BEAR HUNTING 27
HUNTING WITH DOGS It is unlawful to:
• Use dogs to hunt bears during the open firearm season on deer.
• Use more than 6 dogs at any one time to hunt bears.
• Kill or wound a bear that is treed or held at bay by another person’ s dog or dogs unless you have permission from the person conducting the hunt.
2025 BEAR SEASONS & BAG LIMITS
SEASON DATES ANNUAL BAG & POSSESSION LIMIT
Youth Bear Hunting Day August 23, 2025
General Hunting
Hunting with Bait Bait can be placed July 26, 2025
Trapping
Hunting with Dogs Bear dog training season is July 1- August 21, 2025
August 25, 2025- November 29, 2025
August 25, 2025- September 20, 2025
September 1, 2025- October 31, 2025
September 8, 2025- October 31, 2025
All dates are inclusive except that hunting is prohibited on Sunday. For information on bear trapping, see page 28.
View Dog Training and Hunting permit requirements on page 13.
The total number of nonresident clients hunting bears with dogs with a licensed resident Maine guide may not exceed five. ■
2 may be harvested annually— 1 by hunting, 1 by trapping
FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION PROGRAM
The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson( PR) Act, established a“ User Pay / User Benefit” philosophy for funding state wildlife resource restoration and conservation efforts. These funds have played a vital role in the Maine’ s wildlife management capabilities since they were first used in 1939.
Revenues collected from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, pistols, revolvers, and bows and arrows are deposited in the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Fund, and used to support wildlife population assessments, long-range species management planning, development of management recommendations, implementation of management programs, acquisition and management of wildlife habitat, and hunter education.
QUESTIONS? CALL 207 287-8000 2025-26 STATE OF MAINE SUMMARY OF LAWS & RULES HUNTING