Black bear hunting as a noob

If I knew someone to go with I would. I feel that if I observe long enough and use extreme caution I'll be ok. I'll use this info and other info online to make sure I have all the info to recognize a male bear.

Don't feel bad if you shoot a sow, as long as she's alone.

The one I shot last year was a sow. I didn't know it at the time I pulled the trigger, of course. All I knew was I had watched her roam a good 400 yards along a ridge, rolling logs over and sniffing here and there along the way. There wasn't a whole lot of cover and there were no signs of cubs. Also, she wasn't looking behind her or anywhere else - not a care in the world. It was obvious she was alone. Teeth, tongue and gums as green as it gets. Great tasting bear.
 
Ok so as long as she doesn't have cubs you can shoot a female bear?



Don't feel bad if you shoot a sow, as long as she's alone.

The one I shot last year was a sow. I didn't know it at the time I pulled the trigger, of course. All I knew was I had watched her roam a good 400 yards along a ridge, rolling logs over and sniffing here and there along the way. There wasn't a whole lot of cover and there were no signs of cubs. Also, she wasn't looking behind her or anywhere else - not a care in the world. It was obvious she was alone. Teeth, tongue and gums as green as it gets. Great tasting bear.
 
Yessir!

100% legal.

I'm thinking there is a rule that says any bear less than two years old in the BC Regs.
From page 88 of the electronic published regs : To hunt a Grizzly Bear or Black Bear
less than 2 years old or any bear in its company.
2016-2018 Regs and does not take into count that GB are now not allowed to be hunted in BC, well there are a few exceptions.
Rob
 
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Generally bears less than two years old will be with their mother. Many years ago a couple of us convinced a buddy that was just starting out that that you had to count the rings on the bears nose to determine age. We kept it going for weeks, until we finally found a bear worth shooting. Oh, it was funny. We still joke about it.
Fresh griz and black bear tracks out behind the house yesterday, so they’re awake now for sure.
 
Just remember.....big ears = small bear , small ear = big bear (the ears dont grow with age, they look like dumbo ears on a smallish bear, but as the bear grows into the ears, the ears look really small. ) this is how I judge my bears.
 
I'm thinking there is a rule that says any bear less than two years old in the BC Regs.
From page 88 of the electronic published regs : To hunt a Grizzly Bear or Black Bear
less than 2 years old or any bear in its company.
2016-2018 Regs and does not take into count that GB are now not allowed to be hunted in BC, well there are a few exceptions.
Rob

A very good point, Rob.
 
Indeed. Nicer to have some distance between you and the call.

Which brings up that a new bear hunter might not want to be screwing around with calls unless he is with a trusted partner, to watch each others backs. I've seen bears come in hard and fast responding to calls, might be a bit unnerving for someone who is just starting out. :)
 
Which brings up that a new bear hunter might not want to be screwing around with calls unless he is with a trusted partner, to watch each others backs. I've seen bears come in hard and fast responding to calls, might be a bit unnerving for someone who is just starting out. :)

Yep. We discussed that point already. Cougars come in to those calls too.
 
Patience is key in finding a nice sized boar if that's your goal and you have the time.
A lot like deer Hunting in the way you generally see 20-40 ok specimens for every truly nice big mature one you see.
Not to say a guy won't luck out once in awhile and run into the big guy right off the bat.
 
Don't forget, if you shoot a monster bear, you also have to drag it out and lift it into the truck. I learned that I only like shooting bears under 300lb
 
Don't forget, if you shoot a monster bear, you also have to drag it out and lift it into the truck. I learned that I only like shooting bears under 300lb

Haha, so very true. I experienced this last year with the whitetail doe I shot, I was thankful the cutblock I was in wasn’t to much of a mess of stumps and trees. It was a good uphill workout.
 
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