Written by Friends of KWW Education Coordinator, Elise Goplerud
In my time working with Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters over the past four years, I’ve prioritized exploring the Monument’s recreational opportunities. From camping to skiing, I’ve done it all—except hunting, an often-overlooked activity in the Monument. Unlike most national parks, Katahdin Woods & Waters allows hunting on certain parcels east of the East Branch of the Penobscot River, including the Seboeis parcel. (You can learn more about hunting in the Monument from the National Park Service here; both state and federal laws apply.)
I didn’t grow up in a hunting family, but I have always admired Maine’s culture of self-reliance and subsistence hunting. Although I’ve completed my hunter safety course, I knew there really is no substitute for getting out there with someone experienced. So when Ruger, our Operations and Finance Coordinator, invited staff for a December partridge/grouse hunt, I was happy to join for a chance to gain a better understanding of hunting–and a day away from my computer. I decided my role on this trip would be to observe and learn.
Icy roads!
Early Start
At 3:21 a.m., Ruger’s text woke me: “On my way.” Coffee in hand, we drove toward the Seboeis parcel but soon found the icy roads impassable by car. Parking safely, we continued on foot. Dawn broke as we walked, painting the sky pink and purple over distant mountains. Moose tracks led the way, and we wondered if we’d see any moose today. Ruger asked how often I found moose sheds in the woods, and I laughed because in all the years I’ve wandered the Maine woods I’ve only found one shed.
Tracking and Exploring
We veered onto an abandoned logging road and soon saw our first grouse. The dense forest made a safe shot impossible, but our excitement grew. It wasn’t long before we heard the wings of four more grouse flying into the safety of the dense spruce trees around us. It was still early, though, and we were feeling hopeful about the possibility of seeing more. We continued on as the old road narrowed into a game trail, until we reached a collapsed bridge over a brook with a beaver dam and lodge snug with signs of recent activity.
Our bushwack took us to Kimball Brook, its roaring waters from the recent rain and snow melt surrounded by towering pines and spruces. Amid this wilderness, we found a phone line insulator—an echo of the area’s logging past.
Kimball BrookAn old phone line insulatorA moose femur
A Rare Encounter
Since we weren’t seeing any signs of grouse, we decided to bushwack our way back to the main road and explore a different abandoned logging road that we had spotted that morning. At this point, I had given up on hunting and was just enjoying looking around and chatting until suddenly Ruger crouched down, turned to shush me and then pointed into the woods. We crept closer until I could see what he was pointing at: an old, blonde raccoon. She laid in a dried up stream bed and looked up at us with one eye. We backed off to give her space, and as we were leaving, we saw her slowly lumber into the woods. Her slow, frail movements hinted at the end of her journey. This solemn encounter was a rare reminder of nature’s life cycles and one of many humbling moments of the day.
Rewarding Persistence
We decided to call it a day, and as we neared the car, we made a final discovery—a young bull moose’s shed! It felt like nature’s way of rewarding our persistence and curiosity.
We weren’t successful in acquiring a grouse, but hunting offers so much more than the prospect of a meal. As Ruger reminded me, “That’s why they call it ‘hunting’ not ‘getting.’” It’s about connecting with the land and being energized by the small details in nature. Whether it’s spotting wildlife or stumbling across remnants of human history, every moment deepens your appreciation for the land. It’s a reminder that success isn’t always measured by what you take home—it’s found in the quiet discoveries made along the way.
Hunting for Grouse in KAWW’s Seboeis Parcel – Trip Report
Posted: January 8, 2025 by Elise Goplerud
In my time working with Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters over the past four years, I’ve prioritized exploring the Monument’s recreational opportunities. From camping to skiing, I’ve done it all—except hunting, an often-overlooked activity in the Monument. Unlike most national parks, Katahdin Woods & Waters allows hunting on certain parcels east of the East Branch of the Penobscot River, including the Seboeis parcel. (You can learn more about hunting in the Monument from the National Park Service here; both state and federal laws apply.)
I didn’t grow up in a hunting family, but I have always admired Maine’s culture of self-reliance and subsistence hunting. Although I’ve completed my hunter safety course, I knew there really is no substitute for getting out there with someone experienced. So when Ruger, our Operations and Finance Coordinator, invited staff for a December partridge/grouse hunt, I was happy to join for a chance to gain a better understanding of hunting–and a day away from my computer. I decided my role on this trip would be to observe and learn.
Early Start
At 3:21 a.m., Ruger’s text woke me: “On my way.” Coffee in hand, we drove toward the Seboeis parcel but soon found the icy roads impassable by car. Parking safely, we continued on foot. Dawn broke as we walked, painting the sky pink and purple over distant mountains. Moose tracks led the way, and we wondered if we’d see any moose today. Ruger asked how often I found moose sheds in the woods, and I laughed because in all the years I’ve wandered the Maine woods I’ve only found one shed.
Tracking and Exploring
We veered onto an abandoned logging road and soon saw our first grouse. The dense forest made a safe shot impossible, but our excitement grew. It wasn’t long before we heard the wings of four more grouse flying into the safety of the dense spruce trees around us. It was still early, though, and we were feeling hopeful about the possibility of seeing more. We continued on as the old road narrowed into a game trail, until we reached a collapsed bridge over a brook with a beaver dam and lodge snug with signs of recent activity.
Our bushwack took us to Kimball Brook, its roaring waters from the recent rain and snow melt surrounded by towering pines and spruces. Amid this wilderness, we found a phone line insulator—an echo of the area’s logging past.
A Rare Encounter
Since we weren’t seeing any signs of grouse, we decided to bushwack our way back to the main road and explore a different abandoned logging road that we had spotted that morning. At this point, I had given up on hunting and was just enjoying looking around and chatting until suddenly Ruger crouched down, turned to shush me and then pointed into the woods. We crept closer until I could see what he was pointing at: an old, blonde raccoon. She laid in a dried up stream bed and looked up at us with one eye. We backed off to give her space, and as we were leaving, we saw her slowly lumber into the woods. Her slow, frail movements hinted at the end of her journey. This solemn encounter was a rare reminder of nature’s life cycles and one of many humbling moments of the day.
Rewarding Persistence
We decided to call it a day, and as we neared the car, we made a final discovery—a young bull moose’s shed! It felt like nature’s way of rewarding our persistence and curiosity.
We weren’t successful in acquiring a grouse, but hunting offers so much more than the prospect of a meal. As Ruger reminded me, “That’s why they call it ‘hunting’ not ‘getting.’” It’s about connecting with the land and being energized by the small details in nature. Whether it’s spotting wildlife or stumbling across remnants of human history, every moment deepens your appreciation for the land. It’s a reminder that success isn’t always measured by what you take home—it’s found in the quiet discoveries made along the way.
Category: Trip Reports, Uncategorized