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Main Boards => Dangerous Game => Topic started by: Slim on April 28, 2003, 10:44:00 PM

Title: Black bear hunting
Post by: Slim on April 28, 2003, 10:44:00 PM: Hello Guys,

I live in bear country. Most guys around here either use hounds or bait for bear. We hunt in thick bush and lots of it.

I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions about other techniques such as stalking or still hunting for bear.

Also, has anyone ever sat in a ground blind over bait for bear?

Lastly, what are your thoughts on arrow weight and bow poundage for black bear?

Thanks...
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: Terry Green on April 28, 2003, 11:47:00 PM: I use the same set up for Black Bears that I use for whitetails, and have no reservations at all.

We hunt white oaks during the season here, cause the bears will be in the trees during the 1st part of the season, then raking them up off the ground during the later part of the season.

You can "cruize" the white oak groves listening for large black 'squirrels' in the trees, or set up on a single tree that the bears are using.

For the last 3 years, I have just about forgone all whitetail hunting during bow season I enjoy it so much. I turn to the whitetails during gun season, still toating the bow of course.

No baiting in GA.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: DiamondD on April 29, 2003, 12:08:00 AM: I have shot two bears with my bow and both times I was hunting elk and stumbled on the bears. One was a spot and stalk and the other was called in.

I agree with Terry that a deer or elk setup will work on bears BUT I want to shoot them with a BIG 3 or 4 blade head for better blood trails.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: Twang on April 29, 2003, 12:15:00 AM: Diamond, I'm going to try my hand at a little bear hunting this fall.

How do you call a bear? :confused:
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: O.L. Adcock on April 29, 2003, 12:15:00 AM: Slim, Every part of the country requires different techniques. In the Pacific Northwest, I had good luck still hunting 3 or 4 year old clear cuts. The brush was so think, you'd either hear them rooting around in the berry bushes like hogs or hear them tearing up a log. The trick was to then try a stalk or determine which way they were moving and get in front of them. The other method I did a lot and that was calling. Once one was spotted or you could hear one within 100 yards or so, cut loose with a bear call as hard and loud as you could. About 8 or of 10 would run straight to you. Ocassionally we'd have more than one bearing down at the same time from different directions. Don't think that didn't get interesting! LOL They'll come into 20 yards or so and circle trying to determine what is killing that critter. That is where you try to pick a shot through the brush. Many times shots wern't possible or they were smaller than you wanted to shoot.

Here in the Southwest, water is the key and I've taken them out of a ground blind set close to a water hole they are using. Oak groves and bottle neck travel routes are good too. I watch such a spot for elk and had 9 bears within 20 yards of me in 4 days watching that trail last year! Bears are fun, especially up close and personal!...O.L. (http://www.bowmaker.net/images/02bear.jpg) (http://www.bowmaker.net/images/ohmoma.jpg)
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: Terry Green on April 29, 2003, 10:15:00 AM: Diamond,

You aggree with Terry BUT? :thumbsup:

No ifs, ands, or buts!!!!
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: herb haines on April 29, 2003, 03:39:00 PM: was hoping to get out today and check old bait station .was 3/4 full of oats ect last fall when freeze up came .
as you can see we are allowed to bait here in New Brunswick . did a lot of lugging last year and fed one bear real good :D . never did see him ,busted him once about 5 pm as i was leaving after putting some more sticky buns out .
tried hunting off the ground but when i was using bait always has this sensation of drool dripping down the back of my neck , hard to sit still with the flies and your own thoughts . will try height this year , hate heights and my 330# doesn't bounce good .also 330# could make a few feeds for a skinny spring bear .just a few thoughts that drift through your head as you sit 15 yds from a bears dinner plate . :D --- herb
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: juneaulongbow on April 29, 2003, 03:48:00 PM: I'll be hunting blackies with my 55# Robertson longbow any day now. 2 blade 160 g Ribteks. Their out here in Southeast Alaska but it's been warm and dry the last week, so I'm waiting on the grass to come up so I can stalk'em.

Haven't taken one yet but 2 years ago I ambushed a big one at 8 yrds. He whuffed and bolted. That was my first bow hunt and with a compound.

