tracked a couple of good bucks but came up empty but I did see a total of 33 deer (does & lambs) in 10 days. The past 3 winters have been decent and the herd is really showing signs of a healthy comeback in most areas.
I hunt up in Aroostook County around Island Falls and a little bit south in Penobscott County from Patten to Sherman and around my Dads place in Hancock County just outside of Ellsworth.
I am starting north and hunting my way south east from November 9th to the 22nd.
Fingers are already crossed for a good tracking snow but you have to hunt the conditions you are dealt.
Anyone else going up and if you are, what weeks, what dates etc.....
I own a time share in Island Falls (Vacationland Estates), really nice place, reasonable and the people there welcome the hunters. Good hunting in that area not only for deer but bear, grouse and snowshoe hare.
I spoke with one member here about a week ago about maybe next year putting together an NJ HUNTER Maine deer hunt. I know most who read this will be like" hell no, I want to see deer everyday not just a couple if I am lucky". Heard that many, many times but once you experience the time and effort for that chance to put a 200+ lb. deer on the ground and it all comes together, it is an awesome feeling.
Who else is up to the challenge?
 
#3 ·
I will be heading up to the big woods of the Adirondacks next week for a few days for the rifle opener. Cant wait! The weather is already looking nice and cold and I'm seeing a chance of snow showers early in the week prior to the opener. I will also be heading back up the 2nd week in Novemember for a few days along with a few days after Thanksgiving before PA opens.
 
#4 ·
"Trying" to get back up for Thanksgiving week in Waldo County. Been trying for 7 years now...[hihi] Went every year from 1989 to 2005 and sometimes hunted my friends camp up in T7R12 when I had the extra days... Never took a deer up in camp.. All of mine came from down south.. Keep your fingers crossed for a mild winter....
 
#5 ·
Mallard1100 said:
I will be heading up to the big woods of the Adirondacks next week for a few days for the rifle opener. Cant wait! The weather is already looking nice and cold and I'm seeing a chance of snow showers early in the week prior to the opener. I will also be heading back up the 2nd week in Novemember for a few days along with a few days after Thanksgiving before PA opens.
Click to expand...
Where in ADK? That's where I'm from, love it up there. Can be tough hunting though.
 
#6 ·
dgram36 said:
Where in ADK? That's where I'm from, love it up there. Can be tough hunting though.
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Long Lake area. Yes it is very tough, and I would be lucky to even see a deer, but I dont go up there for that. I go for the wilderness and to hunt woods that I may actually have to spend the night in if I get twisted around.The old timers have shot some giants on our property in the past and seeing those pictures and having a chance at a buck of that caliber will keep me coming back for the rest of my life.
 
#7 ·
Mainebux:: depending on my work/family sch. I might swing north. Hunteted ur area (sherman,patten) along the the Railroad track heading east, my uncle got 2 nice bucks. It will foreever be the ultimate hunt, not for numbers but it takes a true outdoorsman to get one. Good luck
 
#8 ·
Mallard1100 said:
Long Lake area. Yes it is very tough, and I would be lucky to even see a deer, but I dont go up there for that. I go for the wilderness and to hunt woods that I may actually have to spend the night in if I get twisted around.The old timers have shot some giants on our property in the past and seeing those pictures and having a chance at a buck of that caliber will keep me coming back for the rest of my life.
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Good for you. I cut my teeth a little south of there. It's a different style of hunting than people in Jersey are used to.
 
#9 ·
I'll be hunting over the border with Northern Outdoor Lodge in St George, NB November 7th thru the 16th. A friend in Patten, ME has been bugging me to come up to their camp and hunt the northwoods...one year I'll take him up on it. Good luck MaineBux and all who travel north in search of 300 pounders this season.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Going up Thanksgiving week to North Maine woods west of Ashland. Have hunted Maine since 1990. Plan on being retired by next Nov and would like to go for several weeks like you, with the thought of hitting NH or NY if I tag out in Maine. Have shot 10 or so up there, biggest was 230.
 
#12 ·
I'd be interested. Pm me with info. Been hunting the Catskills since my dad handed me my lever action 35 and said don't come back till you can't see. I followed a set of tracks when I was 16 from about 8 am and caught up with him at 4 pm. A monster 4 pt haha. Shot him and didn't get back to camp till almost 1 am with a sore back but a smile as wide as your truck hood.
 
#13 ·
Hi, I live in Maryland but my roots are from Aroostook Co. I've hunted over 30 years in the big woods and always love the experience. The deer herd is making a come back and I found over the years of hunting the massive Maine forest you have to know where to small pockets of whitetail live or a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd time hunter can scout for weeks and never see a deer!!! My experience is snow on the ground is a most for tracking and visibility in the ever ever evergreen forest. The black power season we found to be the best time for snow and the deer starts herding up and as the locals know where the migration trails are located!!!
 
#15 ·
I'v been up to Maine twice, both times where to the North Woods near Ashland. Pulled a Moose permit and shot a nice one opening day and then for bear with Turnpike Ridge Outfitters. Love it. In 2 years I'll be retired and will go up to try my luck for deer. I have a friend that lives in Ashland. Hell, maybe I'll even luck out and pull another Moose permit! Meanwhile I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a week of early season muzzleloading at my camp in Equinunk PA. Can only shoot doe's, and I have 2 permit's. Good Luck up in the North Woods and shoot a monster.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
mikejd said:
Have never hunted Maine myself but I to will be heading to the ADK this weekend for Muzzy opener
Back up on the 8th of nov to 17th. Mainbux I may be down for a NJH maine trip.
As I have never hunted up there and would love to. Good luck this season.
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Good luck to you in the ADK's. Will be setting a trip up now for sure.
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Guys check out this place Vacationland Estates.com .
I spent much time and effort over the years looking at land and camps in Maine but could never get myself to pull the trigger on a place for various reasons.
I found this time share at Vacationland Estates in 2004 and it was a perfect fit for me.
Bought my unit for $1,000.00, 2nd week of November. Association fees are only $238 for the week. You can't even get a motel for that price for a week.
My unit sleeps 4 and what is nice is the heat is on when I get there, cable tv to watch the NASCAR race on Sunday, laundry facility in case your close get wet etc.
I am not trying to sell units or in any way affiliated with any realtors, just trying to give guys a heads up on an option on a place to stay.
They have rentals and units for sale during the deer season weeks.
With that being said, if we do set up a NJ Hunter hunt next year guys could rent for the week from Vacationland Estates or there are some cabins about a mile down the lake that are rentals.
There are a few local guides in the area who will take you out for a daily rate or I can point you to some of my spots which have really produced over the years.
What is nice about a hunt like this is that if you have 4 guys or so to a group and splitting costs, you can do a hunt from start to finish for $600 or less per man for the week.
 
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