Time to count bear hunters.

[Country Boy]

Wo is going this spring ? Destination, weapon of choice? How far do you sight your rifle in for a baited hunt ?

[Harry Snippe]

Hunt just a few miles away from the house over bait . The range approximately 30/35 yards .I'll use my trusty 338 Federal Tikka or the 11FNCS 308 Savage ,depending on the size of the bear who posed for the picture.
For dinner the bear will be served oats and corn, with some sweet smelling gravy to call him in.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  I am sure unless something happens I will spend 4-10 days bear hunting this spring..Probably in western Wy. but maybe some in Idaho...A rifle will be my weapon, anything from my .25-06 to my .340/// Depends on what I feel like carrying.  As for bait, I haven't hunted over bait for a while, it is the best way, just haven't done it...I usually sight my rifles in 1 1/2 inches high at one hundred for this style of hunting...It will be a while before spring bear, first is spring turkey...

[AtlLaw]

I had to ditch the spring hunt idea, but I'm hoping to get to Maine in August.  It'll be my first bear hunt over bait.  Actually my first bear hunt for all intents and purposes.     Right now I'm thinking I'll probably use my 45-120.  I usually sight everything optically equiped in for 100 yards but maybe 50 in this case like I've come to do with open sighted weapons.   

But, to make this relevant to the Medium Bore Rifles forum, I will say I'm also considering using my 35 Whelen!   

[drdougrx]

Hopefully be with AtLaw....and I'll use my 06 with 180gr NosAB.  I generally sight in 100yards for baited hunts, maybe an inch or so high.  Doesn't make too much difference when the bait is 50 yards or less!  BTW:  I've killed three.

[nomosendero]

I had to ditch the spring hunt idea, but I'm hoping to get to Maine in August.  It'll be my first bear hunt over bait.  Actually my first bear hunt for all intents and purposes.    Right now I'm thinking I'll probably use my 45-120.  I usually sight everything optically equiped in for 100 yards but maybe 50 in this case like I've come to do with open sighted weapons.    

But, to make this relevant to the Medium Bore Rifles forum, I will say I'm also considering using my 35 Whelen!  

Thanks AtlLaw, nothing like being on topic!  

[S.E.Ak]

I'll be hunting around home. I use a Ruger #3 45/70 and will try my new H&R 45colt BC rechambered to 454 Casull

[Blue Duck]

Ill be hunting on private property in north Idaho this spring.  The last two springs were so late bear season was over befor we had access.  Ill  be using a 7mm mag. over bait at about 60 yards.

[Redhawk1]

Wish Maine offered spring bear hunts, I would go. But I am going fall bear in Maine again this year.

[workin man]

No spring hunt up here in Ontario either. The season starts after Labour day where I am (starts the 1st of September or 15th of August in other parts of the province). I have a few rifles to choose from and most are set up around 2" high at 100 yds, but I use them for moose hunting as well. If I was to set one up strictly for bear over bait, I would probably set it up zero'd at 100yds as thats typically how far I try to set up my stand or blind from the bait. If you are using a guide or outfitter, I would ask them what distance to sight in for.

Jim

[bearmgc]

I get a Bear license every year, mainly for an opportunity hunt these days. I used to hunt over bait, but I moved and it would be too much time to invest in registering a bait site and driving. Probably glass hunt a few days in late May in favorite areas on the Idaho border/Western WY, just cause I love getting out to hunt. But of course, as mentioned by another Wyomingite, turkey season first.

[teddy12b]

I'm 99% sure I'll be hunting this fall in Ontario.  I ordered a Rem 750 in 30-06 that I've always wanted and when that comes in I'll practice up with it and likely hunt with handloaded 220gr sierra prohunters, but I'll probably bring some 168gr barnes tipped TSX also just because.  With the 30-06 there isn't much difference between a 100 yard zero and a 50 yard yero so either would do.

[Sourdough]

In the spring, I am hunting every time I walk out my door.  I live with a 460S&W on my hip, and a 30-06 with in reach.  As I go about my daily routine I am on the look out for a bruin.

Just hope next time I run into a Griz I'm not standing there with a .17HMR in my hand, like last fall.

[Empty Quiver]

Fall hunt for me, this year. Back to Ontario, will be meeting with several old friends this time should be a great trip.

[Redhawk1]

I'm 99% sure I'll be hunting this fall in Ontario.  I ordered a Rem 750 in 30-06 that I've always wanted and when that comes in I'll practice up with it and likely hunt with handloaded 220gr sierra prohunters, but I'll probably bring some 168gr barnes tipped TSX also just because.  With the 30-06 there isn't much difference between a 100 yard zero and a 50 yard yero so either would do.

I am going back to Wild Country Outfitters, I sent off my Deposit 2 day ago.
teddy12b, you should look into hunting with Pete also. If you want an up close on the ground black bear hunt to remember, he is the guy to see.

Myself, I am done with hunting Ontario, if I ever hunt Canada again for black bear, it will be British Columbia or Alberta.

[teddy12b]

I'm 99% sure I'll be hunting this fall in Ontario.  I ordered a Rem 750 in 30-06 that I've always wanted and when that comes in I'll practice up with it and likely hunt with handloaded 220gr sierra prohunters, but I'll probably bring some 168gr barnes tipped TSX also just because.  With the 30-06 there isn't much difference between a 100 yard zero and a 50 yard yero so either would do.

I am going back to Wild Country Outfitters, I sent off my Deposit 2 day ago.
teddy12b, you should look into hunting with Pete also. If you want an up close on the ground black bear hunt to remember, he is the guy to see.

Myself, I am done with hunting Ontario, if I ever hunt Canada again for black bear, it will be British Columbia or Alberta.

I gave him some very serious thought, but when I tallied up the price, and the 20+ hour drive my hunting buddies didn't think it was so great.  I've hunted from the ground on two seperate hunts and it was great, but I don't see it much different than being in a stand one way or the other.  I'd like to go there and hunt with him someday and I'd love to do the camping, but I just couldn't talk my buddies into it.  Some day.....  The place I'm going back to is the Auld Reekie in Gowganda.  Out of my three bear hunts, it's the place I've seen the most bears on a hunting trip and a place where I need to redeem myself for screwing up the shot on the bear of a lifetime.  I'm still waiting for the 750 in 30-06 to come in.

[drdougrx]

He Guys....Good luck Red...I'm still trying to get my way clear for a Maine hunt, though it'll be the last week of the season if at all.  Hope I can get AtLaw and his possy to make the trip along with Grizz66.

[kctibs]

No spring season or hunting over bait here in Colorado. That ended years ago. But I will be going this fall again I'll will be using my Encore 209 x 50 ML.

[Empty Quiver]

My bear guide called a few minutes ago. Seems I need to send some money to hold my place... Doesn't he understand how expensive elk hunting is?

Told him that Uncle Sugar will be cutting me a refund check soon. The IRS has become my Hunting and Shooting National Bank, a good reason to explore more deductions.

This outfitter is really good to me, and has been understanding about my less than timely payments. This happens about every year, and  I come through every year for him.

[Old Grizz]

Will hunt black bear right where I live this fall. I'm planning another trip for griz in 2011.

[slimman75]

I get to hunt this spring over bait lots of work but lots of fun. I will take the bfr 45/70 from a stand wish me luck guy's

[Blue Duck]

Good luck slim.  Ill be hunting them too.

[1911crazy]

I hunt blackbear in VT with my 338win mag, no bait, we just look for tracks comming out of the apple orchard and pick a spot for stand inbetween the trails going and comming and wait till the sun comes up.  We only have a fall season. I don't carry a handgun anymore.

[flinter54]

This will be my first time going at Black Bear on my own if I get drawn for a tag. I will be hunting Northwest Lower Michigan. Shots will be in around 50 yards and I will be shooting a .358 Winchester handloaded with Speers 220gr flat nose soft point. I will use any bait I can get my hands on. As of right now I’m batting O'fer in regard to local bakery's and such. I wonder if I am approaching them wrong? No one seems to want to let me have their expired goods or even their scraps for that matter. I even offered to pay them for it. No luck.

Good luck to all!!

[Doesniper]

I'm hunting about an hour from my home in WY., hopefully I'll have my 300 whisper sighted in by then.

[six_gunz]

Maine in August...... I'll be bowhunting with my DXT.

[bhod1]

I'm a Mainer, but I am going to New Brunswick in May. I went in 2007 and shot a 335 lbr, squared 6'3".
I was shooting the PSE today. I think i'm ready.

[Ultra25-06]

I will for sure be hunting the sping season. Location is Idaho in a mountain revine with a white water creek. Best part is no horse or atv can get there, a horse can get you close but will still leave you about 6 miles away, a atv doesnt stand a chance. Sides are almost vertical or loose rock fall, elk and deer are rarely seen in this area yet in one day of sitting and observing I counted multiple different bears. Coolest part is there were more color phase bears than black. I would like to get a all black one but they always seems to be the smallest so always end up with a color phase bear. Weapon will be bow or .44 mag 1894 Marlin sighted in at 50yds with 240 grain hard cast. The largest openings only provide for about a 75 yard max distance. Fun part is always the pack out, easiest way out is multiple trips back and forth hiking with a frame pack. According to maps and gps it is a little over a 10 mile hike one way from the resivor valley. Some parts are so steep the best way out is to float the creek, talk about cold (it gets the meat cold and clean quick). Overall it makes for a tough trip and may see like to much effort but my wife, hunting partner and I enjoy it. It is also a great place to go for wild photos of bears as you can almost count on at least seeing a couple in 1 or 2 hours time.

[TheCoachZed]

I will be hunting the New Brunswick season. Work might make it complicated, but I figure on starting a stand in the next month or so. I have a cousin interested in trying it for the first time this year as well, so between us I think we will run 4 stands to give us a better chance. I know a few good spots, but the best ones are too far from home to bait every day, so I don't know how successful we will be.

I also plan on trying calling this year. Electronic calls are legal for bears in NB, so I might go that route.

I'll almost for sure be using a 12 gauge with foster slugs, either my Winchester 1300 or maybe an H&R single shot in certain cases (if I'm canoeing or on my motorycle, it's a lot easier to pack). If I can afford another SKS or .30-30 I will probably go that route, but right now the funds just aren't there.

I shot a yearling last spring over bait that was great eating but was just really, really small. I want something half respectable this year. 

[billythekidrock]

I was drawn for a local Western Washington spring bear permit, but I turned it in. The way it was set up and timing of info was not great.

But I did find time to set up a couple trail cams close to home to scout for the fall season. These pics were on them last week.