Maine Moose Hunts is a partnership of experienced guides Dave Conley of Canoe The Wild and Andrew Gibbs of Marsh River Outfitters. Pictured above is Dave Conley (left) and Andrew Gibbs (right) with nice bulls their hunters harvested on Friday morning of the October season a couple of seasons ago.
Andrew Gibbs
Andrew is quickly becoming known is the guiding community as being at the top of his game a very successful guide. While many dream of making their living from guiding activity, Andrew is doing it. Andrew’s offerings include running a trap line for his guests in the north Maine Woods, hunting seas ducks on the Maine and Massachusetts coasts gunning for sea ducks such as common eiders and scoters, coastal charters are offered during the summer months for Strip bass, mackerel and pollock. There are guided and semi-guided hunting trips for Maine black bear, whitetail deer hunting, and spring turkey hunting. Andrew’s latest offering is fresh water fishing trolling Maine’s beautiful lakes to fly fishing remote trout ponds and bass fishing the famed Penobscot River.
Dave Conley
Dave has been paddling the rivers of Maine and Canada for over 30 years. Rivers and waterways include the Allagash Wilderness Waterway, St Croix. St John, Penobscot, Bonaventure and NE Mistissibi Rivers. During the school year, Dave teaches an outdoor education program at East Grand High School in Danforth, host to the annual East Grand Adventure Race. In the fall, Dave teams up with Andrew on the guided moose hunts offered in northern Maine from remote, drive to outpost camps. Dave’s passion for moose hunting has led him to Alaska for the past 7 years to DIY moose hunt remote regions of Alaska prior to the fall moose hunts here in Maine.
Stephen Hand
Born and raised in Midcoast Maine, Stephen has spent the greater part of his life fishing and hunting across the great State of Maine. With over 10 years of guiding experience, he brings years of knowledge on the local moose behavior and ways to be successful hunting them. Whether calling in a trophy bull at first light or challenging a bull trying to pull him off his cow, Stephen is committed to making every hunt safe, ethical, and unforgettable. Passionate about the outdoors and sharing what he loves with others! Stephen takes great pride in helping hunters of all experience levels achieve success and create lasting memories.
John Gibbs (Center with sons Brody and Andrew)
Brody Gibbs
With a strong background in public safety and a lifelong passion for the outdoors, Brody is a seasoned Registered Maine Guide who has pursued every game species the state has to offer. As an avid archery hunter and certified animal damage control agent for the state of Maine, he brings both expertise and dedication to every hunt. Brody has spent many hours chasing big bucks from the coastal islands to the vast wilderness of the North Maine Woods. Whether calling in trophy bull moose from a remote wall tent camp or fishing for wild brook trout in secluded mountain streams, he is truly at home in Maine’s backcountry.
Jon Higgins
Jon is a dedicated and passionate Maine hunting guide with a deep love for the woods and wildlife. He spends much of his late summer guiding bear hunters, working tirelessly to provide his clients with the best possible chance at success. When moose season arrives, Jon shifts his focus to guiding in the remote regions of the North Maine Woods. Never one to shy away from rough terrain, he’s always willing to venture far off the beaten path in pursuit of a trophy bull. Known for his calm, confident demeanor, Jon has a natural ability to put hunters at ease. His skillful calling and deep understanding of moose behavior make him a trusted and effective guide for one of Maine’s most iconic hunts.
Johnathan Varnum
Born in Northern Maine Jon’s passion for the outdoors was a natural extension of his surroundings. As he grew so did his desire to be afield. Raised in Oakland on the family horse farm, Jon performed well in school and yet the lure of the outdoors was always present. He began to explore North America on his own, taking weeks and even months away hunting and fishing. Jon’s abilities naturally led him to use those talents to become a Registered Maine Guide where he could see the same glow in his client’s eyes that were in his. He would gain as much, or more, pleasure calling in a bull moose or landing a native trout for his sportsman as he would if it were for himself. The draw of the wilderness sparked his natural curiosity getting a formal education in conservation law, a natural extension of his passion for the outdoors. Jon furthered his career in the outdoors by becoming a Marine Patrol Officer in Waldo county, where he continues to learn and work today.
Bud Shain (Camp Cook)
Bud Shain is a heavy equipment operator in the forestry industry. For the last 6 years he takes a leave from delimbing trees to cook for moose camp. Bud owned and operated his own restaurant and brings his experience to the northern Maine woods each fall. He really enjoys his part in making meals that are almost as enjoyable to the hunters as getting their moose. While he gets great satisfaction serving up lobster and steak to everyone, meeting hunters from all over the country is a bonus. When Bud isn’t harvesting trees or cooking at moose camp, he enjoys hunting and fishing with his family.
Wayne Daggett (Camp Cook)
Wayne Daggett, camp cook, heavy equipment mechanic and registered Maine guide. Dave and Wayne first met on the river more than 25 years ago and have been friends ever since. During the spring, summer and fall, Wayne plans for, packs, and leads multi day canoe trips on the Allagash, St Croix and rivers in Canada. During moose season he trades his canoe paddle in for a spatula and does a great job working with Bud teaming up on meals for the guides and moose hunters. It’s real handy having Wayne at our remote wall tent camp as he can fix about anything!
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