At Leen’s Lodge, Upland bird hunting for woodcock and grouse starts the last Saturday of September and ends the last Thursday of October.  Although the season itself ends later than that, we need to be sure we can close up the camps and turn off the water before it starts to freeze at night.  

Leen’s Lodge is the only Shooting Sportsman Endorsed Lodge in New England.  Our goal is for our guests to have the best experience possible, so we only offer guided hunts and cap the number of guests and guides that go out during the day.  The day starts with breakfast at 7 am.  Your guide will arrive between 7:30 and 8 am, and you’ll be gone all day, with each guide going to a different location.  You will enjoy a packed lunch mid-day with the option of including hot soup.  You will return around 4 pm, and many guests will socialize with their guide for a bit with drinks on their deck or screened in porch.

Since the days are getting shorter, we move the dinner time up 30 minutes, with appetizers being served at 6 pm and first course at 6:30 pm.  Most guests will go to the Tannery room after dinner and either socialize around the fireplace with drinks or catch a game.  You can buy Maine Crafted beer and wine from the Leen’s Libations retail store, a short walk from the Dining Room, or bring your own.  If you enjoy liquor, be sure to bring your own.

Each guide can take up to two people, whether or not they hunt.  Most hunts are three days long.  All guides have dogs, but you are welcome to bring your own.  If you do bring your own dog, then usually the guide will use one of their dogs with your dog.  Some guests insist on only using their dog during the hunt, which is certainly allowed, and using the guide’s dog as a back-up.  We do provide outside kennels throughout the property, but you may bring your dog inside your cabin.  If your dog runs freely within the cabin, then we charge a $50 pet fee.  If your dog remains kenneled, then there is no charge.  

Bird hunting at Leen’s Lodge is like no other time of the season.  We look forward to this time every year as it’s the most intimate time with our guests. The energy in the Dining Room when all the guests return from their hunt is addictive.  Many of the guides will socialize with the guests before dinner and everyone talks about their day.  We intentionally close the Dining Room to the public during October to ensure this close-knit experience.  The leaves also start to turn, and the trees are simply beautiful, especially surrounding the lake.