Maine Hunting Outfitter and Guide Reviews
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Oct 15, 2014
Outfitter Review: Stony Brook Outfitters - Wilton ME
Outfitter / Owner: Bob Parker
Hunter: Tony Fasano
Animals Hunted: not specified
The Lodge was clean, the meals were great and plentiful and the staff was friendly and some what accomodating.On my last day of the hunt I asked if I could go with the guide while he was baiting and stay out for the day on a stand. We were put in our stands at about 2:15 in the afternoon and picked up at around 7:30. Although the baits were hit they weren't hit from that 5 hour window so I wanted to get out in the AM. They didn't have cameras to see when the baits were being hit but all total I was there 6 days and only hunted 20 hours without ever seeing a bear.
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Nov 1, 2013
Outfitter Review: Riverside Guide Serice - Calais ME
Outfitter / Owner: Tim Daley
Hunter: Marc T
Animals Hunted: not specified
Tim is a great guide , he works very hard to get you your animal , I have hunted with him twice in the past taking a nice 220lb black bear and now a 11pt 700lb bull moose. you will be making a mistake if you pass up hunting with him. I am planning a spring bear hunt as soon as I can with him again. he has ability to hunt maine or New Brunswick Canada. just a great guide. thanks Tim.
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Oct 14, 2012
Outfitter Review: Pine Grove Lodge - Pleasant Ridge ME
Outfitter / Owner:
Hunter: frank bubbico
Animals Hunted: not specified
The owners are very nice people but horrible at buisness.After several yotes were shot they made arrangements for taxidermy work with someone they highly recommended,also taking deposits for the work.We never heard from the taxidermist again and bob and andrea refuse to get involved with trying to get the taxidermist to do the work or return deposits.They claim it isnt any of thier buisness even though they recommended toe service and collected the deposits.Its not a matter of the money but the principal.
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Dec 12, 2011
Outfitter Review: Pleasant River Guide Service - Milo ME
Outfitter / Owner: Pete
Hunter: David Davenport
Animals Hunted: not specified
Mature, hunter oriented, safety conscious, knowledgable, hard-working owners/guides. Accomadations were excellent as they were comfortable, clean, had a great shower and a free laundry. Food was top-shelf and snacks were readily available. Lounge was comfortable and provided appropriate entertainment. Sight-in assistance and gear maintenance area was available. Make sure that you purchase a fishing license as the river is just a short walk away for morning free time activities. This will be a premier and affordable guide service and outfitter for quite a time to come.
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Sep 16, 2011
Outfitter Review: Bear Mountain Guide Service - Rangeley ME
Outfitter / Owner: John
Hunter: Richard Ryman
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Outfitter took off with money and never provided service
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Aug 10, 2011
Outfitter Review: Stony Brook Outfitters - Wilton ME
Outfitter / Owner: Bob Parker
Hunter: tom keblish
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
awsome hunt i have been on alot of hunts and this is one of the best ever i will be back
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Jul 20, 2011
Outfitter Review: Homestead Lodge - Oxbow ME
Outfitter / Owner: John DaRosa
Hunter: Robert Packech
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
I made the mistake of going to the Homestead Lodge three years in a row---first and second year with my wife---never shot a bear (she didnt hunt). In two years (which translates into two weeks) i believe i saw eight bears harvested by 26 hunters. I saw a lynx. I went last year to give it one more try with my nephew. I called gloria in august she had a cancellation which meant we were able to book a hunt for 2400 for my nephew and I. We arrived a day early and stayed in a campground hoping to get a day of coyote hunting in before we went to the lodge. We stopped at the lodge to ask Gloria where we could hunt coyotes (remember we are in the wilds of maine) she told us there was no place we were allowed to hunt coyotes. NONE----as we were leaving her husband John pulled in and informed us we could hunt in a variety of locations----three miles down from her home is the great north woods of maine with 200000 square miles of open coyote hunting --she failed to tell us about this for some unknown reason. Her lodge-is on a little country road with about 30 homes along it---not out in the woods-with snow capped mountains behind it like the website leads you to believe. Well, the next day we arrived at the lodge----Gloria promptly told us we owed her 2800 dollars---I said you told us these were cancellation hunts they were 2400---she reluctantly said, "well if thats what i told you then i will take a 400 dollar beating" They were cancellation hunts ---how else could we have made a reservation in august (two guys paid their deposit of 200 and backed out).My nephew and i were seperated -----my nephew went with six guys in a van--I went with five guys in a pickup with a small back seat area. The first night i was placed in a ground blind----I had a stump or an old metal folding chair with no arms on in which to sit from two in the afternoon---till dark---and you were told to remain motionless. I saw nothing in five days of hunting----two guys out of 12 got bears----oh yeah one guy shot a 24 pound cub---no bigger than a beagle. Still we stayed--John the other guide is very nice----he has a helper who is also very nice. I asked Johns helper if my bear bait was baited every night---he said replied, "well no---your bait may be put there every other day -----or sometimes once or twice a week---no wonder i saw nothing--yet the website claims they bait for a month daily. Now to good ole Gloria. My nephew asked her for a glass of milk one morning----she denied him a glass of milk---why i have no idea? but for 2400--- youd think a glass of milk would not be too much to ask. Next he asked for a fresh towel---you get a washcloth and a towel---you are told to use it all week---well his became a little smelly from being damp---six guys use one shower room----she said NO you cannot have another towel!! I have a short right leg--i wear a leg brace to walk--my right leg is a foot shorter than my left---i approached the truck first in the afternoon to leave for a hunt and took a seat in the front of the vehicle ---i told Gloria im glad to be first out tonight--cause i cannot sit in the cramped back-----she informed me that i would have to get in the back as soon as one of her "regular clients came out" because he got carsick and couldnt ride in the back-----lol he was a rich guy who owned a chemical company and brought three hunters to her every year---i got in the back----got back to the lodge that evening and left a day early. That evening a guy brought in the 24 pound cub. Do NOT go there--- go to Gods County Guide Service or Oxbow lodge down the road---the meals were bare minimum---you got kool aid each day which was basically red water------John the other guide was great but it doesnt make up for the rude, obnoxious, and unethical (trying to get an extra 400 bucks out of my nephew and I) behavior of Gloria. Several of the other "guests" there expressed the same concerns as my nephew and I. Sorry John if you read this ----but honestly, you need to get your partner to be more client friendly and less devious.
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Feb 2, 2011
Outfitter Review: Turnpike Ridge Outfitters - Medway ME
Outfitter / Owner: Don Helstrom
Hunter: chris aikey
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
while i must agree with all the negatives,flat tires,dons general asshole attitudei would like to add on it my group took a hunt and stayed at prays cottagesthe cabins were nice running water hot and cold,flush toilets and generally very clean.we saw mrs pray more than don. he showed up on sunday to collect the balance of the hunt money,was in camp about a whole hour gave us all a 3 dollar hat and was outta there.the food was generally awlful hot dogs, meatless spaggetti, cold cut meatsi doubt the budget spent per person on food for a week was 25 buckswhen we got our bears and we did get bears so the guides were awesome they took our gallbladders which they stated were there bonus moneyseems its legal to sell them in maine. which is fine but how about giving a discount for the extra income all in all i would NOT recomend Turnpike ridge outfitters but if going fishing i Would seek out prays cottages
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Feb 1, 2011
Outfitter Review: North Maine Woods Guide Service - Eagle Lake ME
Outfitter / Owner: Ron Ricciardi
Hunter: David Tomlin
Animals Hunted: Canada Moose
My wife, my son, and I hunted moose with Ron in the October season of 2010. The country that we hunted was very nice and colorful during this time. Ron was very accomodating with all three of us going hunting together. My son was 5 years old at the time. We spent a lot of time riding in a truck, as the moose were not responding to calls. We did see a lot of other people riding the same logging roads, which was a little dissapointing. We saw several moose during our week of hunting, but didn't see any big bulls. We took a 36" bull on the next to last day. The accomodations there are very nice and comfortable. There are no meals provided, but the cabin has a kitchen. The September season would have been a better time to hunt, in my opinion, but it was a good experience.
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Jan 30, 2011
Outfitter Review: Bear Mountain Guide Service - Rangeley ME
Outfitter / Owner: John
Hunter: bob long
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
A bit warm. However,I GOT A NICE BEAR. The accommodations are first class. the guide was friendly and very helpful. The price only 999.00. Can't get any better for the money. Saw many deer and moose. We will be back
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Jan 10, 2011
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook Guide Service - Rangeley ME
Outfitter / Owner:
Hunter: christoff kasada
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
I HAVE BEEN TO ABBOTT BROOK 6 TIMES AND THIS YEAR WILL MAKE SEVEN. I WAS LUCK ENOUGH TO SHOOT A NICE BEAR THIS PAST SEPTEMBER. I ALSO SAW TWO OTHERS. WEATHER WAS RATHER WARM. HOWEVER,THERE WERE BEARS ON THE MOVE IN THE EVENING. THE ACCOMMODATIONS WERE GREAT. WE EVEN HAD A/C.LODGE WAS VERY CLEAN AND MODERN. RUSS AND THE GUIDES WERE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE.
