Maine Bear Hunting
Black Bear Hunting Season Attracts Visitors

Bear hunting in Maine always draws thousands of hunters, but this season there is anticipation of a busier than usual bear hunting season. Soon, Maine voters may decide to put an end to the now legal practice of using bait, hounds, or traps to hunt black bear in the state.

The State of Maine Department of Inland Fish and Wildlife prides itself on the departments "State of the Art" Bear management program. A program that endorses the use of bait, hounds, and trapping of bear. The Department reports that Maine's black bear population is thriving. There are approximately 23,000 black bears in Maine - the largest bear population in the eastern united States and one of the largest in the nation. The department receives about 300 nuisance bear complaints annually, and claims that 3,500 to 4,000 bears need to be harvested each year.

Bear hunters know there are plenty of big bruins out in Maine's woods and some 3,000 plus will be taken this fall...80 percent or more will be taken using bait.

The black bear is the smallest of the three North American bear species and the only species found in New England. The other two being the grizzly bear and polar bears.

The weight of black bears varies considerably. Adult females seldom reach 300 pounds, but males weighing over 700 pounds have been recorded. Males seven years of age or older usually exceed 400 pounds.

Black is the predominant color of black bears in the eastern U.S. Brown or "Cinnamon" colors are much more common in the Western U.S. In both instances, the breast may have a patch of white on it.

Bears have poor eyesight but have an extraordinary sense of smell and are one of Maine's most intelligent mammals.

The State of Maine Dpartment of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife now offers online hunting and fishing licenses. They call the system MOSES - which stands for Maine Online Sportsman Electronic System. MOSES will allow you to complete an online application and purchase a Maine hunting license or a Maine fishing license any time, day or night, and print your license in your home or office. The system is available to any Maine resident, non-resident or "Alien" Sportsperson looking to hunt or fish in the State of Maine. Follow this link to access MOSES for your Maine Hunting or Fishing License.