Bear calling
- Thread starter AlphaDog
- Start date
Alaskan Yoter
Active member
Howdy,
There is a pretty good article on calling bears in the latest issue of Predator Extreme. I found it pretty informative anyway.
Todd
There is a pretty good article on calling bears in the latest issue of Predator Extreme. I found it pretty informative anyway.
Todd
I am no expert but I get to hunt with one. Bearmanric(on this site) called in my sons first bear.
He calls alot like coyotes, maybe a little more careful about approach etc. He called my sons with a mouth call, he is using both now, the mouth to agument the electronic.
use lots of scent, don't move. We are lucky to be able to hunt areas we know with a good population of bear. So we just pick a likely looking spot. In one area we see bears every time, sometimes in the logging roads.
Use enough gun, make the first shot count cause they are VERY fast and tough.
Rick and I are going coyote calling this weekend I hope to learn alot.
Good luck
Carl
He calls alot like coyotes, maybe a little more careful about approach etc. He called my sons with a mouth call, he is using both now, the mouth to agument the electronic.
use lots of scent, don't move. We are lucky to be able to hunt areas we know with a good population of bear. So we just pick a likely looking spot. In one area we see bears every time, sometimes in the logging roads.
Use enough gun, make the first shot count cause they are VERY fast and tough.
Rick and I are going coyote calling this weekend I hope to learn alot.
Good luck
Carl
I am no expert but I get to hunt with one. Bearmanric(on this site) called in my sons first bear.
He calls alot like coyotes, maybe a little more careful about approach etc. He called my sons with a mouth call, he is using both now, the mouth to agument the electronic.
use lots of scent, don't move. We are lucky to be able to hunt areas we know with a good population of bear. So we just pick a likely looking spot. In one area we see bears every time, sometimes in the logging roads.
Use enough gun, make the first shot count cause they are VERY fast and tough. He uses mostly fawn and elk calf bleats loud and steady he says that if you stop calling the bear stops.
Rick and I are going coyote calling this weekend I hope to learn alot.
Good luck
Carl
He calls alot like coyotes, maybe a little more careful about approach etc. He called my sons with a mouth call, he is using both now, the mouth to agument the electronic.
use lots of scent, don't move. We are lucky to be able to hunt areas we know with a good population of bear. So we just pick a likely looking spot. In one area we see bears every time, sometimes in the logging roads.
Use enough gun, make the first shot count cause they are VERY fast and tough. He uses mostly fawn and elk calf bleats loud and steady he says that if you stop calling the bear stops.
Rick and I are going coyote calling this weekend I hope to learn alot.
Good luck
Carl
I can hardly be called an expert, as I’ve only called in a handful of bears over a period of several years. There seem to be 2 methods to approach this. One is the spot and call method. Find a bear first by glassing likely bear country; then approach as close as possible and try to call the bear to you.
This is not very effective in the area where I hunt, due to heavy timber and brush. It is rare to actually see a bear unless one happens to run across a road in front of you. Most effective here is to hunt feeding or bedding grounds where fresh bear sign is present, and try to call one in.
Bear don’t seem to be as predictable responding to a call as some other predators. Some will charge in, and some will run the other way. Most seem to agree that constant calling is best. When you stop calling, the bear stops coming!
This is not very effective in the area where I hunt, due to heavy timber and brush. It is rare to actually see a bear unless one happens to run across a road in front of you. Most effective here is to hunt feeding or bedding grounds where fresh bear sign is present, and try to call one in.
Bear don’t seem to be as predictable responding to a call as some other predators. Some will charge in, and some will run the other way. Most seem to agree that constant calling is best. When you stop calling, the bear stops coming!
I only have one predator extreme magazine so I dont have that info.
But what calls do you use? Can you use the spot,stalk, and call method? Is that effective? How effective is blind calling and what do you look for in finding a place to call if you dont see any sign but looks like their could be a bear there?
Thanks
But what calls do you use? Can you use the spot,stalk, and call method? Is that effective? How effective is blind calling and what do you look for in finding a place to call if you dont see any sign but looks like their could be a bear there?
Thanks
todbartell
New member
I've tried it with some success twice.
Both times were when I spotted the bear first.
