Born and raised in Needham, MA...about 15 miles Southwest of Boston. Moved to Florida in the late 1970's with my parents (me only being 10 at the time). They kept their house in Needham and we traveled back and forth until I was out of college, although they still do. I try to get up to visit every year. Uncle and family in Maine, just outside or Portland.
I grew up in a non-hunting household, in Southwest FL. Although, a friend in high school hunted the Everglades with his father each year. His stories (and pork chop sandwiches) got me very interested in hunting. I bought my first rifle at age 18, 1986. I tried to read and learn about hunting but never met anyone to teach me the ways. So, over the years...23 years later...I've only hunted several times and all have been with outfitters/guides for hogs and exotics. I love hunting but still consider myself inexperienced.
I have a 5 year old son, a 3 year old son and a 3 month old son. I would really like to become more educated and more experienced in deer hunting so I can bring my sons up in the hunting/outdoor tradition, that I didn't have growing up. I have been looking at leases here in FL but have not really found the right one. Too far to go frequently, too expensive, too many members and too little acreage, etc. I guess I should lighten up a bit and try it and I might learn something. But, a 7 hour drive really makes it prohibitive to go more than one weekend a season. Or, $7,000 for a season in way out of my price range...although the education I get with the other members might be priceless, who knows.
Anyway, I recently thought about planning a trip to MA for Thanksgiving with my family and I would try to plan a hunt. My uncle owns property on an island off the coast of ME. And, although he doesn't hunt, he said the other land owners hunt the island all season and are successful each year. It's a big island and I believe only 12 owners. He said that he would introduce me to the others and I could talk about hunting.
However, I'd hate to "invite" myself along, even though my uncle owns the island too. I could try to set up on his land, although he let's them hunt his portion too. Being so inexperienced I wouldn't know where to set up and wouldn't want to interfere with their years of tradition. How should I go about this?
Also, what's the public land situation for deer in Eastern MA and Southern ME?
Thank you!!!