Post by lockmaster on Feb 17, 2006 13:47:08 GMT -5
By: Odahlen-Hinz
I've learned a lot about bear behavior and how to hunt them over the years. Many experienced hunters at that time felt bears were not game animals a beginner pursued. They were higher up on the food chain and only the most skilled need apply for a license. I remember my husband, Jerry, saying I should get a couple of deer "under my belt" before going after a bear.
Actually, they are the perfect animal for a novice hunter. A bear can be positioned for a broadside shot at a distance within the hunter's comfort zone by placing the bait at a spot to provide just the right angle. When I deer hunt I look for a trail, then I look for a tree close enough to cover that trail. With bear hunting I do the opposite, I first look for a tree that will provide suitable cover and then place the bait sack appropriately.
Often times a bear will approach the bait site cautiously. I will always use my Nikon 440 range finder to calculate distances to any less obvious trails the bear might use coming to or leaving