And A Strong Cup of Coffee

Blog Posts About

Hunting in Maine

Hunting in Maine

Sep 2026 7

A cautionary tale for Maine moose hunters

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Hunters, Maine Moose, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 5 min read

Authors note: I will not name the guide, but if you search my website, you will find my articles about my 2021 moose hunt. In mid-June, thousands of people found out if they were the lucky recipient of a Moose permit. A year ago, my dad and I found ourselves fortunate enough to get a permit. What happened next sparked 8 months’ worth of calls and emails with guides, the Maine Professional Guides Association, hunters, wardens and investigators. When Dad and I were drawn last year, I reached out to the guide that we used in 2021 and he assured me that we would be able to guide us again. I sent him a deposit and didn’t think anything of it. When we showed up on the Sunday prior to the start of our September hunt, he was either still...

Apr 2026 14

It’s almost turkey time

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Eating Wild Game, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Turkey Hunting, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Spring in Maine brings a new energy that hunters recognize immediately. The snow begins to melt, streams swell with snowmelt, and the woods slowly wake from winter. For many hunters, one of the most anticipated signs of the season is the preparation and start of spring turkey hunting. The hunt is not just about harvesting a bird; it is a tradition rooted in patience, skill, and a deep connection to the woods and fields of Maine. The spring turkey season in Maine will begin soon; May 2nd in Maine for the Youth hunt and May 4th for the rest of us. At this time of year, toms and jakes are actively searching for hens. Their gobbling echoes across the fields and tree lines in the early morning hours. For many hunters, hearing that first gobble...

Feb 2026 1

The impact of changing my hunting habits

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 3 min read

I have hit a point in my life where I can say that I have been hunting for longer than I haven’t. Each hunting season provides you with new experiences, new stories and opportunities to learn and be better than you were the year before. This past season, I found two ways that I have changed in my hunting habits since I started. Lesson 1: On opening day of the season, as first light broke, a slew of gun shots rang out. I think I counted 8. It was windy, the refreshing kind and not the chill-you-to-the-bone kind. I was grateful to be in the Sky Condo again. I scanned the woods but my eye caught movement off to my left. A deer was running at my stand. I froze as I watched it start to slow down as it closed the 100 yard gap. It was a...

Jan 2026 10

Having a good taxidermist is priceless

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Everything you need to know about a taxidermist comes from how they react when something goes wrong. When I got my Grand Slam in 2021, I wanted to get a half-mount for my bear. It was the first bear that I had trapped, and it had a white patch. I was very specific about how I wanted it; left paw forward to mimic the paw that had been trapped. I did the fan for my turkey feathers myself and then paid the taxidermist for a shoulder mount for my moose, and the antlers of my deer to be mounted. It’s those sorts of things that hunters spend money on to hold on to the memories of the hunt. Taxidermists play a huge role in making sure that happens. I got my bear back first. The right paw was forward and the stitching around the paws were very...

Dec 2025 13

Maine Guides have an identity problem

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Wildlife Conservation | 6 Comments | 3 min read

One of the most famous outdoorspeople from Maine is Cornelia Crosby. She was the first registered Maine Guide and was an expert, avid fisherman, earning her the nickname ‘Flyrod.’ She also had some of the best skills and knowledge of camping, bird identification, hiking, hunting and canoeing. Men and woman were drawn to her because of the steep knowledge and experience she had participating in these activities. It was easy for her to be guiding others through the woods and waters of Maine because she was an active participant herself. We have come a long way since 1897 when “Flyrod’ became the first registered Maine Guide. Now, hundreds of people sign up for classes that teach them how to take the Guide test. We see posts on social...

Oct 2025 9

A quick Maine moose hunt recap

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Hunters, Maine Moose, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 1 min read

I posted this picture and caption on my Facebook page the Sunday after I got back from our 2025 Maine moose hunt. The post has reached more than 170,000 people and garnered 400 comments. I am currently talking with the Maine Warden Service and the Maine Professional Guides about what next steps I can take. I will name the guide and his guide service in order to make sure no other hunter has the experience that we had. A Maine moose hunt should be a celebrated event and for some, a once in a lifetime hunt. This is me after 3.5 days of moose hunting. It was one of the worst hunts that I have experienced. The guide we hired showed up hung over/still drunk from the night before. He admitted he didn’t scout. He slept in the backseat while...

Aug 2025 12

Why do coyotes polarize us?

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Coyote Hunting, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Trail Camera Views, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

I had a pit in my stomach when I first saw the photo. I was ok with the bobcat behind my house. I loved having the fox around. But that coyote was an unwelcomed sight. To make matters worse, it was walking past my camera every night and every morning. Sometimes even during daylight hours. What is it about coyotes that causes us to have such polarizing gut reactions? I have hunted coyotes and I have seen them in the woods while I have been deer hunting. There are few things more unnerving than walking into your stand in the dark and hearing a coyote howl close by. The coyote on my trail camera was just too close to my house and looked too comfortable coming and going. I am not the only one who feels like this. The fur bearer management...

