Gm54-120

If i was going to hunt something dangerous it would more than likely be African cape buffalo with a muzzleloader. They can be pretty ornery and you got to make that one shot count

Berserker

I don't like the heat. Not saying I would never go to Africa. But probably go north first, if I ever do.

opticspecialist

bears have to be managed like any other wild game. unless they have been in trash, they eat pretty good too.

Berserker

I got one crapping in my driveway.

Doc7

It is an exciting proposition and they taste good!

hunters_life

Well this was an interesting 8 pages. And those that say a Bear roast tastes like a fine Beef roast, need your taste buds checked. But that's just my opinion. I hunted them for a long time in several states and in Canada. Some in my family liked Bear meat but most didn't hunt. Dad and I enjoyed hunting them so we would supply them with their meat. And like others mentioned, you can get a dang fine rug and wall hangings as well. Their bones make fantastic knife handles too. As far as baiting, I've only hunted over bait a few times in Canada. I guess I was lucky as I connected with some large boars every time. One cinnamon color phase that was absolutely beautiful. But 90+% of my black bear hunting has been like MuleyHunter's, still hunting. Thick woods in Eastern Tennessee mountains and North and South Carolina. We hunted Bear a few times in Pa successfully but dad and I only knew a couple of people at the time that liked the meat and since we didn't really care for it ourselves we stopped hunting them. Not like we were going to make a long drive to Tn just to deliver meat. We like our family but not that much. Those that rail against baiting, don't rail against something you know little to nothing about. As others here have said, with experience mind you, in a lot of places in Canada, Main, and a few other states here, that is just about the only way you will lay eyes on a Black Bear. I don't care how quiet you think you are, or how scent free you think you are, in the places I mentioned, the Bear will know you are there way before you ever see them. You may get lucky and get a shot at a curious juvenile 4 years or under, but you won't ever see an adult boar still hunting in a lot of places. They know the land better than you do. They know the sounds better than you do. They know the scents better than you do.

bronko22000

It's not like shooting fish in a barrel as you put it. I've taken several bears in my time and only one has been taken over bait. (Idaho) I've hunted in Maine over bait and never shot a bear. I saw plenty but didn't shoot. Shooting over bait allows the hunter time to evaluate the animal most of the time. But the older and wiser bear you may never see because they come in silently and cautiously often times seeing you or smelling you before you even know they're there. And as for their meat, when made properly it is very good. And the burger makes some prime chili.
Danny - my taste buds are just fine and I like the taste of bear. A bit stringier than beef but IMO just as tasty.

hunters_life

Don't get me giggling Mr. Bronkoski, I got a couple of cracked ribs sparring with Deb yesterday. I've had it made just about every way it can be made and just didn't like it. Except for slow crock pot and then drained and then put back in the crock with my Grandmothers home made BBQ sauce for another couple hours. Now that was some good stuff. Maybe all the times I tried it and didn't like it was because the meat was from older boars? Never taken a sow and never taken a boar under 4 years old.

Oldtimr

I have had several bear roasts that friends have given me, I have no desire to hunt them. All the roasts were made by my wife just like she makes a beef roast and all were very good, very little difference in taste from a beef roast. Now a bear that has been feeding on a dump will not be fit to eat. I have had wild blueberry pie made with rendered bear fat in the crust instead of shortening and it was also very good and tasted no different than pie crust made with hog lard. Everyone has different tastes but I am pretty particular about what I eat and I have not had a problem with the three or four bear roasts I have eaten. Now don't start giggling, I don't want your sore ribs to hurt hunters life.

BarnesX.308

I have shot bear in PA and so have a few of my buddies out of our camp. Four bears in total. None over bait, with dogs or even driving. 1 was still-hunting and the other 3 were tree stand bears while hunting deer in the combined season.

My son and I went to Canada and hunted over bait for a week. We did not see one bear. Funny how that works.

I love bear meat. We ate those 4 bears, meat from two bears that were PA bears and given to us, a Maine bear that my dad shot on a trip and one from Canada that someone else in our camp shot. So, out of 8 bears I have eaten, all were excellent.

That's why I like to get a bear. In case the original poster is still watching.