Early-season hunters take note: Most Maine bears are taken before the end of September.

Last year, that number was 2,220 bears, or 84 percent of the total bear harvest.

For more details, contact the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife at (207) 287-8000, or go to www.mefishwildlife.com.

For bait permits on public land, contact the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands at (207) 287-3821, or the White Mountain National Forest office at (207) 824-2134.

For a list of guides and outfitters, contact www.maineguides.org, the Web site of the Maine Professional Guides Association.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
The 2006 bear-hunting season was New Hampshire's first season under the state's new Big Game Population Management Plan. The plan is in effect from 2006 through 2015 and strives to maintain consistent bear populations across the state's management regions.

The Department of Fish and Game's long-term goals are to stabilize the population in the northern part of the state, reduce the bear population in the White Mountains region and allow for population growth in the central and southern portions of the state.

Andrew Timmins, the department's Bear Project leader, said that the total harvest declined 20 percent in 2006, and only 351 bears were killed. The cause for the downward spike was attributed to the season's large crop of beechnuts.

"More beechnuts are good for bears, not so good for hunters," Timmins noted. "Bears do not need to move around when natural food is available in abundance."

Even though bait-hunters had the best success rate (with 152 bears out of the total 351), the beechnut crop kept bears from seeking artificial baits.

Even so, hunters killed 149 bears, and hound hunters took 49 bruins. On average, bait hunters tag about 72 percent of bears taken each year.

The largest bear in 2006 weighed 390 pounds.

Timmins suggested the White Mountains region for some prime black bear hunting. Last year, this area accounted for 108 bears out of the total harvest.

The central region of the state produced 99 bears.

Hunter success was highest in WMUs D2 and F in the White Mountain region and WMUs G and I1 in the central region. WMUs D2, F, G, and I1 are in a cluster on New Hampshire's western border.

Timmins recommended a bear hunt along the slopes of the White Mountain where there are mature stands of beechnut trees and climax forest. These areas hold larger bears and are not hunted hard.

Maybe there is a new state record out there that will surpass the record set in 2005 -- a 532-pound bruin.

In New Hampshire, land that is not specifically posted against trespassing is considered open to hunting. There is also plenty of public land in the state. Try the slopes of the White Mountains in WMUs D2 and F.

The border between WMUs D2 and F is Route 118. This is steep, rough country in most places.

If the thought of battling high ground gives your knees a fright, try the 2,203-acre Mascoma River Wildlife Management Area. Compared to areas off Route 118, Mascoma is pancake-flat and should provide easier hunting.

To get to the Mascoma River WMA, travel Route 10 to Grafton Turnpike and Dorchester Road.

WMUs G and I1 share a border that runs roughly east to west from Route 104 to Route 4 and Route 11.

This area is well suited to flatlanders. Try the 1,080-acre Kearsarge WMA at the northern base of Mount Kearsarge, which reaches 2,937 feet. At lower elevations, the parcel consists of mixed hardwoods and evergreens. The WMA is adjacent to the 4,965-acre Mount Kearsarge State Forest. To get there, take Route 11 west from the town of Andover. Various secondary roads lead to Kearsarge WMA.

Bear season opens Sept. 1. The actual close date in November varies, depending on hunting methods and the WMU.

Hunters are allowed to hunt bears with bait and hounds. Bows, rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders are all legal methods for bear hunting.

Crossbows may be used with restrictions. Bait and hound hunting requires additional permits.

For more information, contact the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department at (603) 271-3421, or go to www.wildlife.state.nh.us.