A New England Jewel - Homestead Lodge, Maine Image

A New England Jewel - Homestead Lodge, Maine


Dream Sporting Trips

Updated: April 19th 2016 @ 9:17pm

What fun it would be to ride a sled or snowmobile to a ride-in restaurant! If you're looking for a unique experience, check out the hunting and fishing opportunities at the Homestead Lodge, a classic New England farmhouse and traditional hunting lodge with all of the modern conveniences thrown in.

In addition to some of the best guided moose, buffalo, deer, bear, coyote, and partridge hunts available in North America, Homestead Lodge offers ice fishing, fly fishing, buffalo calving, bird watching, eagle watching, hiking, biking, canoeing, retreats, wildlife photo hunts, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.

Northern Maine is known for its endless miles of pristine forests and primeval bogs which lure hunters from all over the world in their quest for that all time trophy. And at Homestead Lodge, you can fish the Aroostook River or St. Croix Stream or take your pick of brooks, ponds, and numerous lakes in the area. Their back boundary is the Aroostook River where you can enjoy great fly fishing without anyone else for miles. Or combine Ice Fishing with Snowmobiling and have a blast!

Our Dream Sporting Trips writer talked to Glen Kleinfelter, Homestead Lodge owner and hunting expert, recently.

Dream Sporting Trips

How did you get into this business? What made you decide to become a hunting guide/outfitter?

Glen Kleinfelter, Homestead Lodge

I've been a hunter all my life, and my wife, Ann, also enjoys hunting. We hunted with a number of outfitters, and after having some unfavorable experiences, we decided that if we ever became an outfitter, we would run it differently. 

After having open heart surgery three years ago, I decided to slow down and thought opening the Lodge and outfitting service would be a relaxing thing to do. It has been a great experience, although I can't say that I've slowed down much! 

We like to see people get a fair deal, and we work to give them even more than they expect. For example, we put a lot of time into our bear baiting. We begin baiting 30 days prior to bear season, and we have over 100 bait sites that we manage.

Whether you want to hunt bear, moose, buffalo, deer, coyote, or partridge, we can help you. The moose is on a draw system. If you get drawn, I can get you a moose. Partridges are the same as grouse, and the partridge season is two months long. They are very plentiful. The limit is 4 a day, 8 in possession. In addition, we have a 250 acre preserve on which we offer buffalo hunts.

Dream Sporting Trips

Where do you take your clients to hunt?

Glen Kleinfelter, Homestead Lodge

We hunt in Aroostook County, Maine, which is about six hours from Boston, one hour from the Canadian border, and two hours from Bangor. We lease bait sites from the local lumber companies, and we guarantee a fresh bait site for everyone. 

Dream Sporting Trips

What is your personal favorite game to hunt?

Glen Kleinfelter, Homestead Lodge

I'd have to say that bear hunting is my favorite because it's so challenging. Bear are much smarter than deer. They have six or eight functions in their brain which differentiate them from deer. Bears climb trees and deer don't... and hunters are in tree stands. Add to that the fact that a bear has the strength of three men, and you've got yourself a formidable animal.

Not only that, bear meat is good! Our kids love it. It's all in how you prepare it; you have to take all the fat off. Bear meat has a lot of marbling in it, much like a Black Angus burger. You can make a roast out of it--for example, put it in a crockpot with potatoes, carrots, and onions and it makes a delicious meal. 

We live off the land and rarely buy meat from a grocery any more. We do all our own meat processing and we have a full functioning lodge, restaurant, and bar.

In addition, I do taxidermy work. My turnaround time is 8 months compared to a 1.5 year turnaround time for most. 

Dream Sporting Trips

Is there a particularly exciting hunting adventure you'd care to share with our readers?

Glen Kleinfelter, Homestead Lodge

Here in Maine, we're not allowed to use metal traps, but we use cable snares instead. By law you have to let the animal go or kill it; you can’t transport it from one spot to another. Whoever has the snare has to physically kill it. After tracking a particular bear for thirty days, I was going to bait the site and saw that the bear had knocked the barrel over again. I was by myself, walked in, and the bear let out a spine chilling roar. It's a sound you'll not soon forget!

I went back and got my wife and when we walked back in, we were eye level with that bear. He was caught and he was mad! Definitely one of my most unforgettable moments.

Dream Sporting Trips

What is the most commonly asked question you get from potential customers/clients?

Glen Kleinfelter, Homestead Lodge

Most want to know, "What’s your success rate?" That one's a hard one to answer. If you listen and do what I tell you, you'll have a very good chance of getting a bear. If not, your percentage drops way down. Why? A bear is a predator, he isn’t like a deer. He’ll sit there and think. If he hears something out of the ordinary, he won’t come to the site. So if you smoke, if you get up and down too often, move around too much, etc., your chances go way down. 

Dream Sporting Trips

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Glen Kleinfelter, Homestead Lodge

We'd love to meet you and show you around this beautiful countryside. Feel free to call me anytime if you have any questions at all. 

 

What do others say?

"This lodge is by far the best anyone could ask for. Top notch guides that bend over backwards to make it a successful hunt. Staff that are professional, down to earth and really make you feel like one of the family. Out of this world experience. I wouldn't trade it for anything." - Scott G.

"I have been on several hunts in different states throughout the country and this was by far the best hunting experience that I've ever had. They do an outstanding job to make sure your hunt and stay are fun and memorable. The lodge, food and, of course, the stories are awesome. Thanks for a great hunt and my trophy bear!!!! I'll be back next year." - Kevin W.

"My husband Joel went on his first ever bear hunting trip at Homestead Lodge. He shot his bear with a bow. He said the food was excellent, the hospitality was unmatched, and the knowledge that his guides had about bear hunting and sites made for the best hunting experience he has ever had. He would highly recommend Homestead Lodge, you would be a fool to go anywhere else!" - Julie S.

"This was by far one of the best hunting lodges my boyfriend and I have been to. Excellent owners, staff, and people. We are so pleased that we had the chance to experience this great place.
So so sad to leave... but there is always next year!" - Ginger H.

"I have been there twice and the hospitality and accommodations are second to none. You won't meet better people. Sitting around camp is full of jokes and laughter. When it comes to the hunt is as serious and professional as it gets. Glen and Ann pour their hearts into making your every hunt your best hunt." - Slick K.

"Can't beat it here. No better place in the Great State of Maine to stay for deer hunting. Great hospitality and great scenery." - Kenneth K.

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[below] "Glen called me (I was sleeping) and told me there was a bear in my snare. My biggest bear yet - 346 lb. Thanks again to Glen for setting up my snare, and to Triston and our neighbor Paul Gray for helping to retrieve it."

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Ready for a great getaway?

For more information on the Homestead Lodge, the guided hunts they offer, the fishing opportunities, or if you just want to email and say hello to Glen and his wife, visit this link:

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