Here is one of the better responses I have gotten

Welcome to the internet generation, where if it's not on youtube or the net, it doesn't exist. Yes it is a real practice. And yes, it's limited to Sibera and the far eastern frontier. I've seen it on videos from one of my clients who is a Russian who took my friends on such a hunt. It was a practice learned from Tungistic people, it is not originally a Russian practice. There is a similar tradition in Japan amongst the Ainu.

It's not a stick. It's more like a metal pole with a spring loaded trap at the end. Second, it's not a knife, it's basically a three foot long sword. Usually they hunt smaller and younger bears. One person sets the trap, and plants it in the ground. Once it's fixed, the bear cannot back away or turn. then the hunter stabs the bear trying to avoid the paws. Usually, the bear grabs it's own neck when it hits the trap, exposing it's own body.