Black bear hunting: sit and wait or run through the woods?

Black bear hunting is one of the most rewarding hunts available to the avid hunter among us. With healthy populations running from coast to coast and from Canada to Mexico, almost everyone has a chance to hunt down these bruins. How you go about your black bear hunt is a totally different matter. There are several different methods of hunting black bears, including:

1. Hunting on bait:

This method is very popular in parts of Canada and the eastern United States. A hunter is required to be patient and familiar with the size of the black bear they are looking for as you are likely to see several black bears every day. There is usually a “king of the hill” at most bait sites if you are patient enough to wait for him. You’ll know you’re around when the other bears on the site get anxious and may leave for no apparent reason. Brace yourself, your chance to harvest a monster bear may be just a few minutes away!

2. Detect and stalk:

As with any location and stem method, the secret to successful bear hunting with this method is to find a high vantage point where you can place glass in a potential feeding area for black bears. Typical areas you want to glaze are grassy meadows, open cuts or cut blocks, berry patches, and generally south-facing slopes. At the beginning of the year, the black bear will mainly graze in grassy meadows as they come out of hibernation and seek to replenish their lost fat stores. Focus on these areas early in the year for the most success.

3. Dog hunting:

Hunting black bears behind a pack of well-trained dogs is one of the most exciting and physical methods of hunting brutes. From the first bay of the hound, which indicates that it is in the nose, to the last arborization of the bear, this method of hunting black bear is an adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, due to the anti-hunting crowd, this hunting method has been outlawed in some states. If you are interested in this type of hunting, remember that you must be in optimal physical condition. Once the hounds are in the scent, there is very little time for breaks or breaks. Try it and you will be hooked for life.

4. Still hunting:

Like any still hunt, this can be a very challenging method of bear hunting, but it can still produce success in those areas that are covered in scrub and offer only small openings for glass. Use this method when hunting in wooded regions. This method can be effective during spring seasons, when bears are busy replenishing fat stores and are not as cautious as at other times of the year.

5. Calling:

Use predator calls in conjunction with your stalking and spot hunting or with your continuous hunting. During the deer and elk calving season, black bears are especially susceptible to calls from fawns. Calling is most effective once you’ve located a bear and are trying to get it within reach. There are several good electronic calls on the market. Or be brave and get a predator call from any sports store and let it smash! The best part about this type of bear hunt is that you can get a chance to catch other predators, including coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and cougars. Be on the lookout, as most of these predators will sneak up on you and be closer than you expect when you first see them.

If you have any other bear hunting methods, feel free to add them in the comments section. If you are interested in a black bear hunt, check out our high quality bear supplier vendors. You will never regret the decision to add a bruin to your trophy room.

Remember, time in the field is a gift … try it!

Until next time, Happy Hunting.