Are Electronic Call for Black Bears Legal?

[6.8mmARHunter]

Here is a spot that I set up last time I was out. I liked this perch quite a bit. I've got a nice shooting lane ahead of me, the caller and rabbit decoy is to the left of the picture. I'm about 30 or so feet up and well concealed. Sadly, nothing came in but I've got a bob and plenty of yote action on cam to give it another try.

That looks like a pretty legit spot. Good luck next time you go out...

[Machias]

If your goal is to call in a cat you really need to talk to Rainshadow1.  The man was and is years ahead of the competition when it comes to coaxing in lions.  I believe far more cats are called in than hunters ever realize.  They just slip in unseen, watch the area and see the hunter move and slip out unseen.  I have called in 2, one I was completely unaware of, my partner who was bowhunting saw it come in and once while turkey hunting.  Called him into 15 or so feet.  The thing that sticks with me even today is knowing it was there and watching it walk away, I still never heard any sound what so ever.  They are amazing animals!!

[h20hunter]

This:

[CP]

I would say you would be up for a possible citaion. If hunting yotes you would not have a big game caliber rifle. At least I would not. If you are calling and say have a .308 on your lap for yotes you could be accused, and possibly cited for hunting bear out of season. Kind of like if you are sitting over bait deer hunting and also have a bear tag on hand. One could make the case that you were hunting bear over bait because why would you have a tag if not hunting? See what I mean.

I also would not call bears simply for picture taking.

I doubt if anyone would be cited for hunting coyotes with a .308 or for deer hunting over bait with a bear tag on your person.  Both are legal activities.

[Machias]

P.S.  Not all bears make any sound when they respond to a predator call.  Half of the 15 bears I have called in slipped in without any sound what so ever.  The first boar I killed with a predator call came to within 10 yards and was actually standing there starring at me before I had any idea he was there, slobbering, and as I slowly turned my head back to the left made eye contact.  I continued to call as I raised my gun and shot him between the eyes.  I've never called a bear in with an electronic call, all my bears have come in with mouth calls.

[CP]

A big advantage of the E-call is it can be setup several yards away from you so your chances of being snuck up on are much less than when blowing a mouth call.

[Machias]

A big advantage of the E-call is it can be setup several yards away from you so your chances of being snuck up on are much less than when blowing a mouth call.

Very true, except I cannot seem to get the volume and emotion in an e-caller like I can with a mouth call.  I don't have the confidence in the e-caller like I do with mouth calls.

[6.8mmARHunter]

I would say you would be up for a possible citaion. If hunting yotes you would not have a big game caliber rifle. At least I would not. If you are calling and say have a .308 on your lap for yotes you could be accused, and possibly cited for hunting bear out of season. Kind of like if you are sitting over bait deer hunting and also have a bear tag on hand. One could make the case that you were hunting bear over bait because why would you have a tag if not hunting? See what I mean.

I also would not call bears simply for picture taking.

I doubt if anyone would be cited for hunting coyotes with a .308 or for deer hunting over bait with a bear tag on your person.  Both are legal activities.

I wondered about this...

I've known people that have been backpacking and carrying fishing gear, as they were passing lake "A" (closed to fishing) to get to lake "B" (open, to fishing), they were stopped and ticket for fishing in lake A.

Apparently, you can be ticket for intent, not actually breaking the law.

Seems like BS to me...

[Skinnyguts]

I would say you would be up for a possible citaion. If hunting yotes you would not have a big game caliber rifle. At least I would not. If you are calling and say have a .308 on your lap for yotes you could be accused, and possibly cited for hunting bear out of season. Kind of like if you are sitting over bait deer hunting and also have a bear tag on hand. One could make the case that you were hunting bear over bait because why would you have a tag if not hunting? See what I mean.

I also would not call bears simply for picture taking.

I doubt if anyone would be cited for hunting coyotes with a .308 or for deer hunting over bait with a bear tag on your person.  Both are legal activities.

I wondered about this...

I've known people that have been backpacking and carrying fishing gear, as they were passing lake "A" (closed to fishing) to get to lake "B" (open, to fishing), they were stopped and ticket for fishing in lake A.

Apparently, you can be ticket for intent, not actually breaking the law.

Seems like BS to me...

According to this, if you are up in the woods hiking in the summer with a gun, you could potentially be poaching deer, elk, sheep, goats, moose, all trophy animals. Hang 'em!

[Man Tracker]

To give yourself the best option I can think of, call the Regional office nearest to where you are going to hunt.  Ask to talk to an officer or Sgt.  Tell them where you will be and what you are doing.  Let them know a gun is for safety, you are taking pictures.  Not many folks call and tell a warden what they are doing.  Should make for an easier day afield.

[Seahawk12]

To give yourself the best option I can think of, call the Regional office nearest to where you are going to hunt.  Ask to talk to an officer or Sgt.  Tell them where you will be and what you are doing.  Let them know a gun is for safety, you are taking pictures.  Not many folks call and tell a warden what they are doing.  Should make for an easier day afield.

That seems like a completely reasonable thing to do.