Feb 2025 3

Tree stand Trespassing

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Hunting property in this state can be hard to come by. I am aware of that. 94% of the land is privately owned. I have put posted signs on the land that Dad and I usually hunt on to informed trespassers that the land is actively being managed, watched and hunted on. I also have a tendency of posting trail camera photos of trespassers on my Facebook and IG pages. I have no problem making these people internet famous. In almost every situation that I have encountered, simple communication would have taken care of any property line confusion or permission being (or not being) granted. The number of hunters is declining every year. We need to get creative in how we encourage more people to join our ranks. But, sometimes things happen that make...

Jan 2025 21

Sloppy shooting results in suffering

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

It was a miserable walk into the stand in the dark. Sheets of rain and wind pelted us as soon as we stepped out of the truck. Even though Dad had filled his buck tag, he was willing to head into a stand and hunt for a doe. We walked as quickly as we could to our respective stands and waited for daylight. I wondered if it was even worth being out because of how poor the conditions were. But, you can’t shoot a deer if you’re not in the woods. Around 7:30am, a deer hobbled into view and bedded down. It was dragging its right leg, not walking or putting weight on it. I know deer can survive with a broken leg but there is something about a wounded animal that just doesn’t sit right with me. I had both my buck and doe tag still in my pocket....

Show Me More Articles

Sep 2026 7

A cautionary tale for Maine moose hunters

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Hunters, Maine Moose, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 5 min read

Authors note: I will not name the guide, but if you search my website, you will find my articles about my 2021 moose hunt. In mid-June, thousands of people found out if they were the lucky recipient of a Moose permit. A year ago, my dad and I found ourselves fortunate enough to get a permit. What happened next sparked 8 months’ worth of calls and emails with guides, the Maine Professional Guides Association, hunters, wardens and investigators. When Dad and I were drawn last year, I reached out to the guide that we used in 2021 and he assured me that we would be able to guide us again. I sent him a deposit and didn’t think anything of it. When we showed up on the Sunday prior to the start of our September hunt, he was either still...

Apr 2026 14

It’s almost turkey time

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Eating Wild Game, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Turkey Hunting, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Spring in Maine brings a new energy that hunters recognize immediately. The snow begins to melt, streams swell with snowmelt, and the woods slowly wake from winter. For many hunters, one of the most anticipated signs of the season is the preparation and start of spring turkey hunting. The hunt is not just about harvesting a bird; it is a tradition rooted in patience, skill, and a deep connection to the woods and fields of Maine. The spring turkey season in Maine will begin soon; May 2nd in Maine for the Youth hunt and May 4th for the rest of us. At this time of year, toms and jakes are actively searching for hens. Their gobbling echoes across the fields and tree lines in the early morning hours. For many hunters, hearing that first gobble...

Feb 2026 1

The impact of changing my hunting habits

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 3 min read

I have hit a point in my life where I can say that I have been hunting for longer than I haven’t. Each hunting season provides you with new experiences, new stories and opportunities to learn and be better than you were the year before. This past season, I found two ways that I have changed in my hunting habits since I started. Lesson 1: On opening day of the season, as first light broke, a slew of gun shots rang out. I think I counted 8. It was windy, the refreshing kind and not the chill-you-to-the-bone kind. I was grateful to be in the Sky Condo again. I scanned the woods but my eye caught movement off to my left. A deer was running at my stand. I froze as I watched it start to slow down as it closed the 100 yard gap. It was a...

Jan 2026 10

Having a good taxidermist is priceless

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Everything you need to know about a taxidermist comes from how they react when something goes wrong. When I got my Grand Slam in 2021, I wanted to get a half-mount for my bear. It was the first bear that I had trapped, and it had a white patch. I was very specific about how I wanted it; left paw forward to mimic the paw that had been trapped. I did the fan for my turkey feathers myself and then paid the taxidermist for a shoulder mount for my moose, and the antlers of my deer to be mounted. It’s those sorts of things that hunters spend money on to hold on to the memories of the hunt. Taxidermists play a huge role in making sure that happens. I got my bear back first. The right paw was forward and the stitching around the paws were very...

Dec 2025 13

Maine Guides have an identity problem

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Wildlife Conservation | 6 Comments | 3 min read

One of the most famous outdoorspeople from Maine is Cornelia Crosby. She was the first registered Maine Guide and was an expert, avid fisherman, earning her the nickname ‘Flyrod.’ She also had some of the best skills and knowledge of camping, bird identification, hiking, hunting and canoeing. Men and woman were drawn to her because of the steep knowledge and experience she had participating in these activities. It was easy for her to be guiding others through the woods and waters of Maine because she was an active participant herself. We have come a long way since 1897 when “Flyrod’ became the first registered Maine Guide. Now, hundreds of people sign up for classes that teach them how to take the Guide test. We see posts on social...

