02-05-2004, 04:31 AM
To achieve publicly designed bear population objectives, we need to harvest about 3,500-4,000 bears annually. From 1999-2002, Maine’s bear harvest has averaged 3,712. Since 1999, 78% of the bear kill came by using bait, 10% by using hounds, 2% by trapping and 10% incidental to the deer season. Our survey data shows us that about 25% of bear hunters are successful each year. By contrast, in 2003, moose hunters averaged an 80% success rate, turkey hunters were successful 36%, and in 2002, 22% of the deer hunters were successful.
[signature]
[signature]