Maine Deer Hunting Insights: Tips and Tricks from the Woods

When it comes to deer hunting in Maine, the landscape itself offers lessons—if you know how to read them. From understanding a buck’s “hookings” to decoding the chatter of an angry squirrel, the woods are full of signs pointing the way to your next big trophy. Here are some insights to help sharpen your skills and make the most of your time in the stand or on the trail.

Reading Hookings for Rack Size

In Maine, hunters often refer to buck rubs as "hookings," and these can tell you a lot about the size of the buck you're after. If you find a hooking on a tree that’s close to another sapling or tree, and both show signs of antler contact, take a closer look. The distance between the marks might indicate the spread between the brow tines—or even the inside width of one side of the rack.

A sharp eye for these signs can save you countless hours of guesswork and give you an edge in determining whether the area is worth further exploration.

Walking vs. Waiting

Maine’s vast woods tempt hunters to cover miles and miles, but sometimes, patience wins the day. Instead of exhausting yourself trekking 5 to 10 miles daily, consider staking out an active trail. Settle into a well-concealed spot with plenty of deer sign nearby. This approach not only conserves energy for future hunts but also increases your chances of encountering a buck.

As they say in Maine, "Getter done!"

Understanding the Wind

A deer’s nose is its number one defense, and to outsmart it, you need to pay close attention to the wind. Even a northeast wind can play tricks in uneven terrain or thick tree cover. The wind direction may swirl or shift, creating scent traps for unwary hunters.

Rodney Elmer breaks down wind strategies well in his video, but here’s something to add: On particularly windy days, deer often retreat to tall grass or swampy areas. Why?

1. Windbreak: Tall grass shelters them from the cold northern gusts.
2. Concealment: The dense cover hides them from predators.
3. Hunter Aversion: Many hunters avoid these wet, marshy areas, and deer know it.

Don’t be afraid to get your boots wet—those swampy zones can hold some of the smartest bucks.

Using Scents to Your Advantage

During the rut, dragging a scent like Tink’s 69 through a bedding area can work wonders. Soak a rag, attach it to your boot, and walk through the thickest cover you can find. Then, lead that scent trail to a spot where you’ve got a clear line of sight. A buck that catches the scent is sure to investigate, and if you’ve set up correctly, you’ll be ready when he does.

The Education of a Deer

Deer are survivors, and their education comes from predators—humans included. Each close call teaches them something new about how to evade hunters. Understanding this is key to outsmarting them.

Think about the terrain you’re hunting, the pressure the deer have experienced, and how they’ve adapted. A seasoned buck has learned where most hunters won’t tread, which is often where you need to go.

Listen to the Squirrels

The woods are full of sounds, but not all of them are random. A chattering squirrel might be warning of a nearby hawk—or it could be throwing a fit about a deer stealing its winter stash of acorns.

If a squirrel’s racket doesn’t let up, pay attention. It might just lead you to a deer sneaking through the area. Squirrels are nature’s little alarms, and they don’t miss much.

Final Thoughts

Hunting in Maine is as much about listening to the woods as it is about knowing your prey. From reading hookings to interpreting wind patterns and paying attention to animal behavior, the more you observe, the better your chances of success.

Take these tips to heart, and remember: the woods are always teaching—you just need to be ready to learn.

Happy hunting, and good luck out there!