collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Size this bear  (Read 4598 times)

Offline Birdgetter

  • WA State Trappers Association
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2017
  • Posts: 578
Re: Size this bear
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2019, 11:21:33 AM »
I agree it should be on a shirt! @yorketransport

Offline SilkOnTheDrySide

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 1532
  • Location: West Richland
Re: Size this bear
« Reply #16 on: March 25, 2019, 01:10:22 PM »
That's a hind foot print, one rule of thumb is that the width of the front track in inches indicates what the hide will square in feet.  The hind print is slightly narrower than the front.  My hand is 4" wide, your hand and the hind foot appear to be equal in width in the photo, so I'm going to guess a 4 1/2"-5" front width - an average size adult, 150 lbs give or take spring weight, approaching 200 lbs fall weight.  Not a monster, not a dink - if there's no cub tracks a shooter in my book.

LOTS of speculation in that guess :)

There is some correlation between scat size and bear size, but it's very imprecise and depends a lot on season and diet.  The largest black bear scats I've seen are about as thick as a beer/pop can, and for volume can compete with a horse - which I assume is a big bear.  That looks "average" to me, supporting perhaps an average size adult.

@saylean what say you?

I used to think scat size was an indicator...then I saw the pop cans my 4 year old turns out and changed my opinion...😂


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline 92xj

  • Trade Count: (+26)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2009
  • Posts: 4024
  • Location: Out of Place
  • Kill 'em
Re: Size this bear
« Reply #17 on: March 25, 2019, 01:18:50 PM »
That's a hind foot print, one rule of thumb is that the width of the front track in inches indicates what the hide will square in feet.  The hind print is slightly narrower than the front.  My hand is 4" wide, your hand and the hind foot appear to be equal in width in the photo, so I'm going to guess a 4 1/2"-5" front width - an average size adult, 150 lbs give or take spring weight, approaching 200 lbs fall weight.  Not a monster, not a dink - if there's no cub tracks a shooter in my book.

LOTS of speculation in that guess :)

There is some correlation between scat size and bear size, but it's very imprecise and depends a lot on season and diet.  The largest black bear scats I've seen are about as thick as a beer/pop can, and for volume can compete with a horse - which I assume is a big bear.  That looks "average" to me, supporting perhaps an average size adult.

@saylean what say you?

I used to think scat size was an indicator...then I saw the pop cans my 4 year old turns out and changed my opinion...😂


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No kidding!
My 8 month old just gave birth to a mini nerf football this weekend.  I have no idea how that is possible.
"If you have to be crazy to hunt ducks, I do not wish to be sane."

Offline DOUBLELUNG

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 5837
  • Location: Wenatchee
Re: Size this bear
« Reply #18 on: March 25, 2019, 03:25:34 PM »
That's a hind foot print, one rule of thumb is that the width of the front track in inches indicates what the hide will square in feet.  The hind print is slightly narrower than the front.  My hand is 4" wide, your hand and the hind foot appear to be equal in width in the photo, so I'm going to guess a 4 1/2"-5" front width - an average size adult, 150 lbs give or take spring weight, approaching 200 lbs fall weight.  Not a monster, not a dink - if there's no cub tracks a shooter in my book.

LOTS of speculation in that guess :)

There is some correlation between scat size and bear size, but it's very imprecise and depends a lot on season and diet.  The largest black bear scats I've seen are about as thick as a beer/pop can, and for volume can compete with a horse - which I assume is a big bear.  That looks "average" to me, supporting perhaps an average size adult.

@saylean what say you?

I used to think scat size was an indicator...then I saw the pop cans my 4 year old turns out and changed my opinion...😂


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No kidding!
My 8 month old just gave birth to a mini nerf football this weekend.  I have no idea how that is possible.
Very true!  I remember many moments of utter amazement when my son was little - how? what? how is it I'm not seeing your guts in a bloody pile!
As long as we have the habitat, we can argue forever about who gets to kill what and when.  No habitat = no game.

Offline Timberstalker

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2008
  • Posts: 9266
  • Location: Tri-Cities
  • Just one more ridge
Re: Size this bear
« Reply #19 on: March 25, 2019, 03:35:31 PM »
"There is some correlation between scat size and bear size"

So is this a griz?

I agree on the medium size of your bear. the track has melted and the scat seems about average size. Still a shooter.


@Timberstalker medium blackie with a love for Busch Lite?

This is ridiculous! He probably drank a damn IPA!

Go kill that bear and let us know how big he is!
If you aint hunting, you aint livin'

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Looking for Solid 22 LR input by EnglishSetter
[Today at 03:13:54 PM]


WSTA 2025 Summer Rendezvous Agenda by Humptulips
[Today at 03:09:35 PM]


Fullsized Truck Opinion: HiMiNew vs LoMiOlder by rainshadow1
[Today at 03:01:42 PM]


2025 Montana alternate list by JBar
[Today at 02:20:40 PM]


Rotator Cuff repair X 2 advice needed by Wood2Sawdust
[Today at 01:36:26 PM]


Rock creek gone? Next? by JBar
[Today at 01:00:56 PM]


AUCTION: SE Idaho DIY Deer or Deer/Elk Hunt by teanawayslayer
[Today at 12:45:43 PM]


Archery elk gear, 2025. by pcveen
[Today at 09:35:38 AM]


2025 Canning by blackpowderhunter
[Today at 07:19:25 AM]


Lynx kittens confirmed in the Kettle Range by dwils233
[Today at 12:04:14 AM]


How To Get Your $0.00 Tax Stamp - Black Hammer Arms by dreadi
[Yesterday at 11:33:25 PM]


Seeking recommendations on a new scope by Klickitatsteelie
[Yesterday at 09:23:56 PM]


First attempt at polish sausages by Stein
[Yesterday at 07:58:22 PM]


Sockeye Numbers by Southpole
[Yesterday at 07:44:30 PM]


Best all around muzzy (updated) by jjhunter
[Yesterday at 07:44:26 PM]


38% increase in fishing and hunting licenses by Sitka_Blacktail
[Yesterday at 07:02:41 PM]


50 inch SXS and Tracks? by 92xj
[Yesterday at 05:34:03 PM]


3 days for Kings by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 05:06:49 PM]


Full moon and last week of September by pd
[Yesterday at 04:51:23 PM]


Hunting bears in the thick stuff by ghosthunter
[Yesterday at 04:33:46 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal