Good luck all.

I am in the same boat trying to get the list done before next weekend. I have stuff all over the house trying to make sure I don't forget anything.  This is my first out of state hunt and I am excited.
Jerry

Had my truck serviced, getting everything all packed up. Still need to do some touch-up on broadheads.

Got back from the bear hunt yesterday. I wish I had some pics to share, but things just didn't work out. Very few bear were seen and even fewer shots were taken. Other outfitters in the area were having the same issues.

Tony (the owner of Squapan Mountain Outfitters) and his crew did everything they could to get a  bear in front of us and no one was more upset about the lack of opportunities than Tony and his crew. Rain and wind hit us on Thursday and Friday and made things even tougher.

Even coming home without a bear, I still had a great time and met some really fine people. I was fortunate to see bears for the first three nights and have to admit I blew my one chance at a decent bear. That was no ones fault but mine and I am thankful for a clean miss.

Got to see 2 Moose from the blind and another one on the drive back to camp and the country was beautiful. If finances allow, I will go back!

I need to practice shooting from a blind through a window/hole between now and then as stuff looks further away to me than it really is. I've known that for years, but in the heat of the moment my brain wasn't working too well!  

Glad you had a good trip.  Bummer about the miss.

Tony and his crew are top notch for sure!

Mike, It was a pleasure to meet you. Hope we can share a campfire again in the future.

Welcome back home to God's Country Mike. Gimme a shout and we'll catch up.

I have't bear hunted in Maine for a while. Sounds like there is an abundance of natural food which makes for erratic bait hits. Here in NH there is an abundance of apples and other fruits. In addition there seems to be some early acorns and lots of beechnuts. We have a feeder at our house and over the years it has become apparent to us that all wildlife prefer natural food sources over what we offer.  The first thought i had when I read this was that there must a lot of chokecherries in northern Maine. The years i hunted there lots of chokecherries seemed to coincide with low bear turnout at the baits during daylight. Sorry you didn't get a bear, Mike.  Glad you had a good time.

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Bill you are absolutely correct about natural food and erratic bait hits. This is especially true in years with good berry and apple crops which is why I never hunt the 1st week of the season in ME.

The 2nd and 3rd weeks were always better for bait hunting in my experience.