How big is this bear?

[wifigary]

I was out exploring new ground yesterday morning, and on a mostly frozen ground FSR I found these tracks. Is there any way to judge based on comparison to a foot (size 11.5) how big this beast would be? I must have missed it by 30 minutes or less.. If this is it's home range what are the odds that it'll be back again through that area?

Thanks,

Gary.

http://209.53.183.99/IMG_0603.JPG

[landphil]

It ain't no cub, that's certain. What region?

[wifigary]

Region 8-23. There seemed to be something stomping around in the trees on the walk out, but I couldn't seem to call it out of the bush and honestly not being able to see this thing made me a little nervous! Haven't encountered a bear on foot yet, this is my first year hunting and I had my kid with me so we moved a little quicker as we were equipped mostly for deer.

[landphil]

The size and location screams grizzly to me, but the lack of claw marks on the front track tells that it is a Blackie. I'd be spending some more time around there if you are looking to cut a black bear tag.

[Whonnock Boy]

It's been said a few times here that the width of the paw plus an inch gives you the footage of a bear.

[wifigary]

All helpful info, thanks guys. I do have a black bear tag and I think I'll go really early tomorrow ( we were there at 6:30am last time ) and walk in from a little farther away to not spook it, find a good vantage point and wait. Anyone who's done this before and lives around that area want to come along? I'll drive, provide the coffee, and I'm willing to drive around for at least half the day looking for deer afterwards.

[Kopper]

http://i1025.photobucket.com/albums/y317/KOPPER22/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps1gpzaanw.jpeg (http://s1025.photobucket.com/user/KOPPER22/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps1gpzaanw.jpeg.html)

http://westernwildlife.org/grizzly-bear-outreach-project/bear-identification/

I'm trying photobucket on my phone, hopefully it works...Link and photo are for species comparison. For reference my mit is 4.5 inches pinky/metacarpal joint-thumb/metacarpal.
As stated above I add 1 to 1.5 inches on the width of a bear print for a good guess on the squared footage of a bruin.

[303carbine]

It's big enough to eat you, you asked.:shock:

[6 K]

Shoot it.
Skin it.
Place one end of the tape measure on its' nose the other end on its' tail.
Then one end on one front paw the other end on the other front paw.
And you will have your answer.

[chilcotin hillbilly]

Looks like a grizzly to me. Looks like you can make a straight line between the toes and the pad on the front foot. If you can it is always a grizzly. The pinky toe on a black bear is always down to low on the pad to make a line between pad and toes. Claws don't always show on a grizzly either.

[RiverOtter]

Looks to me like you could run a straight line between the front toes and pad cleanly. That would indicate grizz.
http://westernwildlife.org/grizzly-bear-outreach-project/bear-identification/

What part of 8-23, Lumby or Cherryville?

[RiverOtter]

CH beat me to it....:smile:

[tigrr]

Title should say "how big is this grizzly bear". 5" wide front pad guestimate it about 500 lbs.

[elknut]

Lack of claws ?....I must be delusional but my eyes see 5 claw marks ....Are you sure you don't see any Landphil ?...

[RiverOtter]

Title should say "how big is this grizzly bear". 5" wide front pad guestimate it about 500 lbs.
Spring weight, or fall?

Thought we discussed this already, right before you took your ball and ran home?

[elknut]

Correct RiverOtter...We'll have to wait for the Rupster to chime in...but its a Grizzly track...

[RiverOtter]

Lack of claws ?....I must be delusional but my eyes see 5 claw marks ....Are you sure you don't see any Landphil ?...
He was referring to the front paw print. The hind claws show up real good.

[srupp]

Hmm size is impressive..could be that elusive 7 foot black bear..
Claws are short
Claws are straight line..so one toe drops below that back of straight line..
If it were a grizzly expect 2 middle claws to be longer..goes to a point..
Usually black bear have spaces between toe pads..it's obvious on far left toe..but melt out and mud squish out hides the rest..
Without measuring..hard to be precise..but i would say big boar over 6.5 feet ..300 pounds plus..

Hmm just discussing if bears are still out 5 sets of bear prints..grizz and black in past 3 days..
Cheers
Srupp

[elkhunter1]

Grizz for Sure.

[kodeman]

I saw a very similar size track in the spring near the border of 8-23 and 8-10 , looked the same compared to my shoe also 11.5. So I would say he has not gone very far.

[Whonnock Boy]

No need to start another thread. My buddy and I have differing opinions on this track. I say black, he says griz. I estimated a 6 inch width. What say you?

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-12/15058574_10154117791762194_2041623345_n.jpg?oh=fdc 4524d5c20c81b680c9b646ce0277a&oe=582A350C

[Ohwildwon]

No need to start another thread. My buddy and I have differing opinions on this track. I say black, he says griz. I estimated a 6 inch width. What say you?

https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-12/15058574_10154117791762194_2041623345_n.jpg?oh=fdc 4524d5c20c81b680c9b646ce0277a&oe=582A350C

This definitly looks like a 3 year old color phase black bear to me...:-)

[butthead]

yes we have griz and they are here
as you have just experienced

[wifigary]

I go in the lavington way up bluenose/Aberdeen fsr.

Closer to the 8-22&8-23 border, but if you saw similar around 8-10 border it's likely the same one.

[landphil]

Lack of claws ?....I must be delusional but my eyes see 5 claw marks ....Are you sure you don't see any Landphil ?...

Sure, claw marks are clear on the hind track, but fairly short. None showing on the front track though. The grizz tracks I've seen in the past had very clear (about 1/2" deep) front claw marks about 2" out from the toe pads on much more firm ground. It could be grizz, but I'm still thinking large black bear. WifiGary, if I did't have plans for tomorrow I might have taken you up on that.

[wifigary]

Alright, now the real question is how many of you guys figured out that if you right click and saved my original picture, then right click properties on that I had totally forgotten about the GPS info that's added by my IPhone LOL!!

Should I expect some company in the morning??

I fixed it now :redface:

Gary.

[wifigary]

ok guys, two years gone by, and I've been eluded by this monster until now. Bought a new trail cam and put it near a water hole in the area I think this fella roams. Took a week but here is the first glimpse of the biggest bear I've seen yet!

Now the gut says that I'm looking at a grizz, It's tough to tell with a head/front quarter pic. Help?
http://209.53.183.99/Gary/IMG_1577.PNG

[northof49]

.....100% griz

[Wild one]

.....100% griz

What he said

[35 Whelen]

Grizz for sure...look at the pushed up pig like nose. Not a black for sure

[monasheemountainman]

The fact that he’s a grizzly gives it away that he is a grizzly hehe

[wifigary]

I'm going to head up there later this week to pull the SD card out, it only texts me the first "trigger" pic. Hoping to get some better pictures. It's only about 2km as the crow flies from houses and 8km up a pretty well used FSR. Lots of people camp around there too. I'll update if there's any more action on the camera. Thanks for the input guys.

[bigben]

follow it for a while big pooop pile grizzly for sure