Getting back to Maine deer hunting

[Gfedor]

Hi guys, great Web site. Been going to maine on/off deer hunting since 1986, with some success. Haven't been up since the mid 2004 ish time frame, time flew by. Family and work obligations come first. This year my nephew got a IT specialist job at Acadia state park, he wants to go hunt the big woods of maine, so I might be coming up this fall to get his feet wet in the big woods.
Question, how it the hunting down east, open land, deer numbers etc. Or anything in that area , give or take 2hr drive?
Or am I better off breaking out the old black book of some old spots from back in the day? I hunted from Patten,oxbow, Moosehead, jackman,rangley. Stayed and hunted with some great guys from all over the northeast, from all different camps, some great times, some bad times (getting stuck, towing out a fellow hunter)it's been 15 yrs since I've been up, who knows what is left.

Not looking for any secret spots, just a overall general question.

Thank you
Gene NJ

 

[MGK]

First which I’m sure you know, MDI is closed to deer hunting. However, The coast holds a good population of deer but its all small parcels of privately owned land so showing up and expecting to find spots might be tough. The further inland and east you go from MDI you’ll find bigger parcels of land but a lot less deer. Downeast is some of the toughest hunting in the state but holds some giant bucks.

 

[longbow]

Hi Gene,

I’d go back and hunt the places you know. The road systems should generally still be the same and some of your favorite spots may now be cut , but I think you’ll be way ahead just having that general knowledge of the area. With some snow you’ll be all set!

Now if your nephew finds some good spots around where he is before the season that’s a different story.

You didn’t sell a Benoit knife to me years ago? It says made for Gene on it.

 

[Gfedor]

Hi Gene,

I’d go back and hunt the places you know. The road systems should generally still be the same and some of your favorite spots may now be cut , but I think you’ll be way ahead just having that general knowledge of the area. With some snow you’ll be all set!

Now if your nephew finds some good spots around where he is before the season that’s a different story.

You didn’t sell a Benoit knife to me years ago? It says made for Gene on it.

No I didn't sell you a knife, but my birthday is in April and would love a personalized knife,lol.

I did however run into Mr Larry himself some years ago hunting up in the northwoods. We happen to be hunting the same mountain, had a nice 30 min conversation about hunting

 

[longbow]

I did however run into Mr Larry himself some years ago hunting up in the northwoods. We happen to be hunting the same mountain, had a nice 30 min conversation about hunting

More details please. Did you see the Vermont plates and follow his tracks?

 

[Gfedor]

More details please. Did you see the Vermont plates and follow his tracks?

Funny longbow.
Here is the story. Came up on a 10 day solo hunt. Rented a cabin moose river area, had some Intel that some nice bucks being seen on top or by Green mtn, so I went for a couple of days on the mtn looking,stalking, etc, came back to truck one night late, got turn around a couple of times (and yes I was a little nervous, lol) and here next to my truck is a truck with a guy in it, I'm like what the hell, I drove 650 miles from NJ to get away from the crowds and this guy is right next to me. I I'm loading up my truck and out comes a older guy, wanted to know how it looking on top, any good sign. He said that he figured I was up on top so he decided to hunt other side of road, I'm like pretty cool of him.

So we get talking a bit, and I'm like I know this guy, so I asked.where from, staying at,etc, that he says his name, Larry Benoit. Shook his hand, pretty decent grip for a old timer, lol.
We talked a bit, then headed in on our way.

 

[longbow]

I guess I had it wrong sounds like he was stalking you! LOL

Interesting story.

That was probably back in the days before GPS when you had a map and compass. Back then you had a pretty good idea where you were but were never exactly sure .

 

[silver belly62]

Hi guys, great Web site. Been going to maine on/off deer hunting since 1986, with some success. Haven't been up since the mid 2004 ish time frame, time flew by. Family and work obligations come first. This year my nephew got a IT specialist job at Acadia state park, he wants to go hunt the big woods of maine, so I might be coming up this fall to get his feet wet in the big woods.
Question, how it the hunting down east, open land, deer numbers etc. Or anything in that area , give or take 2hr drive?
Or am I better off breaking out the old black book of some old spots from back in the day? I hunted from Patten,oxbow, Moosehead, jackman,rangley. Stayed and hunted with some great guys from all over the northeast, from all different camps, some great times, some bad times (getting stuck, towing out a fellow hunter)it's been 15 yrs since I've been up, who knows what is left.

Not looking for any secret spots, just a overall general question.

Thank you
Gene NJ

Looks like you have hunted some decent areas, I would just go back to one of those areas as a starting point and go from there. Good luck this season