Standards

[Huckleberry]

I've shot small bears and I've shot decent ones. It's all about how you hunt and what you want out of hunting. Same with anything. Some years I want a kill, nothing goes to waste and from a timber management point of view young sows would be the best to take. I see quite a few bears so my goals now are to pass the small ones and try and shoot a big and a bigger one. My brother on the other hand doesn't make it out as much and hasn't been as lucky/successful as me in the past so he'll shoot the first one he sees with the exception of a sow with cubs (like today). I don't care what other people shoot as long as it's legal, appreciated and used....besides we all have to start somewhere and there are plenty out there. If you can't find a big one because they've all been shot try an area that doesn't see 500 hunters a season

[billythekidrock]

I don't care what other people shoot as long as it's legal, appreciated and used....besides we all have to start somewhere and there are plenty out there.

Well said.

I myself have killed enough bears that I would rather kill a small one (or two). I don't need a mount and I like the meat. I agree, there have been a few small ones posted, but so far I haven't seen any bragging about size so I don't care. I think everyone who kills a small one should be proud to tell their story and share the pics. Just don't bs us and say a 150 lbers "must have been 250".

[billythekidrock]

Here ya GRK

[bucklucky]

And another thing, not all small bears are young either, just remember that. I dont care what people shoot, well with a few exceptions. As long as they are happy with them good for them. I love it when guys bring bears in bragging about hoe its 400 pounds and its really only  a  buck fifty

[GoldTip]

Bears are very difficult to judge, size wise for most hunters.  I personally don't care if people shoot small one's as long as they are legal.  Now, I can't say most of the non hunting public would be terribly pleased to see pics of some of the smaller ones that are shot, because to them they represent a cub being killed, but it's damn hard to make some non hunters happy anyway.  Kill what you want as long as it's legal is what I say.

[Hunting Cowboy]

Personally, a legal bear is fine by me as long as it's used and appreciated as someone has a;ready already stated. I agree with Bucklucky, there are a lot of successful bear hunters who call saying they killed a 300+ pounder only to find out that what they have is a nice 150 - 175 lb. bear (An average bear)

My first bear was an 8-1/2 yr old 225 lb. boar

My second was a 3-1/2 yr old 150 - 170 lbs. boar

My third was a 6-1/2 yr old 200 lbs. boar

All were exciting hunts, we ate the meat and mounted the bear as momentous of the hunt. Judging the size was easy one one and hard on the other two.

Hoping to have an opportunity for my son to get a taste of bear hunting success in a couple of weeks!

[BONE COLLECTOR]

SAVE A DEER...SHOOT A BEAR....DRINK A BEER

[Gobble]

I agree with you guys completely, as long as you are happy with it thats all that counts. I personally have never shot a bear. This is the first year I have been interested in taking one and wanting to actually target them. I've killed lots of deer and 3 elk. I hunt public land 99% time and my family loves venison. I couldn't tell you how many spikes and 2 pts Iv'e shot  just because we do love the meat and its' hard to pass up a animal when its sitting 20 yrds from you. Considering that the success rate is somewhere around 10% you should not feel embarrassed because you took a small animal, that means 90% of everyone else went home empty handed.

[zackmioli]

i have never shot a bear, and this year is my first time even bear hunting. *censored*, i saw my first bear last weekend! i will not pass on any bear i see, unless its a sow with cubs or cub.

[snohohunter]

I'm cursed with only seeing small bears this year, two to be exact.  The first one was about 100 lbs, and I passed.  The second (last night), was I would say, pushing 50 lbs...it was TINY. 

I'm not holding out on a monster, but I'd like to take a decent bear.   I have yet to take one myself, and have been beating myself up over the first one I saw....but it is what it is. 

[Intruder]

I'm not trying to call anyone out or anything I just see some small bears being posted, and I was just wandering if anyone else out there tries to only kill mature bears. I know people want to get a bear but are there any standards for anyone. Does anyone else pass on small bears or am I nuts. Just a question not trying to be rude?

Legit question.  Part of it is definition.  What's a small bear your mind?  When you figure the run of the mill bear is somewhere between 140-180 are you saying smaller than that?  Any bear 200 or > is a pretty decent bear.  When you start pushin 3 bills you're talkin real big.  I don't see any issue with folks killing bears in that 125 - 150 range... especially if they've never killed 1.  As others have pointed out.... they're not easy to judge and quite a few folks tend to over estimate weight.   

[Ellensburg]

Here ya GRK

I'd spit roast that thing and then get the hide tanned. Take the hide and make a nice winter jacket for my weener dog.

[S.O.B]

The above bear was at 245 yrds from GRK and I and to my knowledge is still alive, we have probably 10mins. of video of him and he is in the 110-130pd range. Thanks for all the reply's my questions have been answered.

[bucklucky]

Thats a perty bear

[257 Wby Mag]

What did that bear weigh you and Andy kill last year during buck season SOB? Nice hide on it.

I like my bucks and bulls way better than bear, kill any and all that are legally taken...