Black Bear Hunting Tips

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Hey folks,

A while ago I read about a black bear hunting tips/guidebook that was being shared, but I can't seem to find it.

I would like to try my hand at a solo bear hunt (first time) and am looking for some advice.

I don't have my own property so I'll likely be on crown land, hopefully sticking to some areas which have been cut in the last few years.

I'm thinking of splitting my time between tree stand and walk&stalk. Might bring some popcorn and peanut butter as bait.

Mostly it's just a good reason to get away for a while :)

Finally, as I understand the hunting regs, rifle can be used so long as it's not during a no-rifle deer season. Also not inside the listed townships/regions. Do I understand that correctly?

Thanks!
 
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My advice is to build your stand carefully so the prevailing wind doesn't bust you, and learn as much as you can about spot/stalk, because I personally feel hunting bears over bait gets boring. Others may disagree. Maybe I'm just spoiled because we have CFB Gagetown here, and it's easy to shoot them up there off the roads.
 
I've never found spot and stalk to be very productive in my neck of the woods. Too many trees. Baiting works, but is time consuming and labour intensive. It usually takes a couple of weeks for the bears to find the bait, and once they do start hitting it you have to be in there every couple of days to top it up.
 
Find the areas with the best food sources available for when you want to hunt, whether it is grain crops, fruits, berries, mushrooms/fungus, grass, flowers or buds on bushes/trees, insects or fish (all seasonally and location dependent).
Play the wind, you cannot beat their nose! And do not under estimate their eyesight; most say it isn't very good, but it is every bit as good as ours, and better in the dark.
When they have full coats on, they won't want to be out out in the hot sun for very long, or they will over heat, so watch your local weather. So look to north facing slopes or patches with more shade.
Hunting edge cover of clear cuts with food sources is a good tactic. When other food sources are lacking, they will key in on rotting stumps and logs, tearing them apart for the insects.
Look for tracks and scat. The bigger, the better.
Best of luck!
 
These were all over my property...some very fresh. Never seen/ heard a bear. Read the article.

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yomomma said:
Cool...did some research and you guys are absolutely right. Don't know if I feel any better knowing there was a big moose within a stones throw rather than a bear.
Click to expand...

I was walking out after dark bear hunting last week with crossbow in the case and noticed a large dark blob in front of me about 20’. Binoculars gave enough light to see a large bull moose looking at me. I talked nicely to him until he wandered off. That will get your heart pumping I tell you
 
Thanks for the responses folks. Hoyt was kind enough to email me the article, which should make an excellent starting point!
 
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