Maine Bear Hunting

Maine Bear Hunting Over Bait: An Unforgettable Adventure

Experience the thrill of Maine bear hunting over bait with Fifteen Mile Stream Lodge & Outfitters. Our guided hunts are designed to challenge even the most experienced hunters while offering an unforgettable outdoor adventure in Maine’s pristine wilderness. Located in the Forks area, we provide access to some of the most productive bear hunting grounds in the state, where record black bears are harvested year after year.

Why Choose Maine Bear Hunting?

 Maine is renowned for its thriving black bear population and expansive wilderness, making it a top destination for hunters. Bear hunting over bait is a time-honored tradition that requires patience, skill, and precision. Our expert guides ensure that your hunting experience is both safe and successful by scouting prime locations, maintaining active bait sites, and providing all the necessary equipment.

 

What’s Included in Your Hunt?

Your five-day all-inclusive Maine bear hunt includes:

  • Active Bait Sites: Strategically located for maximum success.
  • Comfortable Ladder Stands: Quiet, two-person ladder stands designed to accommodate rifle, bow, muzzleloader, or handgun hunters.
  • Meals and Lodging: Enjoy hearty, homestyle meals and cozy accommodations.
  • Transportation: Reliable transport to and from bait sites.
  • Trophy Care: Assistance with processing and preserving your trophy bear.

The secret to success? Patience. The key to harvesting a record-book black bear is resisting the urge to settle for a smaller one.

 

Maine Bear Hunting With Hounds: A Heart-Pounding Pursuit

 

For hunters seeking an adrenaline-packed challenge, Maine bear hunting with hounds offers an unparalleled experience. This style of hunting involves working closely with highly trained dogs to track and tree a trophy bear.

The Experience

Hunting with hounds is a physically demanding and exhilarating adventure. It often involves long chases through rugged terrain as the dogs pursue the bear. Communication is critical, and hunters use CB radios and GPS tracking to follow the hounds’ progress. The chase is a test of endurance, skill, and teamwork, culminating in the thrilling moment when the bear is treed or bayed.

Why Try Hound Hunting?

  • Adrenaline Rush: Few hunting experiences can match the excitement of a hound chase.
  • Team Effort: Work with experienced guides and skilled dogs to achieve success.
  • Trophy Potential: Hound hunting increases the likelihood of harvesting a mature black bear.

This type of hunt is not for everyone, but for those who crave excitement, it’s an unforgettable way to experience Maine bear hunting.

Maine Bear Trapping: A Unique Challenge

Maine is one of the few states where bear trapping is still permitted, offering a rare opportunity for hunters seeking a unique challenge. Bear trapping tests a hunter’s skill, patience, and knowledge of animal behavior.

What to Expect

Bear trapping requires careful planning and execution. While black bears are not naturally trap-shy, they are unpredictable and highly intelligent. Successfully capturing a bear requires selecting the right location, using the proper bait, and setting the trap with precision.

Walking up to a 200-pound black bear in a trap is a heart-pounding moment you’ll never forget. It’s an experience that combines strategy, skill, and sheer adrenaline, making it a favorite among adventurous hunters.

Why Choose Fifteen Mile Stream Lodge & Outfitters?

At Fifteen Mile Stream Lodge & Outfitters, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional hunting experiences. Here’s what sets us apart:

  • Prime Hunting Grounds: The Forks area is known for its abundant black bear population and high success rates.
  • Experienced Guides: Our team has years of experience and extensive knowledge of Maine’s terrain.
  • All-Inclusive Hunts: From meals and lodging to transportation and trophy care, we handle every detail.
  • Low Hunter-to-Guide Ratio: We keep our groups small to ensure personalized attention and higher success rates.

Planning Your Maine Bear Hunt

Best Time for Bear Hunting in Maine

Maine’s bear hunting season typically begins in late August and runs through November. The early season, when baiting is most effective, is ideal for hunters seeking the highest success rates.

What to Bring

While we provide most of the essentials, hunters should come prepared with:

  • Appropriate clothing for the season and weather conditions.
  • Personal hunting equipment, including firearms or bows.
  • A valid Maine hunting license and bear permit.

Booking Your Hunt

Our guided bear hunts fill up quickly, so it’s important to book early. Whether you’re interested in bear hunting over bait, bear hunting with hounds, or bear trapping, our team is here to help you plan the perfect trip.

Explore Maine’s Wilderness Beyond Hunting

While hunting is our specialty, Fifteen Mile Stream Lodge & Outfitters offers much more. Nestled in the heart of Maine’s Western mountains, our lodge is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. When you’re not in the field, enjoy activities like:

  • Fishing: Cast a line in Maine’s pristine rivers and lakes.
  • Whitewater Rafting: Explore the Class IV rapids on the Kennebec and Dead Rivers.
  • Hiking and Wildlife Watching: Immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery and spot local wildlife.

Our cozy accommodations, warm hospitality, and hearty meals make every stay a memorable one, whether you’re here for hunting or relaxation.

Book Your Maine Bear Hunting Adventure Today

Ready to experience the ultimate Maine bear hunting trip? Whether you’re interested in bear hunting over bait, bear hunting with hounds, or exploring Maine’s unique bear trapping opportunities, Fifteen Mile Stream Lodge & Outfitters has the expertise and facilities to make your adventure unforgettable.

Don’t miss out on the chance to hunt in one of Maine’s most productive bear habitats. Contact us today to book your all-inclusive guided hunt and discover why hunters return to Fifteen Mile Stream Lodge year after year.

View Our Trophy Bear Hunting Gallery

Bear Hunting Gallery

Rachel's Restaurant

Serving Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Good food has many definitions. Our meaning is carefully prepared time tested recipes that we would serve to our loved ones, and ourselves. From pizza and sandwiches to five star entrees we provide the best quality food and service.

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Lodge & Cabins

We are a four-season outdoor recreation/lodging facility offering an abundance of hunting, fishing, and recreation opportunities. Our Lodge features a full service restaurant, recreation room with a full service bar, pool table, satellite TV, and large fireplace. We have a nice selection of comfortable & affordable cabin rentals to suit your needs.

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About Us

Fifteen Mile Stream Lodge & Outfitters is a four-season guide service, located in West Forks, Maine. We provide a wide variety of services including trailside cabin rentals with direct access to ITS 86, 87, & 89 and ATV trails. Our restaurant & bar is open daily serving breakfast, lunch, & dinner, and we retail gas onsite.

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Fifteen Mile Stream Lodge & Outfitters

3775 US Route 201
West Forks, ME 04985

Phone: (207) 663-2238

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