AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine bear hunters will start laying bait for the bruins this month as the hunting season nears.

The vast majority of Maine’s bear hunt takes place with use of bait. Hunters are allowed to place bait in the woods starting on July 31.

The hunting season runs from Aug. 30 to Nov. 27, but the season in which hunting over bait is allowed is from Aug. 30 to Sept. 25. The start of bear season marks the unofficial start of fall hunting season, as the seasons for moose, deer and turkey follow.

Maine’s bear population has grown in recent years and biologists estimate it could be as high as 36,000 animals.