Hunting at Foggy Mountain is perfect for Family Memories!
Just imagine how excited you will be when your son or daughter bags their first bear…and how excited they will be! Their story will be retold at dinner for generations.
We are often asked if Foggy Mountain can accommodate a father and son hunt. As some of these photos show, we sure can! And yes, that also applies to sixty year old sons and eighty-five year old dads. We frequently have father-daughter, mother-son and even mother-daughter hunting partners.
Age doesn’t matter much either. Maine now leaves the decision about a youth hunter’s age up to the parents and guide. Maine law does require that Junior Hunters have an adult present. From age sixteen on, hunters may hunt alone.
Best Trip Ever! I wanted to let you know, that Jack, Ryan and I had the best time ever…We will definitely be up there next year, same time.
Lori Clark, Dallastown, PA, September 2015.
Foggy Mountain Encourages Family Hunting
Foggy Mountain works hard to help bring new hunters into the shooting and hunting sports – Especially youth hunters. To help encourage youth hunting, Foggy Mountain’s pricing for those accompanying a Junior Hunter is the same as for a non-hunting spouse or partner.
We also offer a special plan that Dad’s really like. After the son or daughter Junior Hunter kills a bear, and if conditions are right, should you wish to hunt bear for the remainder of the week we will make this a possibility for you. To help with the financial part, your cost for the hunt will be pro-rated on a daily basis. Call or email us for details or to make arrangements.
Foggy Mountain always works hard to get you your bear. We know from our long experience what makes for a safe, comfortable and productive hunt with Junior Hunters, and that is to use ground blinds. Our ground blinds are built mostly out of cedar logs or log slabs. They are roomy and we put in two chairs for the Junior Hunter and parent. Shots are 75 yards or less. The hunter’s gun will rest solidly on the blind’s viewing port for a steady shot and clean kill.
Check out our Fall 2010 Newsletter for a great story about a great father-Son bear hunt experience.
Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife also encourages youth hunting, and like Foggy Mountain continuously strives to develop policies that help both parents and youths. The Junior Hunting license is available to those age ten through fifteen at one third the cost for an adult hunting license. In addition, the parent or legal guardian who must accompany the Junior Hunter may do so without having to purchase their own hunting license.
Private & Flexible Accommodations Suitable for a Family Group
Unlike bear hunts with most outfitters, lodges or sporting camps, Foggy Mountain’s bear hunting guests are not doubled up in a bunk house with other guests. You will enjoy the privacy of your own cabin or sleeping room, and the good night’s sleep that is important for a good hunt – whether you come alone, with a large group, with your spouse or whole family. We offer two hunts with slightly different lodging arrangements, both very suitable for families and mixed groups:
1. Housekeeping Plan – “Moosehead & Katahdin Bear Hunt” with Private Housekeeping Cabins
We offer excellent Housekeeping Accommodations in comfortable cottages or camps. We match your lodging to the size of your group, provide the bedding and household equipment. You’ll have everything you need to prepare your own food inexpensively. There are also several places to eat within easy driving distance.
You will be hosted at our main camp at Ebeemee Lake, where you can meet other hunters, share stories, and we even have wireless internet for those who “just can’t get away from it all.”
2. American Plan – “West Branch Bear Hunt” with Maine Lumberjack Lodge Accommodations
You will stay in the comfort of an authentic Maine Lumberjack Lodge where your group will enjoy the privacy of your own sleeping room, and the good night’s sleep that is important for a good hunt – whether you come alone, with a large group, with your spouse or whole family. Husbands and wives especially enjoy the motel style accomodation set-up we offer at the lodge.
What’s more, you’ll enjoy home-cooked, all-you-can-eat, lumberjack-style meals, reputed to be the biggest and the best in Maine. The coffee pot is always on. We even offer wireless internet for those who “just can’t get away from it all.”