Last year was pretty uneventful so hopefully I'll get some good stalks in this year and a bear.

Good Luck

Chris
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: bayoulongbowman on May 05, 2003, 10:59:00 PM: Terry , I agree with you on the blades .I have talked to lots that the Mangus with the bleeder, with good sucess...ya got have your ducks in a row thats for sure...OL was telling me by phone how curious bears are of the pop up blinds like the double bull...Im going to try one for deer..and hogs this year.......#78 Mark..
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: O.L. Adcock on May 06, 2003, 08:56:00 PM: Yep, me too on the big nasty broadheads. They are thin skinned like deer so getting in there is not a problem. Fond of Snuffers myself.

At least in this neck of the woods, they have no fear and show great curiosity to ground blinds. No doubt they can smell you but I think as long as they don't see or hear any danger, they ignore and come on in. Make a little noise however and they are outa there.....O.L.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: Ric Anderson on May 06, 2003, 09:42:00 PM: Here in Montana baiting is not allowed so our only option is to spot and stalk. In the early spring I hunt the low ground where the bears come out of hibernation the earliest. Old logging roads that are blocked off and green with spring grasses are often productive. Another place we hunt early in the spring is swamps that have alot of skunk cabbage. Why a bear would want to eat that stuff is beyond me but they do seem to favor it. Later on in the spring we backpack into the back country and hunt the avalanche chutes. Because the majority of the snow on these chutes had slid sometime in the winter, they bare-up first and start getting green grass even though the surrounding areas are still deep with snow. It is pretty rugged hunting since avalanches don't happen on flat ground. :bigsmyl: The other issue we have to deal with when hunting this back country is that the bears we run into are quite often the wrong species. Hopefully in the future before I get too old, they will again allow us to hunt grizzlies. I hunted them when I was growing up with a rifle but never picked up a bow and went after one. I would do it in a heartbeat now if I had the chance.

Fall bear hunting is also centered around food sources. Huckleberry patches usually have a bear or 2 hanging around and it's quite challenging to stalk a bear in that type of brush. Another fall hunting location is old apple orchards. I have to admit though that I have a hard time getting interested in fall bears when the bulls are bugling. :D
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: juneaulongbow on May 06, 2003, 10:44:00 PM: Ric,

When did Montana last have a Grizz season?

Chris
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: waterone on May 07, 2003, 09:32:00 AM: I too live in bear country, I work for the largest city in the area, and see about two bear a year in the city limits! As a matter of fact, one of the local schools have ahd two "alerts" as there were black bear on school grounds during school hours.

Anyway, the territory around eastern NC is real, real thick, brushy and mucky, with lots and lots of water. All the bear hunting that I am aware of around here is done with hounds and I really don't want to do that. Baiting is illegal. Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best way to hunt bear in real thick brush? I have thought about calling, but the idea that I'll be calling a dominant bear into me looking for a meal, armed with only a recurve or long bow is a bit daunting, so I believe I will pass on that one.

Chuck
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: O.L. Adcock on May 07, 2003, 09:51:00 AM: Yep, Baiting isn't legal here in NM either. We're using the blinds around water and food sources. Only saw 12 at less than 20 yards in 5 days of hunting last year! Saw 3 in the first 30 minuets in the blind, killed 3#. The other 9 were while elk hunting.

Chuck, Calling them is a blast! Think of yourself as the bait! :scared: Especially in thick brush they tend to come in hard and then circle a 20 or so yards trying to determine what is killing that critter. If it's a bear bigger than them, they'll get their butt whipped. Best done in pairs but I have called them alone, hard to get a shot by yourself. The trick to calling them is to be within 100 yards to start with and easy terrain between you and them, call loud, hard, and continuous. Gets entertaining in a hurry when more than one comes at the same time!....O.L.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: Terry Green on May 07, 2003, 09:11:00 PM: OL........what type/brand call do you use?
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: waterone on May 08, 2003, 10:52:00 AM: O.L., Hunting around water holes would be nice, except a lot of eastern NCc is nothing but swamp!! Also this area has some of the densest cover I have ever seen, and I have been in mountain laurel "hells", S. Georgia swamps, Florida Swamps and some swamps in the Carribean, but these areas take the cake. Someimes a long distance in in the woods is only 20 feet!

