Black Bear Tips and Tactics UPDATED 9/13

[Ray Lyon]

Oh, and don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched (I didn’t mean to imply you should already be measuring up your taxidermist and rug!!).  I’m batting about 25% on Michigan bait hunting bears.  Hunted Ontario once for baited bears in fall (and learned a lot from guide but my chance was foiled because of new scent at bait).  Also shot a cinnamon phase bear in Montana while stalking for elk and mule deer and that was a adrenaline rush.  Enjoy the experience even if you don’t harvest a bear, the whole process of picking out spot, baiting runs and every little sound or movement while sitting on an active bait becomes a bear in your mind. 

[Trenton G.]

Nice bears. They look good! That's really cool that you came all the way up to Copper Harbor and got one! I saw a sow and two cubs up there two falls ago. It sure is a fun area!
If nothing else I will definitely have a skull mount done. That's what I have done with most of my deer.
I'm definitely not going to go into this thing with unrealistic expectations. Just being able to try something new is going to be worth the work, even if I never even see a bear (although I sure hope that I do!) I figure it's just like any other type of hunting, nothing is guaranteed, especially with a trad bow. (Have to figure out which one to use I guess haha.)
With regard to skipping classes, I'm usually pretty good about that haha. It's too difficult to make up for whatever you miss!

[Ray Lyon]

Trenton, bears die easy, when they are hit properly.  Any whitetail setup is plenty for black bears. I’ve killed three total and been on four other tracking job.  Blood trail was not an issue with 32, 60 and 25 yard recovery on my bears.  My buddy had 40 and 50 yard trails.  Two other acquaintances I helped with had unfounded bears that went over a mile due to poor hits.  Use your most accurate bow, close shot with low tree stand 8-10 feet with good cover, and any sharp broadhead of your preference.  Review bear vitals charts carefully

[Trenton G.]

One of my buddies shot one up here with his compound this fall that I helped him track. It left a decent blood trail but not a ton. Went maybe 80 yards with a double lung shot. It went through some pretty thick nasty stuff which made it exciting.
I plan on using my whitetail setup, but am debating between the VPA's or the Grizzlies. I'll probably stick with the 3 blade to give a better blood trail hopefully.
I'm going to try and keep my shots around 15 yards or less, but I feel confident past that if I need to. Been toying with the idea of hunting from the ground as well. I've only got one tree stand so if I've got multiple baits that would have to be an option at some point. I'll try and make the baits with logs that would force a slightly quartering away shot if possible.

[woodchucker]

We can't hunt over bait here in NY, but I will say this... A predator call works GREAT!!!

Set up in your tree stand, (or on the ground) and blast a distressed fawn call for about 5 minutes.
Keep your eyes open! (especially behind you) he could end up in your lap....

[Trenton G.]

I've thought about calling, but there are a ton of wolves up in the areas that I hunt and I've had enough uncomfortable encounters with them that I don't care to call any of them in. I've heard they can ruin a bait site as well which has me a little nervous.

[PrestonTaylor]

Hey Trenton. Here's a thought about tanning your hide. You can flesh it yourself. Either the old way on a beam scraping the meat/fat off, or you can use a pressure washer (be careful though cause you can put holes in the hide, but it strips fat off easily). Then just salt and dry the hide and ship or drive it to a tannery (the tannery is where a taxidermist will send it anyway). They tan and shave the hide til it is soft and ship it back to you. It will be ready for a throw or blanket. I used a local taxidermist the first 2 bears and she showed me how to skin them better and how to flesh them and use a tannery. Then I did the next 2 myself and shipped them off to a tannery and they came back great. I tanned another with the stuff you can buy from cabelas. Then this last bear I brain tanned the hide; I'm still working on softening that one. Each method gets progressively cheaper. But the ratio of expense to work is inverse However, tanning them myself is fun, more rewarding, and less harsh chemically.
Have fun bear hunting, it is a blast.

