Spearing a Black Bear

[april]

Trying to find any information on this.  Do any states (or even Canada) still allow this to be done?  This is something I want to do, but, need to know where I can actually do it at.  Anyone can help me out?

[Lawdog]

Sorry I don't have any information on this but it seems to me a very dangerous thing to do.  A Black Bear is not a teddy bear.  Hope you don't learn this the hard way.   Lawdog

[april]

Yes, thank you, I am quite aware.  And, yes, it is somewhat dangerous.  Thanks for trying to help, I appreciate it. :wink:

[bearhuntr]

It can be done in Alaska. If I can find it, I will try to post some information on a video that was taken 3 years ago by two fellows that sucessfully did it. It was a neat video to say the least.
best,
bhtr

[april]

Thank you so very much for the info.  It is greatly appreciated. :grin:

[cdnclub45]

Sorry, its definitely illegal in Ontario. I would also wonder if outfitters would promote it as the law suit possibilities would seem endless.

[april]

Thank you....yes, I heard it was illegal in Ontario.  Yes, as I well know, it is very hard to find an outfitter "promoting it".  It's as risky as any other way of harvesting a bear, for, as we know, bears are not to be taken lightely.  But, (I have heard) this is an old practice, one that I am very interested in, and (it is) extremely hard to find any info on anymore...and I appreciate you letting me know about Ontario. :wink:

[reelhook]

What's wrong with our friends to the north? They are giving up their guns and I guess that if you don't have guns-you don't need to hunt black bears. Wait untill they are so thick that they start taking dog and children.
Reelhook

[cdnclub45]

Contrary to popular belief, we haven't given up our guns as my over bloated cabinet attests to.  And you are a bit late with your view of whats going to happen as our backyards are already loaded with those friggin black bears.  As for the spearing of bears, this is a contoversial tradition that the Peta types have eyed over the years.  Its one the Ontario Gov't has banned along with a number of other animal harvesting methods, most relating to the humane trapping of furbearers.  Agree or not, we have that particular law and the Petaphiles have one less complaint. I do know this.  Many hunters are not advocates of the spearing of bears.  I've only seen one filming by a hunter of this practice and I've gotta be truthful, I found it a bit disturbing as it wasn't a clean kill.

[bearhuntr]

April,
The tape I mentioned was taken privately and is not available as far as I can tell. In a nutshell, the hunter was stationed about 6" over the top of a bait station and passed on several bears. The spear was wielded in a "thrust" manner and the blade penetrated the complete body of the bear, pinning it to the ground. After a brief few seconds of struggle, the bear broke free and ran into the brush,  expiring rather quickly! Sorry I couldn't come up with more info.
best,
bhtr

[Varmint Hunter]

Dangerous?? All depends on how you take them I guess. In the video that I watched, the hunter sat in a treestand above a bait barrel. When the bear stuck his head in the barrel, the hunter jammed a long, cast iron spear inbetween his shoulders. The bear instinctively ran and piled up from the wound.
I guess you could argue that if there were no firearms present and that if the mortally wounded bear  climbed the tree, it could be dangerous.

I am not in favor of spearing bears or pigs, nor am I in favor of letting two pit bulls attach themselves to a boars head while someone jabs a knife into its chest. I think it is harmful to our image and to our sport. It also strikes me as being a bit barbarick.
But then again thats just my opinion. I don't condem anyones decision to hunt by any legal means.

VH

[april]

Bearhuntr,
I may have seen the same tape...in the one you're referring to, did a blondie come out on him?  May not be the same, because I have seen a one or two, and the bears are all taken the same way, although the ones I saw were several years old(VERY several).  You have been very helpful, so please do not aplogize.....you have given me a "starting place to look", so thank you. :wink:

kenaimike,
Thank you for the info.  No, I haven't done a search engine (yes, for spearing, but no for a magazine), but I will do it after I am done typing this reply.  Thank you for the link and the help. :wink:   It is most appreciated.

Varmit hunter,
Your opinions are not taken lightly.... I repect them, just as I respect everyones.  We each are entitled to our own, as we all know.
As far as being dangerous...I don't feel it is any more dangerous, or brutal, than shooting one with a gun, or bow, what-have-you.  But, like I say, this is my opinion, and I am not trying to make it yours.
I am in favor of hunting...harvesting game....as long as it is legal, I have no problem with any way that it is gone about.  Spearing IS often deemed barbaric....perhaps it is, who am I to say?...but I feel it's only a step below hunting with a bow...and I am all about bow hunting.  But, this is my opinion, only....Anyway, I repect your decisions....because after all, there are one or two things I am not in favor of, and you or someone else may very well be, and I am in no way trying to recommend this to anyone, ...this just happens to be something that I am very much wanting to do in my lifetime.  

I thank you all for your time.

[bearhuntr]

april,
Unfortunately, there are no color phase bears here...mores the pity. Kenaimike had the same bear hunt for sure because it happened two or three years ago (if I'm not mistaken) and was on the KNW refuge, less than 3 miles where I hunt in the spring. Good luck on this pursuit.
best,
bhtr

[april]

Thanks.

[Mikey]

April:  I see that you are from Alabama. My brother, and one of his friends have knife and spear hunted wild pig in Florida in the mid 90s.  My brother's friend is from Dothan and the two of them have hunted boar with rifle in Alabama.  In speaking with him he wasn't sure if you could spear hunt bear there or not but if ya'll want to make a trip to Florida you should be able to have a go at it there.  

He provided that spear hunting boar in Florida was the same as described by some of the other posters but he found knife hunting using dogs to be quite exciting (I'll just bet).  So, I gather that some parts of the country still allow bladed hunting and I guess you would just have to check with your state's Hunting and Conservation Authority.  He did, however, mention that you can hunt pig to your appetite's delight on Ft. Rucker, if you know anyone there with whom you might be able to either hunt or get permission to do so.  He said the place is basically overrun with them, so that might be a place to start.

HTH and Good Luck.  Mikey.

[april]

Yeah...not too sure we can spear em here in Bama...I always use a rifle on em anyway. We're over run with em in my area.  But, spearing does sound lots of fun....and I do know some folks in Florida that do it(with knives and dogs).  Maybe I'll check that out .  Thanks for the info. :wink:

[Dand]

I believe Alaska Magazine ran an article about  traditional Athapbaskin [please pardon my spelling I mean no disrespect] bear spearing in the Koyukon area of Alaska.  It had pictures of the spears used and some old photos from the 30's or so.  Very interesting.  You might try to find the articles.  I think it was published some time in the early 1990's.  Its not something I want to try but I admire those old folks for their guts and knowledge.

[Daveinthebush]

Dand if I remember they used to find where the bear den was, irritate the bear and then spear it as it came out to attack them.  

There must be a better way to get dinner. :roll:

[april]

Thanks Dand.....I'll do a search and see if I can locate em.  And, yes, I find it very interesting and admirable ....one of the things that got me itchin to try it.