Just today in the local paper there was a picture on the front page of a bear in a tree across the street from the local Catholic School.

As to calling bears, I know people who have called them up trying for coyotes, but the idea of a BIG bear coming in for a dying rabbit, with me only armed with a bow is a bit much. :scared:

This area has BIG bears, several over 750 lbs. have been taken, heavy and big, but not old, so no big skulls yet - maybe in 10 years.

I may be crazy, but I too am interested in the types of calls you recommend. :knothead:

By the way I love these Graemlins!!

Chuck
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: O.L. Adcock on May 08, 2003, 01:48:00 PM: Tarzzz and Waterone, I use the one made bt Carlton's especially for bears. I have also used the "cub bawl" with some sucess but that one makes me nervous without a gun. I've used it mostly to call them back after not getting a shot or they realize something is up. Yes, I hear you on the water thing, you'd just have to hunt food sources and 9 of the ones I had within 20 yards last year was just watching a "bottle neck" close to food sources much like a spot you'd pick for deer. This spot/trail is up against a steep hill and they have the choice of traversing the steep hillside or skirting an open meadow. Being basically lazy like me, they travel this trail to avoid both. So do the elk! :thumbsup: 400 yards from camp too!.....O.L.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: DiamondD on May 08, 2003, 03:12:00 PM: Twang,

Sorry I didn't answer before I kind of forgot about this forum for a few days! ;)

It is forgiveable because it is turkey season! :thumbsup:

I use Wayne Carletons call just like O.L. and I would recommend getting the video even if you never plan on calling, seeing or shooting a black bear. Hunters Specialties now sells all of Waynes calls. Wayne calls in several bears on that video and one of them is BIG. He pepper sprays that one from up CLOSE!

I have tried blind calling in likely spots and haven't had any luck yet, but when you can see a bear out there and start blowing that call it is wild watching them come running.

My buddy and I had a small bear cover 150 yards in seconds at a dead run to get to us and the wind was blowing straight to him!

Calling bears is wild and I hope to do a lot more of it.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: waterone on May 08, 2003, 05:17:00 PM: Dean;

Now that you bring it up, do you think that pepper spray could dissuade a dominant black bear that comes in responding to a call? How 'bout if he has been shot with an arrow? If I do try calling, I'll have either a 44 mag, or 41 mag or a 10mm with hunting loads, this is not a problem as there is no bow season on bears in NC

As I mentioned before, see the link below about a bear in a residential area near a school - people freaked out (at least the one not use to the area)

Trent Woods can only grin and \\'bear\\' it (http://www.newbernsunjournal.com/Details.cfm?StoryID=8808)

It refers to the number of large bears taken in this area.

Any suggestions on how to stay alive would be appreciated.

Chuck
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: DiamondD on May 08, 2003, 07:05:00 PM: Chuck,

Wayne calls in several bears on his tape that are either not in season or that are too small to kill that he uses the pepper spray on and it seems to work well. As far as a wounded bear goes, umm... I dunno! :scared:

I know if it was me and I had a wounded bear coming AT me I would want my .45 Colt over a can of spray any day.

Personally I don't sweat black bears much as they seem to be more scared of me than I am of them, but there is always that 1 in a hundred bear that won't be scared of you, and he might not take a number and show up after the 99th bear.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: '46 on May 14, 2003, 12:11:00 AM: I have hunted bears for years and we've had a number of encounters with mad or wounded bruins. Some were badely wounded, others slightly...and some mad mommas too....a few times where the bear has come on hard. In every instance the pepper spray has turned them....thats not to say there isn't a shotgun with buckshot along when trackin a wounded one. :)
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: bayoulongbowman on May 17, 2003, 04:28:00 PM: George , Im checking places for a bear hunt next year ...I mostly hunt hogs and deer...but this is my first time with bears..(black) any suggestions for 1st timer...especially broadhead choice...I shoot mangus and modocs presently..145 gr. 125...Ive been looking at the WW too... whats the best pepper spray..#78 Mark
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: DiamondD on May 17, 2003, 04:58:00 PM: George,

That is good to hear that the spray will turn a wounded bear! I'll bet that was exciting! :scared:

I shot one in some really thick oak brush, I had a September rifle tag at the time so it was legal to hunt them with a rifle or pistol and I had been packing a Contender with a scoped 338/'08 barrel. Anyway the pistol was back at camp along with the horses and after shooting the bear with my bow it was a little spooky crawling through the thick oak brush looking for him.

