Learning To Hunt Black Bear
 

I have an area only a few miles from my house that holds bears and would like to try my luck. I have never hunted bears and have a few questions.

Is hanging a stand in a steep rocky area surrounded by laurels and a river a good start??? Here in WV we are not allowed to bait...and I do not own bear dogs...so it appears that hanging a stand and simply waiting is my option.

Are there any scents or lures which can be recommended? I saw where HS makes wafers in 'anise & bacon', anyone ever used that. I have also heard that oil of anise mixed with vanilla extract might work also.

Any help or insight would be appreciated....any good books on the subject??

Thanks!

RE: Learning To Hunt Black Bear
 

Hard Question-- I will try & help. 1st besure that scents are allowed in your state. Here in Colorado scents are considered "baiting" which is no longer legal. But bac when baiting was legal, I would do a honey burn, to get the scent in the air so the bear could follow it to my bait site. I would also save bacon grease & burn it. I think that you will have to find where a bear is feeding, corn field, acorn patch or ridge are 2 that come to mind. The bear I think has to be in the area, then it may come to the burn. Also FYI-- the bears would come into my bait site about 1/2 before dark, in the spring. In the fall anytime--- they are putting on the fat then & hunger pushes them non-stop. Good luck !!

RE: Learning To Hunt Black Bear
 

SG - no 'baiting around here. It's all spot and stalk - once you get the hang of it, your ass won't ever touch a tree stand again! Just find a good food source (ie: grass in teh spring and berries/apples in the fall and glass it near dark. I had a bear come into 3 yards last fall under an apple tree...I was waiting with my bow, thinking it was a whitetail.<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>!

You can also try predator calls - work best in the spring. But be ready for a hungry and aggressive bear coming in a hurry!

Check out my post on &quot;Shoot or Not&quot;...here's a few bear pics:
I'd rather be out there!&gt;&gt;&gt;http://community.webshots.com/user/mtboys
Mt^Boy

Edited by - Mt^Boy on 10/23/2002 15:21:48