Black Bear Calling

[Arctic Lake]

Okay fellas I have never hunted specifically for Black bears but always had a tag in my pocket when moose hunting . If your hunting Black bear in the spring do you use calls ? Also thinking maybe a trip across the Fraser from Boston Bar or up one of the side roads in the canyon to take me to the East maybe around Lytton, , etc. for spring bear . I know I need to look at the maps but do you think that would be a good choice for areas not too far from the Lowermainland ?
Thanks
Arctic Lake

[Wild one]

Yes I carry a fawn in distress. I don’t use it all the time but in comes in handy drawing in bears that are out in the open in crappy stalking locations. I have not had much luck blind calling

Its also fun just to call them at times

[MichelD]

I tried called a bear last year that had been spooked when a herd of cows it was grazing with saw me and bolted.

It did not see me or smell me, it was just alarmed by the stampede.

I went back the next morning and called with a rabbit call.

A coyote and the herd of cows came looking. No bear.

[Ron.C]

Ive called several. I like to play around with the call on bears I know are either not shooters or on bears that are in a real nasty spot. Keep your head on a swivel . I've had a few show up at real close range that I had no idea were even there.

I use a primos bear buster call or a Primos ivory pallet plate call and try and sound like a lost elk calf.

[decker9]

If a person can mimic a cub in distress, it makes bears go nuts! Have your rifle ready lol.

[Jagermeister]

Fawn in distress call is not likely to work until does start dropping their fawns. If you happen to witness the blessed event, then it might be practical to use the call then. If there is one thing that will bring a bear in full “boar” it will be the smell of placenta in the air.

[Wild one]

Fawn in distress call is not likely to work until does start dropping their fawns. If you happen to witness the blessed event, then it might be practical to use the call then. If there is one thing that will bring a bear in full “boar” it will be the smell of placenta in the air.

I have had luck all season with a fawn in distress but you are correct if you get the when(June)/where correct with deer fawning it is deadly.

[caddisguy]

I am not sure if I have ever called in a bear or not. I have had bears show up within an hour of distress calls, but at similar frequency to when I am not calling. And when they come in, they either come in grazing or just come in and lay down to nap. If I had to guess, I would say that all my calling has been unsuccessful. It would be neat to learn how to do it right.

[Fella]

I’ve had some success with a rabbit distress call. Saw a bear booking it away from me, hammered on the call and he hit the brakes and came back. Had another one sneak in and poke his head out of some salal at 10 yards as well.

[RugDoctor]

Bring your cat tags as well.

[Ron.C]

I am not sure if I have ever called in a bear or not. I have had bears show up within an hour of distress calls, but at similar frequency to when I am not calling. And when they come in, they either come in grazing or just come in and lay down to nap. If I had to guess, I would say that all my calling has been unsuccessful. It would be neat to learn how to do it right.

I don't call unless i see a bear. You learn allot by watching their reaction. I always start soft and increase volume unti I get a reaction and gauge further calling off that reaction. Most times they either ignore it or bolt. If you get one to turn and face you, then you have a chance to call him in.

The only bear we ever had run to us while calling was a griz. We saw him about 900m up a slide and wanted to see how he responded to our elk calling. He closed the distance by half in no time. We f'd off.
And probably half the bears I've called have just showed up. Like I said earlier, keep your head on a swivel

[Salmon Belly]

I’ve had some success with a rabbit distress call. Saw a bear booking it away from me, hammered on the call and he hit the brakes and came back. Had another one sneak in and poke his head out of some salal at 10 yards as well.

I've called them with cottontail in distress. You really gotta keep your head up, it can happen quick and silent.

[Fella]

I've called them with cottontail in distress. You really gotta keep your head up, it can happen quick and silent.
Yeah the last one we knew he was around cuz of the steaming pile of crap but we didn’t hear him until he was almost on top of us. Really gotta pick your spots for calling otherwise you could be in for an interesting situation

[Arctic Lake]

Thanks so much for your replies fellas. I appreciate it ! !
Also do you think my choice of locations would be good for black bears ?
Arctic Lake

[Wild one]

Thanks so much for your replies fellas. I appreciate it ! !
Also do you think my choice of locations would be good for black bears ?
Arctic Lake

Boston bar Nahatlatch area is busy numbers meh but some quality bears can be found at times

Lytton less busy but I would recommend behind Spence’s instead. Better numbers and 25% colour phase but average size is smaller

[Treed]

I’ve called cats in too with a distress call. I tend to use them when I have a visual on a deer now. It’s unsettling walking out in the dark after being chirped at. Hunting with a buddy is better when calling.

[two-feet]

I am interested in calling as well but would only call from a location with good 360 views and with a partner. Them bears are sneaky!

