Maine Puddle & Sea Duck Hunting
Puddle and Sea Duck hunting will be done in the Deer Isle area. The shore-line here offers 60 islands and countless ledges which give us ample opportunities to set up for the Sea Duck Hunt, which consists of Eider, Old Squaw and Scotter. Because of large tides and variable winds, a large selection of hunting spots are a must with this area having it all. Islands in the area give a good protection from the strong winds and high seas, enabling us to get out for a hunt in all weather.
Around the islands are a number of coves which hold a variety of puddle ducks that consist of Blacks, Mallards, Common and Barrows Goldeneye, Buffle Head, Common and Red Breasted Mergansers, and occasionally Scaup. The puddle duck hunt is typically done at the high tide when the coves are full of water or when the Sea Duck hunt is over due to achieving the daily limit.
Our day begins with an early breakfast and then gearing up for the big day. I have two 18' lunds with 40 hp motors used to transport all hunters to the ledges you will be hunting from. After dropping all hunters off and setting up, myself and my other guides, as well as the hunters, will be in constant radio contact to assist in need of bird pickups or anything else that may be needed. There is also a 38' boat available if needed, therefore safety is not an issue.
If you wish to bring a dog, you are welcome to do so. Generally this is a very exciting hunt for them. After the hunt we will return to the lodge, where there is a separate heated building used for cleaning guns, birds and drying out wet gear. Also available are freezers for meat and preserving any birds for taxidermy work. We clean all the birds and package the meat for you.
The Sea Duck season typically runs from the first of October through January, with a daily limit of 7 birds. Puddle Duck season is a split season starting in early October and ending late October, starting back up in mid November and ending late December with a daily limit of 4 birds and a bonus of 5 mergansers. The hunting gear necessary for your trip includes at least a 12-guage shotgun with #1 or #2 steel for sea ducks and #2 and #4 for the puddle ducks. Hip length insulated boots are necessary, with chest waders being the best choice. The latest camouflage thinsulate/gore-tex gloves, hats and coats being a must for this type of duck hunting. Insulated underwear, wool sweaters and plenty of warm socks should round out your gear and keep you comfortable in the foulest of weather. I can supply you with rental guns and ammunition if I know in advance what you need. I have limited amount of time to get shells, so therefore, a week or two advance notice is very helpful to me. I always supply ammo cans for all your ammo and seat cushions for sitting a little more comfortably on.
Pricing, Meals, and Accommodations
When you choose to hunt with Sugarwings Outfitters, it is very fun and rewarding. I have many groups that come back year after year. They are always excited about returning to hunt with me and the other guides that work for Sugarwings Outfitters. As you can see, our prices are very reasonable for a complete hunting trip. PRICE:
Grouse & Woodcock
3 day hunt: $1,350.00
Dining Menu: Breakfast: pancakes, eggs, choice of breakfast meat, muffins, and bagels, fresh fruit, juices, coffee, tea.
Lunch: soup, sandwiches, coffee, tea or bullion, soft drinks.
Dinner: appetizers will be served, choice of lobster, steak, pasta, baked potato, Garden or Caesar salad, vegetable, dessert.
We will furnish a variety of mixers and ice for the bar, but you must supply your choice of spirits. There are stores in the area that supply beer, wine and liquor.
Accommodations for Grouse and Woodcock hunts will be at Sugarfoot Kennel, located in Burnham, Maine, which is a split-level ranch set on 500 country acres. The large dining area, with a deck attached, overlooks 100 acres of ponds. The house has 2 full baths and 2 bedrooms, a living room upstairs and a den with woodstove downstairs. For those who wish to bring a dog, we also offer a place for them in one of our 40 concrete and chain link kennels.
