Bear Signs, Tracking, and Calling?

[IrelandMac]

Can anyone recommend any websites with info on bear signs, tracking them, and calling them? 

[billythekidrock]

www.hunting-washington.com
www.callingbears.com
http://bearseast.proboards34.com/index.cgi
 
Those are three of the best on the web.
 

[JimmyHoffa]

bear-tracker.com is also a good one.

[grizzlyadams]

 I met a bear hunting guide while out hunting yesterday. His client couldn't show because of an illness so he was out scouting and hunting by himself. Now, I am no pro at bear hunting so I couldn't tell you how accurate this info is, but I can tell you this guys success rate every year is VERY, VERY good.

He told me that right now, the boars are heavily into cub eating mode. Most of them could care less about eating berries right now. Something to do with thinning the competition for territory. Yes they are eating other things as bears do but he said that a cub in distress right now is like Filet and Lobster to us. If they hear a cub in distress, they will make a B-Line for it if in the area. He said that all through the month of August, this is what he does. He had plenty of pictures in his rig to prove his success rate too. So, I guess there must be something to it. This year so far he has 6 clients for bear season and all six have tagged 350-400 lb bears so far and the season just opened.

I didnt ask if that was for all bears or just the higher country bears......thought of asking that later that day when he was gone.

Hope that helps and good luck   

[7mmfan]

That is really interesting right there. I've always knew that big boars killed cubs but had no idea that they actually viewed them as a food source. VERY interesting and good info to have in your back pocket   

[kalamasasquatch]

what would you use as a call to make a cub in distress sound?

[WildlifeAssassin]

I met a bear hunting guide while out hunting yesterday. His client couldn't show because of an illness so he was out scouting and hunting by himself. Now, I am no pro at bear hunting so I couldn't tell you how accurate this info is, but I can tell you this guys success rate every year is VERY, VERY good.

He told me that right now, the boars are heavily into cub eating mode. Most of them could care less about eating berries right now. Something to do with thinning the competition for territory. Yes they are eating other things as bears do but he said that a cub in distress right now is like Filet and Lobster to us. If they hear a cub in distress, they will make a B-Line for it if in the area. He said that all through the month of August, this is what he does. He had plenty of pictures in his rig to prove his success rate too. So, I guess there must be something to it. This year so far he has 6 clients for bear season and all six have tagged 350-400 lb bears so far and the season just opened.

I didnt ask if that was for all bears or just the higher country bears......thought of asking that later that day when he was gone.

Hope that helps and good luck   

Seems like that would call in more sows with cubs than boars 

[grizzlyadams]

He was using an electronic call with a cub in distress sound card. Sounded absolutely real!!! Must have been a recording of a real cub in distress. Not sure of the brand, I know there are many on the market. It had a remote so he could control it from a distance. He would set it up about 30 yards in front of him and sit with his back to a tree facing up wind. He said the reason for sitting with  his back to a tree was because often even though the wind not being in his favor, they would come from behind. He favored himself a close encounter guide. Saying guys always go out with him at least twice. The first time they %$#@ their pants from the close encounter and the second time for the adrenaline rush of the close encounter. He said most times the boars come in mad swatting at the speaker.

[grizzlyadams]

I met a bear hunting guide while out hunting yesterday. His client couldn't show because of an illness so he was out scouting and hunting by himself. Now, I am no pro at bear hunting so I couldn't tell you how accurate this info is, but I can tell you this guys success rate every year is VERY, VERY good.

He told me that right now, the boars are heavily into cub eating mode. Most of them could care less about eating berries right now. Something to do with thinning the competition for territory. Yes they are eating other things as bears do but he said that a cub in distress right now is like Filet and Lobster to us. If they hear a cub in distress, they will make a B-Line for it if in the area. He said that all through the month of August, this is what he does. He had plenty of pictures in his rig to prove his success rate too. So, I guess there must be something to it. This year so far he has 6 clients for bear season and all six have tagged 350-400 lb bears so far and the season just opened.

I didnt ask if that was for all bears or just the higher country bears......thought of asking that later that day when he was gone.

Hope that helps and good luck   

Seems like that would call in more sows with cubs than boars 

Exactly right, which was the reason he also carried bear spray. He said on occasion a sow with cubs may show up so he would get rid it with the spray so as not to have to shoot the mother when she figures out he is sitting just a few yards away.

[billythekidrock]

I met a bear hunting guide while out hunting yesterday. His client couldn't show because of an illness so he was out scouting and hunting by himself. Now, I am no pro at bear hunting so I couldn't tell you how accurate this info is, but I can tell you this guys success rate every year is VERY, VERY good.

He told me that right now, the boars are heavily into cub eating mode. Most of them could care less about eating berries right now. Something to do with thinning the competition for territory. Yes they are eating other things as bears do but he said that a cub in distress right now is like Filet and Lobster to us. If they hear a cub in distress, they will make a B-Line for it if in the area. He said that all through the month of August, this is what he does. He had plenty of pictures in his rig to prove his success rate too. So, I guess there must be something to it. This year so far he has 6 clients for bear season and all six have tagged 350-400 lb bears so far and the season just opened.

I didnt ask if that was for all bears or just the higher country bears......thought of asking that later that day when he was gone.

Hope that helps and good luck   

Seems like that would call in more sows with cubs than boars 

Yes. Cub distress tends to call in a lot of sows.
 
I don't know where the guy got the cub "eating mode" idea, but I highly doubt that this is the case now that the breeding season is over.
 
I wonder how many of the "350-400" bears were actually weighed? 

[saylean]

The weight issue....

my thoughts too billy.

[JimmyHoffa]

Not sure about eating cubs.  The females with cubs breed every other year.  The boars like to kill cubs because the females will breed the next cycle...not waiting the two years for the cubs to leave momma.

[Kola16]

Just a qick question on this topic, do you think you could use a call that you blow into for a cub distress? I have a primos lil'dog predator call but it doesnt say anything about a bear cub distress but i wouldnt be surprised if it couldnt

[carpsniperg2]

Just a qick question on this topic, do you think you could use a call that you blow into for a cub distress? I have a primos lil'dog predator call but it doesnt say anything about a bear cub distress but i wouldnt be surprised if it couldnt

I use a lot of open read calls. I don't think even if I really tried, I could make the moans of a cub distress worth a darn with my open reads.

[bearmanric]

pm your phone number i can show you how to do a bear cub bawl on a closed reed. back home for a few day's. Rick

[emac]

So it is legal to use a electronic game call for bears?

[bearmanric]

Yes they are Legal. Rick

[emac]

So I just checked my flextone and it has two bear calls on it. 4 month distress call and an adult stress call.  From what was posted earlier it sounds like the cub distress call will work better.  Wondering what intervals to play it or should i just leave it on continuously. And for how long till i move to a new area?

[bearmanric]

use the cub and deer sound's leave running. bears lose interest very easy. 1/2 to a hour.  call were there is feed. use a hand call with the player around half volume. a Raspy sound one will help your odds. Rick

[emac]

Thanks Rick

[bearmanric]

your welcome good luck. Rick