Big Woods Bucks

Hal Blood built his reputation as one of Maine's foremost outfitters before stepping away to work with Remington Arms testing firearms. When the call of the big woods proved stronger than retirement, he launched Big Woods Outfitters—now part of the Big Woods Bucks team he co-founded with Chris Dalti. Hal hand-picked every guide on his team. They're all Maine guides with proven knowledge of big woods whitetails. Hunting with any of them is a learning experience.

Operations run out of Lake Parlin Lodge, 10 miles south of Jackman in the Moose River Valley. The lodge offers superior lodging and dining facilities—the real deal for a hunting camp experience.

The Jackman/Moose River Valley sits in northwestern Maine against the Quebec border. This region consistently produces large-bodied bucks. Average field-dressed weight runs over 200 pounds—about 1 in 5 bucks tagged each season.

Densities are lower than farm country or suburban areas, so expect fewer deer encounters. What you get instead: quality animals and vast woods where seeing another hunter is rare. These bucks evolved surviving harsh winters. If you come with the right attitude, you'll experience something unmatched in whitetail hunting.

Hunt Options:

• •Guided 1x1: $3,750 (6 days)
• •Guided 2x1: $2,500 per person (6 days)
• •Guided 3x1: $2,200 per person (6 days)
• •American Plan: $1,700 (lodging, all meals, location advice—hunt on your own or with guides)

• •2026 Season: November 2–28

Maine holds more moose per square mile than anywhere in North America. Trophy bulls with 50"+ spreads—some over 60"—are taken every year. Hal's 25-year track record speaks for itself: he consistently gets clients into trophy moose.

Moose hunting requires a permit drawn through lottery (Jan–May applications, June drawing) or sealed-bid auction permits. Hal advises on zone selection and handles the hunt with his remote areas.

Pricing (includes sub-permittee): - Trophy Bull 1x1: $7,000 - Cow Hunt 1x1: $6,500

2026 Seasons: - Bull: Sept. 28–Oct. 3 and Oct. 12–17 - Cow: Contact Hal

Hal has 25 years guiding bear hunters and developed a system for consistent success. His hunting area sees heavy bear population with minimal hunting pressure. Rather than hunting the same baits week after week, the team rotates weekly to avoid pressuring bears into only feeding at night. They hunt only baits with trophy-sized bears, letting smaller bears grow.

Remote camp hunt in a private gated area. Limited to 4 hunters per week. Hunters bring their own food and use camp cooking facilities—keeps costs down. Hal handles stand drops and bear retrieval. Brook trout fishing available in mornings at several ponds in the area. Hunts run afternoon into evening.

Pricing: - 6-Day Hunt Over Bait: $1,800 per person

• •2026 Season: August 31–September 26

Spend 3 days at a remote camp with Hal learning everything about hunting big woods bucks. Clinics run in spring (snow just melted) so the woods look exactly as they did during fall season. The classroom is the woods—hands-on instruction.

Curriculum: - Map and compass navigation - Woodsman skills - Land navigation - Understanding buck travel patterns - Finding and reading signpost rubs - Scouting strategy - Tracking techniques - Still hunting

Classes limited to 10 people for personal attention. Includes meals and tent camp lodging.

2026 Dates: - May 1–3 - May 8–10 - May 15–17 - May 22–24 (All Women's Weekend) - May 29–31 (Parent + Kid Weekend)

• •Pricing: $800 per person ($400 deposit required)

• •Guiding/Outfitting: [email protected]