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Jan 7, 2011
Outfitter Review: Bear Mountain Lodge - Smyrna Mills ME
Outfitter / Owner: Carroll Gerow
Hunter: JOHN RUSSO
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
EVEN THOUGH WEATHER WAS WARM I PUT MY TIME IN AND SAW 2 BEARS. I SHOT A 200 LB MALE ON FRIDAY. GUIDE WAS HELPFUL AND TRIED HARD. LODGE WAS SENSATIONAL. BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. SAW MANY MANY MOOSE. BRING A CAMERA
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Sep 19, 2010
Outfitter Review: Carey Outfitters LLC - Rangeley ME
Outfitter / Owner: David Carey
Hunter: Chris Wilson
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
My friend and I went on our first bear hunt with Carey Outfitters. We went during the first week of the hound season. The lodge is wonderful, the food is excellant "thanks Donna." Our guide Mark Carey and Houndsman John Proud were two great guys. We had a blast aggravating John. Since we we were hound hunting we started at daylight checking to see if baits had been hit from the day before when we baited them with the Mark and John and if they had a strike hound was sent in and if the scent was good the rest of the hounds were sent in. We both took a bear (mine 135lbs. and my buddy's was 120 lbs.). David Carey skinned andquartered the bears and my taxidermy said he did a good job. Rangeley is a beautiful place. This is tough country, "thanks John for toting my rifle on that last run." Great people here, will definately be back if I ever draw a moose tag, they are some HUGE BULLS here, I saw them.Epected to see more bears but the weather was warm and dry which is not good tracking weather for the dogs but they worked hard when they got on the scent. We even had some guys come into camp mid week wanting to go hunting saying their outfitter they were with turned out to be a joke. Dave had to turn them away because he was booked up but said he would if he had not been. Great people, Great lodge, Great food! See ya again soon my friends, THE GEORGIA BOYS.
Hunter Rating
Submit Date: Sep 12, 2010
Outfitter Review: Turnpike Ridge Outfitters - Medway ME
Outfitter / Owner: Don Helstrom
Hunter: Dennis Eckenrode
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
I went on a baited black bear hunt this spring with Turnpike Ridge Outfitters. We arrived on Sunday August 29, 2010 and departed on Saturday, September 4, 2010. We had 6 people in our group. This was the first week of the baited bear hunt for the Spring. 4 of us killed on Monday, 1 of us killed on Tuesday and 1 of us killed on Friday. We could check in on Sunday after noon and had to check out by 9AM the following Sunday.There were 22 people in camp. When we left Saturday morning, there were only four hunters left that needed to kill a bear that day. Talk about a high success rate. I was impressed. The Salmon Pool Camp is a wonderful and relaxed environment, and makes for very comfortable accommodations. Our cabin was set up for 6 people. There were 3 bunk beds, solid wood, with mattresses and bedding which were surprisingly very comfortable. The cabin had a small room attached to it with a table, chairs, gun rack and storage cabinet. The cabin was very clean upon arrival. This camp is far north of public utilities; however they have propane light fixtures in the cabins. Just turn on the valves, light a match and you have light just like at home. There is a natural cold spring that they have plumbed with PVC pipe so you can still get fresh clean water. They even have a makeshift shower set up. If you are that much of a sissy on a bear hunt, you can start a fire and heat the water and get a hot shower. Almost everyone in camp (22 hunters plus staff) just used the Aroostik River to bathe, which is located directly behind the camp. It is a clean, clear, rock bottomed river that was a comfortable temperature to bathe in.This reminds me, the cold spring pumps into a deep hole in the river. The salmon and trout were in huge schools. Make sure you get a combination hunting and fishing license. We had a blast fishing at the Salmon Pool Camp. The regulations on the river were: 1 trout a day, artificial lures and flies only, couldn’t keep the salmon. These fish were monsters.The hunt was an experience of a lifetime. Our guide, George, has been with Don Helstrom and Turnpike Ridge Outfitters for 35 years. His experience showed. He put us on baits that were out of this world. I saw 5 bear on my bait barrel. George was assigned all 6 hunters from my cabin. He got 4 of us a bear on the first day. He got one of us a bear on the second day. The 6th member in our group didn’t get a bear until Friday, but hey, we were hunting in almost 5 million acres of the North Maine Woods, which is hunting wild bear, in a large unpopulated area in the wild. There are no fences here. This is hunting the way it should be. The Holstrom family knows how to run a hunting camp. Don and his wife Gail provided a camp in the middle of nowhere, that should be rustic as could be, but somehow manage to make it that you feel spoiled and pampered all week long. They keep that camp beautiful and clean. Gail runs the kitchen with another woman named Janet. Gail and Janet cook a large breakfast and large lunch everyday. You will not leave the table hungry. Supper is upon return form the hunt in the late evening hours and consisted of lunch meats and common cold sides. No one in camp complained about the food. A lot of positive comments to the ladies every day made them feel good and they returned the favor with bigger and better meals and deserts. These two ladies should be proud. They also do a fine job of socializing with you during the week after you have killed your bear. The other guides in the camp were very social with all of the hunters and we all sat around drinking beer, telling stories and having a good time. I saw 4 bear that were over the 500 pound mark hanging form the game pole. Most bears averaged 150 to 225 field dressed. I read some other reviews hat weren’t so positive on this site, so I wanted to correct the record. Turnpike Ridge Outfitters doesn’t just take your money for a bear. They provided you with a full bear camp experience focused on a successful bear hunt and providing you with an experience that is about having fun and making new friends. I was thrilled with this hunt and I will go back. Sincerely,Dennis Eckenrode
Outfitter Review: Eastern Ridge Adventures - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Joshua Rhodes
Hunter: Denna Ingram
Animals Hunted: black bear
My husband and I went on our first black bear hunt this spring. We were bow hunting and there were 3 other hunters in camp rifle hunting. We all saw and took bears. They varied in size with me seeing the largest bears by waiting and not shotting the first bear that showed up (like the men did). He keeps plenty of active baits and moves you if you are not seeing bears. We will go hunt with him again. I would recommend this hunt for a relaxing spring bear hunt for bow or rifle.
Outfitter Review: Wilderness Escape Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Randy/Sharon Flannery
Hunter: Peter Slabinski
Animals Hunted: Deer
Randy has more knowledge about tracking and stalking whitetails than anyone I have ever met. I did a learn to track and stalk week with him and learned more in 6 days than I have in the last 20 years. Maine is big woods and tough to hunt, but Randy has a system that works. This was a life changing experience. We also saw plenty of deer. Between 2 hunters we saw 6 bucks, 4 shooters and one that we dragged on. I would recommend Wilderness Escape to anyone.
Outfitter Review: Turnpike Ridge - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Don Helstrom
Hunter: Ace
Animals Hunted: black bear
This is an easy hunt. you will shoot a bear if you listen to don and do what he tells you to do. You have to stay perfectly motionless. I got my bear the first night. Good bear habitat in this part of Maine.
Outfitter Review: BEAR MT. - MAINE
Outfitter / Owner: JOHN
Hunter: Kyle Ross
Animals Hunted: BLACK BEAR
I saw 2 bears that were average. However, I was looking for a larger bear as I have shot smaller bears in the past. Guides were friendly and new their stuff. Fishing was excellent. Lodging was fantastic. I will be back in 2010.
Outfitter Review: Black Brook Cove - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Jeff LaRochelle
Hunter: mike grady
Animals Hunted: bear
Three bears in four years. Mike Grady 570-498-1838.
Outfitter Review: Bear Mt. Outfitters - ME
Outfitter / Owner: not sure
Hunter: Lee Couture
Animals Hunted: bear
First time at this camp. Have hunted others. Very clean and comfortable. 15 hunters at camp. 7 killed a bear. Many seen. Great price. Lots of moose and deer. Great mountain scenery. Very nice crew and they tried hard.
Outfitter Review: Camp Wapit - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Ryan & Jennifer Shepard
Hunter: mike showers
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Ryan,Jen and Don are very good guides, very informative, personal and just all around good people. There where 12 hunters in camp they take a max of 14 per week. Out of 12 we harvested 9, one missed, one was looking for the big one and one didn't see any bears. The food is great and it's family style. The stands are new and blinds are well done great hunting camp going back again
Outfitter Review: Foggy Mountain - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Wayne Bosowitz
Hunter: Carl Slonaker
Animals Hunted: Black bear
Wayne was very frienly and put my wife and I in a huge log house on a lake. I did not see my guide but twice but he did leave notes at my treestand to let me know if the bait was hit. I saw one decent bear on my last day of the hunt but got winded before I could get a shot off. My only complaint was the hour+ long drive to my stand in my own vehicle. If I draw a moose tag I will be back to see Wayne, as far as Bear I think Spring bear in Canada is more productive.
Outfitter Review: EASTERN RIDGE ADVENTURES - MAINE
Outfitter / Owner: JOSHUA RHODES
Hunter: JERRY TAPP
Animals Hunted: BLACK BEAR
JOSH WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE WE ALL SAW BEAR AND KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING. THERE WAS 3 OF US HUNTERS ON A SPRING HUNT AND 2 OF US KILLED AND ONE MISSED. WE ALL SAW MORE THAN ONE BEAR. I HAVE HUNTED WITH OTHER OUTFITTERS AND I CAN SAY JOSH IS THE REAL DEAL. I HAD ASKED WHERE I COULD GET SOME WORMS FOR FISHING AND HE BROUGHT SOME TO OUR CABIN NOT LONG AFTER. HE PAYS ATTENTION TO DETAIL. HUNTING IS STILL HUNTING BUT IF YOU DO YOUR PART YOU SHOULD BE SUCCESSFUL WITH JOSH.
