HighPlainsDrifter
New member
Thank you Greg. You tend to learn these things when you live in bear country as I am sure you will agree. Not something I worry about but I always have a plan just in case.
What to do in case a bear comes in?
- Thread starter Timber Prowler
- Start date
Timber Prowler
New member
Would the bears most likely try and circle down wind before coming in to a call as most other predators do?
At what times of the year are the sows usually with cubs?
You fellas have provided some great informatiom.
I really appreciate it.
T/P
At what times of the year are the sows usually with cubs?
You fellas have provided some great informatiom.
I really appreciate it.
T/P
Quote:
Would the bears most likely try and circle down wind before coming in to a call as most other predators do?
At what times of the year are the sows usually with cubs?
Most of the bears I've called have circled downwind and approached somewhat cautiously. But I had at least one I remember that came in on the upwind side. I saw him before I called, and at the first sound he ran straight toward me to within 15 feet. At that point my partner stood up and the bear stopped and stood up also, sniffed and squinted some and then left.
The bears I've called successfully have all been in timber or small openings and I don't think they were very far away when I started. In the open alpine I tried to call a huge old boar down across a wide shallow valley and up a 200 foot high ridge, probably 700 yards total. He was feeding in heavy huckleberries. He would turn his heard and listen to the call, then go back to feeding so my nephew stalked him and shot him at 40 yards.
Sows and cubs are a problem for calling. I had one sow and cub come in to the same photography stand, big cub and the sow came in seperately, so it is possible they were not related. A wet sow might come in without the cubs and the hunter wouldn't know. Our bear hunting has been mostly spot and stalk, so we could look over the bear for size or cubs. In brush it is hard to tell the size of a called bear.
Cubs are born during hibernation in winter and are really small their first spring, like a small house cat and often hard to see even in ten inch high grass though they stick close by the mother. I've understood that they stay with the mother through the summer and another winter and then she kicks them out the second spring or summer. I've seen spring bears with tiny new cubs, and some with big cubs that had to be a year old. A biologist could chime in here and confirm or correct how long they stay with the mother. I suspect some stay two years.
Would the bears most likely try and circle down wind before coming in to a call as most other predators do?
At what times of the year are the sows usually with cubs?
Most of the bears I've called have circled downwind and approached somewhat cautiously. But I had at least one I remember that came in on the upwind side. I saw him before I called, and at the first sound he ran straight toward me to within 15 feet. At that point my partner stood up and the bear stopped and stood up also, sniffed and squinted some and then left.
The bears I've called successfully have all been in timber or small openings and I don't think they were very far away when I started. In the open alpine I tried to call a huge old boar down across a wide shallow valley and up a 200 foot high ridge, probably 700 yards total. He was feeding in heavy huckleberries. He would turn his heard and listen to the call, then go back to feeding so my nephew stalked him and shot him at 40 yards.
Sows and cubs are a problem for calling. I had one sow and cub come in to the same photography stand, big cub and the sow came in seperately, so it is possible they were not related. A wet sow might come in without the cubs and the hunter wouldn't know. Our bear hunting has been mostly spot and stalk, so we could look over the bear for size or cubs. In brush it is hard to tell the size of a called bear.
Cubs are born during hibernation in winter and are really small their first spring, like a small house cat and often hard to see even in ten inch high grass though they stick close by the mother. I've understood that they stay with the mother through the summer and another winter and then she kicks them out the second spring or summer. I've seen spring bears with tiny new cubs, and some with big cubs that had to be a year old. A biologist could chime in here and confirm or correct how long they stay with the mother. I suspect some stay two years.
Last edited:
statelinerut
New member
Quote:
Would the bears most likely try and circle down wind before coming in to a call as most other predators do?
At what times of the year are the sows usually with cubs?
You fellas have provided some great informatiom.
I really appreciate it.
T/P
Where in Mississippi are you. I live just over the line on the TN side just North of Corinth, MS. We have not heard of any bear in these parts. I would be interested in knowing where in MS they do have bears. That is pretty cool.
Would the bears most likely try and circle down wind before coming in to a call as most other predators do?
At what times of the year are the sows usually with cubs?
You fellas have provided some great informatiom.
I really appreciate it.
T/P
Where in Mississippi are you. I live just over the line on the TN side just North of Corinth, MS. We have not heard of any bear in these parts. I would be interested in knowing where in MS they do have bears. That is pretty cool.
azcoyotehunter
New member
Yell at the top of your lungs "look out he's coming right for us!!!" then shoot him... this way it's all legal /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Timber Prowler
New member
Quote:
Where in Mississippi are you. I live just over the line on the TN side just North of Corinth, MS. We have not heard of any bear in these parts. I would be interested in knowing where in MS they do have bears. That is pretty cool.
statelinerut,
I'm southwest of you close to Batesville, MS. I think they are probably scattered through out the state. With most of them being farther south of me. There have been sporadic sightings around in years past but not as close to home as now. The MDWFP website did have a travel route map of a black bear they had placed a tracking collar on. The bears travel range was something like 250 miles. So you may have some close by and don't know it.
