Take a drive through the many back roads of Maine and you’ll understand our need to seek out new stomping grounds every year. Trees and fence posts are garnished with “No Hunting” signs, and woodlots and fields are scarred with new construction. But all is not lost—there is a method to the madness of acquiring new areas to hunt. Sure, the availability of accurate topographical maps, both paper and digital, along with GPS units, have made scouting much more effective and easy for today’s tyro
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of boots.
When I moved here 20 years ago, I was at a distinct disadvantage, not being a “native,” so I had to get creative. We had barely unloaded the U-Haul truck when a local stopped by and inquired as to whether I wanted to be rid of a small barn on my property that had fallen off its posts. My farmhouse had another large barn and a plethora of dilapidated sheds, so one less old building wasn’t a problem. I made a trade: my barn for some tips on hunting spots. After the first decent snow, he arrived with his two sons, and they proceeded to jack the small barn up, hitch two huge log “skis” underneath, chain the building to a big yellow skidder, and twitch it out of my yard and down the street to his property. It was quite an operation and quite the spectacle. He got a building and I got some tips on some good bird hunting coverts in the area. That swap alone saved me years of scouting.
In the meantime, I became acquainted with the local postman. This fellow drove every passable stretch of town road every day delivering mail, and was an ardent deer hunter to boot. He found out that I did graphic design work out of my home office and asked if I would print off some lettering for some wooden signs he was making. A deal was struck, and he spent half a day driving me through the most remote and rugged areas in town pointing out spots to explore. I found out where a 4x4 pickup truck that wasn’t babied could go, and returned home with bird covers and deer stands that I frequent to this day.
Of course there are more traditional methods in gaining access to private land—like asking permission! A knock on the door of landowners who post their property, or even those who don’t, has become a necessity nowadays. Having an eager hunting dog bouncing on the front seat of your truck—or even better, a cute little daughter in tow—increases the odds considerably. Many landowners have posted their property to keep out firearm deer hunters, so the bow hunter and bird hunter stand a very good chance of gaining access. Others simply want their property saved for their family to hunt during the deer season, and will allow you to hunt other times of the year. I have learned not to be afraid to ask. If I get turned away, I politely thank them for their time and ask if I might inquire again the following year. If I am welcomed, then I leave my name and phone number, and ask whether they would like any game I am fortunate enough to take from their land. Many a partridge and package of venison cuts have been delivered to my landowners along with a card every Christmas thanking them for the privilege they have given me.
Don’t let the scourge of “No Hunting” signs and rash of development discourage you. With a little creativity and respect for landowners, you can be following your bird dog into old orchards and stalking bucks on the beech ridges for years to come.
Brad Eden is an artist, writer, Registered Maine Master Guide, and owner/editor of the online magazine www.uplandjournal.com.
