Multi-Day Grouse & Woodcock Hunt in Maine
Private Trip
Bird hunting
Multiday guided grouse and woodcock hunting in Maine wildernessExpert guides accommodate all skill levels at $650 dailyCozy lodging with locally sourced meals included nightly
Looking for a hunting experience that'll get your heart racing? This multi-day grouse and woodcock hunt puts you right in the thick of Maine's premier upland bird country. At $650 per day per person, you're getting access to some of the finest bird hunting terrain in the Northeast, backed by guides who've spent years learning every cover, every flight path, and every secret spot where these birds love to hide. Whether you're a seasoned upland hunter or just getting your feet wet in bird hunting, this hunt delivers the kind of action that keeps hunters coming back year after year.
This isn't your typical day hunt - we're talking about a proper multi-day adventure that gives you the time to really get into the rhythm of bird hunting. Each morning starts early with coffee and a game plan, then it's off to the covers where grouse and woodcock are holding. The beauty of a multi-day hunt is that we can hit different types of terrain based on conditions and bird movement. One day might find us working thick alder runs where woodcock stage during migration, while the next could have us pushing through mixed hardwood covers where grouse love to feed on buds and berries. You'll be hunting with guides who know these woods like their own backyard - they can read sign, predict flight patterns, and position you for the best shooting opportunities. The pace varies depending on what the birds are doing, but expect plenty of walking through beautiful Maine forests with that constant anticipation that keeps upland hunters addicted to the sport.
Maine's upland terrain is diverse, and that's exactly why the bird hunting here is so good. We'll be working everything from dense alder bottoms to open hardwood ridges, each requiring different approaches and techniques. In the thick stuff, it's all about reading the cover and knowing where birds like to hold - woodcock especially love those damp areas near streams and seeps where they can probe for worms. Grouse hunting often means working the edges where different cover types meet, like where an old logging road cuts through mature forest. Your guide will teach you to read fresh sign - woodcock droppings that look like white splashes, grouse dusting spots, and feeding areas where you can see where birds have been scratching through leaves. Shot opportunities can happen fast in this terrain, so keeping your gun ready and your eyes sharp is key. Most shots are going to be quick, instinctive affairs through openings in the cover, which is what makes upland hunting such a challenging and rewarding pursuit. The guides will position you strategically when birds are located, giving you the best chance at clean shots while staying safe in the thick cover.
Ruffed grouse are the king of Maine's upland birds, and for good reason. These birds are smart, fast, and will test every skill you've got as a hunter. A mature grouse can flush with a thunderous roar that'll make your heart skip a beat, then disappear through the trees faster than you can say "bird." They're creatures of habit, using the same feeding areas and travel routes regularly, which is why local knowledge from your guide is so valuable. Grouse love to feed on buds, especially aspen and birch, and they'll often be found near these food sources in the morning and evening. During midday, they might be dusting in sunny openings or roosting in thick cover. The peak hunting season runs from October through November when leaves are down and birds are more predictable. What makes grouse hunting so addictive is that combination of explosive flushes, challenging shots, and the satisfaction of outsmarting one of the wariest birds in the woods.
Woodcock bring a completely different element to the hunt, and they're often called the "timberdoodle" by hunters who appreciate their quirky nature. These migratory birds pass through Maine in waves during fall, with peak numbers typically hitting in early to mid-October. Woodcock are secretive, preferring thick cover near water where they can feed on earthworms and other invertebrates. Unlike grouse, woodcock will often hold tight when approached, making them excellent for hunters working with pointing dogs. When they do flush, it's usually a slower, spiraling flight that gives you a better shooting opportunity than a grouse's rocket-like departure. Finding fresh woodcock sign is like striking gold - those white droppings and probe holes in soft earth tell you birds are using the area actively. What's really exciting about woodcock hunting is the unpredictability of migration timing and numbers. Some days the covers might be loaded with birds, while other times you're working hard for every flush. That's all part of what makes each hunt unique and keeps hunters coming back to see what each day might bring.
Maine's upland bird hunting represents some of the finest bird hunting opportunities in the country, and this multi-day format gives you the best chance to experience everything these species have to offer. You're not just buying a hunt - you're investing in an education from guides who live and breathe upland hunting, access to prime covers that produce birds consistently, and memories that'll last long after the season ends. At $650 per day, this hunt delivers serious value for hunters who want to experience Maine's legendary grouse and woodcock hunting at its finest. The multi-day format means you'll have time to learn the terrain, understand bird behavior, and really dial in your shooting. Whether you're looking to add to your upland hunting skills or just want to experience some of the best bird hunting the Northeast has to offer, this hunt delivers the goods. Don't wait around - prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak migration periods when the hunting is at its absolute best.
Ruffed grouse are Maine's classic game bird - about chicken-sized with explosive takeoffs that'll get your heart pumping. They love mixed hardwood forests, especially areas with young growth around 10-20 years old. Apple orchards, logging cuts, and birch thickets are prime spots. October through November is peak season when leaves are down and birds are more predictable. What hunters love most is that thunderous flush - pure adrenaline when a grouse rockets out of nowhere. The meat is white, mild, and perfect on the table. These birds are smart and will use every tree and branch as cover once airborne. Here's what works: hunt slow and stay ready. Grouse often hold tight until you're almost stepping on them, then explode upward through the thickest cover they can find.
Woodcock are chunky, robin-sized birds with long bills built for probing soft ground. They're masters of camouflage, hiding in thick alder runs, young aspen stands, and moist areas near streams. Fall migration brings peak numbers through Maine from late September into October. These birds flush wild and erratic, making for challenging wing shooting that'll test your reflexes. What makes them special is their unique spiral flight pattern and how they seem to appear out of nowhere. The meat is dark and rich - a real delicacy. My tip: work the edges where thick cover meets open ground, especially on warm afternoons. Listen for that telltale whistle of wings when they flush, and be ready for anything because no two shots are ever the same with these birds.
Maine