Spring Bear Hunt

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armylupis1

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Hey all.

I am planning my spring Bear hunt (coming up in New Brunswick 20 Apr), and I just wanted any advice from those successful. I went last year, and here is my story.

I setup in a tree stand, camouflaged netting around it, and had a clear lane going down to my bait barrel. I am in the woods, not on the edge and baiting with leftovers and Tim Hortons Doughnuts. Days go by and I see nothing, but each day the bait is gone. After checking my trail cam, they seemed to be coming around 2am. I did see a Momma bear and her cub, but watched them in awe... so quiet and nice to see the cub playing. The next day I seen a boar. I aimed and waited for a clear shot (about 15 minutes). I was hunting with my 7mm Rem mag. He was about 50-75 years away and I took my shot, knocked him down, and he was slow to get up and moved slowly away. Ignoring all my hunter training, I climbed down from the stand and went to check out my prey. I seen parts of the brisket, so it was a little low, and basically dogged him deeper and deeper. He got away.

I have learned a few things....
1. 7mm Rem mag at a short distance moved the bullet too quick and will not have the explosive effect a 30 cal. will. This year I am bringing a 30-30 with iron sights.
2. Wait 15-30 min before you leave the tree stand. This will let it bleed out, lay down and not get up. I will do that this year.

If there is advice you have, let me know. I am eager to hear your success stories, or even lessons learned stories. This year, I want my freezer filled and a nice rug. :)
 
hello armylupis1,

caliber is not the problem at all. bullet selection maybe.

i have taken or guided for baited bears with different calibers from 270wsm to 45-70 with 7x64, 30-30, 300hh, 300 magnum, 300 wea mag, 9,3x62 and so on.
bullet choice and placement is really the key.

while doable with iron sights sometimes even a small scope can help you depending on the light.

depending on the height of your seat i will check to be sure your shooting is not in the target or too high or too low depending of your rifle fittings and settings.
 
Thank you for in insight. I know that a heart shot is hard, based on pictures. I went for the lung/double lung, just behind the shoulder blade. I think I will try a little higher.

Anyone else have tips for getting them their.

I heard something about banging the barrel when you first get there, like a dinner bell. Someone told me they were like dogs in that regard.
 
I have shot plenty of bears with rifles and arrows,what amazes me is when I shot them with a broadhead I see them take off and die with in 20-40 yds,the same shot with a rifle and you are tracking him in the bush as they go 50+ yds ,shot the bear in the shoulders and you wont have to worry about tracking him in the woods
Good luck show us some pics when you get one.
 
I have dealt with a fellow in the past JungleCat7, after our firearm transaction was complete we still keep in touch. He has great wisdom and knowledge in these regards. I had purchased a couple of books he wrote and the are great. Clear right to the point and they are only something like $10-$12. He was a bear guide in ON for many years and I still seek his mentorship from time to time on bears.
I would strongly suggest you message him, with any questions you may have about bear hunting.
hope that helps
cheers
 
High shoulder shot with any high powered rifle will do the trick anywhere from 10 to 200 yrds.
Bullet choice and shot placement are the key. Bears are tough and deserve that respect.
Cheers.
 
Last black bear I shot... I sent a 180gr hot core thru it's heart dead center blowing it in half from 15' away with my .308... I was concerned enough to put a second shot thru it's shoulder within seconds after seeing how much fight it had left in it when it wheeled back against a fence and I had nowhere to go if things got any worse...

High shoulder or neck shot, a good tough bullet that will exit sure helps them leak out of two sides rather than just one... Bears can be tricky to pinpoint vital areas depending on stance and fur so it may seem redundant but know your shot is going to be where it's supposed to be not just where you figure it should go...








 
armylupis1 said:
Hey all.

I am planning my spring Bear hunt (coming up in New Brunswick 20 Apr), and I just wanted any advice from those successful. I went last year, and here is my story.

I setup in a tree stand, camouflaged netting around it, and had a clear lane going down to my bait barrel. I am in the woods, not on the edge and baiting with leftovers and Tim Hortons Doughnuts. Days go by and I see nothing, but each day the bait is gone. After checking my trail cam, they seemed to be coming around 2am. I did see a Momma bear and her cub, but watched them in awe... so quiet and nice to see the cub playing. The next day I seen a boar. I aimed and waited for a clear shot (about 15 minutes). I was hunting with my 7mm Rem mag. He was about 50-75 years away and I took my shot, knocked him down, and he was slow to get up and moved slowly away. Ignoring all my hunter training, I climbed down from the stand and went to check out my prey. I seen parts of the brisket, so it was a little low, and basically dogged him deeper and deeper. He got away.