First time, I spotted a bear feeding in a clear cut in the evening, in early September. I was about 250 yards away, hidden, when I started calling. He looked my way, then started walking down the hill toward my position. My dad is 50 yards behind me trying to keep my dog quiet. He is going nuts, whining and whimpering as he spotted the bear. The bear heard this, and stopped. He must not of liked what he heard or maybe seen, as he turned and ran off. I wish I was packing my 7mm Mag then, I only had my 30-30 as we were mainly scouting for the upcoming moose season. Too bad, he was a good sized bear. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
The second time was last spring, I had spotted a bear feeding in the ditch along side the road. I crept within 100 yards or so, and got hidden behind some pine trees on the opposite side of the road. I started calling softley, and he started coming my way. I was about to send a 400 grainer home when I heard a truck coming, and it spooked the bear into the bush. My luck, the first truck to drive down this road all day. Oh well, it didn't look to be a huge one anyway. But, I did want to try out my 416! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I have tried calling blindly, but with no luck. Also used it when I spooked a bear while riding my 4 wheeler, they sometimes stop and take a second look.
Both times were when I spotted the bear first.
First time, I spotted a bear feeding in a clear cut in the evening, in early September. I was about 250 yards away, hidden, when I started calling. He looked my way, then started walking down the hill toward my position. My dad is 50 yards behind me trying to keep my dog quiet. He is going nuts, whining and whimpering as he spotted the bear. The bear heard this, and stopped. He must not of liked what he heard or maybe seen, as he turned and ran off. I wish I was packing my 7mm Mag then, I only had my 30-30 as we were mainly scouting for the upcoming moose season. Too bad, he was a good sized bear. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
The second time was last spring, I had spotted a bear feeding in the ditch along side the road. I crept within 100 yards or so, and got hidden behind some pine trees on the opposite side of the road. I started calling softley, and he started coming my way. I was about to send a 400 grainer home when I heard a truck coming, and it spooked the bear into the bush. My luck, the first truck to drive down this road all day. Oh well, it didn't look to be a huge one anyway. But, I did want to try out my 416! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I have tried calling blindly, but with no luck. Also used it when I spooked a bear while riding my 4 wheeler, they sometimes stop and take a second look.
muleskinner
New member
I just watch a video that was pretty good!!
Call'n Bears By Wayne Carlton. 1.800.356.9692
He covers your questions and has a TOP quality product. I got mine from All Preditor calls.com
Call'n Bears By Wayne Carlton. 1.800.356.9692
He covers your questions and has a TOP quality product. I got mine from All Preditor calls.com
muleskinner
New member
I just watch a video that was pretty good!!
Call'n Bears By Wayne Carlton. 1.800.356.9692
He covers your questions and has a TOP quality product. I got mine from All Preditor calls.com
Call'n Bears By Wayne Carlton. 1.800.356.9692
He covers your questions and has a TOP quality product. I got mine from All Preditor calls.com
Alaskan-Woodsmen
New member
I'd be interested in blind bear calling too. We don't have as many clear cuts etc. with panoramic views of bears. Generally I hunt along river bottoms and float hunt. We have lots of bears though, and I will be studying this site alot. This is my first time on the site. Looks real interesting.
muleskinner
New member
Alaska-woodsman, welcome to the site!I would like to
recommend you check out www.bear-hunting.com
They have a couple Alaska video's,,, 'Loaded for Black Bears' and others that are for bear hunters!
They hunt and stalk the coast lines in this one. Their ad is in the magazine 'Bear Hunting' or call 763-780-3168 Good luck, Jay /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
recommend you check out www.bear-hunting.com
They have a couple Alaska video's,,, 'Loaded for Black Bears' and others that are for bear hunters!
They hunt and stalk the coast lines in this one. Their ad is in the magazine 'Bear Hunting' or call 763-780-3168 Good luck, Jay /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
cougerbait
New member
I have yet to call in a bear close. I have tried calling bear only a hand full of times. The first time I tried I called, I had been sitting on a cut for about 30 minutes and it was about 1:30 in the afternoon and it was getting real hot out. I hadn't seen anything so before I left I decided to give it a try. Just about as soon as I tried I had this black jump up on a stump about 400 yards out. and like a idiot I took the shot. The best cuts I have found for bear in my area are really grown up. They are pretty thick. This cut most of the stuff in it are about 12 foot tall. So it is real hard to see them in there.
Last year I tried a bear cub distress call. And I didn't have any luck with it. Most of the time I do the spot and stalk. This year I'm going to try more calling.
Last year I tried a bear cub distress call. And I didn't have any luck with it. Most of the time I do the spot and stalk. This year I'm going to try more calling.
AlphaDog, generally good info here. I've been fortunate to call where there are lots of bears, and have called a good number, but for hunting I've preferred spot and stalk so I know more about the particular bear before shooting. Like coyotes, the high probability is that they will be downwind when they come in close, so make sure you can see downwind whether you can see anywhere else or not. Things can happen fast and you may not have time or opportunity to evaluate the animal much, especially if you are calling in thick timber, etc.
