Bear Hunting Season in Maine: Dates, Licenses, Zones, and Regulations

Maine holds one of the largest black bear populations in the eastern United States, and its multi-method season structure sets it apart from nearly every other state in the region. Whether you plan to hunt over bait, run dogs, or still-hunt during the firearms deer season, knowing the exact rules before you head into the woods is what separates a legal, successful hunt from a costly mistake.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about bear hunting season in Maine — from the only species you can legally pursue to season dates, license costs, legal methods, bag limits, harvest reporting, zone boundaries, and field-proven tips for putting a bear on the ground.

Bear Species You Can Hunt in Maine

Maine is home to one huntable bear species: the American black bear (Ursus americanus). No other bear species is present in the state, and no other bear may be legally taken.

Maine is a premier destination for big game hunters, offering some of the best black bear hunting in the eastern United States. The state’s vast undeveloped forests — over 10 million acres of organized territories — create exceptional habitat for this prized species. Black bears thrive across Maine’s northern and western regions, where dense softwood cover, abundant natural food sources, and vast stretches of working timberland provide ideal year-round habitat.

Maine offers some of the best black bear hunting in the East, with healthy populations and multiple methods available, including baiting and hounding where allowed. The state’s bear population supports a robust hunting program managed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), which sets season dates, harvest quotas, and method-specific rules each year to keep the population sustainable.

Key Insight: Maine’s black bear population is one of the most actively managed in the Northeast. Always check the current MDIFW regulations at maine.gov/ifw before each season, as population data can influence zone-level adjustments year to year.

Bear Hunting Season Dates in Maine

Maine structures its bear season around four distinct hunting opportunities, each with its own window and method restrictions. The Youth Bear Hunting Day is a single day on Saturday, August 23, 2025, followed by the General Hunting Season, which runs from Monday, August 25, 2025, to Saturday, November 29, 2025, lasting 97 days.

Within the general season, three method-specific sub-seasons apply with tighter date windows. The Hunting with Bait season runs August 25 through September 20, 2025. Bear Trapping runs September 1 through October 31, 2025. Hunting with Dogs runs September 8 through October 31, 2025.

Bears may also be taken incidentally during the concurrent firearms deer season in November, making that late-season window a secondary opportunity for hunters already in the field. The baiting season runs August 25 through September 20, hound hunting for bear is legal September 8 through October 31, and bears can also be taken during the concurrent firearms deer season.

Season / Method	Dates (2025)	Notes
Youth Bear Day	August 23, 2025	Youth hunters only; one day
General Hunting Season	August 25 – November 29, 2025	97 days; all legal methods
Hunting with Bait	August 25 – September 20, 2025	Bait placement begins 30 days prior to season open
Bear Trapping	September 1 – October 31, 2025	Separate trapping permit required
Hunting with Dogs	September 8 – October 31, 2025	Dog Training and Hunting Permit required

The legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Note that Maine prohibits Sunday hunting, so deer, bear, turkey, and other seasons run Monday through Saturday only. That rule affects planning for both residents and non-residents who are used to full weekend hunting in other states.

If you are also planning a deer hunting season in Maine, keep in mind that the late bear season overlaps directly with the November firearms deer season, giving you the chance to pursue both species simultaneously.

Bear Hunting Licenses and Tags in Maine

Hunting bear in Maine requires both a base hunting license and a species-specific bear permit. A Maine resident or non-resident hunting license is required as well as a bear permit. You cannot legally pursue bears on a small game license alone.

Bear permits cost $10 for residents; non-resident bear hunting with bait or hounds requires a $74 non-resident Bear Permit. Some third-party sources have listed slightly different figures, so always verify current fees directly with MDIFW before purchasing. Hunting licenses are valid for one calendar year, starting January 1 (or on the date of purchase if after January 1). The type of license you need depends upon your age, whether you are a Maine resident or nonresident, hunting method, and other factors.

If you plan to hunt with dogs, an additional permit is required. A Dog Training and Hunting Permit ($12) is required if using dogs for bear, bobcat, coyote, raccoon, or fox. Non-residents using dogs must hunt with a registered Maine guide (certain exceptions apply).

Non-residents must employ, and hunt in the presence of, a resident Maine guide in order to hunt bears with dogs. If the nonresident is a licensed Maine guide, they may hunt bears with dogs themselves, and may guide residents, but cannot guide non-residents.

Residents and non-residents may obtain hunting licenses from the MDIFW office in Augusta, or online. Licenses can also be purchased from agents throughout the state, including sporting goods stores, many convenience stores, town clerks, and turnpike service centers.

