School me on black bear hunting.

Brutus said:
Myself I would prefer at least a shotgun set up for slugs, preferably right from the factory.
They exist because some jurisdictions require these versus a deer rifle.
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Yeah I never bothered with that a shotgun is a universal tool. I have shot slugs with a bead for as long as I have shot a shotgun this one does have a rear post to act as a rear sight if needed. It’s part #1 on the schematic here https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/savstevspgfld/shotguns-sav/58-shotgun-series/58-sav

Just have to know your limitations and stay within them for foster/rifled slugs and pumpkin ball slugs that’s about 50 yards.
 
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Serious question: are there not seeded deactivated logging roads and transmission lines in northern Ontario?

Has anyone suggested using a fawn in distress call?
 
Sure, I’m just curious because of the people saying baiting is necessary in the shield


I’ve known bears to frequent edges of agricultural fields. Especially if there is a slough and accompanying wooded area. They seem to be especially attracted to barley. They might like corn as well too for southern Ontario?
 
conor_90 said:
Serious question: are there not seeded deactivated logging roads and transmission lines in northern Ontario?

Has anyone suggested using a fawn in distress call?
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I know the area well, logging is done a bit different in this area, not so much clear cut but selective. There are a few very good hydro lines that would make for decent spot and stalk though.
 
freddyfour said:
I know the area well, logging is done a bit different in this area, not so much clear cut but selective. There are a few very good hydro lines that would make for decent spot and stalk though.
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More curious about NW Ontario/ black spruce shield country in general. Driving through the Hearst etc area on the “northern” highway I couldn’t help but reflect on how similar it looked to the part of BC I used to live/work/play in (peace/northern Rockies). Just flatter and with more lakes. One would think the area would be full of black bears. Maybe the amount of lakes would make it harder to target water sources based on the “ black bears have wet feet” phenomenon.

My ex was a forester who went to school in southern Ontario and worked in BC, and I spent about a decade in forestry/ oil and gas consulting so I’m a bit familiar with the difference between woodlot management and the clear cut, road building and slash pile burning forest management. I have to assume in the shield the process is more similar to the second?

Short of salmon bearing areas on the NW coast I’ve never seen as many black or grizzly bears as in heavily logged areas like the blackwater west of Quesnel and the nation lakes north of fort st James. These areas have some massive populations; corresponding to what amount to hay fields on every one of the many deactivated access roads crisscrossing the landscape


Antiqueguy, check out intersurplus if you want a nice old 9.3x62 Mauser action

If madoc is like the Kawartha Lakes area, you might have good luck in the wood lots by agricultural fields in the fall time

As the fields green up sitting their edges in the spring would probably not be time wasted either. Perfect time of year for the fawn in distress call too
 
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antiqueguy said:
Unfortunately brenneke slugs are not available locally or anywhere it seems. I got some Winchesters and some federals to try then I’m also going to be loading some pumpkin ball slugs. I’d much rather be use my .303 or x54r or .458 win mag but with no primers in this entire country I can’t reload for any of them.
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Challenger slugs are even better than the Brenneke . made in Canada and places like Canadian Tire carry .. can't beat them for penetration and accuracy
 
Spruster said:
Challenger slugs are even better than the Brenneke . made in Canada and places like Canadian Tire carry .. can't beat them for penetration and accuracy
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The Challenger Magnum shot terribly in every gun Ive tried them in. I posted about them a whole back in, I think the ammo section.
 
MiG25 said:
The Challenger Magnum shot terribly in every gun Ive tried them in. I posted about them a whole back in, I think the ammo section.
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I'm using 20 ga smooth bore with IC choke and honestly will shoot 2 in at 40 yards.. They are a much harder lead than brenneke. Not sure what you tried but I am totally happy with them . The Rottweil brenneke is what my 20 had problems with . Each gun is diff they say
 
antiqueguy said:
And sold but theirs plenty of them up here hmm if I got a 9.3x62 then I’d have a plains game cartridge to go with the .458 sounds like a good excuse to buy it I doubt I will ever see Africa :d .
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GNG surplus has some still, similar prices.

When’s the first green up in your part of the country, early April? You’ll have much better luck in spring spot and stalk than fall for several reasons. Visibility is a big one, and less aware and slower moving bears more reliant on small food sources that are more easily pinpointed. Spot and stalk hunting preys upon weaknesses and they have more of them in spring by good measure than fall. Doesn’t mean don’t try spot and stalk in fall but if you’ve got one 5 day shot at this, spring is your window.

As soon their dens become wet they’ll be out.
 
I found it unproductive to go out in the morning like you would for deer.
Ive had the best luck going into the stand around 3pm.
(Northern Ontario)
 
Ardent said:
GNG surplus has some still, similar prices.

When’s the first green up in your part of the country, early April? You’ll have much better luck in spring spot and stalk than fall for several reasons. Visibility is a big one, and less aware and slower moving bears more reliant on small food sources that are more easily pinpointed. Spot and stalk hunting preys upon weaknesses and they have more of them in spring by good measure than fall. Doesn’t mean don’t try spot and stalk in fall but if you’ve got one 5 day shot at this, spring is your window.

As soon their dens become wet they’ll be out.
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That area gets hit with a lot if snow and usually stays pretty deep into the spring. I've been getting snow warnings for the area every other day this winter for back there. Gonna be a late spring bear season I bet.
 
Ardent said:
GNG surplus has some still, similar prices.

When’s the first green up in your part of the country, early April? You’ll have much better luck in spring spot and stalk than fall for several reasons. Visibility is a big one, and less aware and slower moving bears more reliant on small food sources that are more easily pinpointed. Spot and stalk hunting preys upon weaknesses and they have more of them in spring by good measure than fall. Doesn’t mean don’t try spot and stalk in fall but if you’ve got one 5 day shot at this, spring is your window.

As soon their dens become wet they’ll be out.
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I wouldn’t know when it is happening up there I’m 5 hours away and we barely got any snow this year.
 
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