Colorado Fall Bear

[epage_backwards_hat]

Thinking about doing a fall bear hunt in CO next year. Does anyone have experience or some insight?

[Smguinnip]

I will be following this thread, as I was the only one in our group of five that didn’t draw an elk tag, but was able to secure a bear tag. From my understanding, the bears are gravitating to the oak around the time archery season rolls around.
I’ve seen plenty of sign while hunting elk, but never a bear sighting, I hunt elk in the dark timber and aspen but never hunted near any oak, there are some areas of scrub oak that I will be checking out this year.
Also check with other hunters in your area, if you can find someone that has had success, hunting over a carcass can be productive.

[MnFn]

Well, if someone shoots an elk, I would guess bear will find the gutpile pretty quickly.

[Charlie Lamb]

don't overlook a varmint call. low and raspy is the way to go 

[DGW]

Spot and stalk Bears in oak brush patches is as good as it gets if good amount of acorns.
The small bears will climb up oak to eat and sounds like dog chewing on food, the big bears just grab a limb and break it , so listen for the popping of limbs.
Any water source close to the oaks should have tracks around it and great place to shoot one. 
 

[epage_backwards_hat]

Thanks for the information guys 👍🏼

[Todd Brickel]

Why wait until next year?  Lots of great bear tags available for sale, and cheap for nonresidents. Come do it now!

I wrote a story on this subject in the 3rd edition of the Pope &Young Traditional record book. Check it out. 

[Smguinnip]

well, after attempting my first Colorado bear hunt recently, I have learned a few things. first-hunting over a carcass works very well, second-it is a good idea to fasten the carcass to a tree if it is a good location, if it is not in a good location, move it to one, then secure it to a tree [the bears like to keep moving it]. lastly, it seems to help draw in the bears if the guts are punctured, either by accident or on purpose. the only bear activity that we have noticed in the past and including this year, was either a gut shot or accidently puncturing the stomach while skinning/quartering, the others that did not have the stomach/guts disturbed did not see any bear activity. hope this helps a little on your bear hunt next year. hunting bear over a carcass proved to be a ton of fun, and I will be getting a bear tag on my next trip to Colorado.

[Smguinnip]

forgot to mention that I had 3 different bear sighting on two afternoon hunts that totaled no more than an hour and a half, and this was in typical elk country well away from any Oaks.

[HornHunter]

glad you are hunting bears In CO we have way to many, but please read the regs about hunting over a carcass, you are not allowed to move it or any part of it from the original kill site, I know seems silly but there have been several people find out it is a hefty fine, so CPW does take it serious, many people put up trail cams over a kill , myself included, to monitor bear activity, just an FYI

[Smguinnip]

Thanks for the insight on the rules/regulations, not sure how I missed that. I usually read them over thoroughly. Would this reg. apply to moving a carcass, say 5 to 15 yards for a better shot opportunity? This is what I was referring to when I said moving it to a better location.