BEAR HUNTING

[Ultra25-06]

My wife and I love bear hunting. Just thought it would be interresting to see how and when all the other bear hunters preffers to hunt. Ours is fall spot and stalk.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

   Ultra, Most of my bear hunting has been over bait in the spring, but I have also done a lot of spot and stock in the spring. Our bear seasons here either over lap with deer/elk, or in my area, the bow hunters finally shoot enough to fill the 2 female quota and it closes before rifle season opens. I have not done much fall hunting exclusively for bear due to those reasons. This fall I do plan to try a couple days in the northwest just for bear. We will see how it goes. It will be spot and stalk. One thing I want to try before I am too old is bear hunting with hounds. It is a different deal. Never got to try it.

[Redhawk1]

  Ultra, Most of my bear hunting has been over bait in the spring, but I have also done a lot of spot and stock in the spring. Our bear seasons here either over lap with deer/elk, or in my area, the bow hunters finally shoot enough to fill the 2 female quota and it closes before rifle season opens. I have not done much fall hunting exclusively for bear due to those reasons. This fall I do plan to try a couple days in the northwest just for bear. We will see how it goes. It will be spot and stalk. One thing I want to try before I am too old is bear hunting with hounds. It is a different deal. Never got to try it.

I did one bear hunt in Maine with hounds, all I can say is, be in shape. We went up and down hills following the dogs, and I was wore out after the first big hill. I got my bear on the 4th big hill after 3 hours of climbing.. I have nothing agents hound hunting, but I will never do it again..  Just not my cup of tea...

I love bait hunting in the fall, I don't see how anyone in Maine could do a spot and stalk, it is just way to thick every where I have hunted in Maine. I do like doing spot and stalk hunts, but in some areas, it is just not doable.

Also prefer to hunt on the ground, and not in a tree stand.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Redhawk1, That is what I have heard about bear hunts with dogs, especially in the east. Be in shape. Hopefully, I will do this deed in the west and ride a horse at least part way there I have made three lion hunts, and love hound hunting, but for me the bear hunt would probably be a one time deal. Like you I guess I prefer bait hunting or where possible spot and stalk. It is kind of like going out to sit for chucks or hunt coyotes, something a guy can do after supper or early in the morning, and usually if the seasons last long enough, there is a nice long season to hunt.

[Redhawk1]

Wyo. Coyote Hunter, you got that right, one time was enough for this getting old guy...

[billythekidrock]

You need one more option in the poll. Calling. Calling is my primary way of hunting bears and I am torn on spring or fall. I like them both.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  billy, you are quite right. my dentist calls bears in the nw corner of the state.
he is a great coyote caller, and has shot maybe 15 bears on the spring hunt either by stalk or calling. it is effective and exciting.

[rex6666]

do bears come to the same call as other predators, or what? sounds
like it could be exciting.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  rex, from what my dentist tells me, he tries to imitate something like a fawn in distress. I think any animal that sounds hurt would attract a bruin. From what I have heard and read, they are top predators on young elk and deer.

[Ultra25-06]

You need one more option in the poll. Calling. Calling is my primary way of hunting bears and I am torn on spring or fall. I like them both.

I totally forgot about calling so I added it. Good call.