I was just wondering how all of you liked to hunt bear? Over bait? Spot and stalk? Bow? Rifle (caliber too)? Also, where's your favorite place to hunt. I've always been intrigued by bear hunting but never really had the balls to look into it too hard. Maybe its finally time.

We can't bait in CA, but I love to track. My game warden buddy and I will hike for miles and miles, camping over night while tracking a black bears.

In the 2000 season, id say it was one of my most memorable. AFter hunting with back packs for 2 days (on a 4 day trip), we came upon a nice 300lb black bear eating berries from a juniper bush/tree. I actually walked up behind it by accident, came around another bush and was startled to see the bear 30-35 feet in front of me. He had his back to me.

I quickly and quietly unholstered my Colt .44mag and made a sucking sound with my mouth. The bear turned and I fired a round right in his chest below the chin. The bear fell over on his side and a stream of blood pumped out of the hole. It was INCREDIBLE. A perfect heart shot with the little 250grain hollow point bullet. The hard part was packing him out. That's another story. I'll never forget that trip.

I prefer to hunt from a stand or a blind. Since baiting is illegal in my state, I set up near a well used bear trail in the middle or edge of a swamp, then I ambush the bear as it comes along. Sometimes the bear needs to be "coaxed" to my location through the use of a driver or two. I use a rifle, .30-06 loaded with 180 gr. Failsafes

No baiting here in Colorado, all spot and stalk. Basically you just get to a high vantage point where you can watch one or two canyons and glass for hours and hours. Sounds boring but I think it is the greatest hunt out there. I tried calling last fall but no success. They are awesome creatures. Just seeing them is a thrill ! I have always hunted with a rifle, 7mm. There is great bear hunting in CO. Check into the southern San Juan Mountains, the northern fork of the Gunnison River and the Uncompahgre Plateau.

I have made 15 Bar hunting trips over the years-always bait as I only bowhunt.
I have passed on 7 bears-missed 2 I am sure would qualify for Pope & young & have taken 2- 1 was a 600# fall bear many years ago in Minn. with a skull 18 12/16". The other was a 300# spring bear in Quebec, Canada with a 19" skull. I have a 6'4" rug & a full mount.
I doubt I will hunt black bears again but IT IS a thrill when a bear does show up.
I have used 55# & 60# pull recurve bows AND 60# compound bow. I have always used 3 blade Rocky Mountain Broadheads on Biggame since they were 1st produced in the 70s.

always thankful

I have hunted 3 times...killing bears each time over bait in Ontario. Twice with bow once with gun. I enjoyed the hunts, but don't wish to hunt over bait again.

I did take my camera out one day and took some pics of bears that I stalked. That was a ball. The next bear hunt I go on will be stalking the blueberry patches with my bow.

I like to handgun and bait hunt. The combo seems to work well. Although I hunted spring and fall here in WY I didn't get one this year.

I also hunt in MT but it's spot and stalk. I take along my rifle when I go up there.

It's not quite as much fun shooting them at the longer ranges with a rifle for me so I like the baiting better because I'm right on top of them.

Bow is the only thing I have taken black bear with. I have hunted them in Canada and NC. My favorite hunts are stand hunting over trails in NC.

North America Outdoors
www.naoutdoors.com

I USED TO LIKE HUNTING OVER BAIT PILES BUT HERE IN WASHINGTON THAT IS NOW ILLEGAL SO ITS SPOT AND STALK

i like to hunt black bear in wisconsin with dogs.