Important Note: All hunters born after January 1, 1976 must show proof of hunter safety completion. Maine accepts hunter safety certification completed in other states and provinces, so bring your documentation.

Maine also offers a resident Super Pack license that bundles bear hunting with most other permits. A Super Pack license is only available for Maine residents at a yearly cost of $212. This license covers the licensee for hunting, fishing, archery, spring/fall turkey, muzzleloader, migratory waterfowl (state stamp), pheasant, bear hunting, coyote night hunt, one either-sex expanded archery permit, and three expanded archery antlerless permits.

For hunters interested in other Maine seasons, check out the turkey hunting season in Maine guide for permit details on that species as well.

Legal Methods and Weapons for Bear Hunting in Maine

Maine offers unique bear hunting opportunities that you won’t find in most other states. Three distinct methods provide different experiences and challenges. Each method comes with its own rules, date windows, and permit requirements.

Hunting Over Bait

Baiting is one of Maine’s most popular and productive bear hunting methods. Bait may be placed up to 30 days prior to opening day of the bear bait hunting season and no later than October 31. Bait areas must be cleaned up by November 10. Bait can be used to assist dog hunters and trappers, but it is illegal to shoot a bear over bait after the close of the bait season.

Strict placement rules govern where and how bait can be set. Bait may not be placed to entice, hunt, or trap a black bear unless: the bait is placed at least 50 yards from any travel way accessible by a conventional 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive vehicle; the observation stand, blind, or bait area is plainly labeled with a 2-inch by 4-inch tag with the name and address of the baiter; the bait is placed more than 500 yards from any solid waste disposal site or campground; and the bait is placed more than 500 yards from an occupied dwelling, unless written permission is granted by the owner or tenant.

Hunting with Dogs

Hound hunting for bear is a long-standing Maine tradition with a dedicated following. The dog season runs September 8 through October 31, 2025. The total number of nonresident clients hunting bears with dogs with a licensed resident Maine guide may not exceed five.

Still Hunting and Firearms

Bears taken during the general season or the concurrent November firearms deer season may be pursued by still hunting, stalking, or stand hunting without bait. All standard legal firearms, archery equipment, and crossbows permitted for big game hunting in Maine are legal for bear during their respective open seasons.

Bear Trapping

Trapping is a separate method governed by its own permit. The bear trapping season runs September 1 through October 31, 2025. Qualified landowners may hunt bears on their own land without a big game license, but are required to have a valid bear hunting permit.

Pro Tip: If you plan to place bait on a wildlife management area, additional authorization is required. If placing bait on a wildlife management area, you need to secure a permit from MDIFW. To apply for a bear baiting permit, contact the wildlife biologist in your administrative region.

Hunters in other states may want to compare regulations — see guides for hunting laws in Virginia and hunting laws in Montana for how bear regulations differ across state lines.

Bag Limits and Harvest Reporting Requirements in Maine

Maine sets a clear annual bag limit for bear. The annual bag limit is 2 bears per year — 1 by hunting, 1 by trapping. You cannot take two bears by hunting alone; the second bear must come from trapping under a valid bear trap permit.

Maine ranks among the top black bear hunting destinations in the Northeast. The state’s two-bear annual limit (one by hunting, one by trapping) and multiple legal hunting methods including bait and dogs make it unique compared to most other states.

Harvest reporting is mandatory. You must register deer, bear, moose, and turkey within 18 hours at designated check stations. Failing to register your bear within this window is a violation of state law, regardless of where you are hunting or how remote your location. Plan your hunt with a nearby registration station in mind before you head out.

Method	Annual Limit	Reporting Deadline
Hunting (all legal methods)	1 bear per license year	Within 18 hours at a check station
Trapping	1 bear per license year	Within 18 hours at a check station
Combined total	2 bears per license year	Each animal reported separately

Common Mistake: Many hunters assume they can register their bear the following morning if they harvest late in the day. The 18-hour clock starts at the time of harvest — not at sunrise the next day. Identify your nearest check station before the hunt begins.

For a broader look at how harvest reporting requirements vary by state, the hunting laws in Minnesota and hunting laws in Idaho guides offer useful comparisons.

Bear Hunting Zones and Units in Maine

Maine is divided into 29 Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) to help with management recommendations. These districts govern season structures, bag limits, and method-specific rules for bear and other species. Knowing your WMD before you hunt is not optional — regulations can differ meaningfully from one district to the next.