[STICKBENDER98]

Trenton, I've heard the same thing about the wolves coming in and ruining the bait site, they will basically run the bears off it and they wont come back.  Hope that doesn't happen for you!!!  Neither of the bears I shot were with traditional equipment, my U.P. bear I used 125 grain 3 blade Muzzys and had a good blood trail and it only went 40-50 yards, but it was an interesting blood trail, my buddy and I were tracking, I was on the blood, my buddy was off to my side watching in front of us, we were about 20-30 yards from another bear, made for a few tense moments as it decided to move on thankfully!!!.  My New Brunswick bear was shot with a 3 blade also, but had really thick fur, and my guide and I were on our hands and knees finding pin head drops of blood, but this bear only went 50-60 yards, both shots were double lung, the N.B. I heard the death moan and knew it was close, I never heard it from my U.P. bear.

My buddy got his bear the second time we went to the U.P. he was using his Shaffer Silvertip with a steel force broadhead, when he shot it, it was 5 paces from the base of the tree we were in, I was filming the hunt for him, he caught the shoulder blade and got one lung, his went about 100 yards, we waited and went back in the morning for his after we watched the shot over a couple times after we went back to where we were staying.

I had planed on going back to N.B. this spring and trying for a bigger bear with my long bow, but with everything going on I decided to cancel my hunt and reschedule when this settled down a bit.  Good luck and keep us posted with your progress!!!


Jason

[Trenton G.]

Preston, thanks for the advice. I might end up doing that if I get one. Maybe I could get one of the local taxidermists to show me how to do it.

Jason, I hope so too! I've had more than one deer spot ruined by them! I'll do some playing around with my setup this summer and see what I come up with. Probably will just shoot my deer setup and call it good.

[YosemiteSam]

I don't know much about hunting bears.  I see them while deer hunting and got a small one this year during the archery deer season.  For whatever reason, I always see them and their sign near water.  Where I am, I'll see deer cross near water but they like to bed up higher where they can see that food and water source before coming down to eat or drink.  And the deer can sometimes be high on the ridgetop, a mile or more from the nearest water source.  I've seen some bear sign up in these same bedding areas but I see way more down in the creekbed or very close to it.  Sometimes, during warmer spells, I'll find them IN the creek itself.

Here, hunting bears with bait or dogs is illegal.  There is no spring season either, though I've been told that Southern CA bears don't hibernate anyway.  Couldn't tell you anything about MI bears.  But if I want to find a bear around here, I go to water first.

[tracker12]

Started hunting NJ when they opened an archery season 4 years ago and allowed baiting.  It is a bunch of fun.  We have done pretty good for a bunch of beginners.  Two of us have killed 6 bear in four years.  My bait of choice is donuts spiked with Molasses.  The area we hunt is loaded with bears and we started baits about three weeks before the season. Last year we started a week before.  Next year I am starting the day before the season.  The last three years we had bear on the baits the same afternoon. This is one that was on the bait within 3 hours.

[Trenton G.]

Guess I'll bring this back up to the top with a few more questions.

How tough is it to get them in close to a stand? Ideally I'd like to have my shot around 15 yards or less but I'm not opposed to shooting out to 25 if I have to. I just like as little room for error as possible.
I've never butchered a bear before. In assuming it's pretty much the same deal as a whitetail? Or do you cut them up differently? I know they have a lot more fat, so I assume I'll be doing a lot of trimming. (Maybe I'm jinxing myself by asking how to cut one up before I get one but figured it would be good to know haha)
Ok, third and hopefully final question. I'm sure there will be more later in the year but this is it for now. I know its important to keep a consistent scent in the area when baiting. I have another buddy who is getting a tag and we were planning to alternate baiting days so that we didn't each have to go every time. Would having two consistent baiters be a bad idea or would that be alright?
Thanks for the help!

