Bear hunters who agreed to submit a tooth from their catch to state biologists in 2008 can now learn their bear's age. Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says it received bear teeth from 1,037 hunters, or nearly 40 percent of hunters who harvested a bear last year.
The oldest bear was a 28-year-old female, officials say, and the oldest male snagged was 20. The state is using the information to help monitor the health of Maine's bear population and the effectiveness of the state's management program.
IF & W officials are asking this year's bear hunters to contribute teeth so the research can continue. Officials say information about submitting a tooth will be provided at bear registering check stations. Maine's general bear hunting season this year runs from August 31 through November 28.
Hunters who submitted teeth in 2008 can learn the age of their bear on IF & W's Web site at http://maine.gov/ifw/hunting_trapping/hunting/bear.htm#help.
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