Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: smartazz171 on August 23, 2013, 09:29:32 PM

Title: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: smartazz171 on August 23, 2013, 09:29:32 PM: Ok, so while scouting in the NE corner around metaline falls for elk, I cam across this track? I can't tell. the track is large I wish I would have put my hand up to it. I would say at least the size of my whole hand.
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: smartazz171 on August 23, 2013, 09:30:38 PM: p.s sorry they are upside down.....
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: bankwalker on August 23, 2013, 09:35:26 PM: Hard to tell by those pics. But it sure does look grizz like to me :dunno:
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: j_h_nimrod on August 23, 2013, 09:40:16 PM: Almost impossible to tell based on a picture or anything else. I have seen a lot of both and size and location is about the only telling factor. Kind of like identifying a mule deer track over a white tail, almost impossible to do.

It is most likely a black in all but a very few places in the lower 48
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: JLS on August 23, 2013, 09:44:25 PM: It's a black bear. The straight line across the toes of the front foot on a griz is very obvious.
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: smartazz171 on August 23, 2013, 10:11:07 PM: Quote from: j_h_nimrod on August 23, 2013, 09:40:16 PM
Almost impossible to tell based on a picture or anything else. I have seen a lot of both and size and location is about the only telling factor. Kind of like identifying a mule deer track over a white tail, almost impossible to do.

It is most likely a black in all but a very few places in the lower 48

The only reason wy I might think it could be a grizz is because of the size, length of nails, and it's documented that this area is one of the only in washington that has grizzly.

I know, it's hard to tell though. hoping people more experienced could tell...
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: j_h_nimrod on August 23, 2013, 10:19:15 PM: Not really from the pictures, they are pretty hard to see for me.

The claws look fairly long, but again, hard to say conclusively. With just the sharp points showing I would lean toward black bear. Most griz I have seen show a duller claw imprint.
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: KFhunter on August 23, 2013, 10:27:11 PM: big heavy black, got that stiff legged baddest bear in the woods walk.

get after him!
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: washelkhunter on August 23, 2013, 10:31:16 PM: Blackie tracks.
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: Guy on August 24, 2013, 04:49:29 PM: I think it's a good size black bear.

Here's a grizzly track, next to my size 12 boot:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi87.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fk129%2FGuyMiner%2Ffishing%2520photos%2F482d85c9.jpg&hash=e5ef7ad92bbc80b19d4ca19039ee3a58d0ffc7af) (http://s87.photobucket.com/user/GuyMiner/media/fishing%20photos/482d85c9.jpg.html)

Actually since it was on the coast up in Alaska, I guess it was an Alaskan Brown Bear track. We saw plenty of those critters while we were fishing! No black bears in the area. Too many brownies I'd guess.

Guy
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: Kc_Kracker on August 26, 2013, 07:30:49 AM: the distinguishing factor is the claw holes for a BB are right in front of the pads, now look at the grizz track next to the boot, they are way out in front :tup:
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: MtnMuley on August 26, 2013, 08:16:23 AM: Definately grizz in the area you were in, but I'm sure that's a blackie. Most times you don't see the claw impressions with black bears, but they are much more noticible and present in tracks near rivers or other muddy areas. :twocents:
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 26, 2013, 09:51:19 AM: 90% sure its a blackie
Title: Re: Black bear or Grizzly track?
Post by: Kain on August 26, 2013, 09:58:11 AM: Quote from: JLS on August 23, 2013, 09:44:25 PM
It's a black bear. The straight line across the toes of the front foot on a griz is very obvious.

Yep my thoughts as well.