Unsuccessful Spring Bear (With Pics)

[bottles]

I don't post a lot, so figured I'd talk about my unsuccessful hunt.
I pretty much hunt Saturdays exclusively because of work. That makes it tough, but I thought I had a really good spot picked out. Tons of sign everywhere, but I was only seeing 4 or 5 bears a day, and no shooters. I walked in on the same brown sow with cubs on 3 or 4 separate occasions; always in different areas across the 5 or 6km I was hunting. Saw quite a few sows with cubs, but no boars...
The one shooter I saw was at last light, end of the season, but he sniffed me out and was gone.
I will say though, that I've already seen more bucks this year, than all of last year (mule deer and white tail).
Hope you guys enjoy a few pics, and hopefully I can knock down a boar this fall.

Anyone know what's up with the eyes in the first pick? Looks like it's missing fur in perfect circles around both eyes.

https://i.imgur.com/uqV8IOT.png?1

https://i.imgur.com/MpaBqco.png

https://i.imgur.com/bkAk1Pk.png

https://i.imgur.com/nrtGk9g.png

https://i.imgur.com/0gn9hYt.png

[northernguy]

Judging by the photos, I would not call the hunt unsuccessful at all!

Thanks for sharing!

[Livewire322]

I’d start to reconsider what success is if I was you. Looks like you had some awesome adventures and took some great photos to prove it! Think of it this way, had you shot a big boar early in the season, would you have gone back out to see all those deer? My bet is no.

Great job, keep putting miles on your boots like that and you’ll get your shooter boar!

[Ride Red]

^^^^^ As said in above posts, you need to reevaluate what unsuccessful means. Yes, you didn’t bring anything home, but it looks like your Saturday’s were filled with sightings. Hunting is just that; enjoy the outing and bringing home game is always the bonus. Great pics by the way and keep at it, you’ll connect. And, the first bear looks cracked out :)

[warnniklz]

What the others said, great job!

As for the eyes question. My assumption would be the mice in the den chewed the hair. Or mites gathered around the moisture of the eyes and he scratched that itch bald.

I'm not a scientist, so I can't tell you for sure. But those are my uneducated guesses.

[HarryToolips]

Great pics, thanks for sharing....

[bottles]

Thanks guys!
No cut tag, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy myself. This is only my 3rd season bear hunting, so still learning lots.

[albravo2]

Holy cow man, that was far from unsuccessful. Great photos. Way to get out there.

[Harvest the Land]

Great shots man! I'm in the same boat and can basically only get out on weekends, which makes it really friggin' tough to harvest an animal. Lots of times I find that I don't get into the really good sign until late on Sunday when its time to drive home - I feel your pain. But look at all those awesome critters you were able to get close too - that's the first piece of the puzzle. You found animals and eventually you will figure out where the big brute is hiding. The reality is it takes time to learn how to hunt areas successfully and consistently. Keep at it - you're on the right track and thanks for sharing.

P.S. the next time you hear or see a Barred Owl in the daytime, try hooting at him/her. They will hoot right back at you and will come and land right on top of you and check you out - its a total rush! Give it a try. Here's a great podcast with some good Hooter tips https://www.themeateater.com/listen/bear-grease/ep-2-the-thing-about-owl-hooters

[604Stalker]

Does not look un sucessful to me dont measure your hunts by harvest :) you have a loud area wait for gos. For the other species you see a bear well its your call.

[bottles]

Appreciate it guys! I'll start working on my hooting haha!

[shuswapfisher]

Awesome! Good luck this fall

[Bugle M In]

Hunting and bears are really a mixed bag.
Some years, like 2 years ago it seemed we ran into a bear every few corners all week long.
Last year, same time, same place, and i think we only saw one.