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Expert-Guided Maine Bear Hunting | Palmer's Hunts

  • Published Date: July 16, 2025
  • Fishing
  • Maine
  • $175 - $5,000 price range
  • Updated Date: October 18, 2025

Summary

Craig Palmer leads professional bear hunting trips in Maine, offering two distinct experiences. You can choose between trapping or hunting with trained hounds, depending on your preference. The weekly trips run for up to three hunters at a time, with trapping priced at $2,000 and hound hunting at $2,500. Craig's deep knowledge of the local terrain and wildlife ensures a safe, ethical hunt that follows all Maine regulations. These active hunts target black bear, giving you a chance to test your skills in the Maine wilderness. Palmer's Guided Hunts provides all the necessary expertise, whether you're setting traps or working with the hounds to track your quarry. It's a hands-on experience that puts you right in the thick of bear country. Remember, a 30-day cancellation notice is needed, but your deposit can be applied to future trips if plans change. Get ready for some serious bear hunting action in the woods of Maine.
Expert-Guided Maine Bear Hunting | Palmer's Hunts

Bears in Sight

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One person hunting in ME

The Challenge of Bobcat Hunting

Stunning landscape in ME

Hunting Maine's Wild Cats

1 hunting fish in ME

Bobcat Season in Maine

Intrepid solo hunter in Palmyra

Maine's Bobcat Hunters

A person in Palmyra hunting for the best outdoor adventure

Black bear tracked in Maine woods

A person hunting in the beautiful location of Palmyra

Trophy bear from Maine wilderness

Person hunting in Palmyra

Cold morning, ducks on the move

Lone angler hunting for fish in Maine

Calling ducks in crisp fall air

Hunter in Maine hunting for the best catch

Bear hunt success in Maine

Hunting for the best catch in Palmyra

Bobcat Hunting Thrills in Maine

One person hunting in ME

The Challenge of Bobcat Hunting

Stunning landscape in ME

Hunting Maine's Wild Cats

1 hunting fish in ME

Bobcat Season in Maine

Intrepid solo hunter in Palmyra

Maine's Bobcat Hunters

A person in Palmyra hunting for the best outdoor adventure

Black bear tracked in Maine woods

A person hunting in the beautiful location of Palmyra

Trophy bear from Maine wilderness

Person hunting in Palmyra

Cold morning, ducks on the move

Lone angler hunting for fish in Maine

Calling ducks in crisp fall air

Hunter in Maine hunting for the best catch

Bear hunt success in Maine

Hunting for the best catch in Palmyra

Bobcat Hunting Thrills in Maine

One person hunting in ME

The Challenge of Bobcat Hunting

Stunning landscape in ME

Hunting Maine's Wild Cats

1 hunting fish in ME

Bobcat Season in Maine

Intrepid solo hunter in Palmyra

Maine's Bobcat Hunters

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Maine Bear Hunting: Guided Trips with Craig Palmer

Ready for a real Maine bear hunting adventure? Craig Palmer's your guy. With years of experience under his belt, Craig knows these woods like the back of his hand. Whether you're itching to try trapping or want to run with the hounds, Palmer's Guided Hunts has got you covered. We're talking prime black bear territory, folks – the kind of place where stories are made and trophies are earned.

Trip Overview

Here's the deal: you've got two ways to play this. Option one is bear trapping, where we set up and wait for the big boys to come sniffing. That'll run you $2,000 for the week. If you're more of an action junkie, option two is hound hunting – that's $2,500 for a week of heart-pumping chases through the Maine wilderness. Either way, Craig's keeping it small and personal with just three hunters max per trip. You're not just another face in the crowd here; you're part of the team. And don't worry about the paperwork – we've got all the i's dotted and t's crossed with Maine's hunting regs.

Tracking Tips & Terrain

Let's break it down. If you're going the trapping route, we're talking strategy. Craig's got his secret spots, and you'll learn the art of reading bear sign, setting the perfect trap, and playing the waiting game. It's a chess match with nature, and patience is your best friend. Now, if you're opting for the hounds, buckle up. We're talking early mornings, the music of baying dogs, and some serious legwork. The terrain? Classic Maine – we're talking thick forests, rocky outcrops, and maybe a swamp or two. Wear your boots in before you come, trust me on that one.

Target Game Breakdown

Let's talk bears, specifically the black bears of Maine. These aren't your average backyard nuisances – we're talking potential 300-pounders that'll make your heart skip a beat. Maine black bears are known for their size and their smarts. They're most active in late summer and early fall when they're packing on the pounds for winter. That's when we strike. These bears are omnivores, which means they'll eat just about anything – berries, insects, and yes, even meat. That varied diet is what makes them so challenging and exciting to hunt. They've got an incredible sense of smell – about seven times better than a bloodhound's – so staying downwind is crucial. And don't let their bulky appearance fool you; these guys can run up to 35 mph and climb trees like nobody's business. Hunting them requires skill, patience, and a good dose of respect for the animal.

Hunter Highlights

Every season brings new stories, and while we don't have specific customer reviews to share, I can tell you that the look on a hunter's face when they bag their first Maine black bear – that's something you never forget. We've had folks come back year after year, not just for the hunt, but for the whole experience. The crisp Maine air, the camaraderie around the camp, and the thrill of the chase – it's addictive stuff.

Inside the Hunt

So what's a day look like with Palmer's Guided Hunts? If you're trapping, we're up before the sun, checking and resetting traps. It's all about reading the signs and outsmarting these clever critters. Hound hunting? That's a different beast. We're talking early starts, listening for the dogs, and being ready to move fast when they pick up a scent. Either way, you're in for long days, but man, are they worth it. Craig's there every step of the way, sharing knowledge that only comes from years in these woods. You'll learn more about bear behavior in a week than you thought possible. And let's not forget the stories around the fire at night – half the fun of these trips is the downtime, sharing the day's adventures.

Book Your Next Tag

Look, if you're serious about bear hunting, this is the real deal. Craig Palmer's not just guiding a hunt; he's giving you a crash course in Maine bear country. Whether you go for the strategic game of trapping or the adrenaline rush of hound hunting, you're in for an authentic Maine experience. Just remember, spots fill up fast – we're talking three hunters max per week. And that 30-day cancellation policy? It's there so we can give someone else a shot if you can't make it. But here's a pro tip: if life gets in the way, that deposit's good for a future booking. So what are you waiting for? Grab your gear, book your spot, and get ready for a bear hunting trip that'll have you coming back for more. Trust me, once you've hunted with Palmer's, you'll understand why Maine's the place for bear hunting done right.

Learn more about the animal

Black Bear

Black bears in Maine are hefty customers, typically weighing 200-600 pounds. They're smart, adaptable, and have a keen sense of smell. You'll find them in dense forests, swamps, and berry patches throughout the state. Fall's the prime time for bear hunting, when they're fattening up for winter. Folks love pursuing bears for the challenge and the high-quality meat. These animals are more active at dawn and dusk, so that's when we focus our efforts. One local trick: setting up near natural food sources like beech nuts or wild apples can improve your chances. Just remember, bears have excellent hearing, so staying quiet is key. Whether you're after a trophy-sized boar or just want to experience the thrill of the hunt, black bears offer an exciting pursuit in Maine's rugged wilderness.

Black Bear
Palmer's Guided Hunts

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