Maine Upland Guide Service Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock (Full or Half Day)

Fall in Maine is special; to us in the northeast it means spectacular views of intense color, crisp mornings and time with the “king of all game birds.”

Ruffed grouse are truly a sight to behold as they thunder through the young aspen and maple, somehow avoiding collision, as the hunter collects himself from his initial surprise and readies to take a shot. Equally beautiful is the pointing of a German shorthair or Brittany as they appear to come under the bird’s spell and turn to stone, indicating the bird’s hiding place and giving the hunter the added split second to prepare for the impending flush.

Ruffed grouse inhabit the entire state of Maine, but do especially well in our area, where logging keeps large tracts of forest young and vigorous. Grouse feed on green leaves, fruits, and insects in the summer and fall, switching to aspen and birch catkins as well as other tree buds and wild cherries. The famous "drumming" of the male grouse can be heard throughout the spring as they drum for mates from their log perches.

Each bird taken is appreciated as a gift from the wild, and nutrient-rich organic meat. It is a culinary treat which can be prepared for you by our guides, or dressed and packaged for your return trip.

Testimonial: My dog Waylon and I had an awesome time with Maine Upland Guide Service in the Jackman area! There was definitely no shortage of birds! The camp was beautiful and had everything you would need but still in a remote area where you can start hunting as soon as you walk out the door. We shot a bird my first morning not even 100 yards from the camp. We ate great every day with Dave’s cooking and his grouse sandwich is amazing! Mike’s dog Risa is quite the hunter and she got along great with Waylon. It was fun watching them both work together in the field. Can’t wait to come back! -Josh

The woodcock, affectionately known as the "timberdoodle", is a small game bird barely larger than a hunter's hand.

Although they tend to hold tight for our pointing dogs, they challenge the hunter when they flush straight up into the air, wings whistling, in a spiraling, tough-to-predict pattern.

Earthworms make up about 60 percent of the woodcock's diet, their long beak perfect for probing the soft, newly defrosted soil for them.

In March and April, they return to Maine after wintering in the southern states. The male woodcock can be heard throughout the woods, making their signature "peeeeent" sounds as they prepare for a mate. That take off into a spiraling, 200-300 foot high flight before settling to the ground again, only to repeat the dance again a few minutes later.

The woodcock is also a wonderful meal, somewhere between dove and grouse. Roasted and prepared with fresh greens and mushrooms, it is truly a meal to experience.

Testimonial: Maine Upland Guide Service was a great experience. I hadn’t been bird hunting with dogs for years and was able to get in on a trip with Maine Upland Guide Service in Jackman. What an experience! Dave and Mike were great guides and their dogs were well trained. We got into a bunch of birds and had a blast. The food and camp was great also. The camp had everything you would need hot shower, laundry, games and a good view. I would recommend this place for anyone."

~Jason