Spring Bear 2016 and Best Memories

[L.O.S.T.Arrow]

-How many are Spring bear hunting this spring..?
-If baiting when are you starting?
- Best past memories?

Been bowhunting Bear for around 40 years as well as guiding for bear for 30 years, have been lucky and fourtunate enough to harvest 30 plus bears in Alberta all with bow...have never taken one with a firearm...many were on foot and before Baiting was legal, baiting Black bear became legal in 1987 and changed things dramatically...

Some were harvested not so much on the lucky side, took one on the charge just feet away coming at me [may have been more curiousity than aggression], took them in trees, me in trees, a handful problem bears...and quite a few on foot stalking...the other half would be baiting the "easy" way to bow hunt bear [not as easy as it sounds!]

But saw a lot of antics, took some very nice bears, had bears come up into stand and smell boot, seen every color black bear imaginable, shot one high in a tree it seemed like the second I released the arrow it was at my feet stone cold, seen them do circus acts and every silly thing imaginable also...

My fondest memory was probably my first book bear..a 500 lb plus that turned my legs into rubber...

I havent purposly hunted black bears for a few years but I sure enjoy hearing, reading sstorys and seeing pictures of other bowhunters I am also betting there a a few good storys out there..

Neil

[3blade]

Considering going after them for the first time this year....though I seem to remember a saying about poking a bear with a stick lol. Last year when scouting I saw a black bear who's back was level with the hood of my truck, feeding in broad daylight in July. Didn't have much to be scared of I guess.

The 308 is coming. So is the 870 marine. The bow will stay strapped to my pack until I get safely into my stand. And should one make an appearance prior to me sitting in a tree, the hills will sound like Syria for a couple minutes, and his hide will be ready for use on a dream catcher.

Would be a heck of a thing to get one with a bow. Figure on predator calling from a stand, or maybe burning a pot of syrup. Easier than dragging barrels and dog food around in the mud for one guy. Anyone else?

[Stinky Buffalo]

Would like to try this year... If I wasn't such a wuss. Sure enjoy reading about your experiences, Neil.

Originally Posted by 3blade

And should one make an appearance prior to me sitting in a tree, the hills will sound like Syria for a couple minutes, and his hide will be ready for use on a dream catcher.

This line made the thread for me, right there!

[beaver hunter]

Last year was my first hunting bear period, was in the stand for 14 sits, had my target bear come in at 6pm one night and I shot low just grazing him. Had a giant sow on my walkout trail one night, had another bear climb the tree and lay under my stand another night. Loved every single minute of it and I've been thinking about that missed shot all year. It's a cool feeling when you know a bear is back in the trees skirting the bait, knowing your there. Baiting will start mid to late April dependent on the weather.

[Rage86]

I can't wait to get my bait fired up again this spring. I usually try to get everything set up by the beginning of May but this year I can probably start a little earlier. Not sure if I'll see any action early but it can't hurt. Probably the most memorable time bear hunting would have to be spring of 2010. I manage to shoot my target bear with one of my best buddies sitting with me. It was his first time in the stand so needless to say he was a little on edge. Especially when we had about 8 different bears at the bait and about 3 were trying to climb the stand. The big guy walk in and I shot him at 15 yards. After some high fives it was a 40 yard track job and he crashed right on the quad trail. Pics are not the best.

[Kristopher10]

Would love to try and get out for a spring bear archery hunt this year. Never hunted bear before, but I do like the taste!

On that note, may be looking for a spot and stalk partner in the future lol

[Ultimate Predator]

Hunt bears every year my favorite thing now is takeing out new hunters guided bears for yrs one of my favorite memories is a bear we called the buffalo bear got his name from an American we argoed in about 10 km then crossed the river on a big fallen spruce one afternoon we were heade to stand and just about to cross the river when I looked soon the river and saw the big old boar walking down , I pointed him out to my hunter and he said that's not a bear it's a buffalo ! We never killed him that day ! Even the famous fred eichler was in awe when we were sitting and he came in smashing trees and makeing a pile of noise ! The bear was finaly killed by a lady from texas grossed 22" and his body was even bigger the old warrior had a bear razor head broad head in his shoulder a mushroomed rifle slug in his neck and his face was full of bird shot there was countless other puss pockets I didn't want to dicect anyway have so many great memories huntin bear once it's in your blood your out there every spring like me good luck and arrow a big boar!

[Ruger 7mm]

Have hunted many species in many different ways but have never had the fortune of hunting a bear at a bait from a stand with my bow. Not sure the reason why I've never got around to it, don't know where to go, my hunting buddies have no interest, etc. It's on my bucket list and some day some where I'll get the opportunity to make my own stories. Good luck this Spring everyone!

[beaver hunter]

It gets very creepy when the Ravens start talking to you, I forgot to mention that. The bait I sat most on last year is nicknamed sleepy hollow, needless to say the walk in/out can be unsettling.