[Grumpa Joe]

I use a Steeleco call. Brings them in on a line, as long as it doesn't run out of breath.:-D

[tigrr]

Yes you can call in bears. But have enough gun if a grizzly comes a calling. I spot and stalk early morning and late evening now for black bears.
7 grizzly's live around me so I be leery to call them to dinner(me).

[srupp]

Hmmm called in numerous black bears..unfortunatley grizzlies too..Lemon lake.. up high3/4 way up Horsefly mountain..Viewland mountain area also.distressed / dying rabbitt call...
As stated...be vigilant at all times..your giving your exact location to the bears, putting them in feast mode..and you dont know which direction they will come from...
Srupp

[Arctic Lake]

Thanks again fellas I appreciate the replies that all of you have taken the time to do so !
Arctic Lake

[Firstblood]

Calling bears is fun but cold calling is tough because bears lose interest pretty quick, pretty much non stop calling until they are in range which happens fast. Called in lots of black bears, shot a blonde at 5 yds eager and comin in hot. I would locate them first, then start wailing when you get the wind and terrain to your advantage and can judge the reaction. Bears can be very sneaky too, cold calling I had a few sneak in very close under 15yds, before breaking cover and huffin, puffin, poppin and hoppin trying to scare whatever was killing said "bunny" away, now that gets the blood pumpin. Tips, Stand up don't sit down, call non stop until its where you want it, shoot straight because they are hungry and not easily intimidated and know where you are.

[caddisguy]

Calling bears is fun but cold calling is tough because bears lose interest pretty quick, pretty much non stop calling until they are in range which happens fast. Called in lots of black bears, shot a blonde at 5 yds eager and comin in hot. I would locate them first, then start wailing when you get the wind and terrain to your advantage and can judge the reaction. Bears can be very sneaky too, cold calling I had a few sneak in very close under 15yds, before breaking cover and huffin, puffin, poppin and hoppin trying to scare whatever was killing said "bunny" away, now that gets the blood pumpin. Tips, Stand up don't sit down, call non stop until its where you want it, shoot straight because they are hungry and not easily intimidated and know where you are.

So basically, when calling in bears with distress calls, wear a diaper? ... Check!

On a related note... I just saw Wentrot posted a relevant video on YT. Got a story there?? ;)

[warnniklz]

Seen a small black bear sharing a field with 4 deer this afternoon. Wailed on my deer stopper call. The bear looked and went back to chowing the green. Must be vegan.

[Krico]

Sometimes bears come charging in, sometimes they just ignore it.
I almost got eaten by a grizzly using a fawn in distress call. Shot him at 7 yards or so full on charge. Had seen him 500+ yards away - he suck through bush the entire distance quietly and came leaping over snowbank at about 10-12 yards.
As others have noted be careful.

[ducktoller]

Douglas boze's book has lots of calling information I've yet to try. But half his stories are bears charging up

[Wentrot]

Here is one from last night, took 15 minutes or so for him to appear. Certainly the calmest approach I’ve seen from a call.

https://youtu.be/q06O9ewAK_A

[caddisguy]

Here is one from last night, took 15 minutes or so for him to appear. Certainly the calmest approach I’ve seen from a call.

https://youtu.be/q06O9ewAK_A

I saw that on my YouTube feed last night. Super cool and made me think of this thread.

Are you primarily filming or are you thinking of harvesting?

[Wentrot]

Oh I had the rifle just wasn’t the bear I am after. Beauty colour tho

[40incher]

Duplicate a calf moose in distress in areas where moose and bear interact. It is a short call … one to three seconds in length ... "maaa ...".

It has worked for us in getting a grizzly that was walking directly away to turn for a shot behind the shoulder, and on a black bear that was bedded down in some poplars. This boar immediately stood up and keyed in on the location of a second call. He came across an open meadow for 100 yards or so before the "calf" put him down with the .257.

As soon as the cow moose start to drop their calves, usually June 1st or so in our country, the bear switch from vegetation to baby moose. We have shot more than a few trailing cows with a newborn calf along the shores of Babine Lake. They are relentless at trailing moose, even before the cows drop the calf.

[Foxton Gundogs]

I have called in over 100 bears in my life. All have come in hot and ready to rumble. Fawn bleat here onthe Island calf moose or elk on the ML as previously posted

[snipersights]

Okay fellas I have never hunted specifically for Black bears but always had a tag in my pocket when moose hunting . If your hunting Black bear in the spring do you use calls ? Also thinking maybe a trip across the Fraser from Boston Bar or up one of the side roads in the canyon to take me to the East maybe around Lytton, , etc. for spring bear . I know I need to look at the maps but do you think that would be a good choice for areas not too far from the Lowermainland ?
Thanks
Arctic Lake
I always have a call. If you see one on the road often you can entice it back out the bush by calling if it’s not too spooked.