Maine Bear Hunt

[lonewolf54]

I will be leaving for Maine on the 23rd of Aug for my first Maine bear hunt we will be hunting out of Grindstone just north of Medway. Can anyone tell me what to expect or how the hunting is in that area. We will be hunting over bait. Any advice or tips would be helpful....... Thanks

[shooter]

Lonewolf54,
               Dont smoke on stand/dont get down and urinate either.Stay put,when you think you're being stealthy and barely moving-slow down more.I recommend camo from head to toe,expecially the face and hands.Search with your eyes 1st then ever  slowly move your head in slow-motion scans checking for bears coming to your bait.If it gets real quiet or you hear a twig snap,be on alert...but he may still take an hour to come in.A bear may be sitting several hundreds yards back in the woods waiting for your guide to deliver dinner(while you get into stand).The bear will then often circle the bait far back in the woods out of sight scenting for larger bears or humans.I did all this for 3 nights then a tried something different.Instead of my guide dropping me off  at the  stand,i had him drop me off 1/2 mile down the road and i still hunted into the stand and quietly got in it.I used this method to shoot my 1st bear in 2001.Im going back this sept 15th to try it with hounds and a pistol....should be a hoot !!I dont eat/smoke /urinate /cough or anything else on stand...be like a statue ,watch the wildlife,a pine martin was on my baits seconds before my bear showed.When he got out of there quick,combined with a twig snap 20 min earlier i knew i had company...good luck and be safe.                                                       shoter :-)

[Kathy-Fish River Lodge]

 The only thing I would add is check with the one person who will always tell you the truth and find out if you have a habit that might spoil your hunt.  Such as nervous cough, cigarette cough.  Clearing throat, etc.  We had a hunter once who had a post nasal drip.  He constantly cleared his throat but never knew it.  Needless to say he did not see a bear.

Be aware that a bear will wait in the woods and click his teeth together.  It sounds like two rocks being hit together.  I had one do it the other day while baiting.  Rather scary sound when you know what it is.  Be aware and be cool.

Good luck to you.