Bear hunting for newbies

[lewy]

After hunting bears for a while you can see the swagger in a mature boar, body shape and head. That may take a while, so one good way to judge size is the ears. A small bear will have a micky mouse look to it with the ears appearing to be on top of the head and large. As they mature the ears move to the side of the head. A mature boar will also get a dimple in the top of there head. I will include a picture of a big boar who's "dimple" is pretty obvious as well as his ears...hope this helps a little

[Kain]

Here is a discussion with a ton of links to articles and videos on bear calling.  There are also recommendations on books and videos you could buy.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,27890.0.html

[Kain]

If you wanna know what a young bear in distress sounds like.

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2vPceh7X48[/youtube]

[KillBilly]

Quote from Branden
[q]Bears are easy because they eat all the time. The only two things a guy needs to know about bears is what they are eating that time of year and that they are going to be as far away from people as possible. Probably one of the easiest animals to hunt in Washington besides goats. [/q]

Anyone wanting to learn should contact Branden, he sounds like the guy to learn from

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,28958.0.html

[rasbo]

Probably one of the easiest animals to hunt in Washington besides goats. [/q]
I better take some bear classes..

[saylean]

I think the only thing that makes them "easy" is that if you see a bear (and are not picky), generally it is a legal bear (and I am referring to NOT shooting a sow with cubs).

Other than that, I dont think it is all that easy. Especially when you first start out.

Or you have to pack it out...

or track it...

or call one in...

now back to the Poo picks!

To give a tid bit of help on this (sorry for the thread Jack ....

Dont look for "whole bears". Bears when on all fours will be low to the ground. Even in brush 5 ft tall, you might not see much more than the brush moving when they do. In western wa, search for berry patches in the late summer/fall. Look for bits of bears in the brush, or brush movement. Listen carefully as well. You will often hear them before you ever see them.

Watch these berry patches closely for movement and then (as always) be sure of your target. Bears do not have good eye sight but can smell and hear very well.

In eastern wa, look for brushy, cooler draws and gullys. Rose hips, berries, etc.

Good luck.

[rasbo]

depending on where ya hunt,come aug and sept,its hot..they like to stay cool,so if they are not out feeding  cool dark areas is where I like to go.feed is usually not to far away..I will call in those areas..Or still hunt where you know they are laying..spend time around thick cool wet spots..steep to..soon you will learn have fun learning is some of the best times..just dont stop learning..It will all come together

[Branden]

Nice bears by the way guys.

[Pathfinder101]

After hunting bears for a while you can see the swagger in a mature boar, body shape and head. That may take a while, so one good way to judge size is the ears. A small bear will have a micky mouse look to it with the ears appearing to be on top of the head and large. As they mature the ears move to the side of the head. A mature boar will also get a dimple in the top of there head. I will include a picture of a big boar who's "dimple" is pretty obvious as well as his ears...hope this helps a little

That is a great looking bear.  Huge head.  Good post too.

[saylean]

Here is an example (referring back to what I spoke of earlier) of how low a bear is in the brush when on all fours. The brush in the pic is about low chest height (im 6 1"). He is actually walking down a game trail which I thought would be used by bearskies.

So, keep in mind, if you just starting out hunting bears, they will often be very low to the ground and tough to spot in thick brush, so watch carefully and always always always be sure of your target. No brush shooting.

[lewy]

nice pic saylean!

[Machias]

Yep and no idea how many cubs are trailing behind.  That is the real travesty of outlawing baiting and hounds.

[lewy]

exactly!

[Pathfinder101]

No brush shooting.

Awwwww.... c'mon....   ...where's your sense of adventure....

[saylean]

I was in the brush looking for my brothers bear last year, praying to god I wouldnt get brush shot (not by my brother, but any other hunter).



Going into thick brush after a possibly wounded bear is more than enough adventure for me.