Outfitter Review: Turnpike Ridge Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Don Helstrom
Hunter: George Harpole
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
I hunted black bear with Turnpike Ridge Outfitters in September 2009. The camp is located at Salmon Pool in the North Maine Woods near Ashland, ME. The camp is rustic and nice; however, there is no running water available for hunters use. The only water source available to hunters is the Aroostook River and a small PVC pipe providing a trickle of water from a spring. There is a makeshift shower available that requires hunters to carry water from the spring, pour it into a wood fired boiler, heat to temperature and manually pour the heated water into a shower tank for showering. A time consuming camp chore that camp workers should be doing, not the hunters.Restroom facilities consist of a simple double privy with barrel type urinals which is about what would be expected by most hunters at a remote camp. The small PVC spring pipe is the only source for appropriate hand washing.The cabins are heated with wood, lighted with gas lights and are comfortable; however, hunters must split and carry fire wood to the cabins. This is another chore that camp workers should be doing.The cook house is very nice and well organized. There are three meals daily, consisting of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast consists of bacon, pancakes, french toast, etc. The lunch meal is balanced, consisting of chicken, beef, vegetables, etc. The dinner meal consists of mainly cold cuts and chips and is served after hunters return in the evening toward midnight for some. The ladies that run the kitchen are very efficient although one of them seemed rude at times.There are hidden costs with this outfitter, especially if you have a vehicle in camp. There were approximately 4 guides for about 20 hunters. It was not possible for all hunters to be placed on stands each day using only guide vehicles. Some hunters were required to drive their own vehicles and this was not known up front. Beware of this! The roads are very rocky, destroy standard passenger tires and are very hard on vehicles. Some hunters driving their own vehicles had to purchase new tires to continue hunting. To my knowledge, the guide service never offered to pick up the cost of tire replacement or to defray the cost of gasoline for those using their own vehicles. A big financial plus for the guide service at the cost of the hunters, especially when you consider that some stands were located in excess of 50 miles from the camp. The area has lots of bears with the average running less than 200 lbs. Our hunters took bears weighing less than 100 lbs to in excess of 400 lbs. The three stands that I hunted were well prepared with two having been recently hit. The third showed no evidence of recent activity.This guide service has stringent rules and hunters are expected to comply at all times. Some rules were not safety related and seemed to be odd as I have never experienced this with other bear guides. The guide seems very comfortable with berating hunters with inappropriate language if for some reason a rule is not complied with. Guides also seem comfortable with making fun of some hunters, especially if they in some way do not seem to fit in. Success with this outfitter during my hunt was high with success ratio running at approximately 85 percent. These people have been bear hunting for a long time and are good at what they do. This outfitter in my view is out-of-line with it's tip policy. The outfitter requires all tips to be put into a pool which is apparently split between workers. I offered tips to individual workers that were not accepted. I feel it is up to the hunter to tip however he feels inclined to do so without being regulated in this personal matter by the guide service.I would not unconditionally recommend this outfitter to others. I would not do so mainly because:(1)In my opinion all hunters were not always treated equally and with the respect that a paying guest should receive and (2)Utilizing your own vehicle to the cost of $20.00 - $40.00 a day, not to mention wear and tear is unreasonable. If the negatives are not a significant problem for you, the many positives could make Turnpike Ridge Outfitters what you are looking for in your pursuit of taking a black bear in the beautiful North Maine Woods.
Outfitter Review: Oxbow Lodge - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Tom/Tracy Aasbo
Hunter: bryan savaet
Animals Hunted: black bear
FIRST CLASS! if you want a professional and enjoyable hunt, book with oxbow! i did not get a bear. my father and friend got lucky. by my 3rd day there i was already booking another trip.
Outfitter Review: Turnpike Ridge Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Don Helstrom
Hunter: George Dillon
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
To start this story off, I have been anxiously waiting for this week in September 2009 for a year, just to go bear hunting at Turnpike Ridge Outfitters in Maine with a total of 7 hunters in our group. Let me say right off the bat on the first day of the hunt and only 2 hours and 15 minutes on the stand I killed a nice 200 lb black bear. I was so happy that my first bear hunting experience went so well. Now that being said, let me get to the nitty-gritty of how things went throughout the week at camp. I found out really quick that the owner Don Helstrom was not a nice man. He was rude and crude to say the least. He mistreated several guys in the camp throughout the week. He made fun of them and made unprofessional comments about certain hunters in his truck as he took us to our bait sites. I felt very uncomfortable to say the least. In his information regarding his hunts, there is no where that it states that we have to use our own personal vehicles to get back and forth from camp to the bait sites. Well when we got their we were all shocked that we had to use our own trucks. Now you say what's wrong with using your own vehicle, let me tell you that you are over 40 miles away from a paved road out in the middle of nowhere at the camp site. The roads are terrible and beat your vehicles up bad. The roads are covered in Shale, this in turn means that there are sharp and jagged pieces of rock all over the place. There were a total of 10 flats and that ended up costing over $1,800 in new tires as they left holes in the tires that were not fixable. These drivers had to take time away from hunting to drive an hour and a half to Presque Isle to order new tires. Also if you drive your own vehicle there, be prepared to go to Ashland every other day to fill up, as it costs around $40.00 a day to drive, because Clayton Lake is where you hunt and it's almost 70 miles each way which takes 2 hours to get there and 2 hours to get back on terrible logging roads. Hunters left at 12pm and were lucky to get back at 12am and sometimes 1am in the the morning from their hunts. Don Helstrom not once offered to help with our flats or give us a break as we used our own gas. After a bunch of us guys got together, we all found out that Don is using his hunters to save himself money. There were 3 guides and 22 hunters, tell me how in the heck can 3 guides haul 22 hunters everyday to the bait sites. It aint happening. We ending up paying alot extra in the end. After talking to Gayle, Don Helstoms wife, about having to drive our own trucks, she said after all all you guys have money, or you wouldn't be here. I about fell over when she told us that. Gayle has a helper, her name is Janet. She is awesome and was the glue that kept the camp together all week. She takes excellent care of you and makes up for the rudeness of the Helstroms. Lets get to the guides. First off, they are very experienced in what they do, but several of them were not talkative and very crabby and in some cases rude to the hunters that were there. They don't like questions and don't want to be talked too. George was the worst, with Jeff being the nicest all week. The camp was rustic, I like rustic, but didn't like the fact that you had to go to the spring and fill up a 5 gallon bucket of water to take a shower with. The spring is a little trickle of water that comes out of a pvc pipe from the ground. It takes around 10 minutes to fill up. Then you have to take the water to a tank and pour it in and then build a fire and then 45 minutes later the water was hot, and then you could take the water to the shower and use it. Very time consuming. The bathrooms are disgusting and smell of fecal matter and urine. I can't say much more. In the end, if you want to get used and abused, and kill a bear possibly go here. If you want to be treated like a human being and most of all a customer, don't go here. Don Helstrom ruined my first successful black bear hunt, I will never forget that. Thank you all and I hope someone will find this helpfull.
Outfitter Review: 3 River Guide Service - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Gordon Foster
Hunter: Jason OBrien
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
The owner Gordon Foster and guides provided an excellent hunt with memories that will last a lifetime. The camp is clean and comfortable with all the amenities of home. Hot breakfasts and home cooking will have you adding a notch to you belt by the end of the week. Gordon ensures there are plenty of bear holding in the area by baiting often with a lot of quality bait. If you listen to the guides in camp the chances of bagging your trophy are good. I would recommend Gordon and his staff to anyone looking for a quality black bear hunt.
Outfitter Review: Turnpike Ridge Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Don Helstrom
Hunter: Ken Kennon
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
My two high school buddies and I have been doing unguided hunts out West for several years. On the drive back through Nebraska last year, I mentioned a guy I work with had been on two successful bear hunts in Maine. ThatÂ’s all it took and the planning began. WeÂ’ve been waiting all year for this hunt and it couldnÂ’t have been any better. My two sons, (30 and 24) came with us this year for the first time. My oldest son was the only one without a kill, but he had to leave on Thursday due to work. We left camp Friday morning so IÂ’m not sure how the week ended, but it was 19 out of 23 with two days left. WeÂ’ll all go back in two years after my buddyÂ’s son graduates from high school.We used this website to check out this outfitter before booking our hunt and found only positive postings. Combined with my co-workerÂ’s experience, we went. I hope this posting will help others. ItÂ’s a lot of money and it would be a shame to have a bad experience if you donÂ’t have to.
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook Guide Service - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: Todd Hamilton
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
This guide service is a joke. The one and only guide at camp got his maine license on Friday before our hunt started the next Monday.We shared our lodge with a total of 8 people with one restroom and kitchen.No hot water Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning because all of the propane tanks were empty. Russ is full of excuses,you see him on Sunday afternoon to check you in and then he is gone for the rest of the week until the next Sunday when his next group of victims shows up.18 people in camp, 1 bear sighted all week by a guy that has been coming there for ten years. Who I feel like is in on the take,because he does his brochures and is even in them. Please before you book with this outfit check with the Better Business Burea and the Local Chamber of Commerce.
Outfitter Review: OMM Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Nathan Theriault
Hunter: Thomas Orr
Animals Hunted: black bear
There were six hunters in camp. 3 bears were killed over bait, by rifle, the first evening. One was arrowed and not recovered the second evening. Another was taken by rifle the third day. One bear sighted twice, but not taken by the sixth, was estimated to be over 500 lbs. All hunters except one had digital cameras showing 300 lbs+ bears coming to their bait stations during the legal shooting hours. The other one didn't have a camera set up at the bait sight. Nathan is the real deal as a guide. I had the opportunity, after harvesting my bear, to help and watch him bait several sights for the upcoming weeks hunts. He works hard before, after and during the hunt. He is thorough and knowledgable in his attention to details and his success shows it.The meals were home cooked and outstanding. I returned after harvesting my bear at about midnight. Nathan had called ahead and there was a nice warm meal waiting for me. I would not hesitate to use or recommend Nathan Theriault and OMM Outfitters to anyone.
