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Old 05-06-2020, 12:02 PM
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Default To shoot or not to shoot? Help plz.

Ok bear fanatics. What r your thoughts?




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Old 05-06-2020, 12:04 PM
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Shoot it. It's a beautiful bear.
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:24 PM
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Very nice bear that is over average in size, but check for cubs. Appears to have a long pointed snout and rounded head with a triangular look to it in the one picture and the rear hips look quite wide, both of which are signs it is a Sow. Boars usually have wide front shoulders that are wider than their hips, square blocky faces and heavy front legs with large wrists. If there are no cubs I would take that bear.
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:26 PM
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Watching for 2 days. No cubs.


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Old 05-06-2020, 12:26 PM
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I'd agree shoot it. You have a tank there.

BW
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:28 PM
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:28 PM
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:30 PM
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:36 PM
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Never mind what anyone else says , if it is a legal bear and YOU want it, go ahead .
Cat
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catnthehat View Post
Never mind what anyone else says , if it is a legal bear and YOU want it, go ahead .
Cat

Just having trouble with this one. I do not want to take a female. Bears are brutal to judge sometimes. I have no trouble holding out. But know my window is small if this is a gooder.


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Old 05-06-2020, 12:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reddeerhunter View Post
Just having trouble with this one. I do not want to take a female. Bears are brutal to judge sometimes. I have no trouble holding out. But know my window is small if this is a gooder.


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That is a good size bear and should be capable of having young if it is a sow. If she has no young ones she may be past breeding age, barren etc. It hurts nothing to take dry sows out of the population, don't let the idea it is a female slow you down. As long as there aren't cubs and after 2 days of watching you would have seen them by now then I say you are good to go if you like the looks of this one. Best of luck.
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean2 View Post
That is a good size bear and should be capable of having young if it is a sow. If she has no young ones she may be past breeding age, barren etc. It hurts nothing to take dry sows out of the population, don't let the idea it is a female slow you down. As long as there aren't cubs and after 2 days of watching you would have seen them by now then I say you are good to go if you like the looks of this one. Best of luck.
/\ /\ /\
The above post says it all
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catnthehat View Post
Never mind what anyone else says , if it is a legal bear and YOU want it, go ahead .
Cat
This is the best answer.

The most important thing is if you will be happy with the bear after you pull the trigger. It’s no one else’s hunt but your own.

As for what I see in those pics is a respectable bear but no it’s not a giant. I do agree with Dean2 that it has characteristics that make me think it could be a sow. It lacks the muscle structure in the front end, boar often have a longer neck, and sows often have the round look

Your tag your choice
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Old 05-06-2020, 02:42 PM
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Based on the photos, I think it is a sow.
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Old 05-06-2020, 02:50 PM
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Will be interested to hear boar vs sow once he gets it on the ground. Also be good to see some quality pictures to tell if this bear is as nice as it looks. This early should be no chance of rubs.

Last edited by Dean2; 05-06-2020 at 03:02 PM.
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Old 05-06-2020, 02:55 PM
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It's a sow to me. Might make P&Y book. Good hide and lots of bear burger and a reason to go next year.
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Old 05-06-2020, 04:28 PM
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Thanks for the feedback y’all. I believe after further review it will be a pass for me as I have 2 first bear timers coming out. I am guessing boar, but very valid info and opinions. By wednesday I hope to have a pic of the bear and a celebration smile from newbie. Good luck everyone and please post lots of pics/cam pics.


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Old 05-06-2020, 04:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reddeerhunter View Post
Thanks for the feedback y’all. I believe after further review it will be a pass for me as I have 2 first bear timers coming out. I am guessing boar, but very valid info and opinions. By wednesday I hope to have a pic of the bear and a celebration smile from newbie. Good luck everyone and please post lots of pics/cam pics.


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That will be a great first bear!
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Old 05-06-2020, 04:45 PM
Scruffee Scruffee is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catnthehat View Post
Never mind what anyone else says , if it is a legal bear and YOU want it, go ahead .
Cat
This!

I have a BEAUTIFUL cinnamon on camera with what looks like a very nice coat. It's not too big, but not small either. If I see it, it's getting an arrow launched at it. They've raised the quota to two tags this year in Sask so I'm not going to wait all season for a big one, I want the meat so I will shoot the first nice bear I see and hunt the rest of the season for a big boy. That being said, I have a very nice bear on cam right now, bigger than that cinnamon, if it came between the two, I'd still shoot the smaller cinnamon.

I've shot small bears in the past because I wanted the meat and didn't have much time to hunt, I've always been happy with my kills, regardless of size.
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  #20  
Old 05-06-2020, 04:51 PM
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You need advice from a committee on this?

Grizz
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  #21  
Old 05-06-2020, 04:51 PM
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Nathans bear on our first day out went 18-7/8” as per our taxidermist bleached ready for pickup.
He set the bar on a 10 min spot and stalk so now I have to topple that.


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  #22  
Old 05-06-2020, 04:52 PM
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You need advice from a committee on this?

Grizz

It def helps. Most opinions pointing to dry sow. Its all entertainment.


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Old 05-06-2020, 05:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reddeerhunter View Post
It def helps. Most opinions pointing to dry sow. Its all entertainment.


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Even though I am learning sow I would say only 75% with the pics you provided.

There is a couple pics that make me think sow but the one pic makes my question if it might be a boar.
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  #24  
Old 05-06-2020, 05:19 PM
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  #25  
Old 05-06-2020, 05:19 PM
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That is a good boar, take it.

Osky
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  #26  
Old 05-06-2020, 05:21 PM
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The bear in your last posted pic does not look like the first. 2 different bears.

Osky

I like to clear the debri away right around the bait itself and pour a good amount of used cooking oil on that exposed dirt. Keeps it soft and makes picking out tracks easy. If the ground is still to hard after oiling just rake it up some with the old short tins straight rake. Trails coming in this works well too.
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  #27  
Old 05-06-2020, 05:35 PM
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That is 100% sow
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  #28  
Old 05-06-2020, 05:39 PM
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I would agree Smoky.

Osky
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  #29  
Old 05-06-2020, 06:34 PM
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The pictures leave a lot to be desired but from what I’ve seen I wouldn’t be shooting anything. That bears pretty average imo and it’s also early season.

That said, if you want to be like most guys and shoot little bears might as well whack it.
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  #30  
Old 05-06-2020, 08:28 PM
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I would agree Smoky.

Osky
I agree.
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