Calling Bears and accounting for cubs

[7mmfan]

I've done a little calling for bear over the years, without any success. Over the weekend, I narrowly missed a shot opportunity at a bear walking down a closed road. I knew it was by itself, no cubs, no idea on sex though. After it wandered into the brush, I decided to would try calling for a bit to see if I could get it to show itself. No dice. So it goes.

What I've always wondered, and was reminded again this weekend, is how do you guys that call a lot verify if the bear has cubs or not? Often when calling it is a split second decision with a bear coming in fast at close quarters and in brush. Do you feel that if the bear being called has cubs that the cubs will be closely in tow so it's obvious? Do you think that sows with cubs do not respond to calls as readily? Do you only call in areas with good visibility so you can monitor a wider area around the bear? What are your thoughts?

[Rob]

I have wondered this myself.

[Machias]

Almost all of the bears I've called in, I've been able to either watch them come in or been able to watch them for a while after they have come in.  Never had to make a split second shot.  But there is no doubt you could kill a sow with cubs.  Heck last year I video taped a nice bear coming into and at the bait for about 1 minute, took the safety off.  Just waited for a nice broadside shot and then Jr walks in.  Nothing is foolproof.  Heck even with dogs you can have a sow run the cubs up a different tree then she is in.  Doesn't matter what method you use.  You can glass a bear on the hillside for quite a while and shoot one, then see a cub stand up or run off.

[HillHound]

Yes it’s always a risk and WDFW makes it even worse by not letting us use the methods available to give us more time such as baiting and hound hunting. Like already said even then you can make a mistake but I’m sure far less when you have trail cam history of most of the Bears at the bait and probably have a good idea of the size of the track and stride if you’re chasing them with hounds. I think that’s also why it is just strongly urged not to shoot a Sow with Cubs and it is not illegal. Because they know they basically tied our hands to be absolutely 100% sure By only leaving us with spot and stalk or calling them in

[callturner]

While I'm not a big fan of the Dept it was not them that made the laws against baiting and hounds , but the uninformed public and hippie tree huggers of the State of Washington. They just stood back and watched.

[HillHound]

I suppose you are right. At least they still Throw us a bone and don’t imprison us for shooting a sow since there is no way possible to positively sex them with our methods available to us

[hunter399]

I had more than a few times in the spring season to shoot a sow with cub. But declined ,because of all drama ,and reporting,ect,that has been going on with the spring season.
Fall season I just figured if your gonna make a mistake ,better to do it in the fall season.
Maybe I'm wrong ,but that's what I was thinking.

[Angry Perch]

I had more than a few times in the spring season to shoot a sow with cub. But declined ,because of all drama ,and reporting,ect,that has been going on with the spring season.
Fall season I just figured if your gonna make a mistake ,better to do it in the fall season.
Maybe I'm wrong ,but that's what I was thinking.

You didn't shoot because of potential drama, not because of the cub(s)?

[hunter399]

I had more than a few times in the spring season to shoot a sow with cub. But declined ,because of all drama ,and reporting,ect,that has been going on with the spring season.
Fall season I just figured if your gonna make a mistake ,better to do it in the fall season.
Maybe I'm wrong ,but that's what I was thinking.

You didn't shoot because of potential drama, not because of the cub(s)?

To tell you honest ,a little of both.
I would hope no one would want to shoot a sow with cubs.

[dilleytech]

It happens all the time sadly. If the state wanted less sows with Cubs killed they would bring back baiting. But this is what the yuppies want I guess. Luckily we have so many bears in this state it’s probably best for the population.

[HillHound]

Yeah I definitely would not shoot a sow with Cubs on purpose. But at the same time given the hunting methods we have in Washington I would not lose sleep over it if it happened. I’m sure I would feel bad when I realized what I did. But  knowing they wouldnt suffer a long drawn out death because as soon as they start bawling the closest boar is going to come to the dinner bell it probably wouldn’t weigh on my mind too long.
I guess that probably sounds kind of brutal but in the grand scheme of things not really any different than all the fawns/calves that are being killed on a daily basis.

[hunter399]

Yeah I definitely would not shoot a sow with Cubs on purpose. But at the same time given the hunting methods we have in Washington I would not lose sleep over it if it happened. I’m sure I would feel bad when I realized what I did. But  knowing they wouldnt suffer a long drawn out death because as soon as they start bawling the closest boar is going to come to the dinner bell it probably wouldn’t weigh on my mind too long.
I guess that probably sounds kind of brutal but in the grand scheme of things not really any different than all the fawns/calves that are being killed on a daily basis.

All I meant was I was extra careful in the spring.
Mistakes happen ,but yes I would never on purpose.

[Angry Perch]

Yeah I definitely would not shoot a sow with Cubs on purpose. But at the same time given the hunting methods we have in Washington I would not lose sleep over it if it happened. I’m sure I would feel bad when I realized what I did. But  knowing they wouldnt suffer a long drawn out death because as soon as they start bawling the closest boar is going to come to the dinner bell it probably wouldn’t weigh on my mind too long.
I guess that probably sounds kind of brutal but in the grand scheme of things not really any different than all the fawns/calves that are being killed on a daily basis.

All I meant was I was extra careful in the spring.
Mistakes happen ,but yes I would never on purpose.

I agree.

[7mmfan]

Ok, so the gist of it is.... you can't? How about I rephrase the question, have you ever called in a sow with cubs? Were the cubs hot on her heals, or lagging behind?

[dilleytech]

Ok, so the gist of it is.... you can't? How about I rephrase the question, have you ever called in a sow with cubs? Were the cubs hot on her heals, or lagging behind?

Cubs can’t keep up with mom running for the calls. So mom comes running in now you have a bear sitting in your lap and you have the choice shoot bear don’t shoot bear. Unless your lucky enough that it comes in through wide open country I think the majority of the time mom is shot. The only bear I have called in came running uphill to me, I first saw it at about 40 yards. By the time I got my bow drawn back it was staring at me at 20. If it had Cubs they would have been orphaned.