Guided Grouse and Woodcock Hunt - Full Day
Private Trip
Bird hunting
Fullday guided grouse and woodcock hunting in Maine wildernessExperienced guides provide support for hunters of all skill levelsField lunch with local flavors included in daily rate
Maine's upland hunting doesn't get much better than this. For $400 per person, you'll spend a full day in some of the finest grouse and woodcock cover the Pine Tree State has to offer. This isn't your typical walk-and-hope hunting trip - you're getting a dedicated guide who knows these woods like the back of his hand, plus a hot field lunch to keep you going strong all day. Whether you're new to upland hunting or you've been chasing birds for decades, this hunt delivers the kind of action that keeps hunters coming back season after season.
Your day starts early, meeting up with your guide who's already scouted the best coverts for current bird activity. We're talking dense alder runs for woodcock, mixed hardwood edges for grouse, and those sweet spots where both species love to hang out. The beauty of a personalized hunt like this is the flexibility - if one covert isn't producing, we move to the next. Your guide reads the conditions, watches the dog work, and adjusts the game plan on the fly. The field lunch isn't just a sandwich thrown in a bag either - we're talking about real food that hits the spot when you're halfway through a long day of walking. This gives you time to rest up, share some hunting stories, and gear up for the afternoon push when birds are often most active.
Maine's upland terrain is as varied as it gets, and that's what makes hunting here so rewarding. Your guide will work you through thick alder swamps where woodcock probe for earthworms, then transition to oak ridges where grouse feed on acorns and buds. The key is reading sign - fresh borings in soft soil for woodcock, scattered feathers and droppings under feeding trees for grouse. Your guide carries GPS and knows every logging road, every old orchard, and every piece of cover worth hunting. We'll be using pointing dogs that work tight in this thick country, giving you clean shots when birds flush. The terrain can be challenging - expect some wet spots, plenty of brush, and the occasional steep hillside - but that's where the birds live. Good boots and brush pants are essential, and your guide will make sure you're positioned right when the dog goes on point.
Ruffed grouse are the king of Maine's upland game, and for good reason. These birds are smart, fast, and live in some of the most beautiful country you'll ever hunt. Grouse prefer mixed forest with plenty of edge - old logging cuts, apple orchards gone wild, and hillsides with a mix of hardwoods and conifers. They're most active in the early morning and late afternoon, especially on crisp fall days. When a grouse explodes from cover, you've got maybe two seconds to mount your gun and make the shot before they disappear behind the nearest tree. They're not big birds - usually 1-2 pounds - but they're incredibly challenging to hit and even better on the dinner plate. Peak season runs from October through November when leaves are down and birds are feeding heavily before winter.
Woodcock are a completely different challenge and equally addictive to hunt. These chunky little birds with their oversized bills migrate through Maine each fall, creating some of the best hunting on the East Coast. They love thick, moist cover - alder runs, brook bottoms, and swampy areas where they can probe for earthworms and grubs. Woodcock are much easier to hit than grouse - they fly slower and more predictably - but finding them is the real trick. They can be incredibly abundant one day and completely absent the next, depending on weather and migration timing. A good woodcock day might produce a dozen flushes, while a slow day might only give you two or three opportunities. They're smaller than grouse but absolutely delicious, with dark, rich meat that's perfect for the grill or a good game recipe.
This full-day guided hunt represents everything great about Maine upland hunting - expert local knowledge, prime cover, hard-working dogs, and the kind of personal attention you just can't get on a DIY hunt. At $400 per person for a full day including lunch, you're getting incredible value for a top-rated hunting experience. The single-hunter capacity means this trip books up fast, especially during peak October and early November dates when both species are most active. Your guide's years of experience in these coverts, combined with well-trained pointing dogs and access to private land, gives you the best possible shot at a successful hunt. Don't wait until the season's half over - book now and secure your dates for what could be the best upland hunting day of your life.
Ruffed grouse are Maine's classic upland bird, about chicken-sized with explosive takeoffs that'll get your heart racing. These smart birds stick to mixed forests with good understory - think young hardwoods, apple orchards, and brushy clearcuts where they can find food and escape cover. Early October through November is peak season when leaves are down but weather's still decent for walking. Grouse are challenging because they're incredibly wary and their thunderous flush comes without warning. They make excellent table fare too - white meat that's mild and tender. The key is working the transition zones where thick cover meets more open feeding areas. Move slowly and be ready - when a grouse decides to fly, you've got maybe two seconds to react.
These chunky little birds are about robin-sized but built like small footballs with long, flexible beaks perfect for probing soft ground. Woodcock love young aspen and alder covers, especially spots where wet ground meets thick cover. They're most active during their evening flights from feeding areas to roost sites. October is prime time here in Maine when northern birds migrate through, boosting local populations. What makes woodcock hunting special is their unpredictable, corkscrew flight pattern that'll test any shooter's skills. Plus, they're absolutely delicious - dark, rich meat that's a real treat on the table. My tip: listen for their peenting calls at dusk and hunt the edge cover between their feeding and roosting spots the next morning.
Maine