Blackie's in the Adirondacks

[WV Cowboy]

My son & I are planning on hunting Black Bear in the Adirondack mountains of N.Y. this fall. Season starts for us on October 1st. Anyone have some helpful hints for us? Maybe some good spots? Its kind of hard going in cold like this. All help appreciated.


Old Cowboys never die, they just keep riding the Range.

[Cabin4]

I have not hunted bear in NY but have researched it and have given it much consideration. I live close enough to NY so this was a real possibility.

I understand that one can use scents but no bait. In any case I would use scents and go when there is snow on the ground. Picking up a fresh trail in the snow and following it is a good means of bagging a bear in NY or any non-bait state.

Be prepared to do both (sit over a scented area or stalk a set of tracks) if you do not have a guide that has prescouted a particular bears pattern.

[WV Cowboy]

Thanks for the reply cabin4. I think the way I read the regs, no scents are allowed. I figured I'd try to locate some food sources & sit on them. Open to suggestions.





Old Cowboys never die, they just keep Riding the Range.

[Daveinthebush]

Most bears in the Adirondaks are incidental kills.  You best bet is to find a beech ridge or oak grove and check of signs of feeding.  The bears might also be feeding in grassy areas.

Many were killed around the old dumps in areas like Old Forge and Limekilm Lake.  When the dumps closed many bears found food in the state campsites.  So around the campsites might be good.

They are where you find them and looking for feeding arears is probably the best shot.

[WV Cowboy]

Thanks for the reply Daveinthebush. You sort of reinforced my ideas. Beech was my first thought. I was under the impression that open areas were better in the spring.





Old Cowboys never die, they just keep Riding the Range.

[Qtip]

WV,

Dave is right. The area around Limekiln Lake and Inlet is a good bet. Lots of people don't camp at Limekiln State Camprounds like they used to because of the bear problem. My friend still goes camping there and he said that you don't have trouble getting a site there anymore because of it. He's right on about locating them too. Find the feed. That area is BIG and it's gorgeous too. Lot's of luck and good huntin'.

Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria!
To God Alone Be The Glory!

[WV Cowboy]

Thanks Qtip, for the info. I also heard that there were some Bears around Stillwater Reservoir. Any ideas on that. I will give them both a look. I want to camp & hunt the same area, so Limekiln might be my best bet.




Old Cowboys never die, they just keep Riding the Range.

[Daveinthebush]

If your at Limekilm, you also have the Moose River Recreation Area to hunt.  There was an area outside of Old Forge back towards Carter Station that might be town land. (5-6 miles east then heading north on a gravel road) It used to belong to the owner of Old Forge hardware but was condemed after a lawsuit by a 3-wheeler accident.  The land might be in town hands now.  Lots of beech on the ridges back that way and you can walk in the old Adirondak Railway right-of-way for miles.

There are also areas owned by paper companies but I can't remember the name of the company. INTERNATION PAPER COMPANY!!!! Hey, the mind isn't gone yet!!!   They own lots of acres up there and lease hunting rights.  If you can find them, contact them, they might have land not currently leased and send you a map of the lands. There office was south of Rochester if I remember correctly.

[WV Cowboy]

Thanks Daveinthebush. That railroad right of way sounds really good. I'll look for it & try to locate the Beech trees. I'll tell ya getting excited about going. Can't wait to be back in the woods.