how to bear hunt?

[Maverick]

I've been wanting to get into bear hunting. I deer hunt along with fox, coyote, turkeys, ducks, geese, and upland game. I don't have any friends or family members that have killed a bear. So what I need to know is what kind of areas should I look? Does the time of day matter? Do I call them in or hike and spot? How easy is it while hunting to tell the differance between a boar and sow? Is the fur better in the spring or in the fall for a rug? What do I need to get started? I'd really like to try my luck at one this september. Any advice helps guys thanks!

[BIGINNER]

GONNA MARK THIS THREAD FOR MYSELF 

IHAVE BEAR TAG IN MY BACK POCKET, AND DUNNO WHAT TO DO WITH IT. 

[bodangles]

Spring time is always better on the hide but the bears are smaller since they have been in their den all winter. When you see one watch how they walk and how big the head looks, A large bear will rock side to side and his ears will look small. A small bear will be more active like a teenager and his body will look alot leaner. The rest is up to you, and dont worry! everyone starts out a rookie, Just have fun.

[saylean]

Theres a TON of info on bear hunting in the bear forum....

Find berries, find bears.

[runamuk]

Theres a TON of info on bear hunting in the bear forum....

Find berries, find bears.

   What he said...
this will be my 3rd season after bears and hoping 3 is still my lucky number.....please please please with whip cream and cherries make this my year ....

[Huntbear]

Theres a TON of info on bear hunting in the bear forum....

Find berries, find bears.

   What he said...
this will be my 3rd season after bears and hoping 3 is still my lucky number.....please please please with whip cream and cherries make this my year ....

x1000

[D-Rock425]

Where are you from what area do you plan on hunting?

[Maverick]

I'll be hunting up in th blue mountains. I live in tricities.

[3nails]

 You sure picked a good year to start! This will be the best bear year since 1999. Consider a trip to the wetside if you really want one. Find berries up high that you have to hike 3+ miles in to get to and it should be a sure thing. IMO bears are by far the easiest big game animal to get.

[Skyvalhunter]

This will be a down year for berries with the high snowpack.

[3nails]

This will be a down year for berries with the high snowpack.

Which is exactly why the hunting will be so good! Only the plants on the south facing slopes will produce this year which will force the bears into the open. They won't be able to feed in the timber. Also, wait until late Sept.- early Oct.

[bear]

This will be a down year for berries with the high snowpack.

Very true, but that just means you have to find patches of berries and the bears will be more concentrated in those areas.    Bear

[Woodchuck]

Take a couple weekends and do some scouting and don't just stay in the mountains. Lots of open land around with lots of old wild apples and plums and that my friend is where to find the bears around here. 

[D-Rock425]

Why would this be the best year since 99?

[3nails]

Why would this be the best year since 99?

That was the last time we had this kind of snowpack. (the year Baker set the record) I was still in my stage of killing 2 bears a year and that year I shot the 3rd bear I saw, a nice 300# black phase, and the 65th bear I saw, a 300+# chocolate that I called in and shot on video.