calling in black bears

[J-dog]

I wish we could spot and stalk here but you cant see more the 25 yeards in the woods!

I have called bears using fawn bleats, learned another sound you can do with your mouth that may not be an attracting call but if they are close then they will stay curious and interested. Used it when I was spotted but they couldn't tell what I was, calmed them a bit. I remeber bears in Pungo making the noise when they were in clase proximity of each other, as it was bow season (and bear sanctuary even if it was a season in! I was just listening to them talk.

Gonna try a rabbit distress call this year. Always up for somehting new. Wanna kill a big one with my bow. One of the down east monsters.

J

[Randy Morin]

I called in my first ever Trad killed black bear with a Rabbit screamer 3 years ago.  Last week, after killing my bear spot and stalk the week before I hiked in to a area to scout for next year and saw 3 bears.  I called to one (a nice boar) from 150 yards out and he almost ignored the loud screaming.  I tried two different times over 5-10 minutes and he could have cared less it seemed.  He was however very happy grazing on the lush/wet grass he was standing in so that may have had something to do with it. So...try calling after you spot one if a stalk isnt in the cards for some reason.

[doctari]

I will be trying this soon, September 20th I leave for Montana for a bear hunt. I plan on hunting near clear cuts with a good view in front and behind me too. I have Wayne Carltons call and CD, The shrills that come out of this call are pretty scary. I just hope I dont get the crap scared out of me.LOL  

[JimB]

Woodwise Calls has at least 2 different bear calls and a real good video on calling them.If I were you,I would at least get the video.

Most people say you should call for a full hour at each location and bears keep coming when you call and stop when you do.

It is not uncommon here,for bears to come into cow calls when elk hunting.

The Fall is prime time to call as bears are seeking anything to eat that they can find-24/7.Keep your eyes open.

I haven't done a lot of calling but often thought one of those fawn decoys would be great to divert the bear's attention from your location.

Don't forget,lions may sneak in too.Keep your eyes open.

If you hunt in areas with grizzlies,it's not a good idea.

[Uncle Buck]

I saw a hunting show on TV where a Kodiak AK guide called in a brown bear with a dying rabbit call, the bear came in a  gallop and gave a clear shot (rifle) at 15 yards, definitely got ther adrenanlin going.

[Ragnarok Forge]

I prefer to use a deer distress sound in my area.  I startout calling with low volume and then ratchet it up and then move back to low volume.  You want to call steadily with only 30 second lulls.  Bears tend to loose interest if you wait for long spells between calling.  If you see the bear first calling is easy to gauge by their response.  If you know they are around the area.  Set in and call for at least an hour at each stand.  Make sure to keep your eyes open.  Bears are very quiet and Cougars come in a lot and are never seen.  Look under brush and trees and try to spot ears and eyes.  The cats tend to slink in real slow and hide under or behind something to see what is hollering.  Bears can take up to an hour to show up due to a cautious approach.  Calling is very effective and should put you on some bears if you call in the right areas.  I second the no calling in grizzly country.  Good way to get stomped!

[bearsfeet]

I am going to try calling as well for the first time this year. That is if spot and stalk fails me. I will be on the other side of the mountain from you here in oregon.

Best of luck to ya this spring!

[owlbait]

Years back I had a Black Bear come into my elk calls. Real close. I'd be more worried about the cougars coming in though. Tink's makes a Smokin'Deer Scent and I believe a Bear scent that works like an incense stick. Very oily smoke that sticks and lingers. Maybe check that out? Good luck.

[Ragnarok Forge]

If your in an area with deer use deer / fawn in distress or weak bleats.  If your in an area with elk use an elk distress sound.  Bears will run down a calf elk before a fawn.  I have done this quite a bit and it works great.  Some bears will respond and some won't. It is best to spot the bear and determine it is alone first.  You can call them in blind.  

Unlike Coyotes, bears often come in slowly and stop moving when you stop calling.  I tend to use short calling sequences and keep them steady and paced close together.  I start out calling at mid level and if a bear is near it will often run in fast.  If I get no response in 5 minutes, I crank up the volume and really let it blast for 5 minutes.  I then slowly taper the sound off over the next 15 to 20 minutes.  

I normally call for a minimum of 30 minutes on each set.  Don't get totally focused on the bear you can see.  Others can come in from a different direction.  Also look out for coyotes and bobcats that come to the call.  Deer and Elk also respond at times.

Calling is a great addition to your hunting repertoir and can make for some exciting hunting.  If the bear your calling to is busy eating, put a stalk on and make your kill that way.

[Surveyor527]

If your state says no baiting, it will also mean no scents/smokers etc. Get a copy of Wayne Carlton's "Callin' Bears" and you will get a good idea of how it works...plus a too-close look at a big kitty.

good luck!

[JimB]

Not necessarily.Some states allow scents.

[The Hawk]

Called a couple in in AZ with the Wayne Carlton Bear call.  Don't know if they still make 'em?  It is a squaller, a loud fawn bleat.  It came with a video that was helpful.  I never had any luck blind calling but, if you can spot them, they will usually (or sometimes) come over to check it out.  They come hungry and planning on a free meal so, it's a good idea to have a buddy calling and you can watch each others backs.

[Surveyor527]

Originally posted by JimB:
Not necessarily.Some states allow scents.

Which states allow scents but not baits? I never heard of such a thing.
Thanks for your time!

[jmh]

I am looking at calling in bears this fall in Montana.  Sounds like a good alternative since I can't seem to draw an elk tag.

[Rackman]

I seem to recall an older Video it was called Calling in Bears by Wayne Carlton. He uses various calling techniques in his video.  Hope this helps. I myself have hunted bear but strictly over bait, it is legal here in Ontario. And burning honey or molasses would be considered baiting.

[Terry Green]

I've never tried it...but will this year for sure....just for kicks.

[Machias]

I have called in 14 bears so far.  I like a raspy sounding call better than a higher pitch call.  I like to cold call, since it's pretty thick up here in NE WA.  I call pretty much non-stop for an hour and I set a watch out in front of me, because calling for an hour is a looong time and without the watch it is hard to judge how long I have been on stand.

[twostrings]

The thought of calling in a bear is pretty exciting and a little spooky!

[ermont]

I might suggest an electronic caller if they are legal in your state. Especially if you are hunting alone. Put the speaker 15-20 yards in front of you with an old rabbit fur to draw their attention. Then run the call for at least a half hour.

[arrowsmack324]

Sounds like a whole lot of fun.