what is the best way to size black bear from the tree stand, and whats a good rule of thumb on a shooter bear.

ARO

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...hanesmith.html

It takes some experience, but there are two ways that are fairly easy to remember.
1. If a bear's ears look big...the bear is probably not.

2. If a bear looks long-legged, it is probably small.

Experience is the best way to size a bear.

here's a great link on judging the sex of blackies also.....I agree on the 2 things pointed out above and also have heard of folks using objects, be it a hung stick at a certain height or the barrel of a drum as measurements as to just how big a bear is. Also you can get them to stand by hanging bait or dripping molasses or honey on a tree....works in Mn wouldnt see why it wouldnt work elsewhere! You would have to figure out how big they would be nose to tail but I am sure after looking and measureing a few rugs at the local taxidermists you can hang your baits or mark a tree at a certain heigth to give you an estimate!

Also how a bear comes into a bait. If they come in shy and slow there is usually a bigger bear around. Its pretty obvious they are not king of the forest! If that sucker comes in and has no worries, sits down and owns the place..that is more likely then not the biggest bear in your neck of the woods! Hope that helps some..here is the link.

http://fwp.state.mt.us/bearid/

Bears often suffer from "ground shrinkage" when recovered at the end of a successful hunt. Here are a few more tips to avoid this from happening:
Look for a ferrul on the skull between the ears. A bear with this dip has a large skull and is probably a "keeper"
Also bigger male's snout may appear to be short or pug- nosed.
Bigger bears will walk like big bears, more of a swagger than young bears.
Lastly, imagine yourself, or someone whose weight you know, on all fours next to the bear. If it makes your 300 pound friend look small (take the hair into account), it's a good one.<img src=icon_smile_approve.gif border=0 align=middle>

thanks for the info guys, i am going bear hunting in ontario on may 19, its my first time bear hunting, i will be using my bow.

ARO

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...hanesmith.html

I thought Ontario lost their spring bear hunt a few years ago?

Edited by - RNZ on 02/13/2002 15:29:34

i thank you also guys, some helpful tips/hints in there.

Some friends of mine that bear hunt all the time say if he looks like he could fit into a 55gal drum he's small. If he looks like there's no way, he's a shooter. I have only seen a handful of bears while hunting, and most were avg size. I will say though, when you see a big one like I did two years ago....there's no mistaking it. You'll know. The bear I saw was over 400lbs and it was an awesome sight at 25yds. Not even close to the 150-200lbers I've seen.

i am going with a friend of mine, so maybe its quebec, that we are hunting.
its near fort coulonge

ARO

http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...hanesmith.html

ARO if you will send me you e-mail address I will send you some pictures of bears I took last year out of tree stands. One is the largest wild black bear I've ever seen in 25 yrs.( had shot a 450lb blond just the night before) I also have many on video tape. As the late Jack O,connor said the big ones look big. But you need to look at a few bears to know for sure what a big one looks like. They are the hardest animal I've ever tried to judge in the wild.