Patterned Black Bears
 

Is there any cure for 'patterned' black bears. I recently booked with a outfitter. Some of the previous guys who have hunted there all made the same comments about 'seeing' huge bears but not getting shots at them. I realize that this is virtually impossible to predict every year...but it seems as though the 'big' ones have learned to get around a bait site and not get shot. What do you do?

RE: Patterned Black Bears
 

Patterened being nocturnal?

RE: Patterned Black Bears
 

If they are hanging up where you can see them move your stand! If the outfitter places hunters in the same stand the local bears learn to check the stand before they come to the baits.

RE: Patterned Black Bears
 

Finally...some responses. I am talking about "monster" black bears that have learned that human presence is at the bait site at some time and "become" nocturnal. Of course, once they become nocturnal you are NOT going to get another chance. Has anyone else experienced this? i first heard of this behavior on an older bear hunting video called "Master of the black bears". Les Nelson...one of the best guides I have seen anywhere was the one that first mentioned this. After I heard this from him...i started wondering why i wasn't seeing "Large" black bears...it all made sense. Once a bait site has been established (5-10 yrs) there seems to be a pattern among the larger boars to stay clear of the site until after dark. Anyone esle know about this?

RE: Patterned Black Bears
 

I spend 2.5 months every hunting bears over established baits....I have found that the big boars are at the baits in daylight the first week in May, when they are hungry...then the last 2 weeks in June, when they are in rut....not much luck in between...we have found to that the bears use the baits as much at dawn as dusk....I have a website full of trail cam pics from our baits..and many of them are night shots, most of the big ones...click this link..then go to trail cam section to see hundreds more pics...
http://forums.menoutdoors.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716

RE: Patterned Black Bears
 

Saskatchewanoutdoors...thanks...nice pictures. How far into May...will the big ones hit in daylight......I am scheduled to go into Alberta next year on the 13th. of May...I will stay in the stand every night until dark.

RE: Patterned Black Bears
 

Anyone

RE: Patterned Black Bears
 

I've had some monster bears that only come in after dark. There isn't much to do other than try to still hunt them in an area close by that offers good cover where they may loaf during the day.

I've also had some truely savvy bears that only came in right after I checked the bait. So it seemed like no matter what time of the day I came in I never was able to get him on the bait. I finally got him by walking back out like i was going back to the truck and the doubling back and waiting for a little while. He was coming in to the bait less than an hour after I was freshening it up and leaving. He was probably laying nearby where he could smell or hear me coming and going.

YOu could also use a trail cam on your bait but that is kinda cheating IMO.

RE: Patterned Black Bears
 

Thanks

RE: Patterned Black Bears
 

Bears are smart animals....

The best thing is to spend alot of time in the stand....bottom line.

RE: Patterned Black Bears
 

Saskatchewanoutdoors....Could you send me your phone number i would like to talk to [email protected]