I'm headed to New Brunswick for a June bear hunt. I'm taking my bow and a back up weapon. Which would you prefer: .270 win or 12 ga slug?

I have never been on a bear hunt before. I have never seen a bear in the wild. What do I need to know? How do you tell a big bear from a small bear?

My trip is planned for the last week of the New Brunswick season. Is this a good time to hunt for the big bear or should I be happy with whatever comes along? I want to have reasonalbe expectations, even though I don't have a clue what to expect.

beagleman, my girlfriend won a trip through buckmasters to go there a few years ago, and this is what i can tell you from what she learned. first, your hide, if you were thinking of a rug, will most likely be shedding at that time. second, make sure that you can carry a weapon as a back-up, not everyplace allows it. in vt., when we are bow hunting, we are not alowed a firearm, even if hunting for bear. look at the head of the bear. if the ears are close together, like a toy bear, then it is a small one. if they are wider, for example hers has a gap of at least four inches inside to inside, that's about 180, dressed. they will still be skinny, so you probably won't be able to use gut size as a way to help you. use the head as your guide. if you can bring a firearm, use the 12 gauge. i drove her up there, you will want all the bug spray you can bring, plus a bug proof suit. the big ones will still be there, don't worry. who are you using for a guide service, and where are they out of?

VT,

My group is using dyer and sons outfitters out of plaster rock. A few friends have used them in the past for fall hunts.

An easy clue for me as to size is how small their ears look in comparison to the head. If the ears look lost on the head you got a good size bear..Look over a lot of pictures of good size bears and this will soon become easy for you spot. Good Luck