Why Hunters Return for Guided Hunts at Libby’s Lodge & Canty’s
- Libby's Lodge & Canty's
- Jan 14
- 4 min read
If you ask hunters why they book a guided hunt, they’ll usually say one thing first:
They want to be put on game.
But if you ask hunters why they come back—year after year, sometimes driving 20+ hours or flying halfway across the country—the answer gets a lot more interesting.
After reviewing feedback from the guest surveys in 2025, one thing is crystal clear: guided hunts at Libby’s Lodge & Canty’s aren’t just about filling a tag. They’re about effort, trust, comfort, and the kind of camp atmosphere that turns one hunt into a tradition.
Here’s what hunters themselves had to say.
They Don’t Just Drop You Off — They Put You on Game
Across nearly every survey, guests mention the same thing: the guides don’t quit.
Hunters talked about being moved when action slowed, adjusted setups based on weather, and guides who were relentless about creating opportunity.
“Travis moved me to a new spot the day I harvested my bear. There had been a lot of action there earlier in the week. His team was doing everything they could to give each hunter the best opportunity to be successful.”
Another hunter put it even more simply:
“The guides had all the game located and I didn’t feel I had any challenges due to how well prepared they were.”
From bait hunts to hunting with hounds, blinds to tree stands, guests repeatedly noted that the guides adapt the hunt to the hunter—not the other way around.
At Libby's Lodge & Canty's, Guided Means Guided — No Matter the Conditions
Weather doesn’t stop a Maine hunt. Neither do bad knees, rough terrain, or long days.
Multiple hunters mentioned rain hunts, muddy roads, physical limitations, and long recoveries—and how the guides handled it without hesitation.
“The guides were very helpful providing blinds versus tree stands to those that wanted to stay as dry as possible.”
“I have bad knees and they were very helpful.”
“Guides assisted in the retrieval of my game no matter the terrain.”
For many guests, that level of support is the difference between hoping for success and actually experiencing it.
Success Rates That Speak for Themselves
Hunters don’t exaggerate when it comes to results—and these surveys are packed with specifics.
First-time bear harvests
Multiple-year success stories
Bears harvested at close range
Moose taken after intense tracking efforts
“100% success.”
“I harvested a 265-pound bear.”
“My bear weighed 335 pounds.”
“I got my first bear on the second to last night in the rain.”
“Yes, got a bull moose. 506 pounds dressed.”
Several guests also mentioned how much confidence they had knowing guides were watching conditions, dogs, and movement—putting hunters where they needed to be when it mattered most.
You Hunt Hard — Then You Eat Like You Earned It
One thing hunters consistently talk about after the hunt?
The food.
When guests come back late, tired, cold, or soaked, meals are ready—or easy to heat—with no stress added.
“Because of the type of hunt we did, the meals were always ready for us when we got back.”
Favorite meals came up again and again:
Moose chili
Fresh Maine lobster
Meatloaf that “reminded me of home”
Apple crisp
Lobster and steak dinners
The accomodations at Libby's Lodge & Canty's were highly rated as well.
“The lodging was great. It felt like our family camp.”
Comfortable beds, warm rooms, and good meals aren’t extras here—they’re part of the hunt experience.
The Evenings Matter Just as Much as the Mornings
Ask hunters what they remember most, and many don’t start with the shot.
They start with the evenings.
“The camaraderie experienced from the various hunters from various backgrounds all sitting around, shooting the shit and playfully harassing each other.”
“Besides the hunt, the camaraderie in the evening with the other hunters—getting to know each other from year to year.”
Guests repeatedly mentioned how hunters root for each other’s success, share stories, and laugh over missed opportunities and near-misses.
That atmosphere turns a lodge into a camp—and strangers into hunting buddies.
Why Hunters Book Again (and Bring Family)
Perhaps the strongest theme across all 13 surveys?
Hunters don’t just return—they bring people they care about.
Daughters. Fathers. Sisters. Friends.
“Travis has welcomed me and my family for several hunts.”
“Seeing my dad’s face excited about his bear was the best moment of our hunt.”
“Being with my sister on a moment we will never forget.”
For many guests, these hunts become legacy moments—the kind you talk about long after the freezer’s full.
Thinking About Booking a Guided Hunt?
These hunters came from Maine, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, Mississippi, Iowa, Louisiana, and beyond.
They drove 20+ hours to get to Libby's Lodge & Canty's in Mt. Chase, Maine. They flew. They planned around weather, work, and life.
And nearly all of them said the same thing when asked if they’d return:
“Very likely.”
If you’re looking for a guided hunt where:
The guides don’t quit
The camp feels like home
The effort matches the opportunity
And the stories last longer than the season
Then it might be time to book your own hunt at Libby’s Lodge & Canty’s. Whether you hunt for big game like Maine Black Bear, Moose and White-tail Deer, upland game and waterfowl, or small game like coyote or snowshoe hare, the staff at Libby's Lodge & Canty's go out of their way to achieve success and to make you feel like family.
Just don’t be surprised if you start planning your return before you leave.
Book your hunt online or call Travis Libby at (207) 267-5242.
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