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BEAR HUNTING
Bear Hunting
BEAR HUNTING PERMIT To hunt bear a valid hunting license and a bear permit is required .
Exception : Resident hunters do not need a bear permit to hunt bear during the firearms season for deer .
The fee for this permit is :
• Residents $ 10.00 *
• Non-Residents $ 74.00 * ( this permit covers the entire bear hunting season )
• Non-Resident Late Season Permit $ 40 * ( If a non-resident wishes to hunt bear during the regular firearms season on deer only , a late-season bear hunting permit and a valid hunting license is required .)
* Plus agent fee .
In addition to a valid hunting license and bear hunting permit , to train or hunt bear with the use of a dog , a dog training and hunting permit is required , see page 13 for more information .
To trap for a bear , a bear trapping permit and a big game hunting license or a bear trapping permit and trapping license is required . See Maine Trapping Laws and page 28 of this book for more information .
See page 14 for information on required removal of a bear tooth after harvest .
LANDOWNER PRIVILEGES Qualified landowners may hunt bears on their own land without a big game license , but are required to have a valid bear hunting permit . See page 6 for special landowner privileges .
BAIT Bait may be placed up to 30 days prior to opening day of the bear bait hunting season and no later than October 31 . Bait areas must be cleaned up by November 10 . Bait can be used to assist dog hunters and trappers , but it is illegal to shoot a bear over bait after the close of the bait season .
Hunting with the use of bait is defined as hunting from an observation stand , blind , or other location that overlooks any bait or food , except standing crops and foods that have been left as a result of normal agricultural operations or natural occurrence .
Bear bait means any animal , plant , or derivative thereof , used to attract bear . This does not include packaging or container materials that fall within the definition of litter under Title 17 , § 2263 .
A person may not place any medicinal , poisonous , or stupefying substance to entice any animal , including bears . It is unlawful to disturb or interfere with a bait site using chemicals or any other method . Bait may not be placed to entice , hunt or trap a black bear unless :
• The bait is placed at least 50 yards from any travel way that is accessible by a conventional 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive vehicle .
• The observation stand , blind , or bait area is plainly labeled with a 2 inch by 4 inch tag with the name and address of the baiter .
• The bait is placed more than 500 yards from any solid waste disposal site or campground .
• The bait is placed more than 500 yards from an occupied dwelling , unless written permission is granted by the owner or tenant .
• The person hunting from another person ’ s stand or blind has the owner ’ s permission .
• The person placing bait on another person ’ s land has the landowner ’ s permission ( oral or in writing ).
• If placing bait on a wildlife management area , you need to secure a permit from MDIFW . To apply for a bear baiting permit , contact the wildlife biologist in your administrative region ( see p . 41 ).
• If placing bait on Public Reserved Land , you need to secure a permit from the Bureau of Parks and Lands ( for info , call 207-287-3821 ).
Baiting of animals is prohibited in State Parks and Historic Sites .
LEGAL HUNTING EQUIPMENT Bears may be harvested by use of rifle , handguns , muzzleloader , shotguns ( with slugs only and not larger than 10 gauge ), bow and arrow ( with a minimum draw weight of 35 lbs .) or crossbow ( with a minimum draw weight of 100 lbs .). The use of a firearms with . 17 or . 22 caliber rimfire cartridges , or a shotgun with shotloads to hunt bear is prohibited .
BEAR HUNTING PROHIBITIONS A person cannot , within 50 yards of a bait site and without written permission from the person who maintains the bait site :
• hunt , trap , molest , or harass bears ;
• release a dog or dogs to hunt bears ;
• and train dogs on bears
It is unlawful to hunt bears , or release dogs to hunt bears , within 500 yards of a solid waste disposal site .
A person may not hunt a bear after having killed one by hunting and may not trap a bear after having killed one by trapping , during the open season of that calendar year . A person can kill and register two bears , one by hunting and one by trapping .
BEAR HUNTING WITH A MAINE GUIDE Non-residents must employ , and hunt in the presence of , a resident Maine guide in order to hunt bears with dogs . If the nonresident is a licensed Maine guide , they may hunt bears with dogs themselves , and may guide residents , but cannot guide non-residents .
For more info on buying , selling or bartering animals , see pages 11 & 12 . For info on tracking a wounded bear , deer or moose with a Leashed Dog Tracking License , see page 13 .
2024-25 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES HUNTING QUESTIONS ? CALL 207 287-8000