AUGUSTA — State lawmakers are taking up a series of bills dealing with bear hunting, including a proposal to bar the use of traps and dogs in the hunt.

The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee takes up the bills this morning.

One of the bills prohibits the use of a dog to hunt or pursue bear, and the use of a trap to hunt or capture bear, except for scientific purposes or if done by government employees to protect domestic animals or other wildlife.

Another bill shifts the open season for hunting bears with dogs back one week.

The committee will take up a separate proposal to establish a spring season on hunting bear. It would run from the third Monday in May to the fourth Saturday in June.

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