First Time Bear Hunting

J_MIL_20

J_MIL_20

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Steinbach, MB
Well as the title says, it's my first time black bear hunting in Manitoba. Could use any tips or tricks you guys have got, as well as advice on..
Clothing, Factory ammo to use (.30-30), shot placement, etc.
I'll be using a winchester 94, current ammunition i have is hornady leverevolution 160gr.
 
Competing discussions about lung vs shoulder for shot placement. Shoulders should put them down there and you can follow up quickly if needed...lungs will kill anything but they may drop in site which makes the follow up tracking more fun.

Wear bug proof clothing - bug jacket or some of the commercial bug suits. Your recipe will kill booboo many times over.

The only thing I have learned is that they are tough to judge. Use the barrel for as a reference - I was told that if the bear doesn't look like you could stuff him inside then shoot. after the shot, give him a chance to die...I had an unfortunate run in with the one used as my Avatar....

Good luck
 
Here in BC I have solidly lung shot a not very big black bear with a 300 Winchester magnum with a 180 grain Nosler partition and never seen it again when it took to the weeds.

Unless you're in wide open country go for the shoulder.
 
Last fall my very capable hunting buddy (yukon horse camp guide) lung shot one with his 45-70 with the leverevolution ammo and he said there was blood 6' up into the trees, blood everywhere while they were tracking it.

No bear. He went and got his dad and the three of them never found it.

Not saying another wouldn't just keel over and quit, but if he hit a front shoulder, it would have been like 6 feet from where he shot it.
 
I'd go for the front shoulder everytime, for this however I'd like something a bit bigger with heavier bullets, don't get me wrong I like the 30/30 for hunting just maybe not shoulder shots on big blackies. I took out both shoulders on a big bear with a 325 gr. bullet from a .44 mag. Marlin, so I'm not sure if the 30/30 would do the same.
 
Bears just opened here and I have never shot one. I'm thinking about trying it out. It will be a 45/70 with a 480 at 1550 or a 6.5 with any number or 140gr bullets I have.

I hear they are not that hard to kill, but I would rather go warm :)
 
Iv taken blackys with 3 different calibers 45-70, 300 win mag, 30-30. It all works. As for the 30-30 I used a box of 150 grain winchester power points, nothing special I took an approx shot at 118-125 yard shot 3xxlbr dropped like a potatoe. I agree with the broad side shoulder shot, pass through their and hit the boiler room. As for distance how ever far you feel comfterable.
As for clothes, I pack rain gear, but gernally just throw on long johns, jeans, hiking boots, tshirt, grey suit, wind breaker, hat. I wear tighter/flexible clothes, I dont like wearing anything remotly baggy or loose fitting. A big pet peeve of mine is wearing clothes and things snagging on them, werid eh lol. As for ticks and those goodies I havent seen one in my life nor the places I have hunted, but I hear to have an enjoyable trip repellent is a must in such areas!
Any WHO I know you will enjoy hunting for black bear! I belive every where in canada BUT b.c. you can bait? This will make it alot easier for you :)
 
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My experience with bears is that almost any decent hit with a gun (like yours) drops them pretty much right there, and a good arrow hit will put them down within 40 yards. Not hard to kill if you ask me.
 
I bet the good ole 30-30 has taken about as many blacks as all other calibers combined, toss the 303 and 30-06 in there and you can bet those 3 beat all others.
 
heavyBullet said:
May be going out for my first bear hunt also. Can you please elaborate on the "Honey burn" ??
Click to expand...

Basically to take a small pot, can or something like that. Put it on a small portable stove or some way of heating it and boil the honey. The honey boiling is a sweet smell which draws the bears into that area trying to find the yummy smell. Your just using scent to draw them in. I have never tried it but it is supposed to work quite well.

There are also sent sticks you can buy. Like insence almost. I was burning those when i shot my bear. I think that might have been $hit luck though.
Try the honey burn. Let us know how it turns out.
 
2233 said:
Bacon grease in a similar set up will do the same.
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Just a word of advice, be real careful when heating bacon grease. If you get it too hot it will catch fire, & let me tell you, a can of bacon grease makes a nice big fire! that is difficult to put out. Have fun out there, just be careful.

George
 
glang1 said:
Just a word of advice, be real careful when heating bacon grease. If you get it too hot it will catch fire, & let me tell you, a can of bacon grease makes a nice big fire! that is difficult to put out. Have fun out there, just be careful.

George
Click to expand...

That might be a good reason to stick with honey.
 
Pot of honey, couple tablespoons of peanut butter and a cap full of vanilla or anise oil on a nice low heat source. You don't want it to hot or it burns and wrecks the good smell. I'm going to try the gel cooking cans this year.
 
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