Author Topic: how to age bear scat (Read 2539 times)

Bard1 · « **on:** April 02, 2007, 06:05:00 PM »

hey gang,
I went looking for bears this past saturday. I didn't see much in the way of scat in my hunting areas yet. It's still early and I know they'll come soon enough. I did see a few piles, but not enough in one area to warrent a hunt. I got to wondering, how can you tell how long ago the scat was left. Living in the very wet portion of the state scat stays moist a long long time. So that doesn't help. Right now the bears are all eating grass, and you can see it in the scat. I did see some scat that seemed to be well formed and others that were all run together more like a cow patty, and I wondered if this wasn't "old" scat that had lost it's "defanition" due to rain and wet. What you do more experiance bear hunters say?

Derek

Ray Hammond · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:09:00 PM »

I think you stick your finger down in it, push it around, then sniff. That's the way I've seen Uncle Barry do it and that's good enough for me!

tim roberts · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:23:00 PM »

The other way is kind of what Ray said, but instead of smelling it you get a little bit and taste it, if it taste like fresh grass, its fresh, if it taste like old grass, well you get the picture.
Hope these words of advice help

>>>Tim------->

Bard1 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:38:00 PM »

yeah I was kinda hoping for some other way. Sticking my finger in bear poop and tasting it, is well, so NOT sexy. *shiver* blah! But I hear it's great for the complexion, you all should rub some on your faces after sticking your finger in it.

IB · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:40:00 PM »

We look at the shine on the Brass Bells..Then we test how pungent the smell of pepper is.

Real Shiny Bells.....Strong Pepper odor....REAL FRESH

Bard1 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:45:00 PM »

Iron Bull...we don't have THOSE kind of bears here. Just the little black ones. :p

IB · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2007, 06:52:00 PM »

Actually Bard...The contents of the Scat should be a very good indicator as to the freshness. Early bear would be looser, greener, very little if any hair. An progress from there. I don't have your issues here, If I see it on the snow it's pretty fresh.

Bard1 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2007, 07:09:00 PM »

I mean more along the lines of how long ago that scat was left. an hour, a day, three days.
I know if it's steaming you should hunt, but I want to know be able to get an idea of how long ago it was left other then whether or not it's still warm.

Terry Green · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2007, 07:13:00 PM »

If it has flies on it....its fresh....

If it has no flies on it its probably a day or two old....If it aint hardened yet.

If it is hard......then it aint fresh....

If it has mold on it, its old..

If it is chalky looking......it really old.

Least thats the way it seems to me in GA....your area maybe different.

Bard1 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 02, 2007, 07:16:00 PM »

no fly's around yet. Did have mesquitos though.
and it's like a rain forest in those hills this time a year. Nothing will get dry. Not till may.
your starting to catch my dilema?

bentpole · « **Reply #10 on:** April 02, 2007, 07:16:00 PM »

Looks like I'm not having chocolate icecream for dessert tonight.

Bard1 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 02, 2007, 08:03:00 PM »

why ever not bentpole?

JBiorn · « **Reply #12 on:** April 02, 2007, 08:08:00 PM »

Heh.....Terry has it. However, Grampa used to put a little in his lip like Copenhagen----looking for the taste of fresh grass......eww.

Jeff

vermonster13 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 02, 2007, 08:12:00 PM »

CAn you smell it without having to touch it? Is it still shiny? CAn you get a whiff of bear from the ground? If you can, then you're in the right zip-code.

tim roberts · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2007, 08:23:00 PM »

Since you don't want to taste it, I'll let you in on the last of my "great indian secrets"...If the Charmin is still fresh and fluffy and damp...its fresh, if you can start a fire with it, look else where!
CHA, CHA, Charmin!
Hope these "Great Words" of advice help!

>>>Tim------->

JBiorn · « **Reply #15 on:** April 02, 2007, 08:24:00 PM »

All that and then say "Good thing I didn't step in it".

Jeff

Roughcountry · « **Reply #16 on:** April 02, 2007, 09:38:00 PM »

Derek
A bit different for me on the dry side of the state. As Vance said, I go by what their eating.
At the elevations I usally hunt they start on a small forb near springs that turns the scat a brite green. Later they go to the couse root that turns it black but not like the black they get from meat.
Prime time over here is when they hit the couse root. They spend a fair bit of time on the ridges in rocky spots digging it. Gives you time to size them up and put a stalk on them. If they get to much sun and go back into the timber, you can wait for them to finish a nap and come out again.

I can tell the age fairly close over here but I'd sure be lost on your side o the state.

hormoan · « **Reply #17 on:** April 02, 2007, 10:21:00 PM »

And I thought that was just a old saying, do bears_ _ _ _ in the woods? I'm not to sure about the bears but you guys kill me

Brent

hormoan · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2007, 10:31:00 PM »

Hey Derek

I spent a week one night in Roseburg, is that any where close to Rosebrug?

Brent

30coupe · « **Reply #19 on:** April 02, 2007, 10:58:00 PM »

If the bear is still humped up, it's really fresh. Is it considered poor sportsmanship to shoot him before he's done?


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Author Topic: how to age bear scat (Read 2539 times)

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