by Bill Graves
With the end of July comes the Northern Maine Fair and the beginning of bear baiting season. The downside to those two events is that summer is quickly winding down, while the upside is an influx to the local economy. A notable decrease in the County whitetail deer population and a moratorium on doe permits has greatly reduced local guide and outfitter revenue from non-resident sportsmen. Out of state bear and moose hunters have to fill in the void, and fortunately the Crown of Maine abounds with both quarry.
Contributed photo
This broad-shouldered bruin knew something wasn’t just right with the ground blind hiding the author as he took photos, and he showed real attitude while inspecting the portable shelter.
Black bear continue to be so prevalent they create problems with homeowner’s bird feeders, garbage, and barbecue grills during the spring when natural food sources are scarce. An inordinate number of nuisance bear had to be live trapped, transported and relocated from around local residences. The up side for area outdoorsmen is that the September season on bruins should be very productive. Even first-timers and novice bear hunters should experience some degree of success.
Bear can be taken using dogs to track and tree, by hunting over natural bait, with snares, and by setting up a man-made bait site. Rifles, shotguns, handguns, muzzleloaders, bows and crossbows are legal weapons. Bagging a bruin over natural bait is no easy chore and setting up an artificial bait station requires a good deal of time, effort and patience.
The first three crucial steps to any bear hunt include obtaining landowner permission, selecting a hunting location, and deciding on the style of firearm or bow that offers a satisfying combination of challenge and success. Over the last twelve years I’ve tagged a dozen bear, two using a black powder rifle and 10 with a variety of handguns, a different style, caliber and manufacturer each of those seasons.
Natural bait hunters need to do a lot of pre-season scouting to locate an apple orchard, pasture, or grain field where bear frequently feed. Pinpoint their habits; feeding times and locations and particularly entrance and exit trails. Set up a tree stand, portable ground blind or build a hide from natural cover near feeding or travel spots a week or two prior to opening day. Then it’s just a waiting game.
Even for rookie bear baiters, setting up a maintained bait site is fairly simple, in most cases there’s a likely location within 5 or 10 minutes of your house. After getting access permission scout for a spot near some water source, a brook, bog, or pond, and away from traveled road and ATV trails. Remember, you still need to be close enough to a field road or logging trail to park and carry in bait regularly.
Select a densely forested spot, too open and the bear may only feed at night. Be sure there’s a location for a ground blind, or better yet a tree stand within easy shooting range. Tree stands are always preferred as they offer a better view and disperse most human scent above the ground. Wire a small barrel or 5-gallon bucket to a tree so it can’t be carried off. Some hunters use an old car tire and just pour bait in the center hole while others put bait in plastic grocery bags and hang them from a tree limb so only a bear standing on hind legs can get the bait inside.
Proper use of a cover scent or human scent blockers are essential while hunting, but just as important are attractant scents to draw bear to a bait site. Aromatic smells provided from pieces of foam soaked in anise oil, doing a honey burn, or spraying a commercially created attractant will carry for literally miles on the wind. A company called Bear Scents LLC offers dozens of sprays and hanging bait balls that disperse fragrant aromas bear just have to investigate. Check the local sporting goods stores or go on-line to check out Bear Scent products.
It might take a week or 10 days for the first bear to find a bait, but it might only be a day or two. Then it’s a matter of waiting for opening day if you’re a hunter, or photographers can use their stand or blinds any time.
Bear season is only 30 days away and baiting begins the 30th of July, and whether you’re watching or hunting there’s lots of bruin and plenty of excitement to be had.
