AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The busiest portion of Maine's bear hunt is entering its final days as hunters must soon stop using bait for the rest of the year.

Maine's bear hunt began Aug. 31 and lasts until Nov. 28. The vast majority of bears are taken during the portion of the hunt where it is legal to shoot bears that have been baited. This segment of the hunt ends on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Bait is typically sugary food such as doughnuts. There is also a session for hunting bears with dogs that ends on Oct. 30.

Maine residents rejected a referendum to eliminate hunting bears with bait, dogs and traps last year.