Maine eider
hunting is the original sea duck hunt and remains
best-of-best. The rugged, rock-bound coastlines of northern
Maine overwinter prolific numbers eiders and sea ducks. Sea
ducks find safe respite near numerous islands and rock
outcroppings, and they feast among the
water's bountiful clam beds. With nearly 85 years
combined professional sea duck guiding experience in this area,
these dedicated watermen possess the knowledge, work ethic and
equipment essential to safely delivering superior Maine eider
hunts.
Eider hunting is the primary emphasis. American Eider
(Somateria mollissima dresseri) and Northern Eider
(Somateria mollissima borealis) are each common. Northern
Eiders are taken with such frequency later in the season that
unless clients are seeking them for their 
collection they don't even receive special
mention. On average, King Eiders are taken by 1-2 very lucky
clients and 20-25 leg bands are collected each
season. Maine sea duck hunting provides generous
opportunities for taking all 3 scoters (Common Scoter, Surf Scoter,
and White-wing Scoter), which are most usually best preceding
Christmas, and Long-tailed Duck, or oldsquaw, which
remain abundant through the entire season.
Sea duck movements are observed daily so that flight
paths and feeding patterns can be monitored. The morning may
consist of traditional ledge hunting, boat blind hunting, or layout
boat hunting depending on weather conditions, wind direction,
tidal phase and scout reports. Flexibility and mobility
enable staff to adapt quickly and consistently put eiders and
other sea ducks in front of waiting guns.
Sea duck hunts are accessed by large-sized, seaworthy 20'
Lund Alaskans powered by 90-horse Hondas. Up-to-date Coast
Guard-approved equipment, GPS units, chart plotters, sonar, VHF
radios and cellular phones are on each boat in the fleet. All
boats are accessorized with custom boat blinds. Hand-carved
and hand-painted eider decoys and Mighty Layout Boys
Super Mag-edition layout boats are among the equipment
for decoying action taht's up close and personal.
Following a 4:30 wake up, fresh-brewed coffee and
big breakfast it's the launch site is a short drive
away. Prescouted hunting locations
are usually less than a half-hour boat ride, and decoyss
are set before morning flights begin. Sea
ducks start trading low across the water towards feeding areas at
dawn. While sitting on the X, shooting can be extremely
exciting and fast-paced. Even for experienced sea duck
gunners, it hard to remain calm when flocks of eiders
swing paddles-down into the decoys.
After morning eider hunts, return to spaciously
comforable private lodging to relax, retell the morning's
events or simply enjoy quiet time. There
are plenty of nearby attractions to perfectly 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 of eider hunting in
Maine.
More Info
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.
Northern Common Eiders
Northern eiders (Somateria
mollissima borealis) 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. Northern Eiders 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 6 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.
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.
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.
Contact us for more
information about Maine eider hunting and sea duck
hunting.