Outfitter Review: Camp Wapiti - maine
Outfitter / Owner: Ryan Shepard
Hunter: mike showers
Animals Hunted: black bear
Ryan and Jenn run an outstanding camp, every thing from the food to taking care of your trophy is top notch. we had 12 hunters in camp and harvested 9 bear ranging in weight from 363 lbs down to 75 lbs. Bear sighting for the week was 18 bear for 12 hunters not bad. I would recommend them to anyone....
Outfitter Review: Libby Camps - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Matt Libby
Hunter: John Kleis
Animals Hunted: Bear
Went for the first week of bear on bait 2009. They had 12 hunters. Not crowded at all. They had way more stands than they had hunters. If you wanted to move to another stand...no problem. I believe we took 7 bear. One hunter shoot at with bow but missed...the other passed on a bear. The total number of bear seen by entire party on trip...13 or 14. Old rustic cabins were wonderful and nostalgic. Hospitality was great. Most everyone seen some moose sometime during the week.Some hunted coyotes in the morning hours...some fished for brookies. My third year here.
Outfitter Review: Wilderness Escape Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Randy and Sharon Flannery
Hunter: Peter Slabinski
Animals Hunted: Deer
Between 2 guys, a year after Maine's worst winter in 50 years we saw 5 bucks and 4 of them big enough to shoot. I learned more about tracking and stalking deer from Randy than from anyone else in 20 years of hunting. I would recommend this hunt to anyone serious about hunting big deer.
Outfitter Review: Wilderness Escape Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Randy Flannery
Hunter: Teddy Siwy
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Had a great time again hunting with Randy and all the great people at Wilderness Escape Outfitters. The guides and staff are all first rate and the food is absolutely incredable!It was the most incredable day that I have ever spent in the bear woods. And, although up until that day, after nine years of hunting with Randy and seeing over 20 bears during that time. I had never experienced anything quite like this. I Had seven different bears come in and litterally had bears all around my stand, ranging from 150 pounds to a monster that had to be at least 500.
Outfitter Review: Loon Lodge - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Mike Yencha (not sure on last name)
Hunter: Zach Morahan
Animals Hunted: Bear
Went on a bear hunt in 2004. Mike is very knowledgeable and is a nice person, along with his wife. The cabins were very nice. There is a lake right at camp with some fishing (just ok). We went to some rivers and caught landlocked salmon. I shot a 165# bear the second night. Mike takes his operation very seriously and has a set of rules for the hunters.You can't smoke on stand or anything like that. Do what he says and you will have a shot at a bear. 15 guys shot 15 bears the week I was there. Biggest was 342# shot by my uncle. They take care of everything after you shoot it. They carry it out of the woods on a strecher.My dad took my brother back in '06 and he shot a bear. Highly recommend Loon Lodge. Wish I wasn't in college or I would go back every year.
Outfitter Review: Russell Pond Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Joe and Inga Cabral
Hunter: Peter E. MacGillivray
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
A large camp with 400 square miles of woods. Well located and roomy tree stands. Baited each day and again while we got into the stand. I saw bears every day, usually 2 or 3 and just had to wait for the right one. Guides were very helpful in telling how to judge size and when to wait. Hope to go again this year or next.
Outfitter Review: Stoney Brook Outfitters - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Bob Parker
Hunter: Don Gisewhite
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Bear Hunt with Hounds. Bob puts 200% into getting you a bear. Great People.
Outfitter Review: Carey Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Dave Carey
Hunter: Craig Duncan
Animals Hunted: Whitetail
Don't be fooled by the poor comments\ above. We went on a whitetail hunt with Dave and we knew in advance that it would be a tough hunt for deer, we had a great time at Dave's camp. The first 5 minutes of the first hunt I had a chance at a Maine spike horn. I passed it up. You will need to be in good physical condition and know how to move around in unfamiliar woods. Dave and Mark did what they could to put deer in front of us, but the weather (no snow) was against us. I did see a lot of buck sign and was very pleased with the hunt overall. 4 of us had a great time, the food was excellent and the hospitality was unbeatable. The camp was a welcome site after a long days hunt! Like I said, if you are there for deer, there is not one behind every tree and you will work for one, if your lucky, you could shoot a Maine bruiser! Thanks for a great and affordable trip Dave. I look forward to visiting you this summer. One poster said Dave was not a fisherman, I dont think that is totally true as he told me he would take me fishing if I visited in the summer. This is not a "take me to them and I will shoot them" hunt, you can do whatever you want once in the woods, sit all day, walk, whatever YOU want to do, just make sure you know how to navigate BIG woods or you will be thee for a few days.
Outfitter Review: Blues Wilderness Hunts - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Dewaine (Blue) Lord
Hunter: Jeff Langston
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Hunted with Blue 1st week in Sept with four friends. Blue knows Bears..Everyone was on active bait sites, Blue constantly monitors the site with trail cams and vids. If you don't see a bear during the day he will show the pics of the bears that visit at night. One of our five didn't see a bear. Two of the five took bears and one missed a massive Boar. Blue has hunted and lived in the Patten area his entire life. He has access to over 72,000 acres of pristine wilderness. And his bait sites are not over hunted. His wife Teresa is the camp cook for the week and every Meal is five star. They don't skimp to save a dollar and Blue is genuinely focused on making sure everyone has a memorable quality hunt. E-mail me if you wish and I will respond.
Outfitter Review: Turnpike Ridge Outfitters - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Don Helstrom
Hunter: Brian Ruse
Animals Hunted: Bear
I booked this hunt with a buddy. We shared the camp with 12 others. We got along really good. We hunted active baits that were in great areas. If the bait didn't get hit the after 2 days we were moved. I saw a good size bear the first 5 minutes of the hunt and never raised the gun. THe next to last day I got a huge 300lb boar. My buddy got a good size sow. Out of 14 hunters 12 got bears, 1 we couldn't fnd and the other 1 didn't get a bear. He said it was his 10th trip and was holding out for a 400lb bear since he got one every year for the last 10 years. I look forward to going back, Don is first class guy and the food is excellent. I had a great time.
Outfitter Review: Oxbow Lodge - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Tom Asbow
Hunter: Rick Brake
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Oxbow lodge is nice,good people, great food. 20 or more hunters per week, I was there in thethird week of the season and bear movement wasdown. Very small bears being shot..50---130 lb..At the end of my hunt,there had been 49 bearstaken in 3 weeks. Maybe a little over hunted.Nice place to take young hunters.
Outfitter Review: Eastern Ridge Adventures - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Joshua Rhodes
Hunter: Andy P.
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
DO NOT waste your time or money. He is a pure scam artist who is only interested in money and lies about the accommodations you’ll be staying in. I hunted up there for 6 days this fall and didn’t see a thing. There were four other hunters up there who he calls “The Maryland Boys” (who by the way, were putting a roof on his house during the day when they were not hunting) who got bears, which I found to be pretty interesting. Even those bears were only about 100lbs. For anyone considering Maine for black bear, AVOID Eastern Ridge adventures you will save a lot of time, money and aggravation
Outfitter Review: Wilderness Escape Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Randy Flannery
Hunter: Dylan Veseskis
Animals Hunted: black bear
I have been to many outfitters over the years and Wilderness Escape Outfitters is a top notch run opperation.The lodging, the food, the guides, the bear hunting, and the small mouth bass fishing in the mornings was all first rate.There were 14 guys in camp, eight bears were taken and only one guy did not see a bear.It was a great time
Outfitter Review: Conklins Bear Camp - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Lester Conklin
Hunter: Keith blankenhorn
Animals Hunted: Bear
Hunted there in Sept. of 08. 15 hunters shot 1 bear. 85LBS. 11 guys didnt even see a bear. Rude,arrogant,know it all, outfitter,gave very little effort, and plenty of excuses.Even blamed us, his paying clients,for being sloppy hunters,thats why nobody saw any bear.Lots of ATV and truck traffic every night,close to our stands.Overall, a terrible hunt! I would not recomend this guy to my worst enemy.by the way, after returning home, we discovered, on the internet,that this guy had been arrested, along with his wife and son in Alaska, for a ton of hunting and fishing violations,totaling196,000 in fines and 300 days of jail time.They plea bargained their way out of some of it.Still, overall,a real disgrace to the outfitting fraternity.
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook Guide - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Russell Burgess
Hunter: Richard Thompson
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
We had to share two toilets and showers with sixteen people on one hot water tank. Bed room windows had no curtains.
Outfitter Review: Oxbow Lodge - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Tom & Tracey Aasbo
Hunter: Robert L. Page II
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
My hunt at the Oxbow Lodge, Oxbow Maine, was 9-15 September, 2007. The entire experience could be put forward as a quide for all outfitters everywhere to follow. Even the inexperienced hunter can take Pope & Young Bear, Moose or Whitetail if you simply listen to the guides and do what they tell you to do. The accomodations were warm and quite comfortable, accomodating twenty hunters without using all the space available. The food was so good and plentiful you may need to diet when your hunt ends. Oxbow has exclusuve rights to so much land that stand hunting or spot & stalk can be done without fear of crossing paths with anyone. Game recovery and handling is quick and thorough and you will go home with all the meat you desire and a well prepared trophy. If you want a super-quality hunt for Bear, Moose or Whitetail you do yourself a dis-service by not calling them. The price is very good and blows away the competition for value of "goods" recieved.
Outfitter Review: Russell Pond Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Joe and Inga Cabrel
Hunter: John E Mello
Animals Hunted: Bear
Buildings are in poor condition; exposed wiring, kinked twisted gas lines and cabin walls held together with steel cable. Outhouse set on log supports over trench; just overall run down appearance of what must have been a really nice lodge in its time. Food was great and plentiful and staff was friendly and courteous.Missed a shot at a nice bear on the first day, was then moved to another site where I spent the next three days over the same bait that had no signs of bear activity.
