Hunters typically arrive after 5:00 PM on the evening before their hunt. After settling into camp, you'll have an opportunity to meet your guides, get acquainted with our dogs, and enjoy a hearty home-cooked dinner.

We strive to make every stay memorable, so please let us know about any food preferences or dietary restrictions in advance. Typical camp meals include grilled steaks, roast chicken, fresh salmon, wood-fired pizza, and homemade desserts. Fresh coffee and tea are always available.

When you hunt with Maine Upland, you'll hunt with the owners and our trusted in-house guides. We never subcontract our hunts. The people you speak with during the booking process will be the same people guiding you through the covers and sharing camp with you throughout your stay.

Prior to your arrival, we'll send you a liability waiver along with important trip information, including:

• Sample menus
• Recommended gear list
• Receipt and deposit information
• Detailed directions to camp

We strongly recommend printing or saving directions to your phone before traveling, as cell service can be limited near camp.

For safety reasons, we strongly encourage the use of break-action shotguns, particularly side-by-side and over/under. In fact, we only hunt our own dogs under break-action firearms.

If needed, we have quality shotguns available for guest use.

Recommended loads include:

• Lead Shot: #6 or #7½
• Non-Toxic Shot: #7

While 12-gauge shotguns perform well, we believe the 20-gauge offers the ideal balance of effectiveness and all-day comfort. 16 and 28 gauge shotguns are also excellent choices.

Our off-grid wilderness camp sits in the heart of Maine's legendary grouse covers and trout country. Moose, bears, and countless birds are regular visitors around camp, making this a truly immersive wilderness experience.

One local black bear has claimed ownership of our light post for years and faithfully returns each season to renew his scent markings.

Although there is no power company serving our camp, most guests never notice. Our facilities operate on generator power and provide many of the comforts of home, including:

• Hot showers
• Fresh towels and bedding
• Laundry assistance if needed
• Cell signal booster for calls, email, and text messaging

The Enchanted Pond Wilderness remains one of Maine's most remote and beautiful destinations, yet you'll still enjoy a comfortable stay.

If you've forgotten something, we may have extra gear available.

Recommended equipment includes:

• Waterproof hiking boots
• Muck boots during wet conditions
• Quality rain gear
• Shooting gloves
• Blaze orange hat
• Brush pants or durable work pants

We recommend avoiding cotton clothing whenever possible and choosing wool or modern synthetic layers instead.

Weather in northern Maine can change quickly. It's not unusual to experience sunshine, rain, frost, and warm temperatures all within the same day. While insects are rarely an issue during bird season, bringing a small bottle of bug spray is never a bad idea.

One thing you won't need to worry about? Ticks. We have yet to encounter them in this part of Maine.

We tailor each day to the preferences and abilities of our guests.

Generally, we walk as much as you're comfortable with—though it's true that more boot leather usually means more bird contacts. We drive between covers throughout the day, hunting a variety of carefully selected locations and occasionally revisiting exceptional covers when conditions warrant.

A typical hunting day looks like this:

Morning Hunt

• Breakfast and coffee: 6:30–7:30 AM
• Hunt until late morning

Lunch

• Return to camp for lunch and a break

Afternoon Hunt

• Depart around 2:30–3:00 PM
• Hunt until dark

While woodcock may still be present depending on timing and migration, ruffed grouse are the primary focus of our hunts.

This is a hunting trip—not a killing trip.

If your only measure of success is the number of birds harvested, our camp may not be the right fit.

We hunt because we love wild places, great dogs, good company, and the challenge of pursuing truly wild birds. Some years hunters may experience fifty flushes in a day. Other years, ten flushes can represent an excellent hunt. Weather, habitat conditions, bird populations, and hunter ability all influence success.

These are not stocked birds. Ruffed grouse are among North America's most challenging game birds, and every bird harvested is a genuine accomplishment.

For many of our guests, watching a great dog work through prime cover is every bit as rewarding as pulling the trigger.

The stars of camp are often our dogs:

Reese, Islay, Cam, Finley, Lincoln, and Rooster

Our German Shorthaired Pointers and Brittanys spend all year preparing for bird season, and they absolutely live for autumn in the Maine woods.

We welcome well-trained bird dogs and dogs currently in training.

Guest dogs must:

• Be sociable with other dogs
• Be under control around people and dogs
• Not create conflicts with other hunting dogs

Please let us know if any female dogs will be in season.

To ensure the comfort and safety of all dogs, we generally ask guest dogs to remain crated inside camp when not hunting. We also offer access to our insulated and heated kennel building, where our own dogs relax after a day in the field.

Water is abundant throughout our hunting area, including streams, ponds, and roadside springs, making it easy for dogs to stay hydrated throughout the day.

To reserve your dates, we require a 50% deposit.

Because our season is short and demand is high, deposits are non-refundable.

The remaining balance is due at the conclusion of your hunt.

Gratuities are always appreciated and may be given directly to your guides.

We enjoy good conversation and a drink by the woodstove as much as anyone—but only after the hunt is over.

Maine Upland maintains a strict policy:

No alcohol is consumed until all firearms have been put away for the day. No exceptions.

Alcohol is BYOB, and moderate consumption is welcome during the evening. Intoxication is not tolerated at camp under any circumstances.

To help us provide the safest and most enjoyable experience possible, please let us know about:

• Medical concerns
• Allergies
• Physical limitations
• Dietary restrictions
• Preferred hunting pace

Whether you're looking for long days covering miles of grouse cover or a more relaxed experience, we'll tailor the trip to fit your goals.

Our website contains extensive photos of our camp, accommodations, meals, dogs, and hunting experiences.

Resident and non-resident hunting licenses can be purchased through the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife.

Non-residents should purchase the appropriate three-day or seasonal small game license before arriving for their hunt.

We are always happy to answer questions before your trip. Our goal is simple: provide an authentic Maine upland hunting experience you'll remember for the rest of your life.

You can find your resident hunting license at IFW Hunting & Fishing Licenses | Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (informe.org) 

Non-residents can find a 3 day small game license on IFW Hunting & Fishing Licenses | Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (informe.org)