[usaetsj1]

I moved to Maine last year after living in Delaware most of my life. I am used to hunting in marshes for puddle ducks and I need some guidance on hunting Sea Ducks in Maine.

I live close to Bar Harbor and have no idea where to go. I have a 17ft Polar craft center console with a Mercury 45 Jet motor and I'm not sure if it's enough for sea duck hunting.

Where the heck do you buy decoys for this?

I would really like to get started sea duck hunting this year so if anyone can help me out I would appreciate it.

 

[ACEBLDRS]

If you havn't already, post this up on the Maine forum. There are a few guys on here from there. I can't remember or not, but I think pitboss is from Maine? He is a guide, you should look up his profile and send him a pm. If nothing else, he hits the sea duck hard. he will be able to give you some great advice.

:welcome:

 

[Dogman]

Welcome aboard and welcome to Maine. :welcome:
That boat of yours sounds good enough for sea duck,but just remember that paying attention to the weather is all important.The Gulf of Maine can get very ugly very fast.Tides here are very strong as well.Some of the biggest variations between high and low tide in the world.
Don't know much about your area since your several hours north of my location.There are several members from up north,you might be able to touch base with them about what to expect and how to get started.
A good set of Eider dekes would be a plus,check out the decoy forum here.DUKHTR is one of the mods and knows his stuff about decoys,he's a Mainer too.
I doubt you'll find big marshes for puddlers but the inland areas should produce until freeze up.
Penobscot bay is famous for seaduck though, you should be able to find places to hunt.Scouting alot will give you a big boost on what and where.
Sorry I can give you better info but I'm sure you'll get the hang of duck hunting in Maine.

 

[Mike M.]

I am not from ME but here are a few sources for eider deeks. I prefer herters bodies for sea ducking as the foam can withstand the occasional stray pellet.

Herters

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... sults2.jsp

Carrylite

http://www.carrylitedecoys.com/productD ... x?id=62353

quack
http://www.quackdecoy.com/eider.html

 

[Lundman]

:welcome: If you live in the Bar Harbor area you are in the heart of eider country. I grew up on Frenchmans Bay. If you send me a pm I will give you info on where to go in that area. As far as your boat , it will work , just keep a close eye on the weather. This is big water and no place for inexperince, things can turn ugly FAST. But your boat will get you started. As for decoys, to get started L.L. Bean carries the carry-lite brand and will get you in the water and hunting. Also Pickards sportin goods in Brewer maine usually has them on hand. The season is just around the corner.

 

[duckmann]

I frequently hunt with my brother who lives in Ellsworth so an very familiar with the area drop me a PM if you want to know specifics.

www.cabelas.com sells herters eider decoys BUT I prefer carrylite. I think the web site is www.carrylitedecoys.com

DuckMann

 

[DUKHTR]

You guys know I really like Herters dekes ALOT....However, their eider decoys are not too good....the head is just a puddler head painted "sortuv" like an eider........CaryLites are okay I guess and there is another manufacturer from Italy I think (they seem to be the same as the CaryLites' mold)..........The best eider dekes are hand made though. Cost is not always huge although, for example, to make a set of eight silo sleds you'll spend a Saturday morning and about $30 depending on wood costs.....then there are burlapped foamers which will cost about $120 per half dozen. You can PM me for further details on that issue if interested.

welcome to maine and the forum....we have a very active participant group here.....and some excellent gunning opportunities!

 

[usaetsj1]

Thanks to everyone for all of the information, I hope to see you guys out on the water at some point.