I'd carry the spray somewhere like Utah that doesn't allow bowhunters to carry a pistol, and feel pretty good about it.

Do you use Counter Assault or some other brand? I would think that they are all about the same?
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: O.L. Adcock on May 17, 2003, 09:42:00 PM: Mark, You shoot fairly heavy bows, don't you? 60#+?....If so, shoot the biggest nastiest broadhead you can as penetration on bears is not a problem as long as you stay away from the shoulder. I like Snuffers out of anything in the low 50's and up....O.L.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: bayoulongbowman on May 17, 2003, 10:25:00 PM: O.L. Thanks you are one of best at adding great information . Im thinking of hunting out of one of those double bull blinds next year . I have hunted out of them and it is un believeable what you can get away with in them..my bows I hunt with are 62" and 64" and I just hope thats enough room ...I also have 60 recurve . thanks,Mark #78
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: O.L. Adcock on May 17, 2003, 10:38:00 PM: Mark, Yep, those blinds are great. I took a deer from a GH-500 with a 64" longbow but you do have to pay attention to the tips and cant your bow, which I do anyway. The bear I took last year was from the 500R recurve model and I again was shooting a 64" bow...No problem at all with that length in the R model.....O.L.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: bayoulongbowman on May 17, 2003, 10:46:00 PM: O.L. , did you have to brush in the blind or not..and did have to use any cover scent..thanks Mark #78
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: '46 on May 17, 2003, 10:47:00 PM: Mark, O.L's got it pegged. With bears penitration isn't a problem, they're thin skinned. But blood trail is the issue. Bears have a pretty thick layer of fat that seals the wound, preventing much bleeding. They are hard to find if they go very far. The best is to put them down real fast...big nasty BHs, snuffers make a nice hole.

A few years ago I made a picture perfect shot on one, just behind the shoulder, complete pass through. I heard the "death moan" about 60 yards away...no promlemo huh? Took us over an hour to find it. They seem to find the dangdest places to keel over. Put 'em down quick.

Good luck.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: bayoulongbowman on May 17, 2003, 10:57:00 PM: George, I shoot snuffers with the bleeders and 3:1 modoc 145 gr. both..mark
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: O.L. Adcock on May 17, 2003, 11:18:00 PM: Mark, I brush them in for deer but not for bears. Our bears may not be typical for other areas where they get more pressure however. The area I hunt is remote and the bears have ZERO fear of the blind even sitting in the open. I may brush mine in from now on just so they have something to trip over while they are walking around the blind! LOL Scent isn't a problem with the bears here either, as long as they can't see you or hear you, they don't care about the scent. They will circle at 30-40 yards until they are satisfied it's safe then come on in......O.L.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: DiamondD on May 17, 2003, 11:55:00 PM: O.L.,

You ever call one in from downwind? That little bear that came to us had already winded us and was running away from us before we ever saw him. As soon as my buddy started calling he swapped ends and it was all I could do to nock an arrow before he was on us! :D

I love hunting any animal you can call to you, but bears are the funnest!!!!!!
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: O.L. Adcock on May 18, 2003, 09:05:00 AM: Dean, I don't remember ever calling one in from downwind. In the thick stuff it's them circling downwind that ended the game most of the time. My comment about them not spooking from scent is using the blinds by water. I don't use the blinds while calling.....O.L.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: DiamondD on May 22, 2003, 08:46:00 PM: O.L.,

It may have been an isolated incident when we did it. The bear was a small one and looked pretty scrawny, but it AMAZED me when he ran right to us.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on May 23, 2003, 09:58:00 AM: When baiting is outlawed, you have to take the easy route.Bears have playgrounds where they feel safe and spend lots of time in these thick brushy areas during daylight hrs.I just picked the nastiest draw with a creek running through it, and this is where the bears will be.The one I have been visiting has foot prints that are used continually over the many years, and are worn in the ground.Also look for the bear trees where the boars will claw and leave their mark.It may take a lil clearing with the snips, but it will pay off.GR
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: Terry Green on July 09, 2003, 09:14:00 AM: ttt
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: '46 on July 13, 2003, 01:22:00 AM: Love bear hunting, been at it for almost 40 years. Here's an excerpt from an email I sent Mickey this spring.