I have used lip squeaks when I didn't have a call with me (got a bear to within 15 feet) and the rest of the time an old Weems wildcall with a raspy jackrabbit voice that sounds like a fawn, especially if you quaver it a bit. Most have been called by just locating a lot of fresh bear sign and setting up in the area without seeing a bear first.
I have used lip squeaks when I didn't have a call with me (got a bear to within 15 feet) and the rest of the time an old Weems wildcall with a raspy jackrabbit voice that sounds like a fawn, especially if you quaver it a bit. Most have been called by just locating a lot of fresh bear sign and setting up in the area without seeing a bear first.
Alaskan-Woodsmen
New member
Muleskinner
Thank you! The magazine is excellent also and very focused on just bear hunting. I would recommend Bear Hunting Magazine to anyone seriously interested in hunting bear in the US and Canada.
Alaska has thousands of bear and they are serious predators of newborn moose, and caribou calves in my area. Predator extreme forum looks like it is going to be a great site for reading the experiences of other huners, as they too, pursue bear and other predators.
The fact is that some of the most interesting hunting here is for bear. Moose populations are not on the increase here in most places, and many locations in the State are frankly getting hammered by out of State hunters trying their luck hunting moose in a short 11 day season.
Bear hunting on the other hand is a generally quiet and silent pursuit, sans all the campfires and yehaing that other game might tolerate. I have had brown bear step out of the brush and into a river (small) by flapping my hand in the water to imitate a salmon running up through a shallow riffle. They respond to things they know to be food if they are close.
On the other hand I am interested in a remote control e-call that I can trigger at a distance, because here, you don't know what might respond. A sow with two or three 2 year old cubs might not be very fun at close ranges.
I'd be very interested to here also from others, bear stories from grizzly country in the north country. Most of your grizzly bear stories seem to indicate they have no need to fear people.
Black bear country, such as Prince of Wales Island, has only black bear (and some whoppers too), and calling a bear with a deer call etc. wouldn't call in a brownie.
I have been toying with the idea of calling bear for a couple of years, after viewing Carltons video. It seems to me calling from a place with a good view would be the wisest. Bears are as individual as people and like people, respond differently and often the differnce in response could make all the other encounters a person has had go tilt. We as predator hunters hunt whats hunting us. All bets are off tho when a critter the size of a Toyota starts hunting you. That actually IS quite exciting (big time). The trick is having the time and space to get out of it if the bear(s) is not legal etc.
I'm still going to continue to call in certain situations and as appropriate. It should work if a bear is seen but pointed the other way...
This IS a nifty site. Thanks for this section. ..... Glen
Thank you! The magazine is excellent also and very focused on just bear hunting. I would recommend Bear Hunting Magazine to anyone seriously interested in hunting bear in the US and Canada.
Alaska has thousands of bear and they are serious predators of newborn moose, and caribou calves in my area. Predator extreme forum looks like it is going to be a great site for reading the experiences of other huners, as they too, pursue bear and other predators.
The fact is that some of the most interesting hunting here is for bear. Moose populations are not on the increase here in most places, and many locations in the State are frankly getting hammered by out of State hunters trying their luck hunting moose in a short 11 day season.
Bear hunting on the other hand is a generally quiet and silent pursuit, sans all the campfires and yehaing that other game might tolerate. I have had brown bear step out of the brush and into a river (small) by flapping my hand in the water to imitate a salmon running up through a shallow riffle. They respond to things they know to be food if they are close.
On the other hand I am interested in a remote control e-call that I can trigger at a distance, because here, you don't know what might respond. A sow with two or three 2 year old cubs might not be very fun at close ranges.
I'd be very interested to here also from others, bear stories from grizzly country in the north country. Most of your grizzly bear stories seem to indicate they have no need to fear people.
Black bear country, such as Prince of Wales Island, has only black bear (and some whoppers too), and calling a bear with a deer call etc. wouldn't call in a brownie.
I have been toying with the idea of calling bear for a couple of years, after viewing Carltons video. It seems to me calling from a place with a good view would be the wisest. Bears are as individual as people and like people, respond differently and often the differnce in response could make all the other encounters a person has had go tilt. We as predator hunters hunt whats hunting us. All bets are off tho when a critter the size of a Toyota starts hunting you. That actually IS quite exciting (big time). The trick is having the time and space to get out of it if the bear(s) is not legal etc.
I'm still going to continue to call in certain situations and as appropriate. It should work if a bear is seen but pointed the other way...
This IS a nifty site. Thanks for this section. ..... Glen