Maine Moose Hunting Zones

[Seeking Trad Deer]

Just filling out my application and was wondering if any of my Trad brothers or sisters guide or have recommendations for guides in Maine and what zones they are in...thanks  

[Bill Carlsen]

Call Eldon Jandreau. He is a guide and hunts, himself, with a longbow. He guides for bear and moose. His phone # is 207-435-2231. He can tell you the areas he is licensed in and his success with bowhunters on moose is above 90%. He will come highly recommended by Tradgangers like Biggie Hoffman and the Wensels, all who have hunted with him.

[Tradesmen4]

If you get drawn you will get a ton of mail from guides for the area you draw. Don't really need a guide as much as a truck and trailor. Learn how to call and get off the main dirt roads. Be patient and they will come. Greg

[Kevin L.]

Registered Maine Guides are licensed for the whole state. Most will only guide in certain zones, since those will be the areas they are based out of. There are several guides that hunt with trad gear and that's a definite plus, when the guide understands what is needed to get the client in position for a good shot.

Zones 1-6, 11, &19 have the best populations, and also have two weeks of season. I do most of my guiding in zones 8 and 14, which only have one week of moose hunting, but still have plenty of moose.

Keep in mind that the drawing will be held on June 12th, so the scramble will start then on booking. It's good to have several possible guides lined up, since your first choice might be booked before you can get in touch with them. Also, do some thinking about what kind of accommodations you'd like. The choices can range from sumptuous to a western style tent camp, depending on your budget and desires. Be prepared for long days and plenty of walking and calling.

[Seeking Trad Deer]

Spoke to Eldron in the past but he was above my budget.  One of his moose hunts is in a video and it looks fantastic!

[TimRadke]

A few questions on the preference points..

-How many points (approx) before one can realistically hope to draw a tag?

-How much to apply for a point every year?

-Are points unit-specific?

Thanks in advance!

-Tim

[Kevin L.]

Tim,
  Maine is a little different on their point system. Points are just extra chances in the drawing, so say you had 4 points built up (1 per year) and you bought 6 chances ($35 for a nonresident), then you actually have 10 chances in the drawing. Only one point is awarded for each year you don't get drawn and you have to put in every year for your chances to stay current. Miss a year, lose the points you have accrued.

Nonresidents do have a small advantage, though. They may purchase 10 chances for $55, and they may buy multiples of 10, so 20 for $110, 30 for $165, etc. Residents don't have this option, we're limited to 6 plus whatever points we have built up.

Lastly, points are not unit specific. The drawing is set up so if your name gets drawn, they look at the WMD's you put in for and see if remaining tags are available where you want to hunt. To better your chances, be sure to fill in all 10 choices in the order of preference. Some guides are flexible in which zones they'll guide in, if you ask.

Hope this clears it up a bit.

[TimRadke]

It does... Thank you so much!

I'll PM you for more info...

-Tim

[Kevin L.]

Tim,
  PM sent.

Thanks!

[Jim now in Kentucky]

As far  as calling goes, IT ONLY WORKS  IN THE  FIRST HALF  OF  THE  SEASON. The second half is after the rut  and bulls say, "Ah who  cares anymore?"

Been on three successful moose  hunts here and the second  half season is more  a matter of chancing across  a critter.

[Seeking Trad Deer]

Which zones are easier to hunt for a guy with spinal problems?

[Kevin L.]

Jim,
  I think that's more due to pressure and people over-calling. Funny how a couple of weeks after the second season, they'll come in to a call, again. I've called them in, even into November, by spotting the bull first and then using the call sparingly. You'd think some people were calling ducks, not moose, the way they just walk around blowing on a call like it was a magic talisman.

SeekingTD,
  Unless you do a lot of roadhunting, none of it is real easy on the back. That said, 3, 6, &11 have the best numbers along with some of the flatter ground.

Kevin

[Seeking Trad Deer]

Thanks Kevin...I'll put in for those as my first choices.  The hunt I saw on video that Eldon does he floats you around in a canoe and you shoot at Moose.  Must be up in the Alagash somewhere I am figuring?

[Kevin L.]

There's more water in zones 1-6 than you can shake a stick at. Shallows are a good spot to see moose, especially at sunup and dusk. It's a smart thing to have a canoe along on a weeks hunt, IMO. The Allagash area has some good moose, but it can be a bit of a paddle to get it back to the road.

[elkbow]

is a guide required in maine for non-residents?