Things you must do to hunt bear.

[WTBguns10kOK]

Well, I went out this spring for my first bear and found out some things about bear hunting. It's really like elk or deer hunting. Many very important rules not to break. So, in an effort to educate those considering this massive undertaking, I present to you Things You Must Do to Hunt Bear.

1. You must use a guide AND bait AND dogs.
Actually, I had no one but myself and baiting isn't legal where I hunt, which leads to...

2. You must hunt on private land.
Well, since I can't afford that, I was reduced to mountainous public land.

3. You must use a magnum, and the scope must cost more than the gun.
As you can see, I used a cheap XL7 in .30-06 (all I own) and a cheap Prostaff scope which cost ~half the gun.

4. Bears are much more wary and will smell you from up to 5 miles away.
I found this bear foolishly lounging around a tree and got a great ~100 yard shot.

5. Finally, you must use camo and all the other overpriced stuff.
I used my orange bird vest since it's all that would work at the time, and a black hat and blue jeans. No scent control. No range finder. No spotting scope. Used a tree for a rest.

 

[bobelk99]

Suggestion:
When possible, make sure there is no blood in hunting pics. I could list 5 reasons, but you already know them. I understand the high you were on, and that cleaning up the bear for pics was not high on your list.

Nice bear!

The last outing I had that included bear, I was sitting in a protected rock area and glassing. At one time, I had two bear, two deer, a mt goat and 4 elk in sight, and two of the animals were in shooting range!

You proved that a man can make do and still enjoy hunting. All the frills are nice, but as you proved, they are not necessary.

 

[JEB]

an excellent example that it dosent take all the gear that people seem to think is "mandatory" to have a sucessful hunt.

well done!

 

[Boberama]

Dude, where's your face?


Let us reflect upon the fact that a man who covers his face shows reason to be ashamed of what he is doing. A man who takes it upon himself to shed blood while concealing his identity is a revolting perversion of the warrior ethic. It has long been my conviction that a masked man with a gun is a target. I see no reason to change that view. - Col. Jeff Cooper

:

 

[Boberama]

Oh yeah, nice bear.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

Suggestion:
When possible, make sure there is no blood in hunting pics. I could list 5 reasons, but you already know them. I understand the high you were on, and that cleaning up the bear for pics was not high on your list.

K, I'll make sure I pack a box of Wet-Wipes to douse the animal's muzzle next time for all the PETA members that frequent the THR Hunting forum.

Dude, where's your face?

Alright, let's see your name and address, with your photo. I don't see how you can call someone out and not post your photo when doing it, right? Or am I making up a double standard?



Way to focus on the tangentials and take the fun out of the thread, guys. Why do I even post...

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Nice bear...

Let us reflect upon the fact that a man who covers his face shows reason to be ashamed of what he is doing. A man who takes it upon himself to shed blood while concealing his identity is a revolting perversion of the warrior ethic. It has long been my conviction that a masked man with a gun is a target. I see no reason to change that view. - Col. Jeff Cooper

One of my favorite quotes...

Black bears are not overly hard to hunt...but there are times when you WILL get your exercise doing it.

I don't know what that guy was talking about with the "no blood in pics" thing...

And about the faces...here's mine.



The good thing about faces is that your face is the one part of your identity that is pretty darn hard to steal...even if they do steal the picture, unless you have an evil twin brother you're safe.

 

[Cosmoline]

No blood? Show your face? Since when are there all these PC rules for hunting photos??

Nice bear!

the warrior ethic

Oh give me a break. A guy posts a photo of a black bear and people are throwing off-topic quotes from Jeff Cooper who was talking about SWAT guys wearing balaclavas. There is no "warrior ethic" in hunting. It's *HUNTING,* so let's leave the late "warrior" guru out of it, shall we? And I don't care whether a person posts his face or not. I'm interested in the hunting pics.

Far from less blood, I'm always interested in seeing how folks butcher the animal as there are always new tricks to learn. I'm particularly interested in trying to render some bear fat for cooking some early American recipes.

 

[JEB]

I don't care whether a person posts his face or not. I'm interested in the hunting pics.

thats a big +1 right there!

dont know whats up with the no blood in pics thing...usually when a critter is on the recieving end of a 30-06 there tends to be a little blood!

apperently privacy is important to you and i respect that and thank you for taking the time to make this post.

thank you for the post...you have your privacy and we have some nice black bear pics...i say winners all around!

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Just to be clear....

I wasn't trying to call anybody out by posting that pic of me...just making a point.

That point being...Its OK to post a pic online, if it is your inclination to do so. No risk of identity theft from pictures.

Geez...lighten up. Everybody is so dang crabby these days...

 

[dakotasin]

looks like a successful hunt - nice work!

 

[Grumulkin]

You may have gotten by with a cheap gun and scope but I hope you did use "premium" ammunition. You did, didn't you?

 

[308win]

And about the faces...here's mine.

Which one's you? Sorry, couldn't resist.

Nice bear.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Which one's you?

The good looking guy....with the ears.

 

[308win]

Now that's clever and funny too.

 

[buck460XVR]

From the looks of the second pic with all the S%#* scattered all over, I first thought you pulled a Daniel Boone and ''rassled" that bar!

Then I wondered with all the blood on you and your clothes why you bothered with the TWO pair of rubber gloves.

But then I realized with the thrill and the excitement of the hunt, that those were the farthest things from your mind.

Congrats on the nice bear. It's nice to know us average guys with our average equipment can still go to public land and be successful.




EDIT.....The blood didn't bother me at all. I expect it when hunting. But...... I'm butt ugly too, but still don't wear a mask like that when hunting. Must make it hard to see without any eyeholes.

 

[Arkel23]

3. You must use a magnum, and the scope must cost more than the gun.

I got the first part down pat, but I guess I'll never be a real hunter without the super expensive scope .

 

[The Bushmaster]

Ridgerunner665...You look good in brown...

My bear killer. Browning A-bolt .30-06 and an old Redfield 3X9X40

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Thanks, that pic is of my good side though...that saddle makes my ass look big.

 

[Lorenzo Rojo]

It's really like elk or deer hunting.

Well, except that elk and deer don't ever try to run a person off a bear carcass.

By the way, you have a very round head.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

Ya, I guess the gloves should go in the future, they always tear...good point.

Um, used 150 gr. Hornady Interbonds. They've destroyed everything that's been shot with them. Would feel confident to use them if lucky enough to ever draw moose tag. They're relatively very cheap, expand well, shoot extremely accurately etc etc.

Ya, the point is just privacy, and besides, it keeps the focus on the hunting...no one wants to see my goofy looking mug. Point is just that here's what us poor boys do to hunt and we end up getting more out of it when it's all done by yourself. Nothing's done pretty...gear, hunting, gutting....but who cares, it still gets done. Was talking with someone the other day and they mentioned how intimidating it can be to start hunting with no mentor/gear and what not...so I guess it's just a morale boost for those looking to start hunting as well...

Last pic right post-kill for the purists...found out we have black, cinnamon and chocolate all in the area.

 

[usmc1371]

Nice bear. Shot my first black bear in jeans and a t shirt while elk hunting, with an old ruger 06 and even older bushnell scope. Good pic, I don't mind blood it seems to be in every animal I shoot. If I hadn't spent 4 years in the Marines I probably still wouldn't own a full set of matching camo and don't think its all that important. The wind is more important than what you are wearing.
Now that you have a bear under your belt I highly sugest hunting one behind good dogs with a guide who knows how to use them, its a total rush and any one who thinks its easy hasn't done it yet. And you already have the requried gear!


"The saddle makes my ass look big" Damn near fell of my couch laughing at that.

 

[grubbylabs]

Sounds like you kinda have an Idea about hunting. The only time I have found that camo makes a real difference is while duck and goose hunting.

I too would have kept the blood out of the pics but that's just me.

 

[ChefJeff1]

nice bear. Hard work makes it even better. I do however like camo pants because they hide "stains" better. I now wear cordura sneaker/boots cause they can go in the washing machine.

 

[countertop]

Awesome!!!