AUGUSTA (AP) — A GOP lawmaker in Maine wants to allow adults to carry a firearm while hunting bears with kids. Currently, licensed junior hunters can hunt bear with a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow on Maine’s youth bear hunting day. But parent, guardians and adult supervisors aren’t allowed to hold a firearm while […]
bear hunt
Posted inLocal Sports
Outdoors in Maine: Expected big bear harvest a boon for state
Maine’s annual bear hunt begins in about a month. Maine has a large and healthy black bear population. Eclipsed only by our November deer hunt, the early fall hunt for black bears has become a major contributor to the state’s rural economy. Guided bear hunts in early September by nonresident hunters comprise the largest proportion […]
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Posted inLocal Sports
Outdoors in Maine: The aftermath of the bear hunting referendum
Well, we can heave a sigh of relief. Maine bear hunting, as we know it, survived Round Two of another well-funded and well-organized assault from the antihunting factions of this country. Who is “we”? Bear guides and outfitters? Yes, they make up part of the “we.” But there is more to it. Much more. Although […]
Posted inLetters
L. Lyons: A sad day for many
I am very disappointed that the majority of voters in the great state of Maine voted to continue torturing bears for fun. There’s no sugar coating it. Cruelty to animals is against the law, punishable by fines and, in the most severe cases, jail time. I guess the law protects only some animals. Where is […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bear hounding season begins before vote
PORTLAND — Maine’s black bear hounding season is set to begin nine weeks before a referendum that could ban the hunting of bears with dogs. The state’s bear hounding season runs from Monday to Oct. 31. Hunting bears with dogs is one of three methods voters could ban in a November vote. The other two […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Bear hunt begins Monday
RUMFORD — Maine’s black bear hunting season starts at 5:19 a.m. on Monday for those who stalk or still-hunt and use bait. Bait season runs through Sept. 20, whereas stalking season ends on Nov. 29, the same day the regular firearms season for deer ends. Bear trapping season runs from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31 […]
Posted inLetters
C. Avis: Their logic escapes me
The logic used by opponents to fair chase bear hunting is puzzling at best. They simultaneously argue that without unsportsmanlike methods for finding bears, the bears will (1) be impossible to locate and (2) overtake the state. So, will the bears be everywhere (which is unlikely) or will they be nowhere? If the bears will […]
Posted inLetters
In rebuttal, K. Hansberry: A better way to hunt bears
Rather than defend the inhumane and unsporting practices of bear hounding, baiting and trapping, state Rep. Ellie Espling, R-New Gloucester, resorted to attacking a well-respected national charity (Sept. 22). Established watchdog entities such as the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator give The Humane Society of the United States top marks. We […]
Posted inLocal Sports
Outdoors in Maine: Maine’s bear hunt
Maine’s annual bear hunt began this year on August 26 and runs through November 30. It is legal to hunt bears over bait this year from August 29 to September 21. Houndsmen may hunt bear with dogs from September 9 to November 1. Trappers can harvest a bear in September and October. Maine has a […]