Southern Bears

[Robert Honaker]

Been going after bear in the mountains of E. TN for several years now. Not much luck. Have seen some small bears on scouting trips, but never have had an oppurtunity during the season.

It's a no dog archery hunt that starts late Sept.
I look for white oaks  they are hitting hard or heavily used trails along the creeks between steep ridges. Tons of sign, but never see anything.

Anybody have suggestions?

[Robert Honaker]

I'd like to hear some stories from those that have done it.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Try a predator call.  Works well out west.

[Ray Borbon]

As the seasons change a bear's diet will often change. The key for me has been to follow the current food sources. Think to yourself - what is ripe now and are they eating it? The food source will be whatever is available local. If they like eating acorns from the trees and you see fresh sign make sure you pay attention to that area. I've personally had best luck before 10:00 am but that's just me and I have heard others swear by evening hunting... Bears move all day long. Especially later in the year.

If you're not seeing them but sure they are visiting then devote more time to the area.

[Robert Honaker]

Thanks fellas. Sounds like I'm doing all I can do already.

I might add that these bears are heavily pressured with dogs before and after the archery hunt. Have been for years.

I get the feeling that they are totally nocturnal.

[Red4arm]

I live in east tn. The problem for me Is most of the bears in southeast tn live in the Cherokee national forest, and they only have a few hunts.  I see plenty of bears hiking during the off season but there are only a few weekends to hunt. I wish they would open it up the same as statewide archery.

[Robert Honaker]

Red4arm, I hunt the Foothills WMA in southeastern TN. It boarders Cherokee and Smokey mtns. TONS OF BEARS, just really hard to lay eyes on them.

Entirely walk-in only and the most rugged country I've ever set foot on.

I will keep at it, it's only been about ten years since I started...one day.

[dcmeckel]

Be careful blowin that predator call,if it sounds like a fawn in distress,a white-tail doe WILL take exception to you doing so and no you can't out fight her.Still hurts thinkin bout it.

[mrpenguin]

Are bears nocturnal??  I would think with their poorer vision they would be day-movers only... tried to find the answer online without much luck.

[bornagainbowhunter]

Robert, I am just gonna say that bears REALLY like strawberry Jello.  I am just sayin' that if a person mixed it up with some water and poured it on a tree...  Well, they like Jello.

[Ragnarok Forge]

dmeckel is correct deer will come in to a distress call, though I have never had one brash enough to attack me over it.  

Call your local bear biologist with the Fish and Game in your state.  Make an appointment and sit down and have a long chat with him.  Get books that cover bear behavior and principle food sources for your area.  Learn where those foods are in your hunting area and if water is scarce where the preferred watering holes are.  A big part of sucessful hunting is knowing your prey intimately and reducing the woods down to small prime use areas inside the giant hunting area.

[Robert Honaker]

RF..when I hunt I am on smokin hot sign.

Some years I go and it's like  there is no such thing as a bear, no sign at all. I leave and wait for nthe next year.

When I stay and hunt that means I am on the sign. I mean awesome sign. White oaks with the bark and limbs torn off, lots of fresh scat, and hair on saplings around the acorns.

Just cant seem to see one while I'm hunting.

[Cory Mattson]

no dogs is a good start - although you can get bears on acorns you are MUCH more likely to get a shot at a bear on persimmons or apples - groups of trees FAR from anywhere traveled regularly - old overgrown homesites are your best bet. Deer will show up first - when they booger out for seemingly no reason - get ready.
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[JustinNC]

NC/TN/GA bears get ran and ran and ran just before and during season. I'd imagine they go nocturnal just like any other smart critter than knows it's getting blasted during the day.

Look for beech flats in the gaps. I've been told they'll walk over an acorn to get to a dropping beech tree. Who knows though?

[Robert Honaker]

I would love to find some persimmons up there.

I keep an eye out,but no luck. This place is very old growth timber with no openings or overgrown home places that I can find.

I've yet to find a Beech either. All Oak, hickory and pine.