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Offline mannyrock

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Do black bear respond?
« on: September 26, 2011, 05:28:15 AM »
 
Guys,
 
    You may recall from my recent posts that I am going to start varmint hunting for coyotes on a piece of property in the mountains in Virginia.  I will be starting out using a rabbit in distress mouth-call.
 
    My brother just sent me a photo, taken about 50 yards from the primary stand I will be using. It shows a large black bear travelling through the property during daylight.
 
    My question is:   Do you think that a distress call will bring the bear in, or drive him away?   I will be there to shoot coyotes, but I sure wouldn't mind taking a bear in legal fashion if one comes in.
 
    Anybody have any experience with this?
 
Thanks, Mannyrock
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Offline BUGEYE

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Re: Do black bear respond?
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2011, 05:39:52 AM »
make sure you have a BIG tree at your back.  my reading says yes, a bear will come to a call.
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Offline Bigeasy

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Re: Do black bear respond?
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2011, 06:31:45 AM »
Never hunted bear on purpose with a call, but twice I have had bears come in to a dying rabbit call, once in Maine, once in PA.   Both times they were as surprised as I was.  Baiting and driving are probably the most effective methods in wooded areas.  Question would be whether or not the gun you are using for coyote would be suitable for bear.
 
Larry
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: Do black bear respond?
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2011, 08:46:43 AM »
From long experience as a predator hunter I'd suggest that they will sometimes respond to predator calls.   But those that came in to mine over the years were indirect, and probably more out of curiocity.   I was not targeting bear or lion when they did respond, rather either fox, coyote or bobcats.   I'd use a distress fawn or doe bleat if I was targeting bear specifically, same as for lions.    On the family ranch I grew up on we'd track livestock marauders then spot and stalk them, or ambush them from stands if they were still returning to a kill.   I killed my first when I was 9 or 10.   FWIW
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Offline thejanitor

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Re: Do black bear respond?
« Reply #4 on: September 27, 2011, 03:58:49 AM »
One of my hunting buddies hunted bear two years ago here in Northern MN and his bait had been hit every day but the days he sat the bear stayed out of view.... one day he could hear it in the woods behind the bait but after a half hour it still hadn't come in, he blew his rabbit distress call just like he would for coyote and the bear bolted into view in the clearing and stopped looking around where my friend took the shot.It may not work every time but it triggered that animal into showing itself.
 They usually do not pass up an easy meal.   thejanitor
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Offline Qaz

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Re: Do black bear respond?
« Reply #5 on: September 27, 2011, 08:29:49 AM »
 Manny- I think Bigeasy is on the right track. Beside, if he comes to the call, he is coming in to eat you and you probably will not see or hear him til he makes contact with you and then it is too late!
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: Do black bear respond?
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2011, 05:56:04 AM »
Yes, Black Bears will come to a call.(So will Grizzlies)  I get them on a reguler basis.  Had Black Bears come in to calls in Arizonia, New Mexico, Tennessee, Maryland, and Florida.  As well as here in Alaska.  In New Mexico had two Lions come in to calls.
 
It's spooky when calling at night in the spring and you see those little red eyes looking at you, with a shadow that looks as big as a house behind them.  Often the question is:  Is it a Black or a Grizz?  And that 12ga feels like a toy.  And the thought crosses your mind, just as you a ready to pull the trigger.  Will this be the last time?
 
And I'll go do the same thing again this spring.
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