Foggy Mountain’s West Branch bear hunts began as a remote tent operation in the 1980’s. The tent operation has been put to rest, at least for a while, and Foggy Mountain’s hunters now enjoy the comfort of a a fully restored Maine Lumberjack Lodge. The lodge was originally built between 1850 and 1879, and later operated by the Great Northern Paper Company as a base for its log drives until those came to an end in the 1970’s. This lodge has been designated as an official National and Maine Historic Site, and features original turn-of-century decor. The lodge has now been fully renovated and modernized.
Wild Brook Trout Fishing Bonus – The lodge is located at the confluence of the North and South branches of the Penobscot River. These tributaries merge in front of our lodge to form the West Branch of the Penobscot River that then flows many miles to Millinocket and then on toward Bangor and the ocean. The river surrounds the lodge and is prime native brook trout habitat. There is no stocking, just wild native Maine brook trout. In September, the larger trout come up into these rivers from the lake on their annual spawning run. Their coloring is beautiful and 18″-22″ trout are common. Many Foggy Mountain hunters enjoy fantastic wild brook trout fishing each morning right at the lodge or in the many pristine streams nearby. Our guides will direct you to the local hot spots. Boats are not necessary, but many will find waders very helpful.
You have provided my son and I with a fabulous time for three years in a row. The hunting and site locations are outstanding. You and your guides could not be more knowledgeable or helpful. All of your support people are very hospitable and friendly. The conversations during meals (which are terrific) and non hunting time were great fun and very enjoyable. Brandon, you are a true sportsman and professional. We would certainly recommend you to other hunters.
Leon Tragger Sr & Jr, Pennsylvania, September 2017
About Foggy Mountain’s Maine Bear Hunts
Prime Black Bear Habitat with Controlled Access
Foggy Mountain’s Maine bear hunts place you in one of the heaviest black bear concentrations per acre of habitat anywhere in North America. Hunter success from our blinds and tree stands over bait has been outstanding with record book kills year in and year out.
You will hunt deep in the most productive black bear habitat in North America, on nearly one million acres of private lands. We have hunted these lands since the 1960’s. We know the habitat, and we know the black bears’ habits and patterns within it. The black bear in your territory are under-hunted, resulting in a growing bear population, with many stands having multiple bears visiting them.
This is absolutely awesome bear country located in some of the wildest wilderness in North America. Like much of Maine, this region supports woodcutting of all variations. Wood cutting is a necessary function in promoting quality game. Unlike the theory that a lot of people have which is, “Big Woods – Big Game,” that is nonsense and couldn’t be further from the truth. Feed is the key to quality game along with proper game management. Wild berries and an abundance of beech trees fill this area helping to grow some of the biggest bear in Maine. This bear area is second to none.
Unsurpassed opportunity to hunt a Trophy Bear.
We strive to give all our hunters, young or old, the shooting opportunities expected of a truly world-class hunting outfitter. This requires knowledge, skill, effort, advance preparation, and experience. Bear hunting is our life, so no matter how you cut it, a part time guide can not give a full time commitment.
One of the key factors contributing to the high success rate and quality bear taken at Foggy Mountain is that we never put any pressure on our bear population resource. We hunt in the Highlands, Katahdin and Moosehead Region for only two weeks, then completely close it down to assure that the bear never get hunted hard. We then hunt the West Branch Region, which is completely separate from the Highlands, Katahdin and Moosehead Region.
These two regions are located in different parts of Maine. Both areas are equally under harvested, with growing bear populations, which perhaps provides some of the most outstanding bear hunting possible in North America.
A sure shot and a quick, clean kill.
A black bear can appear at your stand and then disappear in a blink. Powerful and crafty, the bear’s trademarks are strength and endurance. His nose is as sensitive as the most sophisticated radar system. The bear’s feed and travel patterns through our thick fir and dense bogs make him a challenging animal to hunt. Scent and noise control are critical to your success.
