Maine eider
hunting is the original sea duck hunt and remains
best-of-best. The rugged, rock-clad coasts of northern Maine
near Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park annually winter eiders and
sea ducks in prolific number. Sea ducks find safe haven near
the numerous islands and rock outcroppings, and feast among the
area's abundant mollusk beds. With nearly 85 years combined
professional sea duck guiding experience in this region, these
dedicated watermen have the knowledge, work ethic and equipment
necessary to safely deliver superior Maine eider hunting.
Eider hunting is the primary focus. American Eider
(Somateria mollissima dresseri) and Northern Eider
(Somateria mollissima borealis) are plentiful. Northern
Eiders are taken with such frequent regularity later in the season
that unless clients are knowingly seeking them for their 
collection they don't even receive special
mention. On average, King Eiders are taken by 1 or 2 very
lucky clients and 20-25 leg bands are recovered each
season. These Maine sea duck hunts provide generous
opportunities for taking all 3 scoters (Common Scoter, Surf Scoter,
and White-wing Scoter), which are most abundant before Christmas,
and Long-tailed Duck, or oldsquaw, which remain plentiful
throughout the season.
Sea duck movement is observed daily so that feeding habits and
flight paths are carefully monitored. Whether the morning consists
of traditional ledge hunting, boat blind hunting, or layout boat
hunting will be determined by weather conditions, wind direction,
tidal phase and scout reports. Flexibility and mobility
enable adapting quickly and consistently putting sea ducks over the
decoys.
Sea duck hunting areas are accessed with large, seaworthy 20'
Lund Alaskans powered by 90-horse Hondas. Each boat is
fully-equipped with up-to-date Coast Guard-approved equipment, GPS
units, chart plotters, sonar, VHF radios and cellular phones.
All boats are equipped with custom-built boat blinds.
Hand-carved and hand-painted sea duck rigs and Mighty Layout Boys
Super Mag-edition layout boats are among the equipment for
in-your-face decoying action.
After a
4:30 wake up, fresh-brewed coffee and a hearty breakfast it's a
short drive to the launch site. A predetermined hunting
location is usually only 15-20 minutes boat ride, and decoy rigs
are set preceding the morning flights. At daybreak, sea ducks
start trading low across the water towards feeding areas.
While sitting on the X, shooting can be extremely exciting, even
for experienced sea duck gunners, as flocks of eiders dump
paddles-down into the decoys.
Hunters later return to spacious private lodging to relax,
recount the morning hunt or simply enjoying quiet time in Maine's
splendor. There are also plenty of perfect nearby
attractions to complement the Maine sea duck hunting
experience. Dinners of fresh Maine seafood, thick steaks,
fresh baked breads and choice desserts are a perfect ending to
another great day sea duck hunting in Maine.
More Info
Northern Common Eiders
Northern Eiders (Somateria
mollissima borealis) are distributed across the Arctic
Atlantic from Baffin Island eastward, to Greenland, Iceland and
Franz Josef Land. It is one of 4 subspecies found in North America
(one of six in the world). The Northern Eider winters in
southern Greenland and Labrador southward to Nova Scotia, less
commonly New England. Northern Common Eiders use two
wintering areas linked by three routes. About two-thirds
winter in Greenland and Arctic Canada. Northern common eiders
are heavily hunted in Canada and Greenland. Some eastern
Canadian Arctic Eiders from a colony near Southampton Island
migrate through Hudson Strait along the Labrador and Newfoundland
coasts to winter in Atlantic Canada, and occasionally south into
main and parts of New England. Northern eiders are said to be
larger than their American counterparts (S. m. dresseri)
and sport a brighter bill (a more vibrant yellow) with a less
pronounced frontal lobe. The American eider has a much more rounded
feature where the bill separates at the wedge of the black cap. In
addition to the differences of the bill and size, the sails of the
Northern eider are more apparent as the scapulars tend to be more
exposed at rest as opposed to a more reserved appearance from the
American eider. The loral line is thicker than the American
eider (where the black begins by the nostril), and the black cap
that exists on all subspecies of eider is relatively straight and
uniform on the Northern eider.
Related Links - Maine Eider Hunting
Online Maine Hunting License Sporting Travel Resources
Maine
Eider Hunting Photo Gallery
Field
Care of Trophy Waterfowl & Birds
Maine Sea Duck Hunting & Eider Hunting
Facts
Opening Date: The traditional opening day for
sea duck hunting in maine is October 1.
Daily Limit: 7 sea ducks (no more than 4 eiders or
4 scoters)
Possession Limit: Pursuant to sea duck hunting in
maine, the possession limit is twice the daily limit (14 sea ducks
not to exceed 8 eiders and 8 scoters).
Shooting Hours: Shooting hours on migratory
game birds, including sea ducks, are from 1/2 hour before
sunrise to sunset.
Getting There - Maine Eider Hunting
Fly into Bangor, Maine the day preceding your hunt. You
will be met by a representative (if arranged), or may rent car
and drive to lodge in Machias. Drive time is about an
hour.
About the Area - Eider Hunting in
Maine
Launch
sites are in or near Bar Harbor. The Bar Harbor area is
beautiful, even during the winter months. It is located
on Mount Desert Island and has about 4,800 residents. It was
name after the sand and gravel bar, visible at low tide, which
forms the rear of the harbor. Bar Harbor is home to the largest
parts of Acadia National Park, including Cadillac Mountain the
highest point within 25 miles of the Eastern United States
coastline. Native American inhabitants called Bar
Harbor the "clam-gathering place", leaving great piles of
shells as evidence of this abundance. Early industries
included fishing, lumbering, and shipbuilding. In the
mid-1800s, its rugged maritime scenery attracted prominent artists.
Inspired by their paintings, journalists and sportsmen followed.
Bar Harbor is a destination for tourists from all over the
world.
Nearby attractions include Acadia National Park/
Schoodic Point/ Bar Harbor, Petit Manan Wildlife
Refuge, and Nelson Decoys & Puffin Gift Shop withhand
carved decoys, songbirds, shorebirds, local artwork, many Maine
made items and a fully stocked gift shop. L.L. Bean Outlet is
located in nearby Ellsworth, Maine. For more
attractions, go to www.visitmaine.com.
Contact us for more
information about Maine eider hunting.