Outfitter Review: Tomah Mountain Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Joe Bowen
Hunter: Danny Webb
Animals Hunted: black bear
we went on a spring bear hunt and it was one of the best times we have had. Joe and his guides were excellent and worked hard for us. Success was 100%.Some really nice bear were taken this week. Fishing was excellent. We caught so many huge smallmouths and pickerel I lost count. You want to a have a great time and enjoy a friendly guide that cares about a client. Go see Joe Bowen.
Outfitter Review: #9 Lake Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Dale Merrill
Hunter: Jeff Pace
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
I have hunted with #9 Lake outfitters on several occasions. I have also hunted with other outfitters as well. Dale and Louise surpass any other outfitters I have hunted with. I was there when this Frank guy "showed up to hunt" I know the whole story. Dale and Louise went out of their way to accomodate him. Anyone leaving bad feedback on these folks has not spent much time behind the stock of a rifle or behind a bow. You may not kill an animal on ever trip, but it won't be any fault of the guides or owners. They do a superb job of trying to get you on game. I have met many great friends that are repeat hunters with them. For the price they are the best outfitters to use in the area.
Outfitter Review: OMM Outifitters - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Nathan Theriault
Hunter: Dave Gallozo
Animals Hunted: Bear
Bear hunt was great shot a 487 pound bear with my bow. Great stands and hunting spots.
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook Guide Service - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: bill ward
Animals Hunted: bear
Planning on our 10th year at lodge. Best deal in Maine. I am bringing my son this year. Kids are free ! How can you beat that? Cabins are modern and very clean. We have been to other places in the past Russ's is the best to date.Practice your shooting. Too many bad shots the week we were there. 5 wounded bears
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook Guide Service - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: Larry Alonso
Animals Hunted: bear
Hunted with Russ 4 times and took my teenage son for free every time. My son and I have both taken bear there. The accommodations are really great. There were at least 6 satellite t.v. s. My son also caught a beautiful native brook trout. Russ also put on a great cook out for the 15 kids that were there. Overall a great place to go.
Outfitter Review: Black Brook Cove - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Jeff Larochelle
Hunter: James Evers
Animals Hunted: black bear
Jeff was too busy with his store and campground. Did not care about us after he took our money. mice in camp and it was not clean. I met a hunter from another outfitter who jeff told that we shot 8 bears that week. We got none! Locals told us that he was new to the bear hunting business and it showed.Asked for pictures and he had only a couple. What a scam!
Outfitter Review: Pine Grove Lodge - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Bob Howe
Hunter: chad bauman
Animals Hunted: black bear
great place to relax and eat. 10 hunters 0 bear sightings. Also found out myself and my buddy paid about double everyone else.
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook Guide Service - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: Jerry Antonelli
Animals Hunted: bear
Have been hunting at Abbott Brook for 8 years.I have shot 5 bear and 1 was a Boone and Crocket bear. The lodge is clean and very modern. I am looking forward to returning in o8. I am surprised to see complaints about the lodge. I am very fussy and the facilities are exceptional. I also have never seen 40 hunters at the camp.
Outfitter Review: Captain Outdoors - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Wayne Hockmeyer
Hunter: John Stroff Jr.
Animals Hunted: Whitetail
I have hunted with Wayne for 15 years. Big buck hunting is mentally and physically hard. I enjoy the remote wilderness. Wayne and Carl are excellent to be around and Wayne knows what it takes to kill big bucks in big woods. Not a farm or feeder hunt! Anyone looking for a fun time and great northwoods camp call Wayne.
Outfitter Review: Libby Camps - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Matt/Ellen Libby
Hunter: John Kleis
Animals Hunted: Bear
On the second week of 07 bear season 4 guys headed for Libbys in Maine.We decided on doing an outpost cabin on Chandler Pond. The cabin and location were great. The fishing in the lake wasn't so hot. Mathews Pond up the road was better.Our guide was Mike. Great guy, even carries your gun up to you after you get in the stand.All but one saw multiple bear. Two shot bear...one passed and probably shouldn't have and one saw nothing.He also ran face to face with a bull moose. We had multiple stands to move around to if needed. All stands were baited with us present every afternoon. The main lodge and cabins are rustic gorgeous with great bedding and showers.They sit on a large lake wit plenty of boats available. The food is just outstanding.Matt and Ellen and there daughter and son are quite pleasant and accomadating. This is why they receive the Orvis awards that they have. Go there...fish in the morning and hunt in the afternoon eat everywhere in between.Oh yeah...they even have a sea plane for remote fly ins.
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: Ed O'Donnell
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Camp was way overbooked 30+ hunters. Hunters did not have bait hit all week and when they asked to be placed at another sight the so called guides got all pissy and refused. They advertised a saloon/rec room but had converted that into a bunk house to pack in more hunters. Definitely no truth in advertising here.
Outfitter Review: Beech Ridge Camps - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Wayne McSwine
Hunter: Thomas Herrera
Animals Hunted: Bear
I would like to say Beech Ridge Camps is a nicely run camp, it's like hunting with family. This was my second time there and am looking forward to next year. This year I managed to harvest a nice bear, with a white patch on the chest, and yes the mount will look great. Also another repeat hunter took a record book bear 457 lbs., it was great to know they are there, just have to be patience.
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: James Pittman
Animals Hunted: Bear
DO NOT GO HERE!!!!!!!This experience was a complete waste of time and money. I was lied to from the beginning. First, my partner and I were told we would be housed in a private area and were not. We were in a run down old cabin with three other hunters whom we did not know and we shared the same bathroom and kitchen. Through shear luck we got along. Second, we where guaranteed to have an active bait sight, mine and my buddy's bait was never hit in the five days we were there. My sight was so close to a state highway that I could turn around and see cars passing. On one night I saw and heard a lady walking her dog! I told the supposed guide and his response was the bear are used to hearing and seeing people which any hunter knows is a bunch of crap. While we are discussing the guide. His skill was walk you to a sight that is supposed to be active and that was the end of is guiding skills. I was also told they where a low volume guide service but during the last week there was nearly 30 hunters there and no bears taken. This whole experience was a nightmare. I paid hard earned money and a weeks worth of vacation for this!!!There are several complaints lodged against this outfitter. If you want to help prevent you fellow sportsman and women from being victims of this guy please write a letter of complaint to: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife284 State Street 41 State House StationAugusta, ME 04333-0041ATTN: Mary Ann
Outfitter Review: Bounty Hunter Guide Service - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Orin Young
Hunter: Gary Plotts
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Well, another great hunt in Maine, with Bounty Hunter Guide Service. This time is was my 10 year old daughter's turn. She waited a long time for this and many days at the range, and afield practicing shooting. I told Orin, if you find her a bear, she will do the rest. The last day she connected. A 60 yard shot, the bear went all of 30 yards. If you have kids that hunt, you know what a thrill it is. I hunt all over the US and Canada, and you will never feel a rush like you do when your child hunts with you and they fulfill a dream like this. If you have kids and you do not take them hunting,you are not doing your job and you will never have this feeling. Anyway, Orin and Chrissy are great, down to earth people, Orin is the Bear master, you will not find anyone anywhere that will take care of you and hunt as hard as he does. We have been on several hunts with him and he does his job 110% on all hunts. So if you would be interested in a good time and being treated like family, and having a great hunt, contact him. Thanks again Orin, see you in a couple of weeks for Deer season.
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: Jamie J. Barton
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
This trip was like a bad dream, we started on Sunday night with a meeting that included "if your stupid 101, and avoid the game wardens" their where 30-35 guys in camp. Some had bait not even touched for the whole week. NO ONE IN CAMP seen a bear. Weather was a little warm but at the end of the week was better but still no bear. This guy was Indian Rock before. I will never afford Russ nor the other Guides Dwayne, Wes the time of day. The only good part was Greg. Decent guy that worked hard. BEWARE.
