I'm going on my first bear hunt this spring in Manitoba - bow only. I've heard a lot of stories about "ground shrinkage". This location has many "book" bears and I'd like to at least know one when I see it. I'd appreciate any tips for estimating their size while trying to control my "enthusiasm" with one in range. Thanks.

I use the ears as my guide. big ears = small bear small ears = good bear Also look at the head----a small bear will have a big head---- good bears have heads the size of bushel baskets. Lots of space in between the ears & the ears look small & appear to be on the outside part of the head. Now if a bear has a head like this but looks small in relationship to it's body, you should call me !!

Trust me on this if it's a BIG BEAR, you will KNOW.

Been on 15 Bear hunts-killed 2 P&Y 1- 18 12/16" & 1 even 19"-missed 2 P&Y & passed on 7 Bears within 15 yds.
If his head looks small for his body & when a bear waddles from side to side he is usually P&Y. Broad-flat head is usually a Boar & sows or yourger bears usually have a more pointed-narrow head. Sows can make the book but it is usually the boars with the flat head.
Smaller bears have a faster walk & as I said, the big ones waddle, roll from side to side & they TAKE THEIR TIME... I also feel that every Bear I had come into my bait "KNEW" I was there. Scent can kill a active bait-don't mess with your bait-thats what the guide is getting paid for & the bears are used to his scent. good luck.
I have my 19" Bear fully mounted & my 18 12/16" is a 6'4" rug-nose to tail. It is a thrill-be prepared for "Black Flies"-Muskol repellent & don't touch your bow if its on your hands-takes paint right off but does a job on the black flies-they are killers..

always thankful

Thanks! Very helpful. I'm getting juiced. Outfitter sent me a video taken from Outdoor World coverage. P&Y boars taken from ground blinds at 7 yards. Pretty exciting...

One more thing you can use to judge a bear is comparing him to the bait barrel. If the bears back is higher than the barrel you are looking at a good bear. Big bears also walk with a swagger kind of like John Wayne. Good luck!

Another thing to watch if you can't see the head real clear is the belly. If bear appears to be of decent height and his belly drags on the ground he is a good bear. If you see alot of daylight under him then he's a younger bear, with room to grow. But as others have said the head is the best guide.

Like most of the posters already mentioned already, look for a big, bulky head. Small ears. I also look at the legs. If they are really long and noticeable, you're looking at a young bear. Look at the belly and see how low it is to the ground.

I would check out the video, "Phantoms of the Forest." Very good video about black bear hunting.