Oct 2025 9

A quick Maine moose hunt recap

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Hunters, Maine Moose, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 1 min read

I posted this picture and caption on my Facebook page the Sunday after I got back from our 2025 Maine moose hunt. The post has reached more than 170,000 people and garnered 400 comments. I am currently talking with the Maine Warden Service and the Maine Professional Guides about what next steps I can take. I will name the guide and his guide service in order to make sure no other hunter has the experience that we had. A Maine moose hunt should be a celebrated event and for some, a once in a lifetime hunt. This is me after 3.5 days of moose hunting. It was one of the worst hunts that I have experienced. The guide we hired showed up hung over/still drunk from the night before. He admitted he didn’t scout. He slept in the backseat while...

Aug 2025 12

Why do coyotes polarize us?

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Coyote Hunting, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Trail Camera Views, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

I had a pit in my stomach when I first saw the photo. I was ok with the bobcat behind my house. I loved having the fox around. But that coyote was an unwelcomed sight. To make matters worse, it was walking past my camera every night and every morning. Sometimes even during daylight hours. What is it about coyotes that causes us to have such polarizing gut reactions? I have hunted coyotes and I have seen them in the woods while I have been deer hunting. There are few things more unnerving than walking into your stand in the dark and hearing a coyote howl close by. The coyote on my trail camera was just too close to my house and looked too comfortable coming and going. I am not the only one who feels like this. The fur bearer management...

Feb 2025 3

Tree stand Trespassing

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Hunting property in this state can be hard to come by. I am aware of that. 94% of the land is privately owned. I have put posted signs on the land that Dad and I usually hunt on to informed trespassers that the land is actively being managed, watched and hunted on. I also have a tendency of posting trail camera photos of trespassers on my Facebook and IG pages. I have no problem making these people internet famous. In almost every situation that I have encountered, simple communication would have taken care of any property line confusion or permission being (or not being) granted. The number of hunters is declining every year. We need to get creative in how we encourage more people to join our ranks. But, sometimes things happen that make...

Jan 2025 21

Sloppy shooting results in suffering

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

It was a miserable walk into the stand in the dark. Sheets of rain and wind pelted us as soon as we stepped out of the truck. Even though Dad had filled his buck tag, he was willing to head into a stand and hunt for a doe. We walked as quickly as we could to our respective stands and waited for daylight. I wondered if it was even worth being out because of how poor the conditions were. But, you can’t shoot a deer if you’re not in the woods. Around 7:30am, a deer hobbled into view and bedded down. It was dragging its right leg, not walking or putting weight on it. I know deer can survive with a broken leg but there is something about a wounded animal that just doesn’t sit right with me. I had both my buck and doe tag still in my pocket....

Show Me More Articles

Enjoy these Hunting in Maine articles

Sep 2026 7

A cautionary tale for Maine moose hunters

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Hunters, Maine Moose, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 5 min read

Authors note: I will not name the guide, but if you search my website, you will find my articles about my 2021 moose hunt. In mid-June, thousands of people found out if they were the lucky recipient of a Moose permit. A year ago, my dad and I found ourselves fortunate enough to get a permit. What happened next sparked 8 months’ worth of calls and emails with guides, the Maine Professional Guides Association, hunters, wardens and investigators. When Dad and I were drawn last year, I reached out to the guide that we used in 2021 and he assured me that we would be able to guide us again. I sent him a deposit and didn’t think anything of it. When we showed up on the Sunday prior to the start of our September hunt, he was either still...

Apr 2026 14

It’s almost turkey time

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Eating Wild Game, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Turkey Hunting, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Spring in Maine brings a new energy that hunters recognize immediately. The snow begins to melt, streams swell with snowmelt, and the woods slowly wake from winter. For many hunters, one of the most anticipated signs of the season is the preparation and start of spring turkey hunting. The hunt is not just about harvesting a bird; it is a tradition rooted in patience, skill, and a deep connection to the woods and fields of Maine. The spring turkey season in Maine will begin soon; May 2nd in Maine for the Youth hunt and May 4th for the rest of us. At this time of year, toms and jakes are actively searching for hens. Their gobbling echoes across the fields and tree lines in the early morning hours. For many hunters, hearing that first gobble...

Feb 2026 1

The impact of changing my hunting habits

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Hunting Tips and Tricks, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 3 min read

I have hit a point in my life where I can say that I have been hunting for longer than I haven’t. Each hunting season provides you with new experiences, new stories and opportunities to learn and be better than you were the year before. This past season, I found two ways that I have changed in my hunting habits since I started. Lesson 1: On opening day of the season, as first light broke, a slew of gun shots rang out. I think I counted 8. It was windy, the refreshing kind and not the chill-you-to-the-bone kind. I was grateful to be in the Sky Condo again. I scanned the woods but my eye caught movement off to my left. A deer was running at my stand. I froze as I watched it start to slow down as it closed the 100 yard gap. It was a...

