Bear hunting question....

saskgunowner101

saskgunowner101

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I've asked my share of silly questions here, and this is no doubt going to be another.:redface: There's a mama bear that had a couple cubs last year hanging around the area (well I think it's them) so I thought I might get a tag. Now, looking in the Sask hunting synopsis, it says" No hunting of female bears with young of the year cubs at heel"

Am I right to assume that last year the cubs were a no shoot, this year mama or one of the previous cubs (now one year + old) are fair game? That's how I read it, but my nephews father in law was saying no, you can't shoot the mama at all. When are cubs not considered cubs anymore? Any clarification appreciated.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
I've asked my share of silly questions here, and this is no doubt going to be another.:redface: There's a mama bear that had a couple cubs last year hanging around the area (well I think it's them) so I thought I might get a tag. Now, looking in the Sask hunting synopsis, it says" No hunting of female bears with young of the year cubs at heel"

Am I right to assume that last year the cubs were a no shoot, this year mama or one of the previous cubs (now one year + old) are fair game? That's how I read it, but my nephews father in law was saying no, you can't shoot the mama at all. When are cubs not considered cubs anymore? Any clarification appreciated.
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I don't live in Sask. but i would take that to say you can't shoot a sow with cubs less than one year old. So if the cubs are two or the sow does't have cubs....looks like fair game
 
she may be fair game in her off cub years, but I personally do not shoot any sows, if I can identify them as such... bears have one of the slowest reproductive rates of our big game species... I would prefer to harvest a 2.5 year old juvenile boar for a BBQ bear, or wait for a bruiser bruin...
 
I believe the legality is if you see a female with a cub you can not shoot it. Unfortunately I'm sure some cubs aren't seen and the mothers get shot. If you find the regs unclear it really would be best to check with the ministry.
 
I would leave them be. it will only make for a better population in the years to come. go after the big boars.
 
How the law reads is secondary to common sense and keeping a game species viable.

Black bears cubs usually stay with the sow til they're kicked off for breeding (May/June) at 2.

Killing a sow at all is poor form imo but especially so if she has young at foot. They have a hard enough time making it as a 2 year old. On their own as yearlings they don't stand much of a chance.

Boars will kill cubs to breed a sow early as well.
 
BrotherRockeye said:
How the law reads is secondary to common sense and keeping a game species viable.

Black bears cubs usually stay with the sow til they're kicked off for breeding (May/June) at 2.

Killing a sow at all is poor form imo but especially so if she has young at foot. They have a hard enough time making it as a 2 year old. On their own as yearlings they don't stand much of a chance.



Boars will kill cubs to breed a sow early as well.
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This is what I needed to know. Thank you.
 
Well, I hadn't had my heart set on bear hunting, just thought of it as a potential possibility. They have been over closer to our property than I like, but for the most part they hang out (I believe) in a nice size posted/no trespass area. We've observed them a few times and the tracks as well. There was a blondish/cinamon cub last year too. Curious how many bears could live in relative harmony on a 1/4 section of mostly bush and buckbrush?
 
Adult boars (black) don't live in harmony with each other at all. They are very protective of their territory against other males. A lot of wondering young boars are the ones that have been chased from one territory to another. Not sure how it works with sows.
 
Best not to shoot any bear in the company of another. Boars will only be with another during breeding season which is already over. Any bear in the company of another will at this point be a female and cubs. Leave them be. Go for the boars.
 
bears are solitary so finding them still hanging out together doesn't sit right with me wait for a mature bear to harvest, last week i got a 320 pound bore with my m305
 
Here in BC the Regs say something to the effect of a Sow with cubs up to years of age....are a no go.
Your Regs sound something similar..
Personally, I wouldnt knowingly shoot those particular bears from the way your describing them because one it is two easy and two they are a family unit and still in need of some Mothering Skills to help them later on in life (next season is a go).
But, if they are a problem then all bets are off.
Again, not telling you how to or what to do with these three bears, just offering my thoughts on the subject.
Rob
 
Thanks for all the input. I'll probably poke around to see what's out there, but I understand the "just cause it's legal, doesn't make it right" aspect. I wouldn't shoot a deer that would fit in a suitcase, so why would I shoot a bear that size.... And if it affects the youngs mortality, I'd be killing off three bear (potentially) by shooting one. Maybe the cinnamon bear will be around next year.
 
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