Outfitter Review: Lunksoos Camps - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Lee Bertsch
Hunter: Louie Schreiner
Animals Hunted: Bear
LUNKSOOS CAMP ......WARNING !!! Current mood: angry Date Used: 9/1/07I thought I would warn all hunters about an outfitter my hunting party used in Maine called "Lunksoos Camps" link below. http://www.lunksooscamps.com/hunting.htm Our group of 6 hunters were driving from various States like: Maine, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Queens, NY and one driving 2300 mile from Detroit, Michigan to hunt with this outfitter. We were offered many different things that were supposed to be included in our hunt, like.... 1) Stands were supposed to be set/up according to the shooter being either a right handed or left handed with a rifle rest of some kind on the stand or tree branch for each hunter to lean on... Our weights were asked ( The Outfitter Also Requested No One Over 300 pounds ) We were also asked what caliber guns each hunter would be shooting & if they were scoped or not. Each hunter was asked to bring extra ammo to have extra ammo for a shooting session so, the outfitter could make sure our guns were accurate. ( Id like you all to know, he didnt even want to do this when we arrived ) I had to insist on this, that way I knew, all of the guys in my hunting parties guns were on and of course, I had to adjust 2 of the 6 hunters rifles in my group so, each rifle would hit in the bullseye.................... Good Thing I Insisted ! None of these stands were ever set/up according to any of the information I was asked for or provided to this outfitter ! Some of these tree stand were not even secured to trees before we arrived.... I was put in a stand on the second day that was not even hammered into the tree, before climbing up into it. This outfitter informed me not to worry about the hammering that the bears are used to him in the woods.....WHAT THE HECK IS THAT???? So, I wasted a day of hunting in a stand that no bear in their right mind would come to, after all that noise was made that afternoon! 2) We were also offered 2 baited sites per hunter, that would be baited starting a month before we arrived... It ended up that the owner himself informed us, he was only baiting each site, every other day........ It might have been more then that for all we know! On Tuesday I was offered a second sight because, I went and complained to the owner (The Outfitter) because we had a cabin meeting the night before and I brought all the cabins complaints to him, yet the others in my party didnt want me to use their names in the conversation with the outfitter ???? The (The Outfitter) then came to the group while I was in town asking who wanted to be in other sights and why they were upset, none spoke up so, shame on them....This outfitter then just swapped out one guy from one tree stand into a stand that another guy in my group sat in for 3 days and just rotated guys into new, old, 3 day used sites................................... Have you ever heard of such a thing? 3) We were also offered included in our price a skinner and our game quartered. Upon arrival the first thing this outfitter did was show us brochures of taxidermists in town that would skin & quarter our bears, as long as we had the taxidermy work done by one of them...... Of course, we were told 3 times at least that He ( The Outfitter) didnt make a dime off of this business transaction with the locals.............................Yea Right! 4) We were also offered included in our price the use of Canoes to fish from but, of course when we arrived we were told that Canoes were no longer included due to him not paying the insurance on them...... I ended up going into town and while talking with a local store owner he GAVE US a canoe to use for free because he felt bad that the owner did this to us. ...... No insurance was on his canoe by the way! 5) The Best Of The Best Was :The other cabin of 5 hunters from Buffalo, NY put a bad shot on a bear Tuesday Night and they returned with the outfitter around 11PM that night telling me that they had to go back out in the AM to further search for this wounded bear. So, I was woken up Wednesday morning by the outfitter, not even awake yet to him asking me if, I wanted to help him track last nights bear with him. He further added that we might not be back in time for my group to leave out for their hunts. I looked at him and declined to help him. Thats when he informed me that I might have to bait my groups sites so, they could have bait in their sites, if he wasnt back in time........ Again, has any hunters in here ever heard of such a thing, when you are a paid customer at a hunting outfitter ????? SO,I WILL WARN ALL OF MY FRIENDS TO STAY CLEAR OF THE ABOVE CAMP. THIS OUTFITTER WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY BUT, DONT EXPECT HIM TO DO THE RIGHT THING! AND BY THE WAY,AFTER WE ALL COMPLAINED TO HIM AFTER OUR CABIN MEETING, HE WENT BACK TO HIS HOME IN TOWN AND REVISED HIS WEBSITE REMOVING WHAT HE USED TO OFFER ON HIS WEBSITE PRIOR TO OUR ARRIVAL..... LITTLE DID HE KNOW, I COPIED IT BEFORE I LEFT HOME......OTHERS IN MY GROUP DID THE SAME. THIS JUST FURTHER SHOWING THIS OUTFITTERS TRUE COLORS AND WHAT KIND OF PERSON HE REALLY IS !!!! MY HUNTING PARTIES COMMENTS ON LUNKSOOS CAMP! A Letter From Stan About Lunksoos Camps Hi Louie, I paid $1,200.00 for this hunt, gave a $50.00 tip to an outfitter who didn't earn it, I drove over 2,300 miles for this hunt.I don't think I was at the camp for 30 minutes and I am told the guy who was to skin the bears can't be found.Then we are showed brochures from local taxidermist who will skin our bear for $100.00. I bought a hunt were the skinning was included I wasn't told it would cost me extra if the bear skinner couldn't be found. I was told a new tree stand would be built for me.You wanted to know my weight,height if I shot right or left handed because a gun rest was going to be built on my stand. That stand never got built! Also there was to be two hunting stands/ bait sites for each hunter, that never happened. There was to be only 6 hunters max in the camp, how many was there 12 ? I was told to bring a compass by the camp outfitter so I went and bought a compass and then we were told we weren't going to use them ( more wasted money). If you think someone was not into the hunt it was Lee,the so called outfitter. You asked him about shooting/sighting in the guns, he responded " I don't think it is necessary but we can if you want '. Lee was whining about being over worked "To much to do for one person" that was his problem not mine. He was stated he was too busy to bait the sites on the other side of the river for the next group of hunters. I believe he was too busy with the other hunters in the camp to keep our sites baited ahead of time. The bait site I had was not baited Monday, the first night in the stand I didn't see any bait in the barrel. Tuesday night Lee comes in to bait the site 2 hrs after I was in the stand and after he dumped the bait in I could see the bait above the opening in the barrel which I couldn't see on Monday. You talk about not being into the hunt when Lee came in to bait the site he didn't do anything extra to let the bears know he was there ,like bang the bucket a little or spray an attractant. I think there is more to being an outfitter than just feeding bears. I was told the roads were well maintained I could drive my car to the bait site, we both know that wasn't true. I've been waiting 30 years to go on a hunt like this. I got my divorce hearing date changed so I could make the trip, I traded work days with co-workers so I could get the days I needed for the trip.I worked overtime at work to help pay for this trip. This trip cost me a lot of money and I feel cheated.Wednesday night when I went to town I stayed at the motel and a lady there asked me how the hunt was going and I told her just what I thought of the whole deal. Thursday morning I was getting ready to return to the camp and the lady I spoke with Wednesday night told me her husband was an outfitter and he felt bad for me and said I could hunt one of his sites ( that he had been baiting daily for several weeks) for free. All he asked for was $100.00 for the bait if I got a bear. Unfortunately it started lightening and raining an hour after I got to the site ending the hunt. Later the rain stopped and I went back to the site and about prime time for the bears to move it started lightening and raining again ending my hunt in Maine. I have to admit I was a little uncomfortable sleeping at the camp but someone every morning would ask me questions like , Did you sleep all right, Does your throat hurt or tell me" you were really snoring".One morning Lee (The Outfitter) came into the cabin when I came downstairs and he said I hear you can really snore. I have sleep apena and use a breathing machine at night but it requires electricity. I stayed at the motel so the other hunters could get some sleep. I am sorry if I kept them awake. I learned to never go on a hunt where I have to sleep in the same cabin or place with other hunters. I couldn't believe John, ( One of the guys in our group) you asked him to take me out to my site and bring me back Wednesday night. When we got to the road that went back to my site ( the road that was almost a mile back to my site)he asked me if I wanted him to take me back to site. I told him it is about 86 degrees outside and a mile walk that I would appreciate it. When it was too dark to hunt any longer I started walking back towards the main road. I walked all the way back to the main road ( almost a mile ) and John was sitting there in his truck waiting for me. It would have been right neighborly of him to have drove back in and pick me up. But I cant be mad at him because it wasn't his job to take me out there in the first place. You talk about not being into the hunt, one of the other hunters in our group said to me, (shortly after I arrived at camp) " I don't know about you but I'd just as soon shoot a bear Monday night and get the f...... out of here". It's not that I wasn't into the hunt it was being lied too and being expected to accept all of the problems the outfitter was having , (like not baiting regularly) and being expected to pay extra for bear skinning,etc. I'm sorry but I don't think I got $1,200.00 worth of service. Again, I was into the hunt I stayed in the woods until I couldn't see to shot. I was hungry for a bear while I was there and I am still hungry to bag a bear. I believe I over heard Lee (The Outfitter) tell the group one morning that I was leaving the woods to early and that is why I wasn't seeing any bears. I walked that one mile trip back to the main road (in the dark) more than once and you never heard me complain or ask for someone to hold my hand. I was into the hunt not the bullshit. Nobody at that camp wanted to bag a bear more than me. I enjoyed being in the woods, full of anticipation, waiting for a bear to walk in at any time.I know a lot of the things mentioned above were out of your control. I'm glad you got a bear. Stan A Letter From Marty About Lunksoos Camps! Louie,I went with you on this hunt. It was my first "outfitted" hunt. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this was not even in the realm of possibility. We didn't even have electricity there! That certainly wasn't mentioned anywhere in his web site. To say I was dissapointed would be an understatement. The place WAS clean, the river, too. The bears, however, were non-existant! So were the "services" he offered. Obviously, he wasn't baiting daily for a month previously, as advertized. He's obviously ticked off the locals, as evedinced by his "skinner" going AWOL, and the reception we all got in town. Don't get me wrong, the town folks were nice, but they looked at us funny when we told them where we were hunting, and said "Oh, him." For the kind of money we spent, we got screwed.Marty
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brooks Guide Service - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: James R Stanhope
Animals Hunted: black bear
Abbott Brooks Guide ServiceRangeley, MEBAD experience!!! Waste of money, waste of my hunting time. 44 hunters ONE 60lbs CUBMany other problems With Outfitter!!!Don't trust just references check with B.B.B and chamber of commerce if NOT REGISTERED STAY AWAY !!
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: Rachel Skelly
Animals Hunted: Bear
We were lied to on many factos. We were told 15-20 people max a week for hunters. There were more than that the week we hunted. We were told we would have full contact with the guide at all times yet the owner Russ Burgess called us several times wondering where our guide was. We were also told 80% of us would see a bear. 1 person in the whole camp saw a bear. Please contact me with more info and details about his place. DO NOT waste your time and money. If you know of any other sites or ways to let poeople know this Guide service is a farce PLEASE contact me.
Outfitter Review: Abbot Brook - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: bill skelly
Animals Hunted: black bear
this was the worst hunt you could go on there was 42 people in camp one person seen and shot a bear this man is nothing but a thief you are paying for a hunt where you are being told there is an 80% sighting and we no that is not true by any stretch of the imagnation this man should not be a guide service he is a scam artist that is getting rich off honest good hard working people and that is wrong
Outfitter Review: Track Down Kennels and Lodge - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Joel Guimond
Hunter: Tom Marble
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Went on a spring bear hunt just across the boarder into New Brunswick. Stayed at camp in ME and traveled relatively short drive everyday. Despite poor weather for hunting two days, all 5 people in camp had the opportunity to take a bear. 3 of 5 in camp our week saw very nice bear. Spring hunts have 3:1 hunter:guide ratio. Accomadations excellent with home cooked, sit down meals.
