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Author Topic: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear  (Read 2837 times)

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Offline mitchell

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whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« on: January 11, 2011, 08:02:41 AM »
hey fellas, just wondering , having only seen a few bears i dont really know much about them. whats the best way in the field to tell the sex of a bear?? other then killin it and just having a look.
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Offline S.E.Ak

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2011, 01:04:28 PM »
Boars should look like boars.Some times you can see the hair hanging down from the sheath. Look at lots of bear pics.Alaska F&G has a good guess the sex test
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Offline briarpatch

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2011, 02:22:05 PM »
I could tell you but I doubt you would survive the exam.
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Offline 1marty

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2011, 02:35:05 PM »
wear some perfume and a teddy. If, they come running and panting, shoot it.
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Offline quasne.inc

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2011, 04:07:37 PM »
Use one of those canes with the mirrors on the bottom so you can see up its skirt. 
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Offline mechanic

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2011, 04:35:37 PM »
Somehow I knew this would draw some off the wall comments...thought of a few myself...but not being a bear guy and having seen only a few "au natural" I really don't know either....... ???
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Offline gr8ful

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2011, 07:54:29 PM »
Sneek up on it, reach up between the hind legs and grab hold, Sows will bite you imediately, Boars will wait till you let go!
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Offline mitchell

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2011, 07:12:58 AM »
well didnt really answer my question but you guys did give me a heck of a laugh ....thanks
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Offline Ron 1

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2011, 07:22:32 AM »
the boar should rattle then he runs ;D ;D ;D
 rw
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Offline 336SC

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2011, 08:26:11 AM »
Quote from: gr8ful on January 11, 2011, 07:54:29 PM
Sneek up on it, reach up between the hind legs and grab hold, Sows will bite you imediately, Boars will wait till you let go!

You forgot one very important portion of the examination!  In either case run like crazy!!!!!!LOL
336SC
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Offline st8tman

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2011, 04:47:53 PM »
The best method I have found is to look at the front legs of the bear CLOSELY! The boars legs will extend straight into the paw without any loss of diameter; whereas the sow regardless of size or age will always show a slight taper at the "Wrist" where the leg meets the paw.
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Offline six_gunz

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2011, 05:43:21 AM »
Males tend to have larger blocky heads and are generally larger is size and more muscular in the neck and shoulders. Sows tend to have a shorter more rounded body, If there's no cubs with the bear it can still be extremely hard to tell the sex when trying to judge it.

If you have a big boar come up close, you'll know it right away.
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Offline jabey9210

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #12 on: April 05, 2011, 08:38:06 AM »
Also look at the ears on a sow they will look somewhat big on a boar they will usually looks small for the head.
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #13 on: April 18, 2011, 06:36:43 PM »
Mature bores will be much larger than sows.  Heavier bodies, and more muscle mass. 

If you can observe the area of the chest just behind the front legs the teats are often barren of hair and showing on a sow, (not always, but usually, more so if she has suckling cubs) especially an older sow that might have a large body.  If the bear stands up facing you the teats will be obvious.

Here in Alaska the only restriction for Black Bears is "No Sows accompanied by cubs, and no cubs".  And we are allowed three a year in most areas of the state.  So really caring about sex is a non issue here.  Our major concern is to remove them from the predator population to save more baby Moose.  We got Black Bears running out our ears, so to speak.  Grizzlies too.  Unit 13 along the Denali highway has no closed season on Grizzlies.   
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Offline sidewinder319

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #14 on: April 18, 2011, 06:49:15 PM »
Be real careful with this one on Federal Lands. The U.S. Fish and Wild Life Service and the U.S. Forest Service has a strict "Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy", regarding the sex of bears. You could find yourself in a Federal Retraining Center for unsympathetic wild life viewers. :-X
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Offline shinjin

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #15 on: May 21, 2011, 09:10:01 AM »
When I shot my Canadian sow (6 ft- 300 lbs) I thought she was a BIG bear. Two years later I couldn't get a shot off at her husband who resembled a black VW Bug at 6 plus feet and maybe another 100 lbs. You would have to be blind or shooting cubs NOT to recognize the difference. Believe me!

Males ears should look so small they are almost comical on their heads. They have heavier builds even in the spring after months of snoozing. The previous post on the legs is right on.

Having seen both sexes several times I have no doubt that unless its yearling cubs you'll recognized the difference!
And the yearly cub that climbed into my tree stand with me looked like a Silverback GORILLA at point blank range but I still knew he was a male standing next to his larger sister from head and ear shapes.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #16 on: May 21, 2011, 10:37:17 AM »
Raise their tail and take a look.
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Offline Empty Quiver

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #17 on: May 21, 2011, 01:35:54 PM »
Here is what I can tell you. It is as much attitude and posture in my observation. Unless you have been looking at them for a while it's tough. Most folks seem to be amazed at how small the bear is they shot.

Think "human" when judging bears. They live a long time and continue to grow long after maturity. Take my wife for instance ( I need to lock the door BRB ) :) . As a newly wed she was similarly shaped as she is now but, how should I say this, less so. ;D
Attitude, yes she has definitely gotten one of those worthy of a mature mom. So what we are looking at is a gal with a broad butt, heavier in the middle, though still weak through the shoulders and  fairly fine features through the head. The scales do not do her justice, weighs more than she looks.

A boar on the other hand will have attitude pretty early, well muscled and athletic looking. Puts me to thinking of a Cassius Clay, obviously strong and athletic, but when push comes to shove, mostly mouth and bluster. With maturity comes the Mohamed Ali. Strength, smarts, efficiency of movement (lazy even), overweight. Not exactly athletic anymore, but certainly not to be trifled with, he is the king of his world and acts like it.

To my mind the head and shoulders tell the sex story. Attitude, and posture gives away the maturity and help in size evaluation. Lastly, I would think twice about pulling the trigger early especially if you are adamant about wanting a large trophy.  Think 55 gallon drum size body, not how high up the back is against some tree, they get tall before they fill out.

Now I will admit where this is coming from. I have a rug from a three year old boar, 6 1/2' from nose to hind foot, weighed 240#. it made a very nice rug most folks are pretty impressed with the size (or very respectful of a hunters pride). I recently shot a nice sow she was 300# recently got confirmation from the Ontario MNR that she was 8yrs old,  I was pretty impressed. This girl went to the taxidermist came back a half body mount, HOLY SHRINKAGE bat man.  Shoulders are what you mount, not belly and butt. Keep this in mind when you decide how you want to preserve your trophy.
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Offline hillbill

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #18 on: May 21, 2011, 01:48:01 PM »
ummm well if quivers wife gets a look at his last post, it will prob be his LAST post lol
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Offline 1911crazy

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #19 on: July 13, 2011, 08:57:11 AM »
The one that has balls is the male.  I didn't know we shot a female till she rolled over.
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Offline elkslayer4x5

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #20 on: September 26, 2011, 09:24:14 AM »
Since mating season for black bears is late May thru July, I think I got lucky and got a pic of a 'dinner date' here. Or are they siblings? The cinnomon is definitely more aggressive.
 

 
Definitely smaller than this guy!  The lower white ribbon is 36 inches from the same level hes on
 
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Online ironglow

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Re: whats the best way to tell the sex of a bear
« Reply #21 on: October 21, 2011, 06:41:06 AM »
Quote from: sidewinder319 on April 18, 2011, 06:49:15 PM
Be real careful with this one on Federal Lands. The U.S. Fish and Wild Life Service and the U.S. Forest Service has a strict "Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy", regarding the sex of bears. You could find yourself in a Federal Retraining Center for unsympathetic wild life viewers. :-X
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
  Now that they have gone "politically correct" in all federal situations..
    What happens if it is a female mind  & feelings.."locked up" in a male body ?  Can the feds claim the hunter was 'insensitive' to gay/lez, transexual issues ?
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