Help with Bear Size??

p&yhunter · 09-23-2005, 07:03 AM

I am somewhat new to bear hunting as I have not killed one yet. I am hunting in Wisconsin and waited 8 years to get a kill tag. I am not the greatest judge of bear size because I lack the experience. I have shot dozens and dozens of dear with my bow, but never a bear. I am hopefully going to get my chance soon. Can anyone help me with the size of these bears. Thanks alot. p&yhunter

http://www.dwave.net/~botoo/ebay/bear2big9-15.jpg
http://www.dwave.net/~botoo/ebay/DSC00693.JPG
http://www.dwave.net/~botoo/ebay/DSC03538.JPG
http://www.dwave.net/~botoo/ebay/bearfront.jpg

buck knife · 09-23-2005, 08:12 AM

Those look to be some nice bears. I also see that one of them is coming in in the morning. not sure when you go and bait, but I would take a gun with you when you do if the season is open. I have walked up on a bear at the bait when I went to bait in the morning, and just happend to have my gun and my stand was up at that bait. He ran off when he saw me come in, so I rebaited the bait and got in my stand. 10 minutes later he came back. He wasn't big enought, but it would be nice to shoot one in the morning rather than at dark. Those bears all look to be shooters. The 3rd picture is hard to tell, as you can't see too much of him. the 1st and last pictures look to be probably around 300 lbs. bears are hard to judge and even harder from pictures. are you hunting around antigo?

p&yhunter · 09-23-2005, 08:22 AM

I was thinking that the 1st and 3rd were a little bigger than that, but that is why I am asking.

I am from the city but I am hunting up north a bit.

Thanks,

Colorado Bob · 09-23-2005, 07:47 PM

I would shoot 1 & 4 for sure. 2---I can't really say because of the angle & I can't see the head. 3 can't really say.

A couple rules of thumb that I have used 1--look at the ears--if they are like Mickey Mouse then it's a small bear. If the ears look small compare to the head then it a mature bear & probably a shooter.

Big bears will have a big full belly & they will waddle or swagger.

If you can find a front paw print 4" front paw is a small bear--5' A 5" front paw is an average bear 5' 6" A 6" front paw is 6' or better ---A GOOD black bear IMO. I think 6' is the bench mark fro black bears.

If it over 6" on the front paw----please call me ASAP.

Also I know this sounds corny-----But YOU WILL KNOW A BIG BEAR WHEN YOU SEE ONE. The big ones look big !!

YooperMike · 09-24-2005, 03:59 PM

Bear #1 is a dandy, check out the clearance from gut to ground and also its head is very nice. Colorado Bob has good advice for size as well. I always either rake out a spot around the bait down to the bare ground and kind of fluff it up to get some tracks, if you are baiting with grease, then pour some grease on the ground and you will get real nice impressions or the feet.

Hunter06FlKy · 09-24-2005, 05:29 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Colorado Bob

I would shoot 1 & 4 for sure. 2---I can't really say because of the angle & I can't see the head. 3 can't really say.

A couple rules of thumb that I have used 1--look at the ears--if they are like Mickey Mouse then it's a small bear. If the ears look small compare to the head then it a mature bear & probably a shooter.

Big bears will have a big full belly & they will waddle or swagger.

If you can find a front paw print 4" front paw is a small bear--5' A 5" front paw is an average bear 5' 6" A 6" front paw is 6' or better ---A GOOD black bear IMO. I think 6' is the bench mark fro black bears.

If it over 6" on the front paw----please call me ASAP.

Also I know this sounds corny-----But YOU WILL KNOW A BIG BEAR WHEN YOU SEE ONE. The big ones look big !!

i completely agree. they all look like they are big bears except for the ones that are at bad angles so you can't really tell.

TomFromTheShade · 09-25-2005, 10:48 AM

If you see that first bear and you don't take him, give us a call and we will take turns kicking you in the nuts. That is a NICE NICE bear. I would say well OVER 300 pounds for sure.

Muliefever · 09-25-2005, 01:46 PM

Bear # 1 for sure!!! Let the others grow!!!!

bow357 · 09-30-2005, 01:02 PM

Bear #1 for sure. I haven't seen anything that big in the NorthEast....yet!

p&yhunter · 09-30-2005, 01:14 PM

I have been hunting very hard to try to shoot a nice bear with my bow. I have about 40 hours in. I had a really nice one come in on Monday after hours - but a dandy he is.

Hopefully soon.

Here he is. Not a very good pic. though.

http://www.dwave.net/~botoo/ebay/front9-28.jpg