Cub Survival Odds

[h20hunter]

" Be patient and let the situation unfold a little longer that usual. "

I think that is a great point in any hunting situation. Thanks for putting that out there.

[seth30]

I try to wait and look, and dont ever want to shoot a sow with cubs.  Now if i am charged by one that is different.

[50CalJim]

I've been up close & very personnel with a few pissed off  Sows with Cubs & even though it was rather nerve wracking I didn't shoot them. Granted I've shot my fair share of Bears & don't feel the need to orphan a small Cub to feed my ego I suppose. Bottom line is do the right thing & let her go you'll feel better about it in the long run.

[unluckyjohn]

If this state had a clue we would be able to bait and the idea of shooting a sow wouldn't even come up.

[h20hunter]

that might be an interesting poll

If legal, would you bait?

[runamuk]

that might be an interesting poll

If legal, would you bait?

heck yeah

and it would make it a little simpler to not shoot sows with cubs

 I'd like to hound hunt as well

[BLUEBULLS]

It would all depend on the size of the cub. If it looks small to me I'd pass, If I think it would make it, I'd shoot her.

Cubs grow up to elk killers too

how big does a cub have to be for someone to shoot it?

I've killed some big bears and this year I'm taking my 4 year old, A yearling might hit the dirt. the kids need a bear rug too

[Kain]

I dont know if I would bait in the normal "tree stand over a barrel" but I would try attractants like bear bombs and cover scents. 

[shanevg]

As for shooting a sow with cubs - if this years cubs, don't even consider it.  If last years cubs, I would take the sow.

As for baiting - I would definitely not bait.  I love that fact that our state has no hound hunting and baiting because it makes great opportunities for spot and stalk bear hunting which is what I really love any ways.  I have no desire to spend hours in a tree stand watching a barrel and waiting for a bear to walk in, I much prefer to go hiking around and try to find them.  I hunt all the same areas my dad used to hunt when he was younger and he says he never saw the number of bears that we see now.  I think that is in a large part due to the lack of baiting and hound hunting.  Our state is actually good for one thing - we have arguably the best spot and stalk black bear hunting in the west.  Considering our deer and elk hunting sucks so much, I want at least one species that has some good hunting. 

Personally, I am happy we have no baiting or hound hunting.

[bear]

I could never in good conscious shoot any sow that had cubs with her no matter if they were last years or not. 

[carpsniperg2]

depending on the age of cubs. odds are low but the later in the season better chance they have.

[one-eyed Ross]

This will also be my first committed year for hunting bear, and I'll be taking my 17 y.o. son out with me.  His only game so far has been rabbit.

For me, I understand the process involved in asking the question, and I also understand the answers quite well.  Hunting ethics are a learned value, something we pass along to our youngsters - hopefully the lessons stick.  I'm thinking that the lesson has stuck with you, or you wouldn't have asked the question.  Your are looking for advice on the ethical thing to do - and I think you already, in your heart, had the answer, and know what you will do.

Good hunting, good luck, and thanks for reminding all of us that we have a moral/ethical responsibility to be a good steward.

[washelkhntr]

 

[Gutpile]

I'm having trouble understanding why one would be conflicted with this question. Why in the hell would one shoot a Sow with cubs? It makes no sense. By the way if they are 2nd year cubs mama will have kicked them out by now because she's in heat again by this time of the year. Every two years ya know? So that leaves 1st year cubs that will die if you kill the mother. I think it's incredibly selfish to kill that sow knowing the cubs will die too just because someone needs to kill there first bear. 

[jimmyt]

my story on momma with cubs a friend of mine called me and said he was going to shoot this bear that there three together so i asked  him if it was cubs and he said that they were pretty good size so i told i would not shoot a sow with cubs this was his first bear he calls me later and tells me that he shot it and gutted it and we will pack it out in the morning. I talked to my brother his wife's dad is a Fish and Game biologist he said that the cubs will not survive without there mother for food and protection from other boars and preditors the next day we go pack this bear out and the two cubs are cuddled up with there dead mother pretty sad they had eaten all of her guts and would not leave without us throwing stuff and yelling at them if you like this story shoot a mother with cubs i wont and my buddy will never do it again