doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com New England Grouse and Woodcock Hunt 2015

I am thinking of doing a hunt in either NH, Vermont, or Maine next year. I am 68 and have hunted since childhood but not hunted these birds until last 2 years in Wisconsin. Not much success heard flushes and saw a couple grouse but only managed to harvest 1 woodcock. Even with the minimal success, it was still fun and thinking of trying in New England with guide and his/her dog. Any recommendations for lodge, guide etc. will be appreciated.

Had a very good experience hunting out of Libby Camps in Maine.

I will second Libby Camps---great people, place and birds. Long drive from KY!!

Note that Maine does not have Sunday hunting. Libby Camps is certainly nice but $$$ if that is a concern. Not sure if there are other guide services for grouse/woodcock working in the North Woods region where Libby is located. Pretty easy drive from Bangor. May want to check left side of Upland Journal website.. some guide services advertise there.

Highly recommend these guys in ME - great folks with good dogs and they are near some quality covers. They are southwest of Moosehead Lake/Greenville area.

Grey's

I have not had much luck locating good guides in NH (at least without going way up to the Pittsburg area).

And don't get discouraged about the difficulty of grouse hunting. ANY ruffed grouse you bag is a TROPHY. Any you get without a GOOD dog is a MIRACLE.

Pray to San Umberto and drink plenty of strong coffee! (If you can see thru it, it isn't strong enough).

I'm 72, and I do feel your pain (FUN, ain't it?).

I think you should look at First Settler's Lodge up in Weston, ME. Terrific accommodations and they can set you up with very knowledgeable local guides, with dogs or without. I've gone up there the last two years, and we've seen lots of birds and had a great experience.

if you are gonna due hit...go to northern maine or northern minnesota...few birds left elsewhere in the u.s. of a.

Vermont allows Sunday hunting.

Thanks, I am not discouraged but do think I want to try it with a gude and his dogs.
I enjoyed the 2 trips to Phillips Wisconsin area but want the New England experience.
I went to Kansas and 7 of us got 35 Pheasants but I would trade that for a couple grouse and woodcock. I guess the challenge that these 2 birds show is a big part of it. I think I need a guide with a dog that gets off the logging roads a little more and allows me to be on the road more. I will look at the lodges etc. that you have recommended. I intend to fly either to Boston and drive or Portland or Bangor, if I am to hunt in Maine. I am also open to NH if the right guide/sitation is available.