Maine's Bear Hunting Season Begins

After youth hunters got an early start over the weekend, bear hunting season in Maine has started.

Maine's bear hunting season is underway. 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.