First spring bear

[vagrantonwalkabout]

Going to be trying for my first spring black bear on Vancouver Island. Planning on areas north and west of Campbell river. Any tips or tricks you can offer me?
Hunting for the meat not a trophy or pelt.

 

[bearkilr]

Try to get one that lives on salmon, they taste the best.

 

[Paul_T]

Going to be trying for my first spring black bear on Vancouver Island. Planning on areas north and west of Campbell river. Any tips or tricks you can offer me?
Hunting for the meat not a trophy or pelt.

They love dandelions and clover. Here in the interior it's common to see their ass sticking out of a ditch on a forest service road, oblivious to everything but eating.

 

[156821]

I haven’t hunted the island but the first places that green up is where you will find them. Late afternoon, early evening on warm days I seem to have the best luck.

 

[FLHTCUI]

Try to get one that lives on salmon, they taste the best.

Not many Salmon in the creeks right now....
Find a south facing slope and go from there.
There are no shortages of Bears on VI and Jim Schokey has a guide lice area for the Northern Part, not that it matters as one can hunt on guide territory.
Rob

 

[vagrantonwalkabout]

Try to get one that lives on salmon, they taste the best.

For fall black bear Always assumed that best tasting bear was before the salmon runs, bear eats rotting fish tastes like rotting fish. Does bear really taste better during or after the salmon runs?

 

[Gatehouse]

Bears that hang out on the beach may not be the tastiest eating. But bear hunting in BC doesn't have to be complicated. Drive around until you start seeing lots of fresh poo then target those areas in the afternoons and evenings especially.

 

[Butcherbill]

For fall black bear Always assumed that best tasting bear was before the salmon runs, bear eats rotting fish tastes like rotting fish. Does bear really taste better during or after the salmon runs?

Salmon bears are a delicacy, followed by a dump bear eating pampers.

 

[rar]

Try to get one that lives on salmon, they taste the best.

no thanks. lol.

 

[FLHTCUI]

For fall black bear Always assumed that best tasting bear was before the salmon runs, bear eats rotting fish tastes like rotting fish. Does bear really taste better during or after the salmon runs?

I have shot bear in the Nimpkish Valley in early September in a blueberry field and one could taste the sweet blueberry in the meat.

 

[Jimbobob08]

You can’t beat their nose. Good glass is a bonus, they’re hard to see at last light. Centre of centre and a vertical fist forward is what works for me. I’ve had luck with first green up on pole lines. If baiting is legal in BC, nothing beats beaver for a lure. They tend to find tiny, dark hole to die in if they go any distance. The type of hole you’ll walk past repeatedly before you notice it. Not that they tend to go far if you do your part, but two big holes for a good blood trail is nice insurance. Have fun and good luck.

 

[Ashcroft]

Lots of good advice here regarding food sources. They’re ravenously hungry for a few weeks after coming out, find the food - find the bears. Yes. Clover, dandelion patches, tender young grass, fireweed shoots, don’t forget skunk cabbage, it’s voluminous and they love it. Little used forest roadsides, power lines, gasline right of ways, abandoned camps, the more food the more bears. As mentioned, for a food bear avoid any indication of one feeding on rotting flesh of any kind.
Most of Van Isle is very dense, brushy, poor for long distance spotting, slowly and quietly cruising isolated back roads will likely turn up the most bears. Evenings are best but any time is bear time, especially if it’s raining, driving noise and scent down. Areas with signs of previous heavy feeding are worth staking out, especially at dusk.
Good Luck

 

[Butcherbill]

You can’t beat their nose. Good glass is a bonus, they’re hard to see at last light. Centre of centre and a vertical fist forward is what works for me. I’ve had luck with first green up on pole lines. If baiting is legal in BC, nothing beats beaver for a lure. They tend to find tiny, dark hole to die in if they go any distance. The type of hole you’ll walk past repeatedly before you notice it. Not that they tend to go far if you do your part, but two big holes for a good blood trail is nice insurance. Have fun and good luck.

Unfortunately baiting bears is verboten in BC

 

[Ashcroft]

Unfortunately baiting bears is verboten in BC

Yes but natural food sources like grass, wild clover are not classified as baiting.

 

[Ashcroft]

Forgot, vitally important if hunting on the ground…….bears have fine eyes as good as yours, great hearing and the finest nose in the wilderness. ANY air movement or wandering whiff will be detected at staggering distances and acted upon. You can’t successfully hide or mask your scent.

 

[Jimbobob08]

Unfortunately baiting bears is verboten in BC

I’ve noticed in Norwegian elkhound and houndsman Facebook groups that the majority of bear treeing is done in BC. I guess that’s why.

 

[Butcherbill]

I’ve noticed in Norwegian elkhound and houndsman Facebook groups that the majority of bear treeing is done in BC. I guess that’s why.

I’m sure it’s some hippy eco bullshít like everything else to do with bear hunting in bc, we’re allowed to bait deer. I really don’t see the difference, baiting allows you to really pick and choose the bear you want to take.

 

[bearkilr]

Forgot, vitally important if hunting on the ground…….bears have fine eyes as good as yours, .

Umm no, unless you're Bubbles from trailer park boys. Their eyesight is quite poor.

 

[a j cave]

As stated, greening areas and along beaver creeks ( few is VI areas I’ve been) have turned up best results. I like spring bears as they are not as fatty. Being out in the hills in spring is worth the price of admission! Have a good time.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I’m sure it’s some hippy eco bullshít like everything else to do with bear hunting in bc, we’re allowed to bait deer. I really don’t see the difference, baiting allows you to really pick and choose the bear you want to take.

In Alberta, baiting black bears is not allowed in WMUs where you might draw in a Grizz, which is becoming increasingly possible these days.