AUGUSTA  — Maine’s 2011 bear hunting season in Maine is under way, amid warnings to hunters by state officials of hazards left by Tropical Storm Irene.

State wildlife officials say there are still road closures, especially in the western parts of the state where bear hunting pressure is high.

The general black bear hunting season runs through Nov. 26. The season for hunting over bait runs through Sept. 24 and the season for hunting with dogs is Sept. 12-Oct. 28.

For the first time, hunters are required to extract a tooth from their harvested bear and submit it at the registration station. The teeth will be tested to monitor the bears’ ages.