Maine Bear Hunting Q & A
Q. What are the dates for bear season?
Bear over bait season always begins the last Monday of August and runs for 4 weeks. We prefer to fill the 1st three weeks before booking into the 4th week.
Q. Where do I get my license's and what is the cost?
It is best if you purchase you licenses on-line before you arrive. You can do this at the states web site: www.mefishwildlife.com. Utilizing the “ MOSES” program. For the bear hunt you will need a Big game hunting license and a Bear permit. If you are hunting all week with archery equipment ONLY you can purchase an archery license and bear permit.
Licenses can be purchased here in Maine, but it is IMPERATIVE you bring your home state hunting license or else Maine WILL NOT issue you a license.
Q. What are the arrival/departure times?
Bear season is a 6 day hunt Monday thru Saturday. Arrive no earlier than 2:00 pm on Sunday and check out the following Sunday by 11:00 am.
Q. What is the cost of the hunt?
The price for the 2012 bear hunt totals $1700.00 (does not included licenses). View bear page for more info.
Q. What are your hunting methods?
All hunts are over active proven baits from rugged 2x4 ladder stands set up for right or left handed shooters or ground blinds. The hunter may use: Rifle, Bow, Muzzle Loader, Handgun , Crossbow or Shotgun. Most stands are 15 -30 yards from bait. Ground blinds are a bit further from bait site.
For detailed info on recommended weapons go to our weapons & ammo page.
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Q. Can I bring an ATV?
Yes, and we encourage it. Great riding is available right from the lodge. You must register your ATV with Maine. This can be done from the same web site you buy your licenses: Mefishwildlife.com
Q. What activities can we do during the morning hours?
There are many things to do while not sitting for Bear. The lodge sits on the intersection of 2 major ATV trails offering miles of wilderness riding. You can fish for Brook Trout or Smallmouth Bass, You can also hunt Coyote over one our baits.
Q. What form of payment do you accept?
We will accept personal checks for deposit only (unless payment in full is received prior to your hunt). Your balance due upon arrival must be cash or travelers check. We are not set up for Credit cards.
Q. If I fly in, where is the nearest airport?
We are located 55 miles East of the Bangor international airport. Rental vehicles are available at the airport or arrangements can be made to pick you up.
Q. How many bait sites do you have?
We currently have 35 baits sites covering over 150 sq miles of prime Bear territory.
Q. How many hunters per week do you book?
We book no more than 12 hunters per week with a guide to hunter ratio of 1:4.
Q. Care of my bear?
We will skin, quarter, and freeze the meat and hide to prepare for transportation. Butchering table is available if you want to bone or further process your meat. Be sure to bring a big cooler. Recommend 150qt cooler to accommodate a big bear & hide.
Q. What are the best weeks to hunt?
Every week has it's advantages and some dis-advantages. 1st week obviously there are more Bears in the woods. The following weeks advantages are the woods get a lot quieter as there are less ATV enthusiasts riding around, it tends to be a bit cooler, the bears have put on more weight.
Q. What is the success rate?
Success rates are very high and are determined on the skill of our hunters. We have been baiting for 4 weeks prior to opening day. By the start of bear season all of our bait sites are very active and are being visited by more than one bear.. Once we put a hunter in the stand, we have no control over what that hunter does. Their ability to sit still, be quiet and observant. We also cannot control their shooting capabilities. Out of a group of 12 sometimes one won't see a bear all week and 1 or 2 will either wound or completely miss a bear.
Q. Is the guide with me at all times while hunting?
Your guide will take you to your stand, bait your site and then leave. All the guides will then do whatever chores we have lwith other bait sites and then each guide parks on high ground somewhere so that we have complete radio coverage of the hunting area for when someone calls.
Q. What kind of weather can I expect?
Most years you can expect temps in the upper 70's during the day and down to the mid to upper 40's at night.
But..... Maine weather that time of year can be unpredictable. There could be frost on the ground in the morning and be 90 degrees by noon. It generally cools down towards dusk enough for a light jacket.
