Permits to bait on state-owned or state-managed land including the White Mountain National Forest are issued on a first-come, first-served basis starting April 1. Guides may apply to hunt these lands after April 15. The deadline for applying is August 1.

Applications for baiting on private property are not subject to the Aug. 1 deadline, but must be signed by the landowner and received by the NHFG Law Enforcement Division at least three days before bait is placed.

Statistically, bears were harvested in all six geographic areas of New Hampshire in 2005. Leading the way were the White Mountain Region with 147 bears, and the Northern Region with 126. The Central Region, (WMUs G, I1, J1 and J2) produced 112 bruins. These areas should be top producers again this fall.

The Southwest Region-1, WMUs H1 and I-2, produced 35 bears. The Southwest Region-2, consisting of WMUs H2 and K, gave up 9 bears, while the Southeast Region, WMUs L and M, produced only 4 bears.

For open and closing bear-season dates for 2006, as well more information on bear hunting in the Granite State, contact the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department at (603) 271-3421, or visit the department's Web site at www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

VERMONT
Black bears were first elevated to big-game status in Vermont back in 1941. Since then, several laws restricting how bears may be harvested have been put in place. Trapping of bruins was banned in 1967, baiting was prohibited in 1972 and controls on the use of dogs have been established. Presently, using dogs to take bear is legal, but hunters must have a bear-dog permit. No more than six dogs may be used, the number of bear-dog permits issued to non-residents is limited and are issued by lottery. According to regulations in the Vermont Digest of Hunting, Fishing & Trapping Laws, "It is illegal to advertise, hire, barter, exchange, buy, expose or otherwise sell the use of a dog or dogs for the purpose of taking any bear."

A recent harvest report states that stalking around natural food sources is the most popular method of hunting bears. Hunters using dogs and stalking take about 83 percent of the harvest by hunting areas where berries, wild apples, beechnuts and acorns are available. Only about 17 percent is taken with dogs.

And hunting bears seems to be popular. About 73 percent of those harvested were taken by hunters seeking bears specifically, while about 25 percent were taken by hunters searching for other game. The statewide population is currently estimated at 3,800 to 4,200 bears, up slightly from the 3,000 to 3,800 commonly quoted a few years ago. And all indications are that this year's opportunities for bear will be quite good.