What are you looking for in a black bear?

[llloyd]

Buddy and me, both new to hunting are interested in going hunting for black bear, but I have to be honest I don't know what makes a good one and what doesn't. Anyone point me at some background info on them? I know a good deer when I see it but I usually just see bears when I'm dirt biking in which case they are all bad :)

What size should they be before they are suitable for harvest? Gender? Age? Any pointers thanks

[.330 Dakota]

Look for big head, small ears, thick fur no rub marks, wide looking face with short looking muzzle, belly near ground = big fuzzy bear
Sound, "silent big fuzzy bear alarm" and shoot

[Dirty]

Look for a bear that has a big gut. The closer to the ground the better. :mrgreen:

[rifleman]

depends what you want to do with him! if you want a good eater, shoot a younger bear that has not been eating fish. if you want a booner, shoot one with small ears that are far apart with a big pumpkin head ,belly dragging on the ground & make him into sausage & pepperoni.
good luck

[llloyd]

How can you tell age? I know they have to be 2 years but I can't very well walk up and ask "mr bear, i got a couple questions for ya..."

[.330 Dakota]

Its by itself its 2

[MichelD]

I look for younger tender ones for the freezer so I pass on the big bruisers.

My wife has a standing order for a two or three year old. She doesn't want to butcher any more stinky old boars.

If it looks like its belly is dragging on the ground and it's got tiny ears, I let it walk.

[Phil]

I want one that will jump straight into the back of my truck.

[MThunter]

I like looking for the color phases like reds(cinnamon) and blondes.

[mark]

it would have to be over 7', and a unique color phase bear before I plug one! All other bears are boring IMO!

[David Heitsman]

I'm with Mark.

I buy a tag every year but have yet to see a good colour phase bear.

[mark]

I'm with Mark.

I buy a tag every year but have yet to see a good colour phase bear.

I on the other hand have shot a 7' light brown with a perfect hide, so until I can top that, the bears will be viewed by me!

[bear buster]

I like to look for bears that have different markings, white patches or v's on chest, big ol bruser bears, we watched a big boy all last deer season eating in oats, could have taken him numerous days. he had it all.
http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af9/carsonbeaulieu/hunting09166.jpg
even seen him on last day, this year he will be bigger. I like to go after problem bears for farmers, scores me big points with them come deer season.
http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af9/carsonbeaulieu/hunting09167.jpg
http://i988.photobucket.com/albums/af9/carsonbeaulieu/hunting09129.jpg

[David Heitsman]

I on the other hand have shot a 7' light brown with a perfect hide, so until I can top that, the bears will be viewed by me!

Best I have seen was a dark brown solid 6 footer on the Sikanni. Considered him but would have messsed up my friend's moose stalk we were on at the time. Only colour phase bear I've ever seen up there.

[guest]

It by it's self, shaped like a bear, color does not matter, ham's, chops, sausage meat ........ BANG !

Takes 3 tags to make a big coat with a pair of slippers!

Hahha

CT

[.330 Dakota]

I nailed a beautifull brownish/redish one last year. Only 5 1/2 footer but couldnt resist the colour...he's on the wall as a rug now

[Kirby]

On the road, big, sleeping, with a horrible hide so I don't think about wasting more money rugging another one.

Kirby

[tomahawk]

I look for younger tender ones for the freezer so I pass on the big bruisers.

My wife has a standing order for a two or three year old. She doesn't want to butcher any more stinky old boars.

If it looks like its belly is dragging on the ground and it's got tiny ears, I let it walk.

Agree whole heartedly with you as I like the meat but if its a record book bear I'll still take it and make lots of burger (best of all game meat for burger when mixed with 6% beef fat) and home made sausage's.

[MichelD]

I agree about the burger, but I don't put any fat of anything else in. Very versatile. But I like the roasts, stews and ribs too.

[moosinaround]

This year it will have to be a big one!! I have a freezer full of moose, so I don't need the meat unlike last winter where I didn't get a moose the season before. I usually have it all made into smokies and pepperonies. Wild game pepperoni is the only pepperonies that don't give me heartburn, and I love pepperoni. Go shoot one and take it in, you will get one or 2 every year! Good luck, Moosin

[ratherbefishin]

what am I looking for?-a bear on a logging road-or uphill from one-I don't look downhill from anything anymore-you only make that mistake once...

[BromBones]

I wouldn't mind another 2 or 3 year old berry patch bear - I can still taste those ribs cooked in the dutch oven!

Will look for a 7 ft black/brown. Also will look for that 6 1/2 foot red bear I spooked up last spring. Plan on filling my tags either way, as well as 2 bears on my trappers license. Black bears are like vermin around here - no one hunts them.

[llloyd]

wow awesome tips from everyone thanks and keep em coming.

we haven't seen anything yet, has anyone else?

[Buck]

If i see one like this he is done nice mature boar
Kootenay elkslayer pic

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q223/mikeb04/108_1765.jpg

[Gateholio]

Uphill from the road...:-D

[BlacktailStalker]

A real early bear, solid 6'6" or a true bruiser later on without a grocery bag or half eaten diaper hanging out of its ass :lol: (no dump bears!)

[elkdom]

nice eyes, nice hair, nice nails, nice teeth, shapely hips, tall ,,,,,,,,,,,,

enjoys walks in quiet places,,,,,,,,,,hmmmmmmm?:twisted:

[eaglesnester]

The old timers say it"s simple, "when you see one you will immediately know it". I found that the statement speaks volumes and is true. When you see a shooter bear you will instantly know, he will be huge compared to the others that you may have seen. He will look like a couple of round fat 55gal oil drums. His belly will be close to the ground, big head, swagger to the walk, believe me you will know. Cheers & Tighter Groups: Eaglesnester

[hunter1947]

If me and I was in your shoes I would try to hook up with an experienced black bear hunter you will learn lots from him or her when you do this..

[jessbennett]

it would have to be over 7', and a unique color phase bear before I plug one! All other bears are boring IMO!


try spot and stalking to within 20 yds with archery tackle and see how boring they can be. lol:-D