Outfitter Review: Northern Pride Lodge - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Wayne/Barbra Plummer
Hunter: john temnikar
Animals Hunted: black bear
My experience at Northern Pride Lodge was everything I could have hoped for, and more. Each day was an adventure thanks to Rick and Wayne, who themselves are bowhunters. I harvested my first black bear and hope to return in hopes of taking a moose in the very near future.Accomodations and food were first class, thank you Barb!This is one outfitter that will not disappoint you!!
Outfitter Review: Oxbow Lodge - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Tom/Tracey Aasbo
Hunter: Kenny Ortiz
Animals Hunted: Bear
What an unbelievable hunt. Plenty of bear sightings.Excellent bait sights and stands.I have gone to the oxbow three times and have harvested three bears.(1-gun,2-bow)Tom is very professional and knowledgeable.I recommend that you visit the oxbow.You won't regret it!!!
Outfitter Review: Gary's Guide Service - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Gary Tourtillotte
Hunter: Ray Caretti
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Gary, Aaron, and Karen work extremely hard to ensure everyone has a enjoyable and successful hunt. This was my second hunt with Gary - first one in 2005 - was on a guided hunt. I was the only guided hunter that year to not see a bear. Did see lots of other game though. The 2006 season I was on a semi-guided hunt. I saw 2 different bears, one of which I harvested.
Outfitter Review: Gary's Guide Service - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Gary Tourtillotte
Hunter: Ray Caretti
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Second time hunting with Gary, Aaron, and Karen. First time in 2005 on a guided hunt, I was the only hunter to not see a bear, but still had a great time. In 2006 I was on a semi-guided hunt during the third week and got my bear plus saw one other. Making sure that you are having a good time and an opportunity for success is extremely important to them. They do a fantastic job.
Outfitter Review: Bounty Hunter Guide Service - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Orin Young
Hunter: Gary Plotts
Animals Hunted: Turkey,Rabbit,Coyote,etc/
I almost gave up on hunting in Maine. I had been hunting there with different outfitters since the 80's. All hunts in Maine are very reasonable compared to other states. Got sick of going and not seeing any animals. I talked to a few friends of mine and they gave me Orin's number. I have been on 3 hunts with him and I am taking my 10 year old daughter on her 1st bear hunt. Every experience I have had with Orin has been great. I never thought I would find a guide in Maine as good as Orin is. He is the best and gives his all fom sun-up to sunset. A great outfitter. You will have fun and be treated like family by Orin and his Family. Also, his wife Chrissy is a great cook.
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook Guide Service - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: Erik Johnson
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
We did have warm weather, however, I spoke to others who hunted the similar region and they saw bear or at least had their baits hit.One bear shot, two bears seen, for something like 20-30 guys for a week. Poor outfitting.
Outfitter Review: Foggy Mountain - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Wayne Bosowitz
Hunter: Buddy Deal
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
This hunt was several years ago but I just found this site. Met with Wayne at his house. He told me I would be assigned 1 stand and not to "come whining if you don't see any bear. You're not getting another stand". The "guide" led me to my stand (in my own vehicle)and I never saw him again for the rest of the hunt. I was on my own after that. I was told that if I shot a bear, I was to load it in my vehicle and bring it back. He said don't come back wanting me to track it down and load it up for you. I went back to his house after the first nights hunt to check in so he wouldn't think I was lost in the wilderness. He told me not to be coming to his house. I saw 1 bear that weighed about 90 lbs and didn't shoot it. Wayne made some remark about me wasting his time if I wasn't going to shoot a bear.
Outfitter Review: Oxbow Lodge - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Tom Aasbo
Hunter: Scott Reeder
Animals Hunted: Bear
I have been to Oxbow Lodge several years and things just keep getting better. Top notch guides and lodge. Lots of bears seen in camp and a lot harvested.Outstanding food, lodge and quality put into every hunt!Plan on going back again!
Outfitter Review: Mountain View Drifter Lodge - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Rick Theriault
Hunter: Vincent Donnelly
Animals Hunted: moose
Rick is mainly a bear hunter and I drew a tag for zone 10, his main bear zone. Read a review on this site about his bear hunting operation and what a hard working outfitter he was. That was the best decision I ever made. I got my bull on the fourth day of the hunt. I was meat hunting and was thrilled with my moose (489lbs of meat). The other hunter took a 50" 1100lb bull that Rick tracked for almost two days before recovering it. We hunted in places and bogs so thick I was hoping not to see a moose because of the difficulity of getting it out, but all Rick would say was "shoot it now - get it out later". I wish all guides were this dedicated to their clients. Even if you don't draw a tag for wmd's 9,10 or 11, I would give him a call for a recommendation.
Outfitter Review: Tomah Mountain Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Joe Bowen
Hunter: Mark Arden
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
guides were thoroughly unprofessional and disinterested in the customer. Paid $800 to have an L.L. Bean fishing guide present, none present, no refund. Joe Bowen claimed to accomodate bowhunters, but upon arrival absolutely would not allow bowhunt. Full Day hunt routinely ended by 11 am. Guides abrasive and nonresponsive to customers. Absolutely recommend you consider other options...
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: Bill Braithwaite
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
The Sunday evening camp rules briefing made me feel like an idiot and caused me great concern about the quality of clients. I guarded a bucket of rotten jelly donuts with a rock on top of it for 5 days and NEVER saw or heard a bear. The buildings were run down. The number of bears seen and taken was terrible for a full camp of hunters. I hope this post saves others the dissapointment I experienced.
Outfitter Review: Abbott Brook Guide Service - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Russ Burgess
Hunter: Clint Niles
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Amount of hunters at camp was more than the max of 12 the outfitter told us would be there. The lodging was not what he said, he told us (our group of 5) we would have our own lodge we were stuffed into 1 room. The baiting was a joke, he used half of a 5 gallon pail of donutes. No one even saw a bear and that goes for the whole group at camp. Very Very disappointing...
Outfitter Review: Wilderness Escape Outfitters - MAINE
Outfitter / Owner: Randy Flannery
Hunter: LEWIS SUTTON
Animals Hunted: BLACK BEAR
NICE PEOPLE, GOOD FOOD, BUT IF YOU WANT TO KILL A BEAR GO SOME WHERE ELSE.THERE WERE 17 HUNTERS IN CAMP AND ONLY TWO BEARS WERE TAKEN ON A SIX DAY HUNT.80% OF THE HUNTERS DID NOT EVEN SEE A BEAR.
Outfitter Review: Hillside Guide Service - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Scott Beedy
Hunter: Paul White
Animals Hunted: Black Bear, Moose, Game ranch and many more
Went bear hunting with hounds with them October 8th for 5 days. Beedy has great success for bear at both tree stand and hounds. I was with another hunter who got a 250 pounder on the first day with his 30-06. I didnt get my bear till the third day with my bow bear was small 5 years old and only 150 pounds but i wanted to eat it so i opted to take him. He also has a great game ranch with loads of animals and good deals. lots of dear and some moose in the area. We saw one small bull afew bucks and a huge fox. I would highly recommend this hunt to anyone. But you will nead to hole with the punches because Beedy is one guy who loves to tease anmd test your patients. But he says just the right thing to get you to push yourself to keep up with the bear(get in shape for the hound hunt). Happy hunting good luck! please call or email for any questions. Love to talk hunting.
Outfitter Review: Russell Pond Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Joe/Inga Cabral
Hunter: Brandt Williams
Animals Hunted: Whitetail
Maine is not exactly known for an overpopulation of deer, but they put me on my deer (stand) on at 6:30 AM first day and I was done at 7:10 AM. Certainly the exception not the norm. Have hunted bear and now deer with them. Great place to go and get away from the city. Can't say enough good things about them, except anybody wanting a quality experience for bear or deer at a reasonable price should check out Russell Pond Outfitters. They also own an Idaho camp under the name of B Bar C that is bigger and better.
Outfitter Review: #9 Lake Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Dale/Louise Merrill
Hunter: Shaun Ogden
Animals Hunted: Bear
Let me start by saying be careful when going by reviews of outfitters only. Before I got my hunt with #9 Lake Outfitters, I read a review by Frank Cole and almost didnt go. I read other reviews and got a good impression. Dale & Louise and staff did all they said they would and more. THe food was out of this world and plenty of it. The guides were very knowledgeable on the hunt. Everything was perfect. Everyone there except me and I believe two others were repeat customers. If you ever get a chance to go do it, you wont regret it. As for the bad review by Frank Cole and Ray Rickter its called hunting if you dont get an animal it doesnt mean Dale and staff werent trying. If you were at the same place I was at theres no way you could of honestly given a bad review. To whom ever it may concern #9 Lake Outfitters is a great hunting experience and I would highly recommend it.
Outfitter Review: Allagash Wilderness Camp - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Al Morgan
Hunter: Ed Overdier
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Al and Carol run a good camp and I believe they are very experienced . This is my first bear hunt and I did get a 130# bear and saw 4 Bear first night ( only hunted 2 nights ). 35 hunters took 12 Bear and several mised or passed up . The down side for me was too many hunters and not enough guides and trucks . 8 guys in a suburban is to many for me . The evening meal of 1 sandwich per hunter is a little chinsie to me ! I probably wouldn't go back but much of this is due to my health . The chance to get a bear is very good though !