Jan 2026 10

Having a good taxidermist is priceless

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Everything you need to know about a taxidermist comes from how they react when something goes wrong. When I got my Grand Slam in 2021, I wanted to get a half-mount for my bear. It was the first bear that I had trapped, and it had a white patch. I was very specific about how I wanted it; left paw forward to mimic the paw that had been trapped. I did the fan for my turkey feathers myself and then paid the taxidermist for a shoulder mount for my moose, and the antlers of my deer to be mounted. It’s those sorts of things that hunters spend money on to hold on to the memories of the hunt. Taxidermists play a huge role in making sure that happens. I got my bear back first. The right paw was forward and the stitching around the paws were very...

Dec 2025 13

Maine Guides have an identity problem

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Wildlife Conservation | 6 Comments | 3 min read

One of the most famous outdoorspeople from Maine is Cornelia Crosby. She was the first registered Maine Guide and was an expert, avid fisherman, earning her the nickname ‘Flyrod.’ She also had some of the best skills and knowledge of camping, bird identification, hiking, hunting and canoeing. Men and woman were drawn to her because of the steep knowledge and experience she had participating in these activities. It was easy for her to be guiding others through the woods and waters of Maine because she was an active participant herself. We have come a long way since 1897 when “Flyrod’ became the first registered Maine Guide. Now, hundreds of people sign up for classes that teach them how to take the Guide test. We see posts on social...

Oct 2025 9

A quick Maine moose hunt recap

By Erin M | Hunting in Maine, Maine Hunters, Maine Moose, Women Who Hunt | 2 Comments | 1 min read

I posted this picture and caption on my Facebook page the Sunday after I got back from our 2025 Maine moose hunt. The post has reached more than 170,000 people and garnered 400 comments. I am currently talking with the Maine Warden Service and the Maine Professional Guides about what next steps I can take. I will name the guide and his guide service in order to make sure no other hunter has the experience that we had. A Maine moose hunt should be a celebrated event and for some, a once in a lifetime hunt. This is me after 3.5 days of moose hunting. It was one of the worst hunts that I have experienced. The guide we hired showed up hung over/still drunk from the night before. He admitted he didn’t scout. He slept in the backseat while...

Aug 2025 12

Why do coyotes polarize us?

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Coyote Hunting, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Trail Camera Views, Wildlife Conservation, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

I had a pit in my stomach when I first saw the photo. I was ok with the bobcat behind my house. I loved having the fox around. But that coyote was an unwelcomed sight. To make matters worse, it was walking past my camera every night and every morning. Sometimes even during daylight hours. What is it about coyotes that causes us to have such polarizing gut reactions? I have hunted coyotes and I have seen them in the woods while I have been deer hunting. There are few things more unnerving than walking into your stand in the dark and hearing a coyote howl close by. The coyote on my trail camera was just too close to my house and looked too comfortable coming and going. I am not the only one who feels like this. The fur bearer management...

Feb 2025 3

Tree stand Trespassing

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Conservation, Hunting in Maine, Landowner relations, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

Hunting property in this state can be hard to come by. I am aware of that. 94% of the land is privately owned. I have put posted signs on the land that Dad and I usually hunt on to informed trespassers that the land is actively being managed, watched and hunted on. I also have a tendency of posting trail camera photos of trespassers on my Facebook and IG pages. I have no problem making these people internet famous. In almost every situation that I have encountered, simple communication would have taken care of any property line confusion or permission being (or not being) granted. The number of hunters is declining every year. We need to get creative in how we encourage more people to join our ranks. But, sometimes things happen that make...

Jan 2025 21

Sloppy shooting results in suffering

By Erin M | Adventures in the Woods, Hunting in Maine, Maine Deer hunting, Maine Hunters, Maine Outdoors, Whitetail Deer, Women Who Hunt | 0 Comments | 3 min read

It was a miserable walk into the stand in the dark. Sheets of rain and wind pelted us as soon as we stepped out of the truck. Even though Dad had filled his buck tag, he was willing to head into a stand and hunt for a doe. We walked as quickly as we could to our respective stands and waited for daylight. I wondered if it was even worth being out because of how poor the conditions were. But, you can’t shoot a deer if you’re not in the woods. Around 7:30am, a deer hobbled into view and bedded down. It was dragging its right leg, not walking or putting weight on it. I know deer can survive with a broken leg but there is something about a wounded animal that just doesn’t sit right with me. I had both my buck and doe tag still in my pocket....

Show Me More Articles