Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: 7t9cobra on August 02, 2020, 09:26:01 AM

Title: Black bear scavengers
Post by: 7t9cobra on August 02, 2020, 09:26:01 AM: I'm aware black bears are scavengers but will they only eat somewhat fresh kills or will they eat older kills? The reason I'm asking is I'm looking at a cut with a dead elk calf in the bottom that turkey buzzards are eating on. I can't tell how old it is but it doesn't look too fresh although its fairly intact. I found bear scat ontop of the hill im on so I know they're around. Im just unsure whether it would be better to watch this cut all day or check out my other spots.
Title: Re: Black bear scavengers
Post by: jrebel on August 02, 2020, 09:36:01 AM: Two things....

1. They will eat some nasty stuff so yes if you want to kill a bear it is a good place to be.

2. They taste like what they eat. The only bear I had to get rid of was eating off gut piles. It was foul and if I knew what he was eating I wouldn’t have shot it.
Title: Re: Black bear scavengers
Post by: redi on August 02, 2020, 09:49:58 AM: The birds will signal other predators there is a food source and coyotes or bears may respond
Title: Re: Black bear scavengers
Post by: idaho guy on August 02, 2020, 03:34:36 PM: I have seen bears eat meat that was more maggots than meat. I would hunt it and if no luck right away put trail cam on it. Only problem right now is they have tons of food choices like berries later in the year it would be really good
Title: Re: Black bear scavengers
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on August 02, 2020, 05:05:47 PM: Quote from: idaho guy on August 02, 2020, 03:34:36 PM
I have seen bears eat meat that was more maggots than meat. I would hunt it and if no luck right away put trail cam on it. Only problem right now is they have tons of food choices like berries later in the year it would be really good
Yes, they will eat anything.
However, they have preferences.
Anything sweet, like berries will be first.
Fresh meat before spoiled.
But, will check out any potential food source.
And will remember where it was...
Title: Re: Black bear scavengers
Post by: saylean on August 02, 2020, 06:49:18 PM: First bear I ever killed was eating maggots off a cougar kill.
Title: Re: Black bear scavengers
Post by: HillHound on August 02, 2020, 06:57:43 PM: Mmmm that was probably a tasty one
Title: Re: Black bear scavengers
Post by: saylean on August 02, 2020, 07:57:48 PM: Stunk horrible getting it out, basically died right on top of the swarm of maggots. Didn’t taste bad at all.
Title: Re: Black bear scavengers
Post by: 7t9cobra on August 03, 2020, 09:07:21 AM: Thanks for the input. I left for the afternoon and when I got to the gate I saw a couple of giant blood clots behind my pickup (it was dark when I went in) so it's pretty safe to assume someone killed a bear in there the night before. I went in there for the evening hunt anyway and nothing showed up aside from atleast 50 turkey buzzards.