PORTLAND — Maine hunters are starting to drop bait in the woods for bears as one of the most popular hunting seasons in northern New England draws near.

Hunters are allowed to pursue bears with the use of bait, dogs or traps. Bait is by far the most popular method of hunting bears, and the bait is typically sugary food such as doughnuts or pastries. Hunters were allowed to start placing bait Aug. 1. The hunt begins Aug. 31.

Maine voters shot down a proposed ban on the use of dogs, traps, and bait to hunt bears in November. The Humane Society also advocated for a bill that called for a ban on hunting bears with dogs or traps. The measure died after a legislative committee recommended that it shouldn’t pass.