Few animals embody the untamed spirit of the American West quite like the black bear. To hunt one is to pursue a truly wild experience. Spring black bear hunts can be especially exciting, as the bears are coming out of their dens and are often more active than at other times of year. Here are a few tips and tactics to help you plan and execute a successful DIY western spring black bear hunt.
1. Scout for bears early in the season
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2. Choose the right caliber rifle
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3. Place bait early and often
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4. Stay patient and be prepared to wait
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5. Use proper shooting technique
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How do you hunt spring black bears?
Here are 11 tips to help you successfully hunt bears in the spring:
1. Find their feeding areas – Bears typically feed on vegetation and insects in the spring, so look for areas where there is plenty of green growth.
2. Play the wind – Bears have a keen sense of smell, so you need to be upwind of them in order to avoid detection.
3. Stay quiet and out of sight – Move slowly and carefully, and avoid making any loud noises that could alert bears to your presence.
4. Big bears look and act big – If you see a bear that is larger than average, be extra cautious as these animals can be more aggressive.
5. Be persistent – Even if you don’t see any bears right away, don’t give up. Keep searching and you’re bound to eventually spot one.
6. Let your eyes do the walking – scan the area carefully with your binoculars or other optics, and you’re likely to see a bear even if it’s far away.
7. Use calls wisely – If you decide to use bear calls, do so sparingly and be prepared to move if a bear comes in response.
8. Be mindful of bears
If you are hunting black bear in the fall, you will have the best chance of spotting them in the morning or early evening when they are most likely to be searching for food. However, black bears can be active at any time of day, so it is always a good idea to be prepared for any encounter.
What time of day are bears most active in spring
Bears are mostly active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. They are less active during the day in autumn and winter. Bears need to build up their fat reserves during the fall to survive winter.
When placing baits for bears, it is important to consider potential locations that will be most attractive to them. Good potential locations include areas near water, denning areas, the edge of woods near a grassy meadow or a spot with abundant fresh bear sign. When placing baits, it is important to not do so in the open, but rather at the edge of thick cover where the animal will feel more secure as he comes in to it. Always consider prevailing winds, too.
What smells attract bears the most?
If you’re living in an area with black bears, it’s important to be aware that they are attracted to anything that has a strong smell. This includes garbage, compost piles, dirty diapers, pizza boxes, and empty beverage cans. While it may not seem like a big deal, leaving these things out can attract bears to your property and put you and your family at risk. If you see a bear on your property, make sure to scare it off and call your local wildlife authorities.
If you’re looking for spring black bears, you’ll most likely find them below the snow line where the grass is greening up. The higher the snow line is in your area, the higher you’ll need to hike to find the bears.
How do you attract bears fast?
If you want to attract bears to your baiting area, try using a spray with a sweet smell. Bears love sweet smells and can’t resist them, so any of the following would work great: anise, vanilla, butterscotch, fruity flavors, and chocolate. Just take this spray and walk around your baiting area, spraying it high in trees so the wind will carry the smell throughout the entire valley.
Spring bears are known to be leaner than fall bears. One possible reason for this difference is that spring bears have access to more carrion, while fall bears have access to more berries. Another reason could be that the coats of spring bears are of better quality than the coats of fall bears.
How do you attract black bears for hunting
It’s important to be aware of your surroundings when you’re out in nature, especially if you’re planning on doing any hiking or camping. Bears are often attracted to areas where there’s food, so it’s important to be careful with your food and garbage. If you’re in an area with a lot of bear activity, it’s a good idea to carry bear spray with you and know how to use it.
The first week of May is typically when bears in the 6,000 to 7,500 feet elevation range wake up from hibernation. Weather is a key factor in determining when bears will come out of hibernation, and late season snowstorms can keep them in hibernation for a week or two longer than normal. One great thing about early season bears is their consistent feeding pattern.
What months are bears most aggressive?
The cold weather is behind us and the warm weather is approaching. Spring is also one of the most dangerous seasons for bear attacks as bears are coming out of hibernation and they are hungry and can be grumpy, as well as with new cubs. While this sounds like a lethal situation, bear attacks are relatively rare.
Bears are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and animals. Fish, small mammals, and birds are all part of a bear’s diet. In the spring, some bears may prey on newborn moose calves, deer fawns, caribou calves, or elk calves. Bears are also attracted to carrion, or dead animal flesh.
Where do you aim on a black bear
A bear’s most vital area is an 8″ circle behind the front shoulder. The best shot opportunity is a broadside shot or “quartering away” for penetration into the vital organs. To take your shot, wait for the bear to step forward with the near side leg exposing the heart/lung area.
If you find a calf in distress or a bawling fawn, it is best to call for help from a wildlife rehabilitation center. Bears have an excellent sense of smell and are attracted to the smell of afterbirth in high density ungulate populations. By taking advantage of a free meal, they can help reduce the population size.
Where should I aim at a bear?
If you are planning to harvest a bear, it is important to let it settle down at the bait site first. This will give you the best chance to make a clean shot. Regardless of what type of weapon you are using, the most effective shot will be into the heart/lung area. Keep in mind the angle of entry when taking your shot.
Bears are attracted to the strong scent of pine-based cleaners, but avoid using anything with a fresh, lemony or fruity smell. And never mix bleach and ammonia; the combination produces fumes that can be deadly to both people and bears.
What is the best black bear attractant
Black bears are known to be very opportunistic eaters and will pretty much eat anything they can get their hands on. However, their favourite foods include pastries, popcorn, bread, oats, meat scraps, candy and beavers. In order to attract them to a particular area, it is important to have a strong odour – the more horrific, the better! Gillet often pours buckets of decomposed fish guts around the site to get it “heated up”.
Bears are attracted to food by smell, and almost everything smells like food to a bear! This is because they have an excellent sense of smell and can easily find food using their noses. Fruit, nuts, honey and other plant parts are their favorites, but they also eat insects and sometimes fish.
Last Thoughts
1. Do some research and find out where the black bears are likely to be during spring.
2. Set up baits and/or drives in order to draw the bears into range.
3. Be patient and wait for the bears to show up.
4. Use a caliber of rifle that is appropriate for taking down a black bear.
5. Make sure to follow all safety regulations when hunting black bears.
1. Do your homework and know the regulations.
2. Find the right area.
3. Be prepared for challenging terrain.
4. Be patient and persistent.
5. Have a backup plan.
After following these tips, you should be well on your way to a successful DIY Western Spring Black Bear hunt. Good luck and stay safe out there!