When most folks think of November in Maine the season that comes to mind is firearms season for deer. These four weeks are what many of us wait for all year long. Sure, spring gobbler is fun and open water fishing is a fine way to spend late spring and early summer, all the while waiting for autumn and hunting season to begin. Bear over bait leads the way into hunting season and after a fast and furious four weeks, we transition into the moose seasons seamlessly. And while deer season really gets going in October for archers, I don’t see that much activity in my neck of the north woods. The habitat and terrain just isn’t as suitable for bow hunting as it is down state. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy all seasons throughout the year but for me, November is the star of the show. Big game hunting is my passion and what more can you ask for than to pursue big Maine whitetails and black bear at the same time?
Bear hunting in November is highly under rated and I believe a lot of hunters are missing out on a great opportunity. Some hunters do not even realize that black bear are still open through firearm season for deer. Maine residents can hunt bear without a bear permit under their regular firearm hunting license throughout deer firearm season; Nonresidents only need their hunting license and the $40 late season November bear permit. During this season, no bait is allowed and hounding season is also closed – it is strictly a fair chase hunt. And that is what makes it such an exciting and challenging endeavor.
It is important to note that very few bears are taken during the fair chase season; bait hunting and hounding make up the lion’s share of harvested bears in Maine. That doesn’t mean it cannot be done however. If you treat the fair chase bear season as you do deer season, you’ll see that it isn’t very different. Locating good habitat and known areas that hold bear is where to start, just as you would while hunting deer. Natural food sources are key, as bait stations have dried up and bear still out and roaming for winter fat stores will be seeking anything with nutritional value to gorge on. Grown over apple orchards that provide cover and a plethora of fallen apples are a gold mine for both deer and bear in November. Harvested crop fields, especially corn, that transition to wooded edges near water are also hot spots for late season bears.
Another reason I love late season bear hunting is the quality of the bears. By now, most sows and their cubs have sought their dens thereby removing them from the off chance of taking a nursing sow by accident. Most bears you’ll encounter this time of year are big boars and after a season of consuming bait and feasting in preparation for winter, they are likely to be at their heaviest weight of the year. Many times over the years while tracking whitetail after a fresh snowfall, I have cut bear tracks in the powder – big tracks. It is a misnomer that bears scare away deer, just like the myth that where you see moose you will not see deer. I have bear, deer, moose, bobcat, coyote and foxes on camera in the same habitat and even at the same stand sites.
When you get ready to set your tree stand this month, take a little extra time to consider the habitat and the possibility of a dual species hunt. When you show up at the game tagging station with a fair chase bear, you’ll be the talk of the town.