Maine divides its territory into Wildlife Management Districts (WMDs) to effectively regulate wildlife populations. These zones help biologists establish appropriate harvest levels based on local conditions and population densities.

Bear are distributed across most of Maine’s WMDs, with the highest concentrations found in the north and west. The Western Mountains region is ideal for deer and bear hunting. Northern districts such as those covering Aroostook, Piscataquis, and Somerset counties consistently produce strong bear numbers due to vast unbroken forest cover and lower hunting pressure per acre.

Black bear hunting with bait and hounds is a long-standing Maine tradition with professional guides available throughout the western mountains. If you are hunting the northern districts, be aware that access to much of the land is managed through fee-based systems. Maine’s North Woods and other working forestlands provide major hunting access, but access is not uniform. The North Maine Woods organization manages access on part of the privately owned timberland system through a fee-based permit system.

Study the Wildlife Management District boundaries where you plan to hunt, as regulations can vary significantly between zones. The MDIFW publishes detailed WMD maps on its website, and printed copies are available through licensing agents throughout the state.

Hunters planning multi-state trips may also find it useful to review hunting laws in Arkansas or hunting laws in Tennessee for comparison with Maine’s zone-based approach.

Tips for a Successful Bear Hunt in Maine

Maine’s bear season offers a wide range of tactics across a nearly four-month window. Getting the most out of it requires preparation well before opening day.

Time Your Bait Hunt for the Early Season

Hunt bear over bait in Piscataquis County during the August-September window before leaves fall; early season bears are focused on pre-denning food sources near clear-cuts. The early bait season — the first two to three weeks of September — is widely considered the most productive window. Foliage is still thick, bears are actively feeding to build fat reserves, and natural food sources like berries and beechnuts are at their peak. Bears move more predictably to established bait sites before hard mast becomes widely available in October.

Understand Bait Site Placement Rules Before You Set Up

Setting up a bait site incorrectly can cost you your harvest and your license. Review the 500-yard dwelling and campground setback rules, the 50-yard road setback requirement, and the tagging requirements for your stand or blind before you place a single piece of bait. The person placing bait on another person’s land must have the landowner’s permission, either oral or in writing. Get that permission documented before the season opens.

Scout Your WMD in Advance

Scout your hunting area in advance to identify game trails and feeding areas. Bear sign — claw marks on trees, rolled logs, overturned rocks, and scat — concentrates in areas with active food sources. Clear-cuts two to five years old, blueberry fields, and beech ridges are prime locations to find feeding sign in late summer and early fall.

Know the Guide Requirements Before You Book

If you are a non-resident planning to hunt with dogs, hiring a licensed Maine guide is not just a good idea — it is the law. Non-residents must employ, and hunt in the presence of, a resident Maine guide in order to hunt bears with dogs. Verify your guide’s license status through MDIFW before booking and confirm they are familiar with the specific WMD you plan to hunt.

Plan Around the Sunday Closure

There is no hunting on Sundays in Maine. This applies to every species, every season, residents and non-residents alike. If you are traveling from out of state and planning a week-long hunt, build your travel and scouting days around Sundays to avoid losing field time. A six-day hunting week is the reality in Maine, so plan accordingly.

Prepare for Remote Conditions

Check the weather and pack accordingly, as Maine’s climate can vary greatly. Scout your hunting area in advance to identify game trails and feeding areas. Practice ethical hunting by taking clean shots and respecting wildlife. Carry a map, compass, or GPS device, as cell service can be limited in remote areas.

Pro Tip: Hunt bear over bait in Piscataquis County during the August-September window before leaves fall; early season bears are focused on pre-denning food sources near clear-cuts. This county sits in the heart of prime Maine bear country and consistently produces quality harvests for hunters who put in the scouting work before season opens.

Register Your Bear Immediately

Once you’ve made your harvest, the clock is running. You have 18 hours to reach a check station. Before heading afield, always verify current regulations, obtain appropriate licensing, and understand the boundaries of your chosen wildlife management district. Knowing the location of your nearest check station before you leave the trailhead is one of the simplest things you can do to protect your harvest and stay compliant.

For additional hunting resources in the region, explore the hunting laws in Ohio, hunting laws in Indiana, and hunting laws in South Carolina guides. If you’re also interested in waterfowl seasons, the goose hunting season in Minnesota and goose hunting season in Wisconsin pages offer detailed regional comparisons. You may also want to review dog leash laws in Maine if you plan to run hounds during the bear season, as some public land areas have specific rules governing dogs.