Bear Hunting Camps in Maine

Maine has a thriving bear population.

In 1980, bear hunting was suspended in Maine because the State was concerned that hunters were killing too many bears. Today the number of bears is conservatively estimated to be 23,000 and hunters aren't shooting enough of them, according to the Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Over Bait

Hunting over bait is legal in Maine and many bear camps use bait to attract bears for their clients since hunters are more likely to go home with a bear this way. Oxbow Lodge, located in northern Maine's Aroostook County, typically sends over 50 percent of their hunters home with a bear, according to their website. L & H Bearhunt in Caribou caters to bow hunters who want to hunt over bait and Birch Hill Camps, located in northeastern Maine near the Canadian border, offers guests a chance to hunt with either rifle or bow.

With Hounds

Some camps offer hunters the chance to hunt with hounds. Hillside Guide Service and Game Ranch in Aurora, ME is the largest game ranch in New England and home to Beede's Famous Hounds. Barry Guide Service also offers a chance to hunt with dogs, and says that open sight rifles should be .30 caliber or greater for this type of hunting.

Spring Hunts

Eastern Ridge Adventures offers black bear hunters the chance to hunt in the spring. They hold exclusive rights to hunt Passamaquoddy Indian Land and their Spring hunting package includes the Passamaquoddy hunting license, which is the only permit that's required. Only three to six hunters are accepted each week of the season.

References

• Oxbow Lodge: Maine Bear Hunting FAQ
• Bear Hunt Maine: L & H Bearhunts
• Hillside Guide Service and Game Ranch
• Barry Guide Service
• Eastern Ridge Adventures

Resources

• Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: Bear Hunting
• The Maine Professional Guides Association