[Ray Lyon]

Trenton,
Hope your school year went well.  I don’t see an issue alternate baiting as I’ve done that with my buddies here in MI on several different occasions and years and we’ve been successful.  I think the situation where you’re going into a bait for first time that has been baited exclusively by another is maybe asking for issues.
Keeping a bear carcass cold is your first priority in excellent table fare.  I shot my 2008 Bear on a 70 degree evening here in Traverse City.  Fortunately I have a buddy who had a walk-in cooler and on the way to his cooler I stopped and got three bags of ice from a gas station and stuffed into body cavity.  Unlike deer, I don’t think aging Bear meat is necessary because I’m making burger, roasts and steaks (for Swiss steak), all of which are used in low temperature fully cooked with moisture meals.  Houghton definitely has cooler temperatures so hopefully you can get the hide off and cool the Bear down.  Don’t try to stuff a bunch of warm fresh Bear meat in a cooler with a little ice, the inner meat won’t cool and will spoil. 
As for bait shot distance myself and my successful friends keep shot distance less than 15 yards and stand at 12 feet high OR LESS.  Keep your shot angle low.  Pick your bait site in a spot that works for your convenience in keeping predominant winds in your favor for both entry and sit.  Also pick a tree with good cover so you’re concealed at lower levels. 
Good luck!!

[STICKBENDER98]

Trenton, Like Ray said, pack ice inside it and get the hide off to help cool it down, my bear from the UP I was able to get into a walk in cooler, and able to keep it cold until I got it back home to process it, I made some burger, but canned most of it, it makes great bbq, and have used the canned meat in homemade soup and stew.


Jason

[Doug Treat]

If you end up with a bear, a cheaper taxidermy bill can be had by doing a shoulder mount which is kinda nice, I think. Also, the taxidermists I’ve worked with have been ok with making payments. I usually figure out how much I need to pay a month to finish when the mount is ready (usually about a year). I want to warn you though, bear hunting can be addictive but fortunately BHA is there for you. If you find yourself so afflicted, check in to your local Bear Huntaholics Anonymous for help.

[Trenton G.]

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll definitely make sure to keep it cool. Season starts September 9 so theres definitely a possibility for some warmer weather that I'll have to pay attention too. I have never scanned meat before but maybe I'll give that a try. We'll see if I can steal some of mom's canning jars haha. Good  to know on the baiting thing, that will really help. Unfortunate school is a priority I guess as much as I wish it wasn't, so not having to go out and alternating the baiting schedule will definitely make things a bit easier. I'll look for a setup that let's me stay fairly low to the ground with a good backdrop as well. I might even sit on the ground. Doug, if I send it to a taxidermist I would probably just go with a shoulder mount like you suggest. I love the 3/4 mounts coming out of the wall but those are pretty pricey.

[Gun]

I see its a fall hunt. I was going to suggest finding  someone that traps Beavers. Best bait for Bears.

 They will eat just about anything. A buddy that guides has a converted electrical cement mixer he pops popcorn in and mixes in molasses while its spinning. Cheap no name brand dog food, donuts, candy etc. Get some liquid smoke and put it in a spray bottle. Has a strong odor. Spray it on trees around  the bait.

 I used a thawed out Turkey after a freezer quit on us. Hung it up on a branch out of reach. Bears would come lick the maggots off the ground under it.

 Then while I was sitting it one afternoon a 2-3 yr old Boar came in and figured out that the string was tied to the top of a sapling a short distance away. He stood up and bent the tree over and tried to snap at it with his mouth. Took him four or five tries but he did get it. Walked backwards until the line snapped. (Sounded like a .22 shot)
He trotted off a short distance and devoured it. I cringed a bit watching that but wished I had the whole thing on film.

Good luck with your hunt. Bears are fun!

[Yooper-traveler]

Trenton I’m from up here and hunt them (or help track etc) every year I can.  You have had some good advice.  I live near Amasa if you need any help, let me know.  I have a friend who drew this year (he is also a troll) and should be on my land for his hunt.  I may have an extra barrel if you need one.  Good luck.

[MGH]

Two of my kids and I drew for the Carney unit this fall, 3rd season.  If anyone knows of a guide or someone who would run baits, please let me know.  Good Luck to all!!  Mark

[Trenton G.]

Thanks for the tips Gun, I bought some liquid smoke from my buddy who got one last year and I plan to use it quite a bit. Along with bacon grease and whatever else smelly stuff i can get my hands on.

Yooper traveller, I'll keep that in mind if I need some help, thanks! I'm not allowed to use barrels on public land as I don't have access to any private land, but I appreciate the offer! I'll just be using heavy logs and stuff to cover my bait.

Good luck Mark!