I have learned a few things....
1. 7mm Rem mag at a short distance moved the bullet too quick and will not have the explosive effect a 30 cal. will. This year I am bringing a 30-30 with iron sights.
2. Wait 15-30 min before you leave the tree stand. This will let it bleed out, lay down and not get up. I will do that this year.

If there is advice you have, let me know. I am eager to hear your success stories, or even lessons learned stories. This year, I want my freezer filled and a nice rug. :)
Click to expand...

If he goes down and starts to get back up shoot him again. Not only is losing an animal never a good thing but you went chasing after an injured bear... You could have been bear chow. THEN wait for 20 minutes for him to bleed out.

If the 7mm Rem Mag wasn't enough gun then a 30-30 is a joke. This is NOT where the problem lies. Maybe bullet construction? Were you shooting a heavy (160+) grain bullet or a lighter one? And was it a cheap cup and core bullet or a premium bullet, be it bonded or whatever else? A light bullet of weak construction is not a good mix for magnum velocities. A 160-175 grain bonded or copper bullet would put the hurt on a bear something fierce though.
 
armylupis1 said:
Hey all.

I am planning my spring Bear hunt (coming up in New Brunswick 20 Apr), and I just wanted any advice from those successful. I went last year, and here is my story.

I setup in a tree stand, camouflaged netting around it, and had a clear lane going down to my bait barrel. I am in the woods, not on the edge and baiting with leftovers and Tim Hortons Doughnuts. Days go by and I see nothing, but each day the bait is gone. After checking my trail cam, they seemed to be coming around 2am. I did see a Momma bear and her cub, but watched them in awe... so quiet and nice to see the cub playing. The next day I seen a boar. I aimed and waited for a clear shot (about 15 minutes). I was hunting with my 7mm Rem mag. He was about 50-75 years away and I took my shot, knocked him down, and he was slow to get up and moved slowly away. Ignoring all my hunter training, I climbed down from the stand and went to check out my prey. I seen parts of the brisket, so it was a little low, and basically dogged him deeper and deeper. He got away.

I have learned a few things....
1. 7mm Rem mag at a short distance moved the bullet too quick and will not have the explosive effect a 30 cal. will. This year I am bringing a 30-30 with iron sights.
2. Wait 15-30 min before you leave the tree stand. This will let it bleed out, lay down and not get up. I will do that this year.

If there is advice you have, let me know. I am eager to hear your success stories, or even lessons learned stories. This year, I want my freezer filled and a nice rug. :)
Click to expand...

30/30 may kill a bear... eventually, but it is not preferred calibre for the job.
If you like lever guns, try using 45/70.
 
lanis said:
30/30 may kill a bear... eventually, but it is not preferred calibre for the job.
If you like lever guns, try using 45/70.
Click to expand...

They kill with a crossbow here in Ontario. Shot placement is key but I prefer a 12 ga slug. Both bears I shot with my slug gun went maybe 40 yards max. Nothing like 300 grain slug to do the trick. Aim alittle behind the shoulder of the bear and you take out the lungs. Never high shoulder. A slug in the right spot and the bear is maybe running 30 to 40 yards due to shock.
 
armylupis1 said:
Thank you all. Thanks Hotwheels81 for the diagrams.

Anyone have ideas how to get the bears to the stand while I am there... they seemed to be coming at about 2am last time (seen from my trail cam)
Click to expand...
If you have a lot of bears and a good spot they start to compete for food. More bears and competition drives them to bait during day light hours and try baiting at the same time each day. Last year we had a bait spot by acorn trees. Awesome spot for years to come. Bears were there for the acorns and the baits were extra.
 
pbonura said:
Bears were there for the acorns and the baits were extra.
Click to expand...

There are no acorns in the spring.

OP, stick with your 7mm and place a good bullet properly... that means through the lungs. Do not try neck or head shots on black bears. I have taken close to 60 bears with a bow. I guided hunters to more than 250 other bears over a 20 year period.