[L.O.S.T.Arrow]

Some other interesting points...
-Over the years the eariliest bear I harvested was an old boar around my birthday on April 4th
-Best time is when popular buds sprout on trees
-Biggest boars seen regular is mid May
- More color phases in poplar stands than evergreens
- Younger bears will walk along deadfall trees to make themselves look bigger
- You want bears -bait the birds
- The most troublesome bears will be the three year olds...
-Bears are the easiest critter to take with a bow...meaning hit right they only last seconds and go down fast...
-Having said that ..they can take a beating with non vital shots injurys, seen broken legs, ears and lips ripped off, jaws rifle shot with teeth missing and still eating...one of my bigger bears had two pieplate baldish spots one on spine and one on side...upon inspection it was evident it was shotgun blasts... close up... but only birdshot...

A few points from the journals...

Neil

[LeroyvdH]

Hunting bears is a blast... seen a dark brown sow with 4 cubs 1 black 2 black with a white blaze and 1 dark brown like mama...
Best day.. having my freinds son shoot a 18 5/8 reddish brown bear (30-30) but 17 .. He was stoked...
2nd best day shooting a 20 inch black with my recurve.... Next my flinter
Leroy

[arrow_baron]

The only bear I have taken was shot 10 yards away. I plan on taking one for sure this year. We will be running baits but I am thinking of heading to somewhere in the 400's to look for a black bear. I have never hunted the mountains yet but it is all I can think about.

[reddeerhunter]

My hunter hosted pal shot a 7.5 foot chocolate, under 18" skull, over 500lbs. From same stand I shot a 20" and a hair 6.5ft black. Are you kidding me? Bears are phenomenal creatures. Creepy to hunt, very rewarding, baiting and trailcam pics are my favorite.
Moose and bears tho with a broadhead broadside will not go far.
Cool thread Lost.

[cacty]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Predator

Hunt bears every year my favorite thing now is takeing out new hunters guided bears for yrs one of my favorite memories is a bear we called the buffalo bear got his name from an American we argoed in about 10 km then crossed the river on a big fallen spruce one afternoon we were heade to stand and just about to cross the river when I looked soon the river and saw the big old boar walking down , I pointed him out to my hunter and he said that's not a bear it's a buffalo ! We never killed him that day ! Even the famous fred eichler was in awe when we were sitting and he came in smashing trees and makeing a pile of noise ! The bear was finaly killed by a lady from texas grossed 22" and his body was even bigger the old warrior had a bear razor head broad head in his shoulder a mushroomed rifle slug in his neck and his face was full of bird shot there was countless other puss pockets I didn't want to dicect anyway have so many great memories huntin bear once it's in your blood your out there every spring like me good luck and arrow a big boar!

Wild story man! It's amazing the punishment those old boars can endure and still live for years!

[brohymn2]

uploadfromtaptalk1456052323427.jpg

Here's a pic of my first bear. Took it spot and stalk. The hunt was donated to the soldier on program by groat creek outfitters

[Glenn D]

Just love bear hunting, once you start guaranteed you'll be hooked. Don't know if I'm going to have time to bait this year but will for sure be out there for some spot and stock.

[L.O.S.T.Arrow]

This was a great hunt the bear on left is a good bear the one on the right is huge...4'X8' trailer deck...

Was using prototype Sonic heads then... with the big one pass thru and eight inches in sandy soil...down in sight!


Neil

[L.O.S.T.Arrow]

Correction deck is 6'X 8' Ft...

[warbridle]

The Atheist and the Bear
An atheist was taking a walk through the woods. 'What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!', he said to himself.
As he continued walking alongside the river he heard a rustling in the bushes. Turning to look, he saw a 7 foot grizzly charging towards him....
He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoulder he saw that the bear was closing in on him. His heart was pumping frantically and he tried to run even faster.
He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up but saw the bear raising his paw to take a swipe at him.
At that instant the atheist cried out: 'Oh my God!...'
Time stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
It was then that a bright light shone upon the man and a voice came out of the sky saying:
'You deny my existence for all of these years, teach others I don't exist and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?'
The atheist looked directly into the light.
'It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps, could you make the BEAR a Christian?'
'Very well, 'said the voice. The light went out, and the sounds of the forest resumed.
And then the bear lowered his paw, bowed his head and spoke: 'Lord, bless this food which I am about to receive and for which I am truly thankful, Amen.'

[hoytcanon]

I have been bowhunting bears for 35++ years... guided for 20 years... I have been in on 300+ bear harvests over those years, 55+ of which were my own... bears are very interesting creatures, and one of my favourite game animals. I have harvested bears using many techniques, including spot n' stalk, calling, baiting and stand hunting feeding and movement patterns... I have never taken any bears with a gun, but did take one with a spear, and it was a devastatingly quick harvest.

[calgarychef]

Hoyt can you explain your experience with calling, I've only called in a couple . I'm wondering about your mention of movement patterns, can you explain that too.?

[reddeerhunter]

Well, a pope and young and a near booner. Closest I will come prob. But bears are my favorite species, highly intelligent.