These links may give us both a little insight on them here.
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Wildlife/Game/Bear/default.asp
http://msucares.com/forestry/titleiii/articles/bears_update.html
Where in Mississippi are you. I live just over the line on the TN side just North of Corinth, MS. We have not heard of any bear in these parts. I would be interested in knowing where in MS they do have bears. That is pretty cool.
statelinerut,
I'm southwest of you close to Batesville, MS. I think they are probably scattered through out the state. With most of them being farther south of me. There have been sporadic sightings around in years past but not as close to home as now. The MDWFP website did have a travel route map of a black bear they had placed a tracking collar on. The bears travel range was something like 250 miles. So you may have some close by and don't know it.
These links may give us both a little insight on them here.
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Wildlife/Game/Bear/default.asp
http://msucares.com/forestry/titleiii/articles/bears_update.html
Quote:
If your hunting with a partner, all you have to do is make sure you can run faster than your partner..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
That's for sure, but if your partner can out run you, just shoot him in the leg, that slow'm down /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
If your hunting with a partner, all you have to do is make sure you can run faster than your partner..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
That's for sure, but if your partner can out run you, just shoot him in the leg, that slow'm down /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Quote:
Our bears must be confused, they haven't hit the dens yet.
Can a bear out run a Bull? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Bears in the south typically don't do extended sleeps (bears aren't true hibernators anyway) and are often active year 'round.
Yes.. A bear can easily outrun a bull. Bears are very accomplished and quick runners but then you should NEVER run from ANY bear in any situation. ANY bear can easily run 30mph and catch you as easily as you could catch a small child running.
If it's a black bear and you're not in between her and her cubs then stand and fight and look as big and frightening as possible.
If you're between her and her cubs try to talk soothingly to her and back out slowly. If she persists then cancel her credit card because she'll fight to the death at the drop of a hat if she's convinced you're out to do her young harm.
We don't have bear seasons here in Florida so the bear population is becoming more and more bold and in some areas they're getting overpopulated.
I'm becoming increasingly worried when I call and carry a Glock 10mm in my shoulder holster ALWAYS now when I call.
Near where I do most of my hunting there's a big cinnamon boar that passes through from time to time and if I'm forced to shoot him I'll end up telling my story to a judge due to our crazy game laws.
I've been bluff charged and I can tell you that it's an unnerving experience. Bears are incredibly quick and if that bear hadn't stopped I would have had a slight chance to get one bullet into her if I was VERY skillful and fast.
Don't ever take a bear lightly. Black bears are typically too smart to tackle a human and will run 99% of the time as soon as they sense you're near. That other 1% of the time they are quite a handful to say the least. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
$bob$
Our bears must be confused, they haven't hit the dens yet.
Can a bear out run a Bull? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Bears in the south typically don't do extended sleeps (bears aren't true hibernators anyway) and are often active year 'round.
Yes.. A bear can easily outrun a bull. Bears are very accomplished and quick runners but then you should NEVER run from ANY bear in any situation. ANY bear can easily run 30mph and catch you as easily as you could catch a small child running.
If it's a black bear and you're not in between her and her cubs then stand and fight and look as big and frightening as possible.
If you're between her and her cubs try to talk soothingly to her and back out slowly. If she persists then cancel her credit card because she'll fight to the death at the drop of a hat if she's convinced you're out to do her young harm.
We don't have bear seasons here in Florida so the bear population is becoming more and more bold and in some areas they're getting overpopulated.
I'm becoming increasingly worried when I call and carry a Glock 10mm in my shoulder holster ALWAYS now when I call.
Near where I do most of my hunting there's a big cinnamon boar that passes through from time to time and if I'm forced to shoot him I'll end up telling my story to a judge due to our crazy game laws.
I've been bluff charged and I can tell you that it's an unnerving experience. Bears are incredibly quick and if that bear hadn't stopped I would have had a slight chance to get one bullet into her if I was VERY skillful and fast.
Don't ever take a bear lightly. Black bears are typically too smart to tackle a human and will run 99% of the time as soon as they sense you're near. That other 1% of the time they are quite a handful to say the least. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
$bob$
Quote:
I think it all depends on where you encounter the bear. If it is in an area where they are protected, they are a lot more likely to get violent with you. If it is in an area where they are hunted on a regular basis, they are more likely to run when they see a human.
How true that is with all predators. In the PETA populated areas, the misguided folks who want to be the predators "friends" are beginning to feel the effects in most unpleasant ways. People don't seem to understand that part of protecting wildlife envolves ensuring they have a great fear of humans.
I think it all depends on where you encounter the bear. If it is in an area where they are protected, they are a lot more likely to get violent with you. If it is in an area where they are hunted on a regular basis, they are more likely to run when they see a human.
How true that is with all predators. In the PETA populated areas, the misguided folks who want to be the predators "friends" are beginning to feel the effects in most unpleasant ways. People don't seem to understand that part of protecting wildlife envolves ensuring they have a great fear of humans.
RePete
New member
Quote:
I would do something messy, and involentary...
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I would do something messy, and involentary...
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif