Judging Black Bears

hansol

hansol

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In the spirit of spring bear season, I'm just wondering what tricks guys use for judging bears. Jim Shockey says that black bears are probably the hardest animal to judge, so I'm curious to hear what different people use to choose their bear.

I was taught that you look at the ears a lot, and if they appear "small", it's probably a big bear. At the same time, if the ears appear large, and the whole face seems "wolf-ish", that's probably a young bear.

Also, pay attention to how the bear moves, and if they are lumbering around like they own the place, they are probably a big boar. If they appear to have a "beer gut" or such, that also can be a giveaway for a big bear.

I'm still pretty new at the game though, so it would be neat to hear other peoples' tricks.
 
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I have heard the same thing about the ears. But I thought it was the location of them. If the ears were positioned more to the sides of the head it was a younger bear, and if the ears were almost to the top of its head it was an older bear.

Also have seen the "beer gut" trick used as well...
 
EvilDezel said:
I have heard the same thing about the ears. But I thought it was the location of them. If the ears were positioned more to the sides of the head it was a younger bear, and if the ears were almost to the top of its head it was an older bear.

Also have seen the "beer gut" trick used as well...
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You've got that backwards. Ears on the side=big, up top like a rabbit=small.
 
if the ears look like mickey mouses don't shoot its a little one. at distance all bears look large. when you catch up to them they always seem to suffer from shrinkage
 
Rule #1: Bears, like fish, get bigger with each story told about them.. Did I ever tell you about....

Some can be tough to judge. Experence is the best teacher. The ear thing and movment (The big ones move like fat people) are the two biggest factors imo. Low hanging bellys aswell. Of course, always refer to rule # 1:D

Cheers

Seabass
 
If you could set a dinner plate on his head and it wouldn't touch his ears, let him have it.;)
 
Accurate judging depends on how close you want to get to them. The closer you can observe them the better idea you will have in size. Also what are you looking for, Skull size or squared out hide size? Big bears do not always have B&C class heads. In my experience if a bear comes in and you say to yourself "Holy F#*k" , shoot it!!!!
 
I don't want a pumpkin-head chewy old boar.

I look for two year olds for the freezer so if it's got no ears, what look like short legs and the belly on the ground I let it walk.
 
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The very best way is to get close, 50 yards or closer. I have been fooled a number of times at a distance only to close the gap and find I am looking at a really fat 5 and a half footer..... or it can go the other way, a really ganguly long legged 6 and a half footer, especially in the spring.

The largest (longest) black bear I have ever seen could have looked like a small bear if viewed with the naked eye at say 200 yards. When I drove up closer I realized he was a true giant well over 7 feet, probably over 7 and a half, he was on a road and using the tire width as a guide he simply dwarfed any bear I have ever seen. He just happened to be skinny at the time and did not have a big head.



Once up close I will get an over all impression of the size if it seems good I look at the space between the ears, if it looks like he has a hand span between his ears (8.5") he is a shooter.
 
Come to Vancouver Island where you can both look at a lot of them and take your time. They are more common than deer around here.

The best one will always have good truck access.
Never shoot the fat ones downhill in an alder bottom....'cause you have to pull them out of the hole they die in.
In fact and for the same reason, never shoot a fat nor skinny downhill bear.
The small looking ones are always get bigger when you drag them uphill. :D:D
 
I look for the skull crease and ear width. On a bait, i compare them to the barrel, and also note there mannerisms. The smaller bear in the area will appear more nervous at the bait, most of the time. Conversely, the big bear in the area will act like he owns the place, most of the time.
 
MD's got it right , If you want one for the freezer take a two year old. If your looking for a skull for your bone collection get close and watch for a bit, ground shrinkage is common.
 
I am no expert .But I agree with chappy, small ears to the side, short legs and belly just about touching the ground. This has worked well for us, we have taken a few bears that are of reasonable size.
Good Hunting!!

Straight Shooting

Budweiser2
 
Very hard to judge, that's for sure. Like many other's I've been dissapointed in the past when bears I thought were very respectable suddenly shrunk a good foot as I walked up to them. I look for a big, very round head with a snout that looks short in comparison, as well as bears that have that large belly and huge ass.
 
Go with your instincts.

When you're looking at a smaller bear, your first instinct is to try and "field judge him".

When you look at a big fat uber-monster bear, your first instinct is to grab your gun and fling lead ASAP.

In other words, if you're wondering if he's a 'big one', he probably isn't.
 
brotherjack said:
Go with your instincts.

When you're looking at a smaller bear, your first instinct is to try and "field judge him".

When you look at a big fat uber-monster bear, your first instinct is to grab your gun and fling lead ASAP.

In other words, if you're wondering if he's a 'big one', he probably isn't.
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X-2. brotherjack is in Bear country. He knows.

I found this formula works well.
Instantly judge his weight with 1st look.
Devide by two.
Then add 10 lbs.
 
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