Who stalks bears here?

[TreyAzagthoth]

Who all stalks black bears here? I'm probably gonna stick with this method cause, i wouldnt be hunting on baited property or private propery plus i dont find any justice in it but thats just my opinion.

[Moose-Hunter]

Well, I didn't stalk a black bear this year (as of yet, still got plenty of hunting to go), but I did stalk and kill a Kodiak brown bear this past April.

[TreyAzagthoth]

Well, I didn't stalk a black bear this year (as of yet, still got plenty of hunting to go), but I did stalk and kill a Kodiak brown bear this past April.

thats awesome! what'd you use?

[Moose-Hunter]

A custom model 70 chambered in 358 Norma Magnum.

[alaskacajun]

If I ain't stalkin' 'em then I call 'em in to me! 

- Clint

[Dusty Miller]

Call'n bears seems to be a particularly dangerous way to hunt'm. Do you use a rife or a handgun when call'n them bruins? 

[bigbore442001]

I've tried to still hunt black bear in Massachusetts but it is pretty much a futile effort. Almost all the bear in this state are shot over cornfields or as some have hinted illegal baits.

It is just too thick and brushy here in New England for it to be reliable. There are too many variables against you.

[SeaBass]

I try like hell.  Most people use dogs here or get lucky while deer hunting.  Baiting is not allowed.  I'm not a big fan of baiting anyway.  Stalking however has not been productive for me yet.

[azmike]

 I haven't in a few years, but I used to.  Out of several seasons I was only successful once.  That's why it is hunting, not shooting, I guess.   I have a friend who tried to get me to bait instead, but I have a problem with that type of hunting, for me anyway.  To each his own. 

Planning on trying calling for the first time this January, but  for Mountain Lion instead of bear.  I'll post on it if successful.

[Two Bears]

It is too thick here in Minnesota to stalk bears so the only way for me to do it is to run a bait.

I do hunt them with a bow which puts quite a bit of excitement in the hunt!

[alaskacajun]

Call'n bears seems to be a particularly dangerous way to hunt'm. Do you use a rife or a handgun when call'n them bruins? 

Dusty I use a Weatherby chambered in .300 Wtby Mag while calling. I am purchasing a .375 H&H this winter for bear hunting, not that it's needed but I just want one. Besides I'de prefer the open sites and better knockdown, in a smaller package over my long, heavy Weatherby. It has a 3-9X50mm Leupold on it that ain't real conducive to quick site acquisition in the alder's either!

- Clint

[Dusty Miller]

Yeah Clint, I'd opt for the short barreled version or better yet a revolver in .454, .475, or .500 caliber with some potent loads.  It'd seem to me like you'd want to have a gun that'd be VERY easy to move from point to point in a hurry.  A bear coming into a call is coming to make a kill and that's a much different bear than one casually picking berries from a bush.  But, it's your hunt and your arse that's on the line, suit yourself!!

[alaskacajun]

The reason I use the Weatherby is it's my only big rifle. I'm a Southern boy and use what I have to get the job done. Besides I use calling in conjunction with stalking or as a last resort. I'm not going to a salmon stream and setting up and seeing what comes to the call!  So I can see your point on the handgun but it doesn't really apply to the type of hunting that I'm doing..... 

- Clint