“That’s not real hunting – it’s like shooting fish in a barrel.”

If you hunt bears over bait in Maine, you’ve heard this criticism. It’s time to address the misconceptions head-on.

Bear baiting isn’t a guarantee. Maine’s bear hunting success rates hover around 25 to 30 percent, even with bait allowed. Bears can detect human scent from hundreds of yards away and abandon active bait sites without warning. Many hunters never see a bear despite weeks of preparation.

Bait hunting requires the same core skills as any other method – reading terrain, understanding wind patterns and selecting proper locations. And the work is considerable – hunters spend weeks hauling 40-pound buckets through thick woods, placing stands and monitoring sites.

Bait doesn’t make bears dependent. In fall, they fe

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