You are provided pre-built, permanent stands, portables and ground blinds with all obstructing branches and brush cleared from your line of fire. Our stands offer bowhunters an average shot of 18 yards. Rifle hunters will shoot at distances of 75 yards or less, and hand gunners will be shooting 20-30 yards. We can tailor our stands and blinds to accommodate two hunters, such as when an adult must accompany a Junior hunter.
The black bear demands shooting excellence before he will fall to a hunter. Even at these close ranges, a precision shot is essential. Your target is a 4 to 5 inch square (boiler room) area just behind the front shoulder.
Bow-hunters – it makes no difference how good a shot you are. Unless you hit exactly in the boiler room with the arrow heading towards the bear’s head, you will get nothing but a wounded animal. Certainly, a broadside shot can be lethal, but in Wayne’s experience 7 out of 10 broadside shots on bear end up as gut-shots, which are unsuccessful on bear.
The black bear is unlike any other game you have ever hunted. When hit, he will not lie down and bleed out like a deer. But rather, will run until he dies – which could be up to 20 miles. Therefore, a precision shot is essential.
Those of you using a gun have many options. You do not have to even wait until the bear is on bait for a good shot. Also, a head and chest shot can produce when combined with accurate shooting.
And never rush a shot. But when you do have a good shot – take it. Do not assume the bear may go left or right, or even to the actual bait. Be positive of what and where you are shooting…it’s your responsibility.
Rifle, Muzzleloader, Handgun, Bow or Crossbow
You may hunt with rifle, muzzleloader, handgun or bow. Cross-bows are also legal in Maine (additional license is required – Click here for details about the Cross-bow license).
Hunts in Two Vast Regions
We hunt two regions of private lands. Each area has access controlled by gates, as are 95% of our total hunting territories.
Highlands, Katahdin and Moosehead Region
2022 Season: Hunt August 29th (Arrive on the 28th) thru September 2nd;
or hunt September 5th (Arrive on September 4th) thru September 9th.
Maine’s vast Highland, Katahdin and Moosehead Region lies between our Ebeemee Lake base camp, and Mount Katahdin and Moosehead Lake to the north. A six day stay and a five day hunt.
Housekeeping Accommodations – We offer excellent housekeeping accommodations in comfortable cottages or camps. We match your lodging to the size of your party and the area you are hunting. We provide bedding and household equipment. You’ll have everything you need to prepare your own food inexpensively. There are also several places to eat within easy driving distance.
2022 Season: Hunt September 12th (Arrive on the 11th) thru September 16th;
or hunt September 19th (Arrive on the 18th) thru September 23rd.
Hunt Maine’s famous West Branch Region between Moosehead Lake and the Canadian border. A six day stay and a five day hunt tailored the same as our regular base camp housekeeping hunts.
American Plan – Stay in the comfort of a fully restored Maine Lumberjack Lodge. This lodge has been designated as an official National and Maine Historic Site, and features original turn-of-century decor. What’s more, you’ll enjoy home-cooked, all-you-can-eat, lumberjack-style meals, reputed to be the biggest and the best in Maine. The coffee pot is always on.
It May Not Be Too Late!
“Should you have a last minute opportunity to get away for some quality hunting, just give me a call and I may be able to accommodate you. I appreciate fellow hunters and their busy schedules, and will do everything possible to accommodate you.” – Brandon Bishop.
Note:
- All hunts are six days lodging and five days hunting.
- The best time to arrive is Sunday afternoon.
- A 50% deposit is required on all hunts. No deposits refunded.
- PERSONAL CHECKS ACCEPTED FOR RESERVATION DEPOSITS ONLY.
- Please make Checks Payable to “Foggy Mountain Guide Service.”
Click Here for Maine Black Bear Hunting Rates
Questions?
When you book a hunt with us, you will receive a complete confirmation kit including detailed information on equipment and clothing, plus graphic illustrations of optimum shooting angles.
Please feel free to call us at any time, we love hearing from fellow hunters.
Click here for answers to some of your Questions.
