Maine or New Hampshire hunt 2025

[JSchauer79]

I just moved to the Boston area from Idaho and was told that New Hampshire or Maine are the places to go for Whitetail or Bear hunting. I'm looking for general advice on regions or small towns that would be good for setting up camp—I'm not asking for anyone's honey hole, just helpful direction on where to start.
We’re hoping to make it as much of a backcountry hunt as possible to really explore and enjoy this new part of the country. What’s the weather typically like in November up there? Do the roads usually get snowed in or turn to mud during rifle season, or is it still relatively mild? Any tips or local insight would be much appreciated!

 

[chanson_roland]

I used to live part-time in Maine. Don't want to spot burn, but here's my thoughts on Maine. This should apply to NH a lot as well.

- Southern Maine has more deer, Northern Maine has bigger (200+ lb) deer. I forget the principle of northern climates requiring more body mass, but it's very true. First deer I ever saw in broad daylight I thought was someone's chestnut horse that had gotten loose.

- Maine is a series of microclimates, going east-west, and north/south. So, the southern coast is a lot more temperate (i.e, deer friendly) than the west (Again, a wild approximation, but my experience is that you can drop a few degrees just going a few miles away from the coast fast)

- I'm partial to hunting in Southern Maine, and sticking close to the coast. There's public land in the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Bow only.

- I'd also take a watch of the Seabucks videos. If you have access to a boat, it opens up a whole world of marsh/small island hunting where the deer are unpressured.

***If I lived there again, this would be the primary way I'd hunt**

Sea Bucks

- There's also a big culture of tracking big bucks in the snow. Check out videos/podcasts/books of guys like Larry Benoit and Hal Blood. It's very old school. Remington pump action rifles, iron sights, flannel shirts sorts of stuff.

Check this video out: Buck Charges Hunter
It takes place in Vermont, but gives you a feel of the winter tracking vibe.

Since you're from Idaho, I'm sure you're aware of Troy Pottenger. Some of his content about whitetails in the Panhandle strikes me as very similar to Maine hunting.

Have fun.

 

[JSchauer79]

I completely agree—deer up north are definitely bigger than those in the South. I’m originally from Texas, and our deer are pretty small compared to what you find in Idaho. We've been scouting mainly in the southern region of Maine and figured that northwestern Maine would get some pretty serious weather in November.

I don’t have a boat, but I do have access to a two-man canoe, so that’s an option I’ll look into as well. Thanks for sharing those video links—I hadn’t heard of Troy Pottenger before, but his YouTube channel looks great. I really appreciate your response and all the helpful information!

 

[RedPaint]

Maine native here. Buy this, basically a requirement for Maine

Maine Atlas & Gazetteer (Delorme): Delorme: 9781946494580: Amazon.com: Books

Maine Atlas & Gazetteer (Delorme) [Delorme] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Maine Atlas & Gazetteer (Delorme)

www.amazon.com

 

[JSchauer79]

I will check that out, Thanks. I have onX and onX offroad as well.

 

[Rich M]

Pick an area, and go learn it.

Should get some snow. Used to be snow on the ground for opening day but these days it isn't always the case.

Don't expect high numbers of deer - most folks I know get a buck every 3-4 years hunting the big woods. Clearcuts hold deer but some areas just always hold deer.

My uncle spent his life hunting ME - has 6-8 really big racks on the wall and his last good one is a giant 10 point. Think his biggest was 242# dressed. It's not like hunting farmland that's for sure.

If you run a bear off a road, make sure you look up as you try to catch up. They like to climb.

 

[birdhunter]

If you are looking to camp lets say in a camper or wall tent I would recommend someplace in the Northwoods.You will pay a small gate fee but there are designated camp sites.Not alot of deer but some real bruisers and lots of room to roam and generally very little pressure.Shot a nice 9 up there a few years back but the last couple of years I have been hunting further east.Higher deer numbers but maybe not as many camping oppurtunities.PM me if u need further.

 

[Macintosh]

There's enough people in that region that even approximate locations online can quickly become crowded, so most folks wont share any place names publicly, even general ones. Due to the size and proximity to so many people it's very much the equivalent of posting about a specific western unit. All I'll say is that there are the regional "obvious spots" that if you do any digging at all you will quickly figure out. There are also plenty of overlooked areas across the region, including some that are closer to where you are (especially if you bow hunt). It'll be awfully different from ID so try it all.

 

[JSchauer79]

Pick an area, and go learn it.

Should get some snow. Used to be snow on the ground for opening day but these days it isn't always the case.

Don't expect high numbers of deer - most folks I know get a buck every 3-4 years hunting the big woods. Clearcuts hold deer but some areas just always hold deer.

My uncle spent his life hunting ME - has 6-8 really big racks on the wall and his last good one is a giant 10 point. Think his biggest was 242# dressed. It's not like hunting farmland that's for sure.

If you run a bear off a road, make sure you look up as you try to catch up. They like to climb.

I will be doing some scouting in September when I do my bear hunt so I can get a better idea of the land, the thick woods look a lot like east Texas just larger plots and bigger hills.

