Does anyone out there Hunt for Black Bears in Western NY?

[Rwalter63]

Just curious if there is anyone out there hunting bear in the Western NY area. My guess is most to the time it is some dear hunter who just happens to run into one, but is there anyone out there going just for the bears? If so what tactics are you using? Obviously here in the southern hunting zone your limited to a shotgun and baiting and dogs are illegal. However what other methods are you using? Are you using scents or distress calls? Or are you just stalking? I never gone out hunting looking for black bears but I might just try it this next year. The only problem is the season pretty much runs concurrent with the shotgun deer season. I just wondering how people are fairing if they are out hunting bear?

[avonarcher]

there are bears in the western areas.. but they are mostly limited to the
southern part of western area... there are confirmed black bears by the DEC
in livingston county... which is DEC REGION 8. but..i am told you are not allow to shoot these particular bear yet.. ( they havnt eaten anyones kids yet
 i guess.) im not sure where else other than the southern part of the west that there are bears... the adirondacs are just FULL OF THEM... all you have to do is set up a tent and picnick basket.. they come running !!!

[Rwalter63]

I know for a fact that there are a lot of bears in the Western Counties of NY that border the PA line. (Stuben, Alleghany, Cattaraugus, and Chataqua.) As proof the NYS DEC expanded the areas just one week before the season began last fall. I just curious to see if any one is out there hunting them. I'd be interested in possibly going. I know that a big black bear was taken right down the road from my property in Catt. County but I yet to talk to the gentleman. Hopefully later this summer I'll run into him.

[Meatball]

Rwalter63
If your hunting over near Bucktooth I do know that there was a very large bear taken over in that area this past season. My father lives just over the hill from there and told me that a very large black bear had been taken out in bucktooth. I forget the exact weight but I do know it was 400+ pounds.

[oldhunter]

I have hunted in Cattaraugus County for over 50 years and have seen many bears while hunting, hiking or just in the woods enjoying nature.  Although I never intentionally hunted them, I have seen more bears the last 10 years than all the other years put together.  My passion is deer hunting and it seems rare that I talk to other hunters that admit to actually trying to shoot a bear.  Twice in the last few years I had up close and personal experiences with LARGE bears while deer hunting with my single shot T/C Encore.  Fortuntately I was not forced to fire on either.  I suggest that you inquire at several locallly owned hunting and gun shops scattered throughout Chaut., Catt, & Allegany Counties to learn who may be interested in bear hunting and perhaps they may share their knowledge with you.  Also, starting with the 2005 big game season, you may now use a centerfire rifle in select areas in the Southern Tier.

Good luck.


oldhunter