Maine has a large and healthy black bear population estimated to exceed 23,000. Eclipsed only by our November deer hunt, the early fall hunt for black bears has become a major contributor to the state’s rural economy. According to Gov. John Baldacci, Maine’s annual bear hunt brings in excess of $70 million to the state’s economy. Guided bear hunts in early September, by nonresident hunters bagging their bears at baited sites, comprise the largest proportion of the annual bear kill.

Each year, hunters take about 10 percent of Maine’s bear population. Last year’s registered bear kill was 2,871. A couple of bears were taken that weighed in at well over 500 pounds. More bear are bagged in Aroostook County than any other county, and about 70 percent of the statewide bear tagged are taken by nonresident hunters who spend about a week in Maine paying guides, sporting camps and buying gas and groceries.

Although the bear hunt doesn’t officially begin until Aug. 25, guides and outfitters began making preparations in late July. Once areas of bear activity are located, guides will set up bait sites. Guides and outfitters must pay landowners for a given number of site permits. For the rest of the month, these sites will be “baited” with something “bear edible.” Old donuts gathered up from bakeries and fast food outlets have become a popular bear bait. A bear guide I know in Western Maine “sweetens” his bait site perimeters by placing nearby scented cotton balls laced with a popular liqueur.

From now until the bear season opens Aug. 25, the bait sites will be replenished every few days. The idea, or course, is to keep the bruin interested in hopes that it will revisit the bait site when legal hunting begins.

The state bear season runs from Aug. 25 to Nov. 29. Bear may be hunted over baited sites from Aug. 25 to Sept. 20. Houndsmen may hunt bear with dogs from Sept. 8 to Oct. 31. All bear hunters must have a bear permit. This includes November deer hunters who take an “incidental” black bear. For non-resident bear hunters there is an added twist: our visiting nonresident November hunters, for the first time, must also possess a late-season bear permit. So here we go again, discriminating against the very people who bring their recreational bucks to Maine. To its credit, the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM) will lobby our legislators once again to do away with our Maine Residents Only Deer Hunting Day. We have a knack in this state for always biting the hand that feeds.

On a more promising note, state bear biologist Randy Cross says that the bears are healthy and plentiful again this year. In Randy’s words: “Berries seem quite plentiful to me right now which may reduce bait interest if these and other natural foods continue in abundance. However, much can change in that arena between now and hunting season. Looks like a fairly good chance that we will have a decent beechnut crop this fall in northern Maine which should translate into a late den entry year and better opportunity for deer hunters (last year, only 43 bears were shot during November). One thing I am certain of, plenty of bear are available for harvest. “

Two new changes this year: 1) Nonresident deer hunters must buy a separate and new bear hunting permit to take a bear during deer season and 2) All bear trappers must buy a new and separate bear permit to harvest a bear with a trap this year.

V. Paul Reynolds is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide, co-host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network (WVOM-FM 103.9, WCME-FM 96.7) and former information officer for the Maine Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. His e-mail address is [email protected].