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AUGUSTA — Maine’s bear season begins Monday, Aug. 27, throughout the state.
“Bear hunters should have a good early season as natural foods seem to be in shorter supply this summer, particularly up north and Downeast as bears are on the move and actively looking for food,” said Randy Cross, bear field crew leader for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Maine’s black bear population is closely monitored by department biologists through one of the most extensive, longest-running biological studies in the U.S. The study began in 1975 and continues today. Over nearly 40 years, department biologists have captured and trackedmore than 3,000 bears to determine the health and condition of Maine’s bears and estimate how many cubs are born each year.
“Over those forty years, it’s very clear that during years with poor natural food production of nuts and berries, bears are moving more seeking out other food sources, and hunters are more successful,” said Cross.
Maine’s bear season is divided into three segments.
Hunters can use bait from Aug. 27 to Sept. 22; hunters can hunt with dogs from Sept.10 to Oct. 26; and hunters can still hunt or stalk bear from Aug. 27 to Nov. 24. Maine has one of the longest bear seasons in the country since the state has one of the largest bear populations, estimated at over 36,000 animals. In addition to a season that starts in August and ends after Thanksgiving, Maine allows hunters to take two bears, one by hunting and one by trapping.