The only reliable way to get bigger bears out during legal shooting light is to create competition... you first locate the bait site in likely travel routes... saddles in ridges, bottlenecks between lakes, drainage headwaters etc... place the bait near water if possible, a creek or river or pond. Try to have a a barrier on the downwind side, to keep from being winded... such as a lake shore or clearing... big boars almost always circle the bait out of sight to check it out. Start baiting with a strike bait of pork fat, once hit, bait regularly with lots of fresh bait... you want to get as many bears using the bait as possible. Just before you start hunting, reduce the amount of bait to 5 gallons or less... in a day or two, the bigger bears realize they are missing out on the bait as the younger bears clean it up early. The boss bears will begin setting up on the bait to drive away the smaller bears and invariably they will come in earlier... and hopefully you will get the opportunity that you are looking for. Give a wounded bear an hour before tracking... and put in a good effort to recover the animal. If you have centered the lungs, it will be a short tracking job. Good luck.
 
hoytcanon said:
There are no acorns in the spring.

OP, stick with your 7mm and place a good bullet properly... that means through the lungs. Do not try neck or head shots on black bears. I have taken close to 60 bears with a bow. I guided hunters to more than 250 other bears over a 20 year period.

The only reliable way to get bigger bears out during legal shooting light is to create competition... you first locate the bait site in likely travel routes... saddles in ridges, bottlenecks between lakes, drainage headwaters etc... place the bait near water if possible, a creek or river or pond. Try to have a a barrier on the downwind side, to keep from being winded... such as a lake shore or clearing... big boars almost always circle the bait out of sight to check it out. Start baiting with a strike bait of pork fat, once hit, bait regularly with lots of fresh bait... you want to get as many bears using the bait as possible. Just before you start hunting, reduce the amount of bait to 5 gallons or less... in a day or two, the bigger bears realize they are missing out on the bait as the younger bears clean it up early. The boss bears will begin setting up on the bait to drive away the smaller bears and invariably they will come in earlier... and hopefully you will get the opportunity that you are looking for. Give a wounded bear an hour before tracking... and put in a good effort to recover the animal. If you have centered the lungs, it will be a short tracking job. Good luck.
Click to expand...


Good advice!
I have guided and taken many black bears over the years as well.
In addition to the bait volume reduction, I used to spread feces from other bait stations to boost percieved competition at a given bait.
It has helped bring in mature boars more often during normal hunting hours.

Op, the 7mag is fine!
Use a well constructed bullet, and pick your shot carefully. If I can do it with wooden arrows, your rifle can do it easily!
 
i like 139 gmx in my 7 mag. shot one at 20 feet last year. no bullet to recover. also if the bear is still up keep shooting i don't let them run off if it can be ovoided..
 
Over the years I've shot a few of them here in NB. I've had good success baiting them for myself and for others with meat scraps, donuts, bread, apples, fryer grease, pretty much anything edible except fish, no luck with raw fish. They wouldn't eat it but the smell likely brought them in. If you can, most probably can't, feed them the same time and feed every day. Don't put out too much each time, keep them coming. Make some noise when you feed them. They'll get used to it and sometimes come in almost immediately when you leave. I've had them come in within less then a minute of me leaving. They often come in a pattern, same time every day. Might be at noon, or evening, or night. A timer/camera will tell you. I've shot them with 303 Br., 308, 444 marlin, 44 mag, compound bow, they all work. Bigger seems better. I've tried hiding my scent the best I could, and I've tried the opposite. By that I mean, urinate a few yards from the bait when you feed them. They get used to it, I think, and never bother to look for you after a while. Either way seems to work. I've also tried dumping cologne all around the bait site a few yards away. Just use the same scent when you sit out for them. I've seen them walk straight in, no circling at all, even out into the edge of a field. Yes, you can bait them out into a field edge, and get more daylight that way. Plus there's more to look at when your sitting waiting. You can outsmart them. But don't ever underestimate them once you've wounded one. If they are still standing, and you have the chance, keep shooting. They seem to be getting thicker here in NB. I think if I wanted one now, I'd just go out looking for one without baiting. I see a few every year. But I don't bother with baiting them anymore, as I personally think there are way better things to eat than a bear. My wife made stir fry for supper tonight, with deer steak. Now that is good.
 
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