Speaking of bears........
 

How many of you have killed a bear with a bow and arrow? How many of you have done it without the use of bait?

I don't think I'd ever become a serious bear hunter, but I'd like to take one with a bow and arrow some day and I'd be thrilled to have a nice bear skin rug for a future "Man Cave". Being that I live in NY and hunt in PA.........both having VERY healthy populations of black bears, they just aren't a species that I would be comfortable taking a guided hunt to pursue. I'd rather do it on my own in one of these states. I know in NY the season length is very liberal in the Adirondack region from 9/15 to 12/2, and they have a VERY healthy population with a lot of deer hunters seeing as many bears as they do deer. My girlfriends family comes from a long history of Adirondack big woods deer hunting and they consistently kill bears while deer hunting, nearly every year. If they are doing it with a gun, it should be at least attainable to do with a bow I'd think.

Does anyone have experience chasing these animals with bow and arrow without the use of bait? Is there any well known pro hunters that have done this and share knowledge?

Just curious..............

RE: Speaking of bears........
 

I have, but it was over bait. It was a fun hunt. And if the price was right I'd do it again.

RE: Speaking of bears........
 

Matt,
I killed a bear two years ago with a bow in New York State.No bait of course.9.5 year old sow,225 pounds.I have never specifically pursued them with bow or gun but I am actually considering doing that because in my part of the catskill mountains you likely have a better opportunity to take a nice bear than a nice deer.
Food is key beech nuts,white oak etc.,that's where they will be.I got 4 bears on trail cams in early fall.If anyone wishes to see a photograph of a 455 pound bear a close friend shot this past saturday email me.22 inch skull,a white patch on it's chest bigger than a basketball.

RE: Speaking of bears........
 

I'd like to take ONE with a bow and arrow before I hang it up.

And one more thing.........Next time I come to a place that has freakin bears (ROB!!!). I would appreciate it if the host (ROB!!!) would extend me the coutesy to at least let me know.....so that I can make SURE I'm packin!

Carry on................................................ ......................

RE: Speaking of bears........
 

I'm hoping to do so this coming year. In MI it is a lottery to get a tag, and I have 3 points, so I am "guaranteed" a tag. We'll see what happens. We have tons of bears where we hunt, so I should definitely have the opportunity to take one, if I get a tag. We've gotten hundreds of trail cam pics, one is around 500 pounds, never seen him in daylight though, always around midnight-2a.m. My bro is going to use the rifle, but bow for me.

RE: Speaking of bears........
 

That's awesome Scot, I'd love for the chance to take one like that sow you took. I've had encounters with them many times but always during the off-season. I don't think I'd want to take a lot of bears or pursue them like I do whitetails, but one 200+ lb bear with a bow would be an awesome experience and trophy I think. The Northeast doesn't have a lot of big game options compared to out west, but we do have a lot of bears and it's something I'd love a chance to do at least once.

Does anyone know of any articles written on the subject of killing bears without the use of bait?

RE: Speaking of bears........
 

Matt, the best you could hope for in PA is a stalk and spot once you've located a bear in the limited season we have. The odds of a bear coming by a stand in the few days within bow range, you could hunt a lifetime doing it. I don't know how NY compares. Do you ever have bears visiting your plots in PA?

I went the other route and took a guided hunt up in Quebec. They have bears like we have deer. ;) I loved every minute of the trip and would do it again with the right group. I have my bear now so it's not one animal I'll persue when there are so many more to go after but again, in the right group, I'd do it again. I know after I let the arrow loose, I was a nervous wreck. :D

I've never bought a PA bear tag.

RE: Speaking of bears........
 

I've killed three with a bow, all while whitetail or elk hunting. Two from a stand and one from the ground. They just came walking by.

RE: Speaking of bears........
 

And I've got $10 that says there's a mullet behind that cap.[8D]

RE: Speaking of bears........
 

Heh......you didn't realize that northeast/northcentral PA has arguable the largest population of REALLYbig bears in the world? Rob's county actually has the second highest bear kill #'s in the state. This year PA actually produced 7 different bears over 600lbs in only a 3 day season, and currently 5 of the top 10 largest in the B&C books are from PA........