I've decided to start building points for the Maine moose drawing. I've read the web site and I'm clear on how the lottery works for non-residents and how to apply, but I have a couple questions I could not find answers to.
- Is a non-resident reqired to use a guide?
- Is public land plentiful - is finding hunting ground an issue?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
No guide required, but I would sure consider Eldon Jandreau of Portage Lake if you shoot trad and get lucky enough to draw.
Much of the hunting in the northern zones is on private paper company lands thousands of acres- watch out for the lumber trucks! This can be accessed for a permit fee.
Lots of big moose and lots of fun!! Good luck!
I do believe you have to remove the entire moose carcass as well. Not an easy feet if you're unprepared. Correct me if I'm wrong....
No your not required to use a guide. Tons of public land. The north Maine woods is open and is over 2.5 million ac of land. Best hunting in zones 2,5,4,6,1,3. I live in 6. Great moose hunting. Chat me if I can help.
Tony
Not required to come out in whole, though some do it. You can quarter in the field.
Pretty much what the others have said. The zones are big, so if you have not had a chance to scout before you season it might be worth hiring a guide, or at least finding a lodge to stay at that is willing to point you in the right direction.
When you do draw, it'll take a while, Mr. Boucher is the man to talk too. I was up with him 2 years a go we had a great time and put down a nice bull. You can't beat a locals knowledge of the woods and connections in the community to put you on animals
Thanks guys, if and when the time ever comes, I'll be sure to give Mr. Boucher a shout.
X2 on squapan. Tony is a great guy and guide. Puts on a fantastic hunt. Top notch.
My tag took 11 years to draw, my buds on the 1st try. Like the new York lottery commercial " hey, you never know." I've begun entering again this year. :pray:
Took me 4 years to draw my first Maine Moose tag. Crossing my fingers that it doesn't take so long to draw the second time around.
4 years is nothing I have heard of people putting in for over 20 years and still not drawn
Maybe I should have started this process earlier, I want to still be alive when I get drawn.
It's quite a hunt! If you dig back in some old TBM issues you'll find stories from a few of us (including Gene Wensel) who have hunted Maine moose. I know those stories kept me going until it was my turn!
I just bought a bonus point for this year.Already have a hunt booked for this year.Been bear hunting in Maine and have seen the moose there and would love to hunt them.
Took me 12 years my buddy is at 19 and still waiting. Joe
I applied for 7 straight years and never drew, may start again as Izzy said, you never know! Shawn
X3 for Tony B!! He's a great guy and has an awesome family.
On my 19th year without drawing. Still trying though!
Hunted in 2009 with Eldon Jandreau in Zone 2 (one of the northernmost zones) which is on private timber lands but open to the public. Saw bunches of bulls of all age classes and killed a 53" @ 1200 lb. bull on the last day. We quartered the bull to get it out. Hunted as a sub-permitee on another's permit on that hunt. Still trying to draw my own permit after many years but will keep after it - the hunt was probably the best of my life (so far!) Video of the hunt can be seen on YouTube under "Hunters Point Guide Service". Good luck! Todd
Todd- I hoped you'd chime in about your hunt with Eldon. It's hard to describe how much fun those days in Northern Maine were- from floating hidden rivers to stalking clearcuts, the excitement of calling, and lots of close encounters! I've been putting in every year since I took my bull, waiting for the chance to do it all again. Talked to Eldon recently and got the "fever" all over again.
I was a 20 year wait person. Lucky for me the year I drew they added another year of waiting until I can re-apply. Oh well I will put in again as soon as I can. Hopefully the next time I get drawn the weather will cooperate a bit more. Temps in the 80's really shuts down the daytime activity. No matter, it was still one of the best adventures I have ever been on.
Here is link to the video of the high points of my self-guided adventure.
2011 moose hunt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLLiOk9AnnA)
up
Let me put on my ski mask.
Just curious, what other states offer non res- no guide moose? I know Idaho is res only once a lifetime. I bumped many moose there!!
lou
Let me put on my ski mask.
Just curious, what other states offer non res- no guide moose? I know Idaho is res only once a lifetime. I bumped many moose there!!
can you apply group in maine?
Lou
Non residents can apply in MT but the odds are steep.Because of wolves,all areas aren't as good as they used to be.You would want to research that before applying.
Reviving this thread.
Another question, I thought of:
Can you camp most anywhere on the open public lands, or are there designated areas for camping.
Is there an advantage to going in deep to get away from the crowds, or are you just as well off to camp off the road and walk into an area.
NH and VT allow non resident applications, but NH has drastically reduced the number of permits due to a declining herd. Been waiting 17 years on all three states. Guess that's why I don't buy lottery tickets!
I gave up on Maine and bit the arrow and went to Newfoundland and had a great time.You do have to have a guide there but lots of moose.
whats it cost to enter the maine drawing?
I'm not aware that you build any poiint one year to the next. It was my understanding you apply by buying and many chances as you want. I did it for about 5 years then gave up. I have 14 Moose points for Utah that I am hoping to draw one day.
QuoteOriginally posted by bigb3303:
whats it cost to enter the maine drawing?
I believe it was $15.00 when I bought a point this past Spring. I was going to Colorado this past fall and knew I wouldn't be able to do Maine as well, (not that I would have got drawn on my first try anyway) so I just took the point. My son and I are each going to put in every year, so if one of us lucks out the other can hunt as a permittee on the others tag.
I call it the "moose donation"-- been putting in since the first year they did it, no results.
Anyone have any information on where camping is allowed?
Northern Maine is not like areas in the west in that camping is only allowed at designated campsites. Best to contact The North Maine Woods Assoc. for info concerning their campsites, and The Maine Dept. of Conservation for info on theirs. As an example, the Allagash River corridor is managed by the Dept. of Conservation, but you have to cross thru North Maine Woods managed lands to get there. There are also a few private campgrounds within the NMW Assoc. lands.