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The combination of dogs keen senses and hunting instincts with hunter's tactics and specialized firearms is the best combination ever for success on the hunting ground; in fact this combination is so effective that it's not allowed to hunt endangered species using dogs because it puts too much pressure over the game pushing such species towards extinction risk.

With the above in mind it won't be hard to figure out why to hunt with dogs gives you an edge, but let's number all advantages associated to it, probably there will be more than one you didn't think about it!

1. Enhanced detection

Dogs keen smell sense will allow not only to detect but also track games for long distances and even locate them when they are hidden underground.

2. Tracking

You don't need to stumble with a game or wait until it passes in front of you; when you are hunting with dogs your hunting partners will take care to track the animal you wish to hunt and direct you towards it.

On those states where bear bait hunting is allowed, there are still several regulations you need to comply with, otherwise you'll be broken the law and probably will find yourself on an undesired legal issue.

So, in order to comply with rules and regulations be sure to know local regulations on this matter, meanwhile Maine state regulations regarding bait bear hunting may be taken as a general guide:

- Bait may be placed up to one month before bait hunting season opening

- Blinds or stands on a bait are must be clearly labeled with owner's information

- Bait must be placed at least 50 yards away from any travel route accessible by car

Nevertheless, knowing basic rules at Maine will be helpful.

1. Bag Limit

For 2018 season bag limit is one killed bear (firearm, bow, crossbow) and one trapped. That's 2 bears per person along all the season.

2. Permissions

You need both, a valid hunting license as well a bear hunting permit. 

3. Hunting Methods

Bears can be hunt using traps or weapons, on the last case hunters are allowed to use rifle, handguns, muzzleloader, shotguns (with slugs only and not larger than 10 gauge), bow and arrow (with a minimum draw weight of 35 lbs.) or crossbow (with a minimum draw weight of 100 lbs.) however you must refer to the local Wildlife office where you are planning to hunt in order to have up to date information on this regard.

So, do you think you're ready? Let's see ...

1. Find a guide

If you have never hunt an elk before, best thing you can do is to find a local guide. Elk's territory is larger, very large and they are elusive, so if you don't know where to find an elk, there's a real risk of being out there for several days without even seeing one.

Local guides usually have lived and hunt elks on the same area for years, even decades, so they will help you not only to find elks, but also how to identify the best places to locate them, whichever the land you are hunting on.

2. Your fitness is important

Elk hunting is not about sitting on a stand and wait, instead you will have to hike, climb up and down and move for several miles to spot an elk, and once you have located the bull elk of your dreams, it's when the real job begins.

That's particularly true on high pressure hunting grounds where animals have learned to associate that round, light shape with a menace (hunters) and do their best to be away from it.

With the above in mind, no matter how good your camo is, if you don't hide your face properly you will be detected for sure decreasing this way your success odds.

In some cases hunters decide to use masks to hide their faces but this is not always the best choice, instead facial paint tends to be better and currently many hunters decide to use it.

Tactical facial paint is well known because of its use by military personnel on the battlefield, but even when it was popular among hunters some years ago, for a time window it was abandoned due to the use of masks, only to become popular again recently because facial paint is more convenient than masks.