MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • August 20, 2023
Bear season, which kicks off Aug. 26 with Youth Day then Aug. 28 for the grown-ups. Maine had been struggling with how to control the burgeoning bear population, which was leading to more human-bear conflicts, and wildlife managers were seriously considering doubling the bag limit to two. A strong lobbying effort from certain special interest groups and a couple good harvest years have quelled that notion, at least for now. Last year’s take of over 40,000 deer was the highest in more than a generation. Whether that represents an over-harvest and bad news, or an indication of the size of the herd and good news, remains to be seen. Despite a crazy winter and a wet summer there will still be plenty of game out there this fall to chase, and the hunt starts soon. ~Bob Humphrey