Maine 2024

[homestead]

Hit Maine for a third time hunting grouse and woodcock (October 4-12). Had a great time with both my dad and my son. We got into birds daily. I’ll post some pics and details.

 

[homestead]

We took three dogs, all shorthairs. My old boy, my new pup and my dad’s female.

 

[homestead]

Despite an 8 foot truck bed, there was no space in the bed to pack much of anything aside from the dogs. The trailer worked out well.

 

[homestead]

Along the way we camped at parking lots, such as this Walmart. The best thought was a picnic area on the way home, no lights at all.

 

[homestead]

While hunting, we routinely found raspberries. Found a handful of woodcock in these spots, but no grouse. The berries were delicious.

 

[homestead]

In 2020 we found a moose shed. In 2022 we saw a cow moose. This year we saw three moose together, one of which was a small bull. Biggest animal I’ve ever seen in the wild. Amazing how they disappear just thirty yards off the road.

 

[homestead]

The grouse was my dad’s dog’s first point this trip. The hare was a surprise along a logging trail headed back to the truck.

 

[homestead]

Dinner that night

 

[homestead]

Some pics of camp. We were camped at a beautiful lake. Dad slept in tent, my boy in the truck bed with the dogs, and myself under the tarp.

 

[homestead]

The old man with a grouse.

 

[homestead]

We took fishing gear just in case. The old man sought to justify taking said gear and caught one fish.

 

[homestead]

The luxury of this trip is eating fresh grouse. Best game meat around.

 

[homestead]

First wild bird for the pup.

 

[homestead]

Premade dinners, thanks in large part to this forum, have been a great addition to our camping.

 

[homestead]

Hank and Lucy began and ended each day in the comfort of the truck’s heat. The pup was not welcome.

 

[homestead]

Ride home, three deep in a standard cab. Not the most comfortable ride for anyone, but we made it and had a hell of a time.

 

[homestead]

After this years trip, dad and I are contemplating making this an annual trip. We did pretty well. Could have definitely hunted harder, but we took a slightly casual approach and have zero regrets doing so.

 

[timberman56]

great job, thanks for taking us along

 

[TheGreek]

Great trip! I used to grouse hunt some out of a tent in N WI. Great times! How was the roast hare?