1st time bear hunting in a week-clueless

[Legolas]

Goin to N. Minnesota for a week. Some fellas say to forgetabout the meat-seems wrong to me. Got a thermacell, facenet, and shooting better than I ever have in 50+ years. Any advice would be appreciated.

Paulie

[bluegill]

Paul,

Bear meat is fine table fare and a sin to leave in the woods, at least I never had a bad one. Sounds like you have it covered. Just relax and wait for your shot.

Sean

[Curveman]

I make a mean bear chili-just ask the boys from Quebec Quest II!    Seriously, cook it to 165 temp in the center but treat it like any other meat (marinades etc.).
Be very still the whole time-don't even turn your head if you know they're behing you-they'll come to the bait. LEt them settle down on it-don't take the first shot while they are still skittish-if they leave they will come back. And the first one in is usually not the biggest. Wait for them to move that shoulder bone forward that blocks most of the vitals when broadside-let them reach forward. I hope that helps! Gotta go-gotta work!

[Orion]

Bear meat is among the best game there is.  Need to take care of it though.  That means getting it cooled down as soon as possible after you kill the animal.  It's warm this time of year, and the meat will spoil quickly if you don't properly take care of it.  You should know where a cold storage/locker plant/butcher shop is in the area before you step into the woods.

If the folks you will be hunting with are telling you to forget about the meat, their ethics in other areas are suspect as well.  Not familiar with the laws in Minnesota, but it may also be illegal to leave the meat.  Regardless, it's unethical to do so.  Why kill it if you're not going to eat it.

[Legolas]

Orion,
Bingo my feelings also.
Bluegill and Curveman thanks of the education!

Paulie

[Coldfingers]

Only have eaten a few that were not so good. They had been into the fish and tasted like rotten salmon.

A fall bear that has been packing in the cranberries is OhSoGood!!!

Get the fat trimmed off, cool it quick, do not age it and remember that they are members of the pork family (cook well done) and you will be glad you packed the meat home.

Spent alot of time in the BWCA when I was young. Nice bears up there. Never saw one eating rotten salmon either   :D  

Enjoy the hunt and remember that they all look huge till they hit the ground and you find that it could fit in the bait bucket 8*)

Scotty

[madness522]

Make sure you can out run at least one other person you're hunting with... just kidding.  Have a great hunt and hope you score.

[Peter Arthur]

I've just had a quick look through our Hunting Regulations for this season.
It does specifically state that it is illegal to dispose or abandon animal carcasses within Wildlife Managment Areas or on Public property.
I suppose that means you could technically do this on private land.
Personally, I find this wasteful and unethical, but that's what the rules state as I read them.

[chrisg]

Hi Paul, you can't be quite so clueless but remember 'Don't pat the nice 'doggy'    

Enjoy the hunt, are you going to be using your ribteks? I envy you guys now, our season is almost done.
chrisg

[Izzy]

I like it in summer sausage best.

[blueline]

bear brouts

[Legolas]

Chrisg,
Using Wensels. Bagged a buck last season and it left a nice porthole.

Paul

[Teacher_of_the_Arcane]

Hi All,

My only observation....bears seem to run in what ever direction they're facing when shot, so if one's facing you, you might want to wait a moment for it to face another direction.  ;-)

[Charlie Lamb]

Take a Thermacell!!!

[agd68]

I'd take a nice peice of spring bear over just about any other. Kind or like a cross between pork and beef. They have pretty poor eyesight but have real sharp hearing. I've had them huff at me directly under my stand and still go to the bait pile. Have fun and good luck

[GUYZER]

hi.i have harvested several bears and i find them very tasty.they make great roast and burger meat. have a great hunt.      guyer!!!