[haveuseen1]

I may have the opportunity this year to bear hunt in the Merill area. Any thing you guys can offer for advice on the area?

-Chris

 

[John Porter]

Can you tell me if your hunting with a outfitter or over existing baits? The town of Merrill should be a good bet seeing it is just south of Houlton on Rt2. 250 people reside in Merrill so one could say that there should be plenty of woods.

 

[haveuseen1]

It is a friends hunting camp that is there. They dont bait for the bears, they generally deer hunt. He said they see a fair amount of bear sign but he has never really tried to hunt them. Any help would be great, and tips of course would be welcome.

-Chris

 

[John Porter]

I'll dig into my archive of articles and try and find the article I wrote oon baiting bears.... I am available to help you set up your baits when the time comes.

 

[Moose]

If your plan is to hunt bears without baiting it can be done. Now just because bear sign is being seen that does not mean that durring the bear season that is a great place to hunt. Bears are ruled by their stomach so you need to figure out what they are eating during the time you plan to hunt. Beachnuts on a year they produce well are a good bet. That will involve you knowing the lay of the land and if there are any beach nuts on it. Other mast crops like apples and blackberries are good but unless you have them in some quanity the bears can hit them and wipe them out as soon as they are ripe.
Good Luck. I'm seeing if I can't work out a trip back up to Aroostook County and tag a bear this fall.

 

[aroostookbasser]

Hey....Merril is huge on bears !!!!!!! Your best bet is to bait...but look for oaks and acorns.........then try a varmint call if you see one out of range.

 

[haveuseen1]

I will try to get more information. I do remember him talking about the bears throw up apples, and you can find this pretty easily. I did not know that bears did this. Is this common? Thanks for all help to this point.

-Chris

 

[Moose]

The bulimic black bear rare to find in Northern Maine found more in California in the hills around Hollywood while they wait for the next Disney film. :lol:

 

[John Porter]

Are you sure this is thrown up apples? I have seen where a bear heading north left a huge pile of apples that exited the south end. This looked as fresh as all get out but my buddy wouldn't taste them.. What I am saying is a bear is a pig, they eat alot and don't digest it. If it is vomit, its due to having bears compete for food, so a bear consumes as much as possible, then vomits and continues to eat.

 

[aroostookbasser]

Who cares if their gluttons? .........just hunt the apples if they are feeding in them......and use calls if you dare!!! Try a honey burn to draw the lazy ones out!!!!!