Maine bait hunt question?

Joined
Oct 1, 2021
Messages
60
I have a hunt booked with Tomaha Mountain outfitters in Maine this September. Besides a ThermaCELL and flashlight is there anything else I need? I've been reading the regulations some. Looks like I don't need Blaze orange. Anything you guys think I need or need to know? Thanks
 
I've been bear hunting in Maine since 2021. Actually around 45 minutes away from where you are going. There's a good amount of bear in that region, although they only average 125-150#. If you are hunting with an outfitter, you should really just have to show up with a sighted in rifle or bow and they handle the rest. No, blaze orange is not required. Camo isn't even necessary. I shot a 275# sow last year in a 18 foot ladder stand wearing blue gym shorts and a white t shirt. The bear know that you are there and don't care what you are wearing. You need a non resident hunting license and a bear tag. Should be around $180 total. Bugs can be hit or miss depending on wind and temperature. The first year I hunted, there wasn't a single mosquito bothering me in the tree stand. The year after, I couldn't sit still and was constantly trying to swat them away. This past year, no bugs either. Nonetheless, can't hurt to bring a thermacell. It can get cold in September in the evenings so bring an extra layer just in case. A headlight is better than a flashlight but your guide should be picking you up from your stand and helping you retrieve your kill so really not necessary, but never a bad idea to have a flashlight in the woods. Legal hunting ends 30 minutes after sunset and it will be close to pitch dark leading up to that. A scope with an illuminated reticle may be the difference between being able to even get a bear in your crosshairs. The bigger, mature bear come out as it gets darker. The smaller, younger bear come out early. If you've never hunted bear before, do some research on how to judge their size in comparison to the bait barrel and other anatomical features. Even a small bear can look huge, especially when you get your heart is racing. Don't shoot the first bear you see unless it is the last day and you don't want to leave empty handed. Can't think of much else. Good luck!
 
I've been bear hunting in Maine since 2021. Actually around 45 minutes away from where you are going. There's a good amount of bear in that region, although they only average 125-150#. If you are hunting with an outfitter, you should really just have to show up with a sighted in rifle or bow and they handle the rest. No, blaze orange is not required. Camo isn't even necessary. I shot a 275# sow last year in a 18 foot ladder stand wearing blue gym shorts and a white t shirt. The bear know that you are there and don't care what you are wearing. You need a non resident hunting license and a bear tag. Should be around $180 total. Bugs can be hit or miss depending on wind and temperature. The first year I hunted, there wasn't a single mosquito bothering me in the tree stand. The year after, I couldn't sit still and was constantly trying to swat them away. This past year, no bugs either. Nonetheless, can't hurt to bring a thermacell. It can get cold in September in the evenings so bring an extra layer just in case. A headlight is better than a flashlight but your guide should be picking you up from your stand and helping you retrieve your kill so really not necessary, but never a bad idea to have a flashlight in the woods. Legal hunting ends 30 minutes after sunset and it will be close to pitch dark leading up to that. A scope with an illuminated reticle may be the difference between being able to even get a bear in your crosshairs. The bigger, mature bear come out as it gets darker. The smaller, younger bear come out early. If you've never hunted bear before, do some research on how to judge their size in comparison to the bait barrel and other anatomical features. Even a small bear can look huge, especially when you get your heart is racing. Don't shoot the first bear you see unless it is the last day and you don't want to leave empty handed. Can't think of much else. Good luck!
Very good information, I've got a lighted reticle on my 308 and definitely planning on the ThermaCELL. I've killed a couple small bear here in TN 100-150 pounds. Looking for something slightly bigger 175-200 but won't scoff at a 150 pounder. We hunt with dogs here so it's my turn to experience something different. I'm super excited about seeing new country and the possibility of bear roasts!
 
I would bring a second thermocell, just in case. They are cheap enough to bring a second along. You will see bear, but the big ones will wait till very last light, so you may only have 10 minutes of shooting light to work with on a good bear. As far as judging bear, I always use the eyes as a deciding factor as they don't grow with the body, so the smaller the eyes look, the bigger the head. If they look like tiny M&M eyes, then its probably a larger bear. I have hunted Maine bear many times, and there are some slobs in those woods, you just have to hold out if you want a big one. I took a 340lb dressed boar in 2015 on the last day after passing up a good half dozen bears. Good luck
 
I went a couple of years ago. My experience is a little different, in regard to when the bears were moving. It was a heat wave, temps in the 90's. I saw bears on 4 out of the 5 days in afternoon/evening sits, but every single one of them was between 3pm and 6pm. I didn't see a single bear near sunset or dark. I shot just under a slob one afternoon around 40yds, and was perplexed as to why, since I was sighted in dead on at 50 yds. A trip to a pit and a target at 40 yds showed that I was ten inches low. Thanks, Leupold. We actually caught the shot on the trail cam, guide estimated it 350-400lbs. All of the other bears I saw were small, a few yearlings, and some others probably around 150lbs max.

Bugs were pretty bad that trip, we had to find mosquito nets to cover our faces, so the ThermoCell is a great plan.

Jeg and Rev covered just about everything. It's a lot like deer hunting in the midwest and southeast. Don't play on your phone once the sun starts to set. You can see it from a mile away, and so will the bears. My guide was talking about how many times in the last couple of years that he had headed out early to get someone for one reason or another, and as he's walking in, he sees the halo in the air from the glow of the phone screen. Those guys never saw any bears.
 
I'm baiting about 40-50 miles west of where you'll be. The bugs where I'm at are horrific this year. But that could just be the property I'm on. Just an FYI.

For clothing I bring a variety of stuff as I have no idea if it'll be 100 or 40. You might want rubber boots, but ask your guide. That's all I wear in Maine.

My second favorite Maine seafood shack is not on the coast and you might be driving near it. The eagle's nest in brewer Maine. It's not on the coast and it's like all locals. I've seen Mainers who've never been there going on about how it's the best lobster chowder they've ever had. I always get the platter if there are two of us. If you've never had fried scallops trust me and just get them. I thought they'd be a waste of good scallops and was like why until I tried some.

Good luck!
 
I'm baiting about 40-50 miles west of where you'll be. The bugs where I'm at are horrific this year. But that could just be the property I'm on. Just an FYI.

For clothing I bring a variety of stuff as I have no idea if it'll be 100 or 40. You might want rubber boots, but ask your guide. That's all I wear in Maine.

My second favorite Maine seafood shack is not on the coast and you might be driving near it. The eagle's nest in brewer Maine. It's not on the coast and it's like all locals. I've seen Mainers who've never been there going on about how it's the best lobster chowder they've ever had. I always get the platter if there are two of us. If you've never had fried scallops trust me and just get them. I thought they'd be a waste of good scallops and was like why until I tried some.

Good luck!
That's some really good info especially the seafood shack! If I tag out early my wife is wanting to explore some. Will definitely check it out!
 
Another question I have is what is a good tip for a guide? I haven't done a guided hunt in awhile and don't want to be cheap. Especially for a good guide.
 
Another question I have is what is a good tip for a guide? I haven't done a guided hunt in awhile and don't want to be cheap. Especially for a good guide.
These hunts are typically very cheap compared to others. I would say 15-20% of the hunt would be a good tip. These guides don't do a ton of work in front of you, so sometimes its hard to justify a big tip to what they are doing, but running baits is a crap load of work.
 
Back
Top