Bear huntin' was fun. Bugs were awesome in the woods and the walleyes were biting. Bears at all the stands, one blond (300+) and 2 cinnamons in the 200 range. Lots of newby bear hunters, so there were a number of small bears shot, 125-250 range, as well as several real nice ones. No other trad bow hunters.
I didn't make it in time to hunt Tues nite, tried... but got a speeding ticket about half way there so I figured I'd better slow down the rest of the way.
The first night I hunted was Tues. I was at the "Eagles Nest" stand, don't know if you were in that one or not. It's a 3' white pine, stand at about 20' and an easy 20 yard shot. Stormed most of the evening, high winds & rain and I didn't see a thing.
Wednesday I was at one of the stands south of Sprague, one of the ones I was in last year. The evening started out well, couple of 200 pounders came in (one maybe 225) and tore everything up, few others came in...about the same size. The first bear in appeared to be dominate over all of the others, he kept coming back and driving them off. About an hour before dark he sauntered down the trail past my tree, looked up at me with his beady little eyes, clacked his teeth a few times and came chargin' up my tree....woofin' and growlin', mad as hell at me. I haven't used my pepper spray for about 4 years and was sure glad when it worked...heh heh. He just jumped down on the ground, ran about 30 yards, in plain sight, moaned, rubbed his face and rolled around until the stuff wore off then went right back to the bait and started eating just like nothing ever happened.
Ok, so now it's getting dark and I gotta go home and all so I rattled an arrow on the metal stand hoping it would scare him off. He ambled slowly back into the woods. I get down, gather my stuff and start down the trail through the spruce.....that little devil is now about 25 yards behind keeping pace. It's too dark to shoot in the spruce, all I can see is a black blob walkin' behind me on the trail so I just keep going. When I finally got to the logging road it opened up and became lighter, he was still there and coming on strong. I walked to where Larry was going to pick me up at, put my gear down, nocked an arrow and started walking back towards him hoping to get a shot. He took off when I got 20 yards or so from him....then Larry came and we left.
Went back to the same place the next night. Li'l Nasty was back and just ignored me. I had a real nice one come in on the trail, 8 yards out on my open side, spotted me as I started draw on him and left fast. I figure he was an easy 350+....too bad, guess that's why they call it "hunting" and not "catching" huh? :)
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: bayoulongbowman on July 13, 2003, 12:13:00 PM: George, Thats really cool ...Id love to try catch them walleyes I hear there great fish to eat maybe the best! sounds like alot of fun ...Lots of them bugs too huh....mark#78
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: '46 on July 13, 2003, 12:35:00 PM: Mark, it's good trip. We fish all day and start hunting about 5:00, don't come in 'till after 10.

Mickey went last year and saw a monster. Someone else saw him this year and missed.

Bugs are beyond description. Full netting including a bug suit, surgical gloves for the hands.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: Stykbowslim on July 16, 2003, 09:38:00 AM: Slim,

I used a 65# longbow, with an 800 grain GrizzlyStik on this boar.

http://www.tradgang.com/user_images/don1.jpg
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: O.L. Adcock on July 16, 2003, 09:23:00 PM: TWO WEEKS! And we'll be chasing some of these NM bears. Got my Griz Stics ready......O.L.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: '46 on July 17, 2003, 02:12:00 PM: O.L.

Good luck and keep us posted. Hope there arn't any fires in your area when you're there.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: O.L. Adcock on July 17, 2003, 06:15:00 PM: You bet, George...At least we don't have any bugs to speak of, the ones we do are carrying canteens!....O.L.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: Slim on July 18, 2003, 12:48:00 AM: Great bear Stykbow...excellent photo too...thanks for sharing it.
Title: Re: Black bear hunting
Post by: '46 on August 04, 2003, 08:13:00 PM: ttt for O.L.

BTW...nice bear Stykbow