Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: elkslayer4x5 on August 11, 2011, 11:09:10 AM

Title: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: elkslayer4x5 on August 11, 2011, 11:09:10 AM: Does any one have a good way to tell boars from sows, other than the obvious, got a pic of two bears during mating season, and am wondering if one is male and the other female ? If so, I think that the Cinnamon is a boar and the other is a sow. Any thoughts?

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv728%2Fdeast-lr%2FBears%2FMine.jpg&hash=7a1c3ba04b959196d1cbbe1f40ab2810c88770f7)
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: hoytem on August 11, 2011, 11:57:59 AM: i've heard sows generally have a longer snout/face.
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on August 11, 2011, 12:06:37 PM: Generally the sow will have one paw on her hip and pointing and shaking the the other at the boar while telling him everything he has ever done wrong up to that point.
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: h20hunter on August 11, 2011, 12:17:26 PM: She also would not just lay there while he sniffed her butt. One quick sniff like that would get him a paw to the face. I believe your pic shows to young bears that live in the Pacific Northwest. They are "unsure" about life and only know they have a deep love for jazz and grunge rock.
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: halflife65 on August 11, 2011, 12:24:02 PM: Yes, the sows have long memories. "Do you remember that time you were late for my birthday party? Huh?" The boar's response: "Yeah, we were 14 and my chain kept falling off when I was peddling over there. I'm 40 now and I own a decent pickup. Good God."

Ok, the serious answer - look for a blockier head and relatively small ears. If the ears look kind of big it's a smaller boar or sow.
http://outdooru.blogspot.com/2007/06/field-judging-black-bears.html (http://outdooru.blogspot.com/2007/06/field-judging-black-bears.html) I've also read that (if you can see it) the male will be a bit more bow legged in the front but it's not something I've really been able to notice.

I also read, on the same forum I found this, that females have long hairs on their vulva. Just walk on up there and check the vulva. Good luck and try not to die! If you see a sack just start shooting. (Seriously, WTF?)
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: Kain on August 11, 2011, 12:31:02 PM: Just what I could find on the internet.

Quote
FEMALE BLACK BEAR
This is a female Black Bear. The females of the Black Bear Species are typically smaller and leaner than the males. The female Black Bear is sometimes described as "all legs". The face is narrower than the males and the ears seem much bigger because of the size difference in the head.

Being selective sometimes means being patient. Female Black Bears with cubs usually enter an area ahead of the cubs. You may not see the cubs at first, so you must hold off for a minute or two and see if any appear. Female Black Bears are usually more shy and cautious than their male counterparts. Take your time before you shoot, to ensure the correct choice is made.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alaskansportsman.com%2Fimages%2Fhunt-species%2Ffemale-black-bear.gif&hash=eadd8ebf17a2062828e5c1a796aa5b65f07d0dae)

Quote
MALE BLACK BEAR
This is a male Black Bear. The males of the Black Bear Species are typically bigger and "rounder" than the females. The male head is wider and rounder than the females. This makes the ears look smaller and farther apart than the female.

The male Black Bear also has a bigger rounder body than the female. The male is not as cautious when entering an area. When you have looked over the entire situation and have decided that this is the bear, then shoot. In any case being selective is the best thing a hunter can do in order to obtain that trophy Alaska Black Bear and provide a better Alaska Black Bear population for future hunts.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alaskansportsman.com%2Fimages%2Fhunt-species%2Fmale-black-bear.gif&hash=29b04cae4a3f2f76afcf11f6010f9f2566c2ca2e)
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: Kain on August 11, 2011, 12:32:21 PM: Another site with pics.

http://larrywbrown.blogspot.com/2009/10/difference-between-male-and-female.html (http://larrywbrown.blogspot.com/2009/10/difference-between-male-and-female.html)
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: BurleyDog on August 11, 2011, 12:40:30 PM: Quote from: halflife65 on August 11, 2011, 12:24:02 PM
I also read, on the same forum I found this, that females have long hairs on their vulva.

theres a lot I want to say but won't so I don't get banned. . .
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on August 11, 2011, 01:43:58 PM: :) If you were in Washington and on the West side I'd tell you to shoot them both and lift there leg. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: runamuk on August 11, 2011, 01:52:09 PM: that black one does not look healthy :dunno: it looks very thin and the pelt is excessively long compared to the other making it also appear sickly.... they both look young and not sure it matters which sex as long as you dont see cubs I'd say just pick one...... cinnamon is a nice rug color :dunno:
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: high country on August 11, 2011, 01:55:07 PM: that black one looks like a boar to me. skinny in the hips and long neck. the coat looks to be in mid rub mode.
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: bowhunter851 on August 11, 2011, 05:24:29 PM: Quote from: Kain on August 11, 2011, 12:32:21 PM
Another site with pics.

http://larrywbrown.blogspot.com/2009/10/difference-between-male-and-female.html (http://larrywbrown.blogspot.com/2009/10/difference-between-male-and-female.html)

u always have very good info, and its sited thanks dude
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: brew on August 11, 2011, 10:07:22 PM: male bears have wider front shoulders and skinnier hips.....female bears have skinnier front shoulders and wider rear hips...at least that's what i've known to be true in the one's i've taken in the last few years...
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: marty on August 11, 2011, 10:35:52 PM: No cubs open season and tag in the pocket SHOOT! Lot easier to tell what sex they are when you can just lift a leg and look.
Title: Re: Telling boars from sows?
Post by: halflife65 on August 12, 2011, 07:08:19 AM: You mean lift their leg and look at the long hairs on their vu...oh, never mind.

By the way, that was something I actually DID see on some other site. I think that they were referencing looking at them on a trailcam, but still...seems just ridiculous.