Black bear or Grizzly?

[Bigfeet]

Out on the weekend and came across a fairly fresh pile of scat that I decided to take a photo of. I have been in this spot a few times this spring, a small meadow with fresh green growth, and found bear scat plus tracks in a nearby small creek. Everything I found indicated a sow with cub(s) plus a couple of other larger bears. All appeared to be Black bear based on the size and the few clear tracks along the creek. A week ago all the sign was looking old and I surmised that the bears had moved on to find better feed elsewhere.
Then, this weekend, walking through the same spot, I found more fresh piles (looked to be over a few days), but larger than previous. This pile was the freshest. Not sure if this is Grizzly or Black bear? Maybe there is no way to tell, but someone here might have an idea?

Southern Alberta - no baiting allowed and there are both species of bears. And, for reference, my feet are size 14, so they do tend to make things look small.

[bluetick]

Originally Posted by Bigfeet

Out on the weekend and came across a fairly fresh pile of scat that I decided to take a photo of. I have been in this spot a few times this spring, a small meadow with fresh green growth, and found bear scat plus tracks in a nearby small creek. Everything I found indicated a sow with cub(s) plus a couple of other larger bears. All appeared to be Black bear based on the size and the few clear tracks along the creek. A week ago all the sign was looking old and I surmised that the bears had moved on to find better feed elsewhere.
Then, this weekend, walking through the same spot, I found more fresh piles (looked to be over a few days), but larger than previous. This pile was the freshest. Not sure if this is Grizzly or Black bear? Maybe there is no way to tell, but someone here might have an idea?

Southern Alberta - no baiting allowed and there are both species of bears. And, for reference, my feet are size 14, so they do tend to make things look small.

Its neither a black or grizz its a pile of S**T

[Grizzly Adams1]

Originally Posted by bluetick

Its neither a black or grizz its a pile of S**T

By the quantity and size, Grizz.

Grizz

[ironicbrew]

Chupacabra.

[Big Grey Wolf]

When it looks like it was dumped from 2" pipe and as big as typical horse pile it is grizz you do not want to meet.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf

When it looks like it was dumped from 2" pipe and as big as typical horse pile it is grizz you do not want to meet.

Yup, and probably gonna be grumpy too, after giving birth to that pile... I know I'd be...

[buckman]

I would say Grizzly judging by the size and color.

[Smoky buck]

Black bears can take big craps so you can’t really tell by size. Just like grizzly can take small craps. Crap size is not 100% on bear size or bear species. Yes bigger crap often means a bigger bear but not always

Only way to tell is if you taste it and there is hints of pepper it’s definitely grizzly lol

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by buckman

I would say Grizzly judging by the size and color.

Color can judge age of crap or diet but I have never heard of it used to judge species

[Dean2]

Bear species cannot be determined by scat, unless it contains fur from a black bear; even then it could be a Black Bear Boar that killed a cub to bring a sow into heat again.

Now if it has bear bells in it and the odour of pepper spray

[Bigfeet]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

Crap size is not 100% on bear size or bear species.

That's always been my understanding. Bigger means a bigger bear, but determining species is not a certainty. Thought I would post it up in case there is something I don't know about. Years ago, a buddy who baited bears up north said he looked for scat the size of pop cans to determine if there was a big bear on the bait - and he was referring to Black bears. This would certainly qualify as pop can size!

[Pathfinder76]

Most people can’t tell the difference between a Grizz and a Black by looking at them. Even more by their tracks. But we have some that think they can tell by their dump?

[Ackleyman]

looks like a black or a grizz dumped out a daisy sniffer. see any back packs around ?

[EZM]

Sorry, had to go - glad you didn't step in it. Was burrito night at my place.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by EZM

Sorry, had to go - glad you didn't step in it. Was burrito night at my place.

[CBintheNorth]

That is from a big bear, that's all I'll put my name to.

Now if I were forced to guess I would go with Grizzly, just based on previous piles I've seen.

[Davey Boy]

Blue Whale I'm guessing!!!!

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by Bigfeet

That's always been my understanding. Bigger means a bigger bear, but determining species is not a certainty. Thought I would post it up in case there is something I don't know about. Years ago, a buddy who baited bears up north said he looked for scat the size of pop cans to determine if there was a big bear on the bait - and he was referring to Black bears. This would certainly qualify as pop can size!

I have always done the same but there is definitely exceptions to the rule on size of crap vs size of bear. Most of the time it plays true in my opinion and I just look for other sign to confirm if it’s correct or not

Most effective tricks for judging bears by sign left behind is markings on trees because you can see how high they can reach. Second is finding a front track and measuring the width. Add an inch to the measurement and convert inches to feet you get a really good judge on the length of the bear tip of nose to tail

[Big Grey Wolf]

It must be between spring bear season and fall elk/moose hunting. Never saw us guys so excited about bear poop.

[trigger7mm]

If there are zippers and buttons in the turd, then there’s a better than average chance it’s grizzly ****.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by trigger7mm

If there are zippers and buttons in the turd, then there’s a better than average chance it’s grizzly ****.

Also a quick whiff will let you know if it contains trace amounts of granola and bear spray... Sometimes you'll get lucky and find mashed-up fragments of a bear bell...

[hayseed]

Now we know what a size 14 pile of poo looks like!!!

Regardless of Blackie or Grizz, whichever one left it is big, or was constipated.. Lol

[Head Lice]

The only true way to tell is the 'taste test' . . . this is done traditionally by the younger hunters in your camp.

[270person]

Originally Posted by Stinky Buffalo

Yup, and probably gonna be grumpy too, after giving birth to that pile... I know I'd be...

I'd be ecstatic.

[nighteyes]

Bigfoot

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by 270person

I'd be ecstatic.

[Battle Rat]

If I hadn't watched a black bear dump a load that would have filled a one gallon ice cream pail, I would have guessed grizzly.
Size of the pile is not a good indicator.
All bear crap starts out light color and darkens as it dries.