Size

[swifty22]

Howdy, Is there a direct relationship between the width of the tracks, or measurement across the pads, of bear feet/foot size to the weight or square of the bear? And if so, how big would one, spring bear, with a 4.2" across the pads (front tracks) be? Thanks-Muddy

[bear55]

Swifty22, the two bears the fellow got that was hunting with us last week, I measured his pads the 7ft'er's pad was 4.5 the 6ft. 6 was 4 1/8 that was pad size.  A print in the mud over 4 1/4 inch is worth watching for.  I remember a few years back a fellow that was hunting with us in the spring shot an ugly looking bear, he was thin and hide was rubbed, looked more like a monkey than a bear.  He was if I remember about 6ft.8 but the mitts on him were a little over 4 1/2.  Can't say as I have seen a black bear print much over about 4 3/4 where we hunt.  Can't remember what size was on the two 7 ft. 6" bears we shot couple years ago, might have a picture somewhere.  Grizz 8 inches keeps you looking over your shoulder pretty steady.

[drdougrx]

I do remember reading somewhere that the measurment across the front pad plus 1 inch translated to the size of the bear in feet.  So a 5" pad equals (roughly) to a 6' bear.  Though I've shot three...I haven't really tested this formula.