 

[JSchauer79]

If you are looking to camp lets say in a camper or wall tent I would recommend someplace in the Northwoods.You will pay a small gate fee but there are designated camp sites.Not alot of deer but some real bruisers and lots of room to roam and generally very little pressure.Shot a nice 9 up there a few years back but the last couple of years I have been hunting further east.Higher deer numbers but maybe not as many camping oppurtunities.PM me if u need further.

We would like to camp but are not opposed to picking up and moving daily if needed, I have both a wall tent and a hard side off road teardrop style camper. I have never really been a "road" hunter we have always just gone out and put miles in haha, I will send you a message. I have onX scouted some spots near the Golden road that seem to have some camp spots.

 

[JSchauer79]

There's enough people in that region that even approximate locations online can quickly become crowded, so most folks wont share any place names publicly, even general ones. Due to the size and proximity to so many people it's very much the equivalent of posting about a specific western unit. All I'll say is that there are the regional "obvious spots" that if you do any digging at all you will quickly figure out. There are also plenty of overlooked areas across the region, including some that are closer to where you are (especially if you bow hunt). It'll be awfully different from ID so try it all.

For sure! I would never ask for anyones spots. It's very large state and I am sure with enough hard work we will get into some game....really excited to try a true eastern style hunt....we are going to add a little back country western style to it haha

 

[summs]

You are all looking for bergmann's rule. Higher latitude = larger animals.

I believe Mass just made a crazy law change for out of state gun hunters needing a Mass firearms license or something crazy, the berkshires in the west half arent bad and should have minimal pressure but allow room to roam.

VT, NH, ADK's, and ME are awesome. Just really hard hunting. Lots of woods, not a lot of deer and harsh conditions. Im not hunting any of them this year, last 4 trips I got screwed and no snow and even temps as high as 70 the one year in Maine, THE WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

I try and go every year, I live in NJ and we have 6 months of bow season with unlimited doe and 6 buck tags, but when I get to the big woods, it feels like hunting. Room to walk, track, and no borders to worry about, and the feeling that big buck is just over the next mountain. You will either lover it or hate it.

As for bear, baiting is the way to go, just to much woods to stumble across one in ME or NH... or just come to NJ and you will have to dodge them while deer hunting.

More houses = more deer but less huntable land from my time in the NE.

 

[Nine Banger]

If we saw 20 deer in the Northwoods last year, 19 of them were in peoples back yards on the highway.

 

[RedPaint]

You are all looking for bergmann's rule. Higher latitude = larger animals.

I believe Mass just made a crazy law change for out of state gun hunters needing a Mass firearms license or something crazy, the berkshires in the west half arent bad and should have minimal pressure but allow room to roam.

VT, NH, ADK's, and ME are awesome. Just really hard hunting. Lots of woods, not a lot of deer and harsh conditions. Im not hunting any of them this year, last 4 trips I got screwed and no snow and even temps as high as 70 the one year in Maine, THE WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

I try and go every year, I live in NJ and we have 6 months of bow season with unlimited doe and 6 buck tags, but when I get to the big woods, it feels like hunting. Room to walk, track, and no borders to worry about, and the feeling that big buck is just over the next mountain. You will either lover it or hate it.

As for bear, baiting is the way to go, just to much woods to stumble across one in ME or NH... or just come to NJ and you will have to dodge them while deer hunting.

More houses = more deer but less huntable land from my time in the NE.

Can you hunt bear in NJ?

 

[Kyguy]

I bear hunted up near Houlton a couple of years ago in September. There was a heat wave going on, it was in the 90's the whole time and there were heat warnings both in Maine and in Canada. I got a kick out of the locals fussing about the heat. It was dry and comfortable to me, being from KY. 90 degrees here, you look like you just got of the shower if you've been doing anything outdoors, and I was wearing pants and long sleeves in the heat in Maine and comfortable while doing it. Anyhow, each evening while heading out to the stands or back in from them, if we saw a deer, it was a big deal, and the outfitter/guide was surprised. I think we saw three does over 5 days. I asked about deer hunting, and he said he couldn't offer it because he'd feel like he was ripping people off. He said the deer population was pretty low that in that area.

 

[Macintosh]

I bear hunted up near Houlton a couple of years ago in September. There was a heat wave going on, it was in the 90's the whole time and there were heat warnings both in Maine and in Canada. I got a kick out of the locals fussing about the heat. It was dry and comfortable to me, being from KY. 90 degrees here, you look like you just got of the shower if you've been doing anything outdoors, and I was wearing pants and long sleeves in the heat in Maine and comfortable while doing it. Anyhow, each evening while heading out to the stands or back in from them, if we saw a deer, it was a big deal, and the outfitter/guide was surprised. I think we saw three does over 5 days. I asked about deer hunting, and he said he couldn't offer it because he'd feel like he was ripping people off. He said the deer population was pretty low that in that area.

The deer population across all of northern ny, Vt, NH, ME looks just like that compared to almost anywhere else I’ve even been in the lower 48.
But we make up for it in our combination of weather and our excellent sense of sarcasm.

 

[summs]

Can you hunt bear in NJ?

Yes, on and off depending on our how much our governor wants to ignore Fish and Game and bear-human conflict numbers. Since 2010, it's been almost every year, lots of bumps along the way and rule changes. But we are finally starting to see bear numbers flattening the curve.

But North west NJ had the densest black bear population in North America a few years ago, not as a whole state, that goes to Maine, but the NW corridor. $2 tag, and our average bear weight is higher than what people go to Canada for.

 

[JSchauer79]

You are all looking for bergmann's rule. Higher latitude = larger animals.

I believe Mass just made a crazy law change for out of state gun hunters needing a Mass firearms license or something crazy, the berkshires in the west half arent bad and should have minimal pressure but allow room to roam.

VT, NH, ADK's, and ME are awesome. Just really hard hunting. Lots of woods, not a lot of deer and harsh conditions. Im not hunting any of them this year, last 4 trips I got screwed and no snow and even temps as high as 70 the one year in Maine, THE WEEK BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

I try and go every year, I live in NJ and we have 6 months of bow season with unlimited doe and 6 buck tags, but when I get to the big woods, it feels like hunting. Room to walk, track, and no borders to worry about, and the feeling that big buck is just over the next mountain. You will either lover it or hate it.

As for bear, baiting is the way to go, just to much woods to stumble across one in ME or NH... or just come to NJ and you will have to dodge them while deer hunting.

More houses = more deer but less huntable land from my time in the NE.

I'm not too familiar with the hunting laws in MA, but I was surprised to learn there's no rifle season or Sunday hunting up here—crazy! The timber reminds me a lot of East Texas—very dense woods, just with bigger hills—so I doubt anyone’s taking 250+ yard shots out here. We don’t mind putting in the miles and hunting with a pressure style, especially since we don’t know the areas well enough yet to set up cameras or saddle/treestand hunt.

I also heard that New Jersey has one of the largest black bear populations, which sounds pretty cool. Do you know what the out-of-state hunting rules are for that?

 

[JSchauer79]

I bear hunted up near Houlton a couple of years ago in September. There was a heat wave going on, it was in the 90's the whole time and there were heat warnings both in Maine and in Canada. I got a kick out of the locals fussing about the heat. It was dry and comfortable to me, being from KY. 90 degrees here, you look like you just got of the shower if you've been doing anything outdoors, and I was wearing pants and long sleeves in the heat in Maine and comfortable while doing it. Anyhow, each evening while heading out to the stands or back in from them, if we saw a deer, it was a big deal, and the outfitter/guide was surprised. I think we saw three does over 5 days. I asked about deer hunting, and he said he couldn't offer it because he'd feel like he was ripping people off. He said the deer population was pretty low that in that area.

It’s pretty warm up here right now, and listening to everyone complain about the heat is kind of funny—being from Texas, this feels like winter to me! Even the part of Idaho I lived in was high desert, and it got pretty damn hot out there too.

That’s a bummer about the deer population around here… I’m not sure it’s much better in Texas or Idaho. Texas has almost zero public land, so the hunting pressure is intense. In Idaho, the terrain is so vast and open that you can cover 10–12 miles in a day and still not see a single animal.

 

[summs]

I'm not too familiar with the hunting laws in MA, but I was surprised to learn there's no rifle season or Sunday hunting up here—crazy! The timber reminds me a lot of East Texas—very dense woods, just with bigger hills—so I doubt anyone’s taking 250+ yard shots out here. We don’t mind putting in the miles and hunting with a pressure style, especially since we don’t know the areas well enough yet to set up cameras or saddle/treestand hunt.

I also heard that New Jersey has one of the largest black bear populations, which sounds pretty cool. Do you know what the out-of-state hunting rules are for that?

I'll send a pm


New Mass laws - so i guess it doesn't really affect hunting guns like shotguns and muzzys. But enough of a deterrent for me,

• Non-residents can apply for a Temporary License to Carry which entitles the holder (age 21 and older) to possess and carry firearms, including rifles and shotguns including large capacity and semiautomatic firearms and all handguns. To learn more, contact the Massachusetts Firearms Records Bureau at mass.gov/firearms-services.

Exemptions: No firearms license is needed:

• to hunt with archery equipment;
• by minors 12–14 years old hunting when accompanied by a duly licensed adult (read more hunting information for minors);
• by a minor (with parental consent) or a person under 21 being furnished a firearm and ammunition for hunting, instruction, recreation, and participation in shooting sports while under the supervision of a person with the appropriate firearms license for the firearm in use; or
• by nonresidents 18 years and older to possess rifles or shotguns that are not large-capacity or semiautomatic to hunt with a valid Massachusetts non-resident hunting license. (In other words, rifles and shotguns that accept no more than 10 rounds of ammunition or no more than 5 shotgun shells and that operate with a pump, lever, bolt, or break action.)
  

Note: A firearms license is different from a hunting license. You need a hunting or sporting license to hunt in MA if you are age 15 or older. Learn more about hunting license requirements.