Get ready for hunting season!





Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






Bear hunting season begins with Youth Day on August 24?

Bear Photo by Paul Cyr

Photo Credit - Paul Cyr

Your first hunt is always memorable... and the mentors who have helped you along the way are unforgettable. Youth days are a great opportunity to share your passion and knowledge with a youth hunter and help them foster a greater connection to Maine's natural resources.?

As you make final preparations for the big day, here are a few tips and reminders:?


* Go over proper firearm handling and safety well before heading afield. Be sure to take them to the range to experience shooting, ask questions, and discuss any concerns that they may have.
* Consider using ?lighter? caliber guns for less recoil and a better overall experience for the hunter. Shooting rests, sticks, tripods, etc. can help to steady the aim of the hunter resulting in greater accuracy and more confidence.
* Before the actual day of the hunt, visit the location, evaluate the terrain, and discuss some of the likely scenarios they may encounter.
* Check the weather before heading out and make sure that they have proper clothing. Layers are always a great way to better ready for whatever mother nature may have in store.
* Don?t put too much emphasis on the harvest. A successful hunt is just getting out in the outdoors, learning, and spending time together.
* Consider shortening the day or taking breaks to enhance the experience. Remember sometimes less is more.
* Last but not least, have fun! Pack their favorite snacks and share some of your favorite hunting memories.

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*Understand the Season Bag Limit*

The Youth Bear Hunt (August 24) is a special hunting day for licensed junior hunters to hunt bears with archery equipment or firearms. Junior hunters can hunt anywhere in the state, but dogs are not permitted. Hunting over bait or still hunting is allowed. Hunters are also limited to two bears per year, one by hunting and one by trapping.?


* Junior hunters do not need to obtain a bear hunting permit as they are included in the license.
* Hunters from 10?15 years of age must be in the presence of, and under the effective control of, a junior hunter supervisor.
* Hunters under the age of 10 must be in the presence of, and under the effective control of, a junior hunter supervisor who remains at all times within 20 feet of the hunter.
* A "Junior Hunter Supervisor" means:
* The parent or guardian of the junior hunter who holds or has held a valid Maine hunting license or successfully completed a hunter safety course.
* A person 18 years of age or older who:
* Is approved by the parent or guardian of the junior hunter; and
* Holds or has held a valid Maine hunting license or successfully completed a hunter safety course.


* The accompanying parent, guardian or qualified adult, shall not possess a firearm, bow and arrow or crossbow.
* Bear harvested during the Youth Bear Hunt count toward the annual bag limit.?

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Frequently Asked Questions

*Who can go hunting during the Youth Bear Hunt?
*Junior hunters who hold a valid junior hunting license (including a lifetime license) can participate in special youth hunting days for bear, deer, spring and fall wild turkey, and migratory waterfowl with their junior hunter supervisor.

*What ages can hold a junior hunting license??*
All children that have not yet reached their 16th birthday must have a junior hunting license to hunt. There is no minimum age to purchase a junior hunting license.

After a junior hunter?s 16th birthday, they may continue to hunt on their junior license for the remainder of the calendar year with or without taking the hunter safety course. If the junior hunter does take the hunter safety course it must be appropriate for the method in which they intend to hunt with. He or she may then hunt without supervision and keep all the junior hunter permits but must carry their valid junior hunting license as well as their hunter safety card.

*Can nonresidents participate in the Youth Bear Hunt?*
Yes, the Youth Bear Hunt is open to anyone under the age of 16 that has a valid Junior Hunting License, and those who hold a valid Junior License that turned 16 this calendar year.

*If a junior hunter wounds a bear during the Youth Bear Hunt, can the adult supervisor dispatch the deer?*
No, the junior hunter is responsible for dispatching the deer. If they are not comfortable with dispatching a bear, they should wait until they feel like they are fully capable of dispatching a bear.

*Can an adult supervisor carry hunting equipment during the Youth Bear Hunt?
*No, the adult supervisor cannot carry any means to kill during the Youth Bear Hunt while supervising a junior hunter. Note, this does not apply to a sidearm for protection.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]






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More Information

Purchase a hunting license or permit online [ [link removed] ]
Plan your hunt [ [link removed] ]
Find a place to hunt [ [link removed] ]
Search Maine's hunting laws [ [link removed] ]
Hunting with nonlead ammunition [ [link removed] ]








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ?41 State House Station ? Augusta, ME 04333-0041 ? (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]