NC Black Bear Hunting

E

E5B

New member
Anyone have any experience with NC black bear? I've found a few areas with sign that I plan to hunt. There is no baiting allowed here in NC and it's pretty thick so the only option is hunting from a tree stand. As of right now my game plan is to still hunt those areas from a stand but I'm curious to know if predator calls work. I have cottontail, jackrabbit and fawn in distress calls.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Dave
 
I've called a dozen or more black bears, on purpose, with hand predator calls. Others have called a lot more. I'd sure give it a try.

You might want to judiciously cut some shooting lanes. Also, make sure that you can see downwind. That's by far the most likely place the bear will show up. Some hustle in noisy, and others sneak in. Some will come in a minute and some will take well over half an hour.

Exact sound doesn't seem too critical as long as it sounds like a critter small enough for a bear to eat and in distress that he can take advantage of. I like coarse jack rabbit/fawn sounds but lip squeaked one within 20 feet once when I didn't have a call along. If there is an area of heavy bear sign, set up nearby and call. I've called them in some pretty thick timber and brush, visibilty no more than 20 yards. Trouble is you usually don't get to look the bear over very well to decide size, etc. in such cover, and it can be hard to see cubs with a momma.

Most folks say call constant. I've done well with intermittment, call for 15-30 seconds with a minute or two of silence, but will call more frequently if I try it again. Let us know what happens.

Oops, just noticed you wanted experience with NC bears. Mine have been in Wa State, British Columbia and Saskatchewan. I'd expect them to come to a call in a similar fashion.
 
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I was wondering the same thing because I am going to hunt bear this coming monday. Between 2 different game cameras approx 220 yds away from each other, we have 75-80 pics of bear action. The only worry that I have is there is a very large sow with 2 small cubs. I really don't want to see her at all. They are actually running the deer trails. This area has not been hunted for awhile so I hope to get in before they move. Both trails to my stand are surrounded by mtn laurel so the leaves don't come off.
 
here's a link to a really good guide, who has a heavy rep as a sure bet bear man. His properties are very close/alongside the Poquosin refuge in East NC.
Which is bear central.

http://www.homestead.com/conmans/

Even if you don't want to book a hunt (and by the way I am not affiliated with Mike's operation) try giving Mike a call sometime, he for sure can help you with tactics on NC's non baitable black bears.

He has some cool pics on his site, even if they take a while to load.

MOD's....this is the second time I have posted Mike's link, I hope it is permissible, but if not please let me know.
 
Dave,

I am in Salisbury but I hunt in Surry county. I don't know much about calling in bear but would like to know more about when to start. If they come through, it is usually between 8 and 10 am. If they don't show, should I start calling about 10 am to try to get them in. After looking at the game pics, there are a minimum of 9 bear in the area.
 
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