Maine Youth Bear Hunting Day This Weekend

Maine's young hunters will get a jump start on the upcoming bear season this weekend.

The bear season will start early for youth hunters. Maine Youth Bear Hunting Day is Saturday, August 28. Only junior hunters who hold a valid junior hunting license can participate in special youth hunting days. Season bag limits still apply.

Maine's bear hunting season opens to all August 30. The three-month season is one of the longest bear hunting seasons in the country. The season is divided into four segments as to how hunters can harvest bear. Hunters can hunt with bait from August 30-September 25, hunting with dogs from September 13-October 29, trapping September 1-October 31, and hunters can hunt or stalk bear from August 30 to November 27.

Maine is home to one of the largest bear populations in the country, with an estimated population of over 35,000. Only about 25% of all bear hunters are successful.

Biologists remind successful hunters it's mandatory to submit a tooth from their bear when registering.