Nova Scotia Spot and Stalk Black Bear

Not too many folks doing this. Most are using bait and or blinds/stands. It's a lot of work! If you're really wanting to spot and stalk, i'd suggest making contact with some guides or outfitters in Southwester NS as to the nest places to start, as there is a healthy population of bears in this part of the province (Digby, Yarmouth, and Shelburne counties). Best of luck.
 
Yeah I didnt think there was many, I have baits set up and bears coming in, live in Pictou County, but wanted to give myself a real challenge and try spot and stalk. Have a few areas in mind where I would spend a couple days backpacking and camping trying my best. Figured it would be a challenge especially with the bow, I like pushing myself so this would be a good start to the season when it opens.
 
If you can find a berry farm that would be your best bet. There may be lots of bears in the TriCounties, but this is the ungodliest thick bush that I have ever seen. Can't see it being high percentage.
 
Can't help you with NB... but I have taken dozens of blackies by spot n' stalk in Ontario... if I might suggest... find the food source and concentrate there. Don't waste your time trying to do a BC style run n' gun... the terrain just is not conducive to that... talk to local grain farmers, orchard owners, berry farms, fish farms (yes, "fish farms")... etc... when you locate the ones having problems with bears, access will almost be guaranteed. Ask the landowner where they see bears and at what time, where most of the crop damage has occurred, if they have observed at what points the bears enter fields and or orchards/berry patches etc... you can also find natural food sources. For the most part in the fall, we concentrate on blueberry and choke cherry patches, often in old cuts. Start your hunt by glassing early and late, make notes on the times you see bears, how long they stay, where they enter and leave the food source. Once you have some more detailed info, set-up to intercept the bears on their way to the food sources... you can use whatever methods you prefer, ground blinds, treestands, or spot and stalk them either before they get to the food (often a tough go) or once they are feeding (often a tougher go). I once stalked into an oat field that had ten bears feeding, I had to pass between bears and still keep the wind from blowing my cover, when I raised up to take the shot on a nice bruin, I had to shoot over the back of a smaller/closer bear and arc the arrow into the vitals of the target animal... when the string "thumped" there were bears running in every which direction, a couple went right past me within feet... it can be a very exciting hunt... it can also be very frustrating... well worth it when the stars all align.
 
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