Four out of six New England states currently have bear hunting seasons on the books, and by all estimates, the number of bears in each state has never been higher. If you have always wanted a bear skin rug but never had the chance, now is the time to head for the woods.

MAINE
Scattered across Maine are 29 units of Maine Public Reserve Land totaling more than 500,000 acres. Two of the largest public areas are in bear-rich Aroostook and Piscataquis counties.

In Aroostook County, about 30 miles southwest of Fort Kent, the Deboullie parcel covers 22,000 acres. About three-quarters of the property consists of gently rolling, forested hills, while the southeastern quarter features a number of small ponds surrounded by low, rugged mountains.

The territory around Black Mountain north of Deboullie Pond, the ridges and higher elevations south of Gardner Pond and the country around Whitman Mountain west of Island Pond should offer prime hunting opportunities.

The Deboullie property includes all of Township 15, Range 9 WELS and is within the boundaries of the North Maine Woods, a large block of private land open to the public. Visitors must register and pay camping or day-use fees to access the area. The road south from the St. Francis Checkpoint off Route 161 west of Fort Kent provides the best access and primary access route.

The North Maine Woods office may be contacted by telephoning (207) 435-6213.

The Deboullie property offers a great deal of room to hunt in prime bear range, but hunters should be aware this is big woods country and advance scouting is advised. Also, the Maine Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and Lands, which manages the property, has specific rules pertaining to the setting of baits on state lands, forcing hunters to rely on finding food sources and calling techniques or scents to hunt bears.

Despite its size, however, the Deboullie property offers miles of roads and an extensive network of hiking trails that may be utilized to access potential hunting areas. Primary trailheads depart near Dennys and Pushineer Ponds, and at the boat access at the base of Deboullie Mountain on Deboullie Pond.

Camping is allowed on the property and primitive campsites with tables, fire rings and pit toilets will be found around the pond.

There are special rules regarding the use of ATVs and discharge of firearms within 300 feet of campsites, hiking trails and launch areas. Loaded firearms are prohibited at all campsites.

More information on the Deboullie property may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Parks and Lands Northern Regional Office in Ashland at (207) 435-7963, or the bureau's main office in Augusta at (207) 287-3821. A downloadable map and brochure will also be found on the agency's Web site at www.maine. gov/doc/parks.

One of the largest public reserve properties in Maine is the Nahmakanta tract about halfway between Greenville and Millinocket. The property covers nearly 44,000 acres in T1, R11 WELS and T1 R12 WELS in central Piscataquis County. The area offers a "big woods" hunting experience with a mixture of mountains and rolling hills broken by numerous lakes and ponds.