Sea Ducks And Seafood

A trip to Maine’s coast provides both wingshooting and culinary delights for US hunter Jarrod Spilger

Last November, I travelled to Maine to hunt sea ducks along the rugged coastline of north-eastern New England. Since I live in Nebraska in the middle of the United States, this was quite an adventure for me, compounded by the fact that I’d never flown before and can’t swim! Flying halfway across a continent to hunt ducks on the ocean was certainly a giant step out of my comfort zone. Regardless, I jumped at the chance. Apparently, I’d been harbouring a subconscious desire to visit Maine for some time.

Touching down in Bangor in the middle of a snowstorm, I was immediately struck by how many trees there were. What passes for a forest on the plains is merely a windbreak. Maine has real forests!

From Bangor, our entourage journeyed south to the small coastal town of Stonington. My companions were Linda Powell of Mossberg Firearms, Jared Hinton of Federal Ammunition, and fellow writer Brian Lovett. In Stonington, we were met by our hosts, Bill Brown, Wally Martin, Brad Allen and Ron Spencer. All four are Maine residents, hardcore waterfowlers, and dedicated Ducks Unlimited volunteers. DU is North America’s premier waterfowl and wetlands conservation organisation.

After settling in, we walked across the street to the local restaurant for supper, where I dined on haddock, a delicious fish I was unfamiliar with. So began the first of many fine meals I’d enjoy while in Maine.

Day one We arose early the next morning and met our hosts at the dock, where we piled into a pair of sturdy duck boats. Our quarry was common eider. I joined Wally, Bill, and Linda in one boat, while the others followed in the second boat. Wally steered us expertly through the channels with Bill directing him.