Outfitter Review: Carey Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: David Carey
Hunter: Dick Bielecki
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
I just returned from Maine after my second hunt at Dave Carey's camp and couldn't have enjoyed myself more. No, I didn't harvest a bear but that is why they call it hunting and not killing. I'd like to make a couple of points in regards to the previous two postings: #1 They opted to hunt and cok for themselves, i.e., the discounted price which calls for minimum accomodations. #2 There is more to bear hunting than just sitting in a tree. The weather plays a mojor factor as does movement, noise, and smell. Do either of these fellows smoke? Can they sit still for hours at a time? Can they supress a cough? All factors to be considered. Had they opted to stay at the main lodge they would have been treated to 1st class accomodations and treated to menu worthy of a 5 star restauraunt. I managed to gain 5 lbs. despite taking a 2-2 1/2 mile hike each morning. As stated earlier, this was my second hunt with Dave and I am making plans for next year with Carey Outfitters.
Outfitter Review: Carey Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Dave Carey
Hunter: TOM WATSON
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
THIS OUTFITTERS IS ONLY IN IT TO TAKE YOUR MONEY. HE OFFERS TWO PLANS ONE WITH MEALS AT HISLODGE AND THE OTHER NO MEALS AT A SEPRATE CAMP. WE WERE UNDER THE NO MEALS PLAN. HE ACTED LIKE HE DIDN'T EVEN WANT TO TALK TO US FROM THE MOMENT WE PULLED INTO CAMP. THE HUNTING SITE WAS OVER AN HOURS DRIVE AWAY AND THE STANDS WERE OLD NOT VERY STERDY. MOST OF OUR GROUP EITHER HAD TO FIX THE STAND THEMSELFS OR HUNT FROM THIER OWN PORTABLE STAND. WE NEVER SAW A BEAR OR EVEN FELT LIKE ONE WAS IN THE AREA. MOST BAIT WERE NEVER HIT OVER 5 DAYS. TWO BAITS WERE HIT OVER NIGHT ONE DAY. THE WEATHER WAS TOO WARM FOR GOOD BEAR HUNING, BUT THIS OUTFITTER JUST ROLLED OVER AND QUIT TRING, NOT THAT IT EVER SEEMED LIKE HE CARED.
Outfitter Review: Carey Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Dave Carey
Hunter: H Martin
Animals Hunted: black bear
As an outfitter and Guide Dave Carey sucks!!!! From the time we checked in he treated our group of 5 like redheaded stepchild. Lodging was nothing like the web page. Cabin was circa 1920 no heat 2 days, no water day and half, electric was hit or miss. Tolet was clogged more often than not. Almost feel thought the porch floor , had to step on the joists to feel safe. The stairs to loft were so weak only the real lite weights in our group dared to go up. On the up side the refrig. turned everything in to a solid block of ice. I fell throught my stand the first day and it never was fixed while I was there. The other guys had to buy ratch straps in town to steady there stands to the tree. 3 out of five baits were never hit and after we put our own trail timers on the other two they were active only at night. I was using my bow and never really got set-up right until the last night. The bait was crap mostly bread and bagels, very little chocolate if any most days. After a day or two we just started doctoring it with our own stuff. Dave moved us to new stand on day 4, 1 out 5 was active and the timer had it at night also. The hunt site was over 50 miles hard top road oneway from camp. In 5 days of hunting i put over 800 miles on my truck. His hunting land looks good but the 4 wheels and campers run all over it at will. We did see moose most every day mostly cows and calfs but thier were a few 50" plus bulls. When we asked dave about fishing he referred us the the local bait shop as he dosn't fish. He also commented that he can't set in a stand all afternoon and didn't know how we could do it. The guide he put us with "John" was a nice guy that is a fishing guide most of the time but dave never told us that. John did a fair job but far from a great job. One of the other groups shot a bear on day two and after tracking for about 200 yards John and Dave quite the blood trail saying it must be a poor hit. The hunters trailed it for @ 700 yards, never found it but were afraid of getting lost so they quit. Out of 20+- hunts @ 6 saw or bagged a bear. Dave site claims you'll see picture of your bear before you every hunt. We saw these pictures on day 4 of our hunt most were night pic's and most were 2-3 years old. Hope this helps someone else from wasting their trip / money....
Outfitter Review: Track Down Kennels - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Joel Guimmond
Hunter: Fred
Animals Hunted: black bear
1 Wk hunt everybait I was on was tampered with, didnt see 1 bear ( my fourth bear hunt)4 nights on different baits different pick-up sitting in road near bait. Very large outfitter does a great job. Locals jelous and we paid the price
Outfitter Review: #9 Lake Outfitters - MAINE
Outfitter / Owner: Dale Merrell
Hunter: RAY RICKTER
Animals Hunted: BLACK BEAR
hunted with these people and found them to be not into hunter sucess but bottem line the money. poor bait sight preperation and way to much over hunting of the same sights have turned me off. not sure how someone can operate this place and not have experence and no guides lisc. all i can say is BEWARE !
Outfitter Review: Mountain View Drifter - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Richard Theriualt
Hunter: Glenn Lange
Animals Hunted: Bear
The amount of bear seen was incredibly. Rick's wife Nancy, is one of the best cooks I have ever met. The lodge is beautiful. I highly recomend this outfitter.
Outfitter Review: Dale Merrill - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Dale Merrill
Hunter: Shawn Meyer
Animals Hunted: Black bear
Dale and Louise Merrill gave us our best bear hunting experience yet. All four hunters in our group got bears. I personally saw bears every night of the hunt. All four of us had multiple opportunities. The Merrills are great people!
Outfitter Review: Kennebec Valley Guide Service - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Luke Tewksbury
Hunter: Jim
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Bear hunting in Maine with Luke is like having a master guide as a friend who takes you hunting.This was my 2nd season and shoot a 200Lb bear with a white V marking on his chest.The 1st year saw a big one but couldn't get a shot.He has alot of VERY active baits and works his butt off for you.I you want a outfit with personal attention you won't be disappointed.
Outfitter Review: Smoldering Lake Outfitters - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Dave Hentosh
Hunter: Rick Chute
Animals Hunted: Bear, waterfowl
SO many ducks. SO many geese. Beautiful country. Great food. Very relaxing. Dave knows more about animals and hunting them than you can imagine.
Outfitter Review: #9 Lake Outfitters - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Dale Merrill
Hunter: Mike Sanders
Animals Hunted: Whitetail, Bear
Dale & Louise are great hosts. They made me feel right at home. The accomodations and food were great. Saw lots of game. One member of our group scored a 247 lb.(field dressed), 12 pt, 20 in. inside spread whitetail. There's big deer here. I'll see you next year.
Outfitter Review: Deer Ridge Lodge - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Reinie LaBelle
Hunter: Dave Brice
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Reinie runs a top notch service. Along with his guide, Lou Lorenzo, they will do whatever it is they can to get you your bear. You caoulnt ask for a nicer bunch of folks. Out of 13 hunters in camp only 2 didnt see bear. Of those 4 harvested bears and 4 missed shots ( bruin fever..lol). The food was the best I have ever had in any camp. I have already reserved my spot for next year.
Outfitter Review: Pine Grove Lodge - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Bob/Andrea Howe
Hunter: Gary Plotts
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Bob and Andrea are wonderful down to earth people. The bear hunting there though is horrible. I hate to even write this, because I like Bob so much, but the hunt is a waste of time and money.
Outfitter Review: #9 Lake Outfitter - ME
Outfitter / Owner: Dale Merrill
Hunter: Duane S. Dickinson
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
Dale and Louise have designed their hunts especially for family hunts. Father and son hunting is encouraged. My Dad and I have hunted with #9 Lake Outfitters for two seasons now. We have seen many Black Bears in the past two years. I personally shot a 220lb boar this year (2004). We plan to continue to buildilg our friend ship with the Merrills. We have met many excellent people while hunting at #9 Lake Outfitters.
Outfitter Review: Libby Camps - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Matt /Ellen Libby
Hunter: Dennis O'Malley
Animals Hunted: Bear
Great camp location and accomodations, lots of bears in the area and an outstanding guide staff. They need to change the name of the place from Libby Camps to Libbyworld!!
Outfitter Review: Foggy Mountain - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Wayne Bosowitz
Hunter: Robert Pipkin
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
I went to Pittston Farm to bear hunt with Foggy Mountain Guide service. It was the most enjoyable hunt I have ever been on. Wayne and his guides went out of their way and did everything they could to put everyone on bears. out of 17 hunters in camp 11 bears were taken in the 1st hunting week in Sept. 2004. I got a nice bear on wednesday. I'm putting in for a moose permit and when I get it I'm going with wayne and his folks, and I'll be back bear hunting with wayne again.
Outfitter Review: Homestead Lodge - Maine
Outfitter / Owner: Gloria Nelson/John DaRosa
Hunter: Chris Wells
Animals Hunted: Black Bear
This was my second year in a row to John and Gloria's Home/Lodge to hunt bears. This place is a well oiled machine John taking care of the duties around the lodge while Gloria prepares the 3 meals a day on top of taking her clients to stand and Paul tending baits and making the clients laugh. While bait hunting you only go out in the evenings 2PM til last light which gives you a chance to ride the country side or back roads in the mornings to watch Moose or Deer. This year I had the opportunity to see a huge bull Moose, Deer, Grouse, Pine Martin and a Fischer by either Riding or from the stand on top of the 2 Bears of which one I harvested. I can't say enough about how much I enjoy visiting northern Maine and Hunting with John, Gloria and Paul. I just hope I get to return next year, lets see what November 2nd brings!
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