[normanrd]

For the last 10 years or so I have spot and stalked bears with archery tackle. I am always on the lookout for big ones. I don't think I'll shoot one unless it's a booner. Over the last 5 years I have passed on a fair number of pope and young bears, just not what I'm looking for. Last year I nearly sealed the deal on a cranker that fit the bill nicely, but the wind swirled and the sow smelled me at about 32 yards. Oh well, theres always this spring. It is quite a rush to get close to them intentionally at ground level though! I like it!

Norm

[L.O.S.T.Arrow]

Originally Posted by reddeerhunter

Well, a pope and young and a near booner. Closest I will come prob. But bears are my favorite species, highly intelligent.

The Crown Royal makes a good judgement indicator...until empty lol
nice skulls...

Neil

[L.O.S.T.Arrow]

Originally Posted by calgarychef

Hoyt can you explain your experience with calling, I've only called in a couple . I'm wondering about your mention of movement patterns, can you explain that too.?

Speaking of calling the first time I tried it almost ended up in a head on collision...was elk hunting in the early 80's ...then state of the art cow elk call was a samwhiche call with latex rubber band, was walking along a cutline and saw a bear going up a steep hill 200-300 yards away...

So for chit N giggles I grabbed the cow call and imitated the bunny blues best I could, just seconds into the call the bear spun and came down the hill at "mock chicken"...

I heard some say bears cant run downhill...well I am her to tell you thats bull poop...it was full out and gaining top speed of bear

In seconds it was within feet of me, as I drew it was already close enough to reach out and touch...I had a buddy with a longbow ten yards behind me, the bear ran past me and between us, he was suatting down and not ready...but the bear veared off into the bush just feet from him...

Heart pumping I looked at my buddy and his face was white...

over the years we called quite a bit in the foothills, with success and harvested several bears..they always came in on the run...however...

**Caution**...we quit calling bears because the cougar population was high and we called several in, two on one call...and let me tell you they were aggressive and thowing sticks and yelling at them wouldnt turn them from coming...we decided that calling was a health hazard...

While calling we have called in just about every predator in Alberta...wolves, cougar, bear, coyote, foxes..and saw a grizzly once checking us out about a Km away...we didnt stay to see if it got closer

Use calls with caution!!

Neil

[broadfieldpoint]

Originally Posted by L.O.S.T.Arrow

Some other interesting points...
-Over the years the eariliest bear I harvested was an old boar around my birthday on April 4th
-Best time is when popular buds sprout on trees
-Biggest boars seen regular is mid May
- More color phases in poplar stands than evergreens
- Younger bears will walk along deadfall trees to make themselves look bigger
- You want bears -bait the birds
- The most troublesome bears will be the three year olds...
-Bears are the easiest critter to take with a bow...meaning hit right they only last seconds and go down fast...
-Having said that ..they can take a beating with non vital shots injurys, seen broken legs, ears and lips ripped off, jaws rifle shot with teeth missing and still eating...one of my bigger bears had two pieplate baldish spots one on spine and one on side...upon inspection it was evident it was shotgun blasts... close up... but only birdshot...

A few points from the journals...

Neil

Neil, Great info. But....I think the biggest of the bears are moving late may, early June. Rut time. Virtually all of the giants I have ever seen were in this window. Not to say that there are not 'good' bears out and about...but, typically, the monsters are floating around just pre- rut and during.

[L.O.S.T.Arrow]

Originally Posted by broadfieldpoint

Neil, Great info. But....I think the biggest of the bears are moving late may, early June. Rut time. Virtually all of the giants I have ever seen were in this window. Not to say that there are not 'good' bears out and about...but, typically, the monsters are floating around just pre- rut and during.

Yup we found Pre-rut mid to late May...

Couldnt hunt most zones in June during regular season...lol

Neil

[broadfieldpoint]

Originally Posted by L.O.S.T.Arrow

Yup we found Pre-rut mid to late May...

Couldnt hunt most zones in June during regular season...lol

Neil

Sounds good. Curious as to which areas do you think still hold the best potential for trophy bear in the province. My guess and Im not expert would be WMU 530, upper NW corner (WMU 534) and the Peace river drainage.


What are your thoughts? Thanks

[L.O.S.T.Arrow]

Originally Posted by broadfieldpoint

Sounds good. Curious as to which areas do you think still hold the best potential for trophy bear in the province. My guess and Im not expert would be WMU 530, upper NW corner (WMU 534) and the Peace river drainage.


What are your thoughts? Thanks

Pending what trophy means for the shooter...those zones will always be good...anywhere with good populations will hold boonies and P&Y for sure, I took two bonnies NE Alberta near Cold Lake a few years ago, saw more big bears there than when guiding north of Ft Mac..but more hunters also

I know that area took top bear for bow several years running, registered or not...

Soon Im thinking bigger bears will be taken on private land!

Neil

[Scuddoctor]

Hi all, great thread! I am planning my first bear hunt this spring and have found lots of great info on this forum. Looking around the 400s east of Nanton and Claresholm. What do y'all think of this area for blacks?