Being Prepared

Safety is the most important consideration of any hunting or trapping activity. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has a long history of promoting safety regarding hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreation activities. Special precautions need to be taken when preparing for any outdoor adventure in Maine.

Here are a few safety reminders that pertain to hunting and trapping:

• Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Always have a survival kit and a map and compass; even the most experienced outdoors people can get turned around in the dark.

When checking your bear trap, be prepared each time you enter the woods, and always assume that your trapping was successful. By doing so, you will be more prepared to dispatch a bear safely, ethically, and lawfully without causing additional stress on the animal.

When approaching the trapping area, be alert and aware of your surroundings. While approved cable restraint devices are required to have a stop to minimize catching small, non-target bears or cubs, it’s possible for a sow or cubs to be present. Proper scouting and use of a game camera may help to minimize this situation prior to setting a trap in that area.

If checking your trapping site after dark, have a reliable headlight and extra batteries on hand. While dispatching a bear caught in a cable restraining device is legal after dark, it does pose additional concerns and considerations.

Planning ahead means:

• Having the tools to dispatch, field dress, and remove a bear from the woods promptly.
• Having your appropriate licenses and permits on your person as well as a temporary transportation tag (and a pen).
• Having a plan and the ability to take care of the meat and hide properly (Getting the bear into a cooler or other means of cooling for meat care after properly tagging is required.) Meat must be at or below 40 degrees to prevent spoilage.
• Harvested bears should be skinned as quickly as possible. Even when packed with ice, spoilage can occur due to the fat and heavier fur coat.

*Bear trapping typically occurs in the warmer parts of the early fall and cooling game meat must be considered. Plan ahead to prevent spoilage.