Ever go into a bear cave ?

cobra_on_speed said:
I'm not a hunter by any measure, but aren't bears pretty skinny, skraggly, and just generally nasty after they've been hibernating, so then, why would you want to shoot it?
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Quite the contrary, bears are very fat and beautifully furred up when they first come out of hibernation.......and they are great eating!

Ask anyone who has taken an early spring bear.

Ted
 
F*#k No ! ... I'm almost insulted

I just don't hunt, and don't really know anything about it, I'd like to start some day(I love moose, prefer if to beef) just don't have the motivation or the time really right now
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You live in BC and you haven't gone out hunting at least once? Wow partner, get at'er already ... beautiful country over there in the West ... ;)

Otokiak
Rankin Inlet, NU
CANADA

P.S. i'd stick my head in a bear den ... HAHA ... ;)
 
Wow, if your looking to hunt a bear in a den, it seems to be about as much sport as putting them in a cage and picking them off. Isnt the whole point for hunting asides from feeding your family for the skill and sport of it? Doesn't take much skill to shoot a bear thats not trying to get away from ya, not to mention if you miss, that bear is going to eat your a$$ for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
 
Leeworthy said:
Wow, if your looking to hunt a bear in a den, it seems to be about as much sport as putting them in a cage and picking them off. Isnt the whole point for hunting asides from feeding your family for the skill and sport of it? Doesn't take much skill to shoot a bear thats not trying to get away from ya, not to mention if you miss, that bear is going to eat your a$$ for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
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Again, to play devil's advocate...

Skill... you still have to find the den

Challenge... maybe. How well could you hold a rifle on a bear that is just feet away from you ? What could go wrong ? What are the chances that you are not leaving that den alive or missing a body part ?
 
Leeworthy said:
Wow, if your looking to hunt a bear in a den, it seems to be about as much sport as putting them in a cage and picking them off. Isnt the whole point for hunting asides from feeding your family for the skill and sport of it? Doesn't take much skill to shoot a bear thats not trying to get away from ya, not to mention if you miss, that bear is going to eat your a$$ for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
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You're kidding right? First you have to find the den. Secondly you have to hold your fire until you are sure the bear is a legal bear - no sow with cubs. As for skill, I suggest it would take incredible skill, certainly more than I want to acquire. For the adrenalin junky it would be akin to crawling into a VC tunnel with a flashlight and a .45.
 
While this is not an actual hunting story, My Great Grandfather, my Grandfather and his brothers were logging on an island (Kippawa Lake) back in the early fifties, two of his brothers were walking in the deep snow towards their intended cut when one of them suddenly sunk to his waist. While getting the poor fellow out they realized that he had fell in to a Den and was next to the bear !

My great grandfather made the call that he didnt' want his sons logging near a potentially groggy bear so he dispatched the bear. Great Granma made soap from the grease and fed a family of 13 with the unlucky bruin.
 
Here's a a tip for ya. Looking for a bear den--then listen real close. You'll generally hear the bear long before you find the den. Most of 'em aint exactly comatose in there. I've been in several. It is illegal to molest a bear in its den in Ontario. That said--somebody gotta go in there and get the damn dog.
 
gorky said:
OK so after two " it might be illegals", does anyone know if it actually is illegal to shoot a bear in its den (in ONT or any other province) ? I wonder how they would word it:

- can't shoot a bear that is sleeping/hibernating ?
- can't shoot a bear that is in an enclosed space ?
- can't shoot a bear if you are unable to completely see the bear ?

Has anyone ever been taught anything relevant in a Hunter Ed class ?
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It is in fact illegal in Ontario, but might be different in other provinces or territories. Quote from the Ontario regs, pg 67; "It is illegal to shoot or interfere with black bears in their dens, or damage or destroy their dens."
 
about 20 years ago my father was hunting north of nordeg in the late fall for elk etc,and walked over a steep hill and stepped over the entance to a bear cave. Logically(if you only knew him) he decided to crawl in and have a look, his eyes didn't have much chance to adjust before he could feel/smell the bears breath. I think he managed to set a new land speed record getting back to camp. He and his cohorts returned in the morning and they flushed it out and he shot it with his 58cal muzzle loader.
 
Bears breath must be pretty nasty after sleepin so long :D



habs.jpg



Go Habs Go!!
 
Nothing about it is written in the Alberta Regs. Can't shoot sows with a cub, can't hunt at night, can't use a light, can't shoot a bear under 1 year of age (ask for ID first).

You won't win any ethical debate shooting a sleeping bear, but I can't find anything that would suggest it is illegal here. I would rather wait for one to wake up and take that first big crap before I have to gut them.

Any luck today? What zone are you hunting for bears in? I was in WMU 305 and there's still lots of snow. Saw lots of deer but no bears :(
 
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