PRICE:
Sea Duck
3 day hunt: $1,200.00
Puddle & Sea Duck
3 day hunt: $1,350.00
Dining Menu: Breakfast: Combination of any of the following, Eggs, breakfast meat, home fries, pancakes, muffins, bagels, juices, coffee, tea. We also serve fresh fruit bowl and yogurt is on hand for those that prefer light breakfast. Also, you might enjoy a hearty bowl of oatmeal. Sometimes the cook may prepare delicious Eggs Benedict.
Lunch:Thermos of soup which can be a venison, beef, or chicken stew, clam or seafood chowder, we also serve a very mild chili. Soup or stew is served along with roast beef, tuna, turkey, or ham sandwiches, coffee, tea or bouillon. Lunch may be served out on the hunting ledges or sometimes we reach our limits early and prefer to come back to the lodge for a sit down lunch. Also, we have a variety of soft drinks or bottled water on hand.
Dinner:Appetizers served early evening consisting of a variety of different things, jalapeno poppers, nachos, or shrimp cocktail, veggies and dips, and generally we have cheese and crackers every evening. Then when your group is ready for dinner, we start with fresh Garden or Caesar salad with fresh bread or rolls. We serve a wonderful Maine lobster dinner including steamers one evening, and one of the following the next 2 evenings; Salmon, steak or Prime Rib, Haddock, baked potato or rice pilaf, and a vegetable. Dessert is usually on hand for those that enjoy a sweet at the end of the meal. We also have ice cream and fudge sauce.
Keep in mind that the cook is flexible and will try to meet any special dietary requirements necessary for you. Also, there are always snacks on hand and are available at any time. The refrigerator is generally well stocked and you are welcome to help yourself to late night leftovers or a sandwich, chips, pickles, etc.
We will provide appropriate drinks with all meals. Some Mixers and ice will also be provided for the bar, but you must supply your choice of spirits. There are stores in the area that supply beer, wine and liquor.
Accommodations for Sea Duck hunting will be at the Old Quarry Inn, which is a gorgeous lodge located in Stonington, Maine. The lodge is a spacious and very comfortable facility equipped with a large kitchen, dining area, two large and two smaller bedrooms, 3 full baths, satellite TV, VCR, and a surround sound stereo system. Virtually all rooms and both decks have a view of the ocean, only 100 ft. away, which makes for a spectacular view.
To book a date for a guided bird or duck hunt, please contact me ASAP. Either contact me by e-mail here or telephone, 207-416-7449. This is my cell phone number and you can leave a voice mail message as well. A non-refundable deposit of 50% is due at the time of booking. A note of confirmation will be sent as soon as we receive your deposit.
I assume you are looking for a guide that can work for you and get you your limit experience on a daily hunt. Also keep in mind that my philosophy is to have no more than four people in a hunting area at one time. Safety is very important to me. This is also another of the reasons that I guide hunts in the areas that I do. The quality of the accommodations and meals provided are in excellent taste. You will be very pleased with the Lodge and Meals. 
I will show you the way to hunting that I and now my son and his friends love, and at the same time, allow you to enjoy the wildlife and the woods of Maine. When you have seen and spent time on the Coast of Maine and become part of that small Island experience of Sea Duck and Puddle Duck hunting, you will see what the "secret" of Maine is. 
I guide for Grouse, and Woodcock which begins in October and then Sea Duck and Puddle Duck hunting that begins in October through the end of December. I know that your trip with Sugarwings Outfitters will be one you will not forget. Approximately 80 percent of the hunters I have guided, come back again. Some have been coming back for many years. I have other well-experienced guides that work with me during the season.
Upland bird hunting is done with the use of pointing or flushing dogs. All who have a bird dog are welcome and encouraged to bring them along, or hunt over ours. The covers in which I guide the hunts are in very secluded parts of central Maine. This allows me to show you many birds for your hunting pleasure. Hunting for grouse and woodcock is extremely fun and rewarding. My dogs are very well trained to point birds which will give you the best opportunity to have a successful hunt. I find that hunting with groups of two to four people work best and so I may have an additional guide if your group is larger than four. 
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