Code of Maine Rules
09 - DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE
137 - DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE - GENERAL
Chapter 16 - HUNTING
Section 137-16-09 - Bear Hunting

Universal Citation: 09 ME Code Rules ยง 137-16-09

Current through 2024-38, September 18, 2024

1. General Season

2. Youth Bear Hunting Day

3. Bear Baiting Season

4. Bear Hunting Season with the use of Dogs

5. Bear Bag and Possession Limit

1. General Bear Hunting Season: There shall be an open season on hunting bear annually from the first Monday preceding September 1st to the last day of the regular firearms season on deer, but no later than November 30th.

2. "Youth Bear Hunting Day": There shall be a youth bear hunting day on the Saturday prior to the opening day of the bear hunting season established under Title 1 2 §11251 subsection 1, paragraph A.

A. Who may participate and methods allowed: On the designated youth bear hunting day, holders of a junior hunting license may hunt bear with either a firearm or archery equipment and must be in the presence of and under the effective control of a junior hunter supervisor as defined by Title 12 §11108-C.

B. Supervision of a youth hunter: A junior hunter supervisor accompanying a youth on youth bear hunting day may not possess a firearm or archery equipment while the youth is participating in the bear hunt except that the supervisor may carry a handgun pursuant to 25 M.R.S.§2001-A, sub-§2, ¶A-1 but it may not be for the purpose of hunting.

C. The use of dogs is prohibited.

D. Laws that apply on this day: Except as otherwise provided, all laws pertaining to the general bear hunting season established within these rules apply on this day.

3. Bear Baiting Season: There shall be an open season during which bait may be used to hunt bear annually from the first Monday preceding September 1st running for 4 weeks. For the purposes of this rule, hunting bear with the use of bait includes hunting from an observation stand, blind or other location which overlooks any bait or food; except standing crops and foods that have been left as a result of normal agricultural operations or natural occurrence.

4. Bear Hunting Season with the Use of Dogs: There shall be an open season on using a dog or dogs in conjunction with bear hunting starting on the 3rd Monday of the open bear hunting season and running through the Friday preceding the regular deer hunting season.

5. Bear Bag and Possession Limit: The bag limit on bears taken by hunting is one bear per year. A person may not hunt bear after that person has killed or registered a bear by hunting during that calendar year. A person may not possess more than 2 bears in any calendar year, except a person may keep more than two legally obtained bear in that person's home or as otherwise provided in law.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Maine may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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