How big based on track?

[Dakota Dogman]

So I'm out for a walk with the dogs this AM.  Normal area, but I have been seeing bear sign around. 

I took the same trail on the way out & the way back, easiest road and I was in a hurry.  On the way back I found some bear tracks.  There were about 4 or 5 tracks.

They were about 6"long (from the back of the pad to the front claw) and around 8.5" wide.  I'm a good 215, and I couldn't get a 1/2" impression from my track.  The bear tracks were close to 1" deep.

Any idea how big that bear should be? 
God Bless,

[Timberstalker]

Got any Pictures? That is a huge track

[boneaddict]

   Thats like Grizz type track, like Alaskan brown bear.  8.5 inches??? Seriously.

[GoldTip]

 Thats like Grizz type track, like Alaskan brown bear.  8.5 inches??? Seriously.

I agree, would be hard pressed to see a blackie make a track that big.  Now there are some griz up in the NE corner of the state, damn few Mountain grizzlies will ever make a track 8.5 inches wide however.

[Dakota Dogman]

SW corner of the state... really don't think it was a griz. as the claws were real close to the front of the pads.  Measured off my hand which completely covered the track.  Will go back in the AM to see if I can get a pict. of it, but will have to then learn the posting pict. thing.

Thanks, will keep you posted. God Bless,

[littlebuf]

i found a track up in kapowsin last year that my whole hand with fingers spread fit inside, it was by far the biggest black bear track ive ever seen. my hand from the tip of my middle finger to the base of my hand is 9 inches and from tip of my thumb to tip of my pinkie with my fingers just spread ( how i put my hand in the track) is about 8 inches, i went back to this area many times but only found sign of a big bear one other time shortly after finding this track. the track wasn't old or washed out, it was actually fresh enough top make me unbuckle the 45 on my hip and take a good long look around before i bent down to investigate. i know it sounds way to big but thats the track i found , wish i would seen the bear

[SHANE(WA)]

The state record blackie we got a few years back was 9" across, it was insane almost 2 hands together wide. Bear wasnt super huge maybe 350 lbs, shoulders up was massive, almost shock when we walked up to it

[littlebuf]

man id like to see some pics if ya got any shane. especially of his paws that thing sound cool 

[bow4elk]

A 5" front pad (width) = 18" skull, (generally speaking).

[Dakota Dogman]

So now the question is knowing that he is there ...
how do I remove him from the equation?   
August can't come fast enough, but I have as little clue about hunting that bugger as I do what that size track means. 

God Bless,

[littlebuf]

if i were you id spend every ounce of time you can dedicate to scouting where you've found these tracks, odds are he wont be there in august but you may be able to narrow it down to a area he's at least moving through

[mkcj]

And get a game camera and see if you can get some pictures of him

[SHANE(WA)]

We didnt get any good pics of it, had some crappy disposable. 21 12/16  here is one

[boneaddict]

Well, you guys are up on me.  I never in my life imagined a blackbear with a 9 inch or an 8 inch wide track.  Thats utterly insane.

[Gutpile]

Well, you guys are up on me.  I never in my life imagined a blackbear with a 9 inch or an 8 inch wide track.  Thats utterly insane.

I agree. On the other hand, maybe It's bigfoot's pet bear.  

I've always heard that if you have a 5" wide front pad then you have a 6' bear. If this rule holds true we're taliking about a 9.5' bear. If this is true it'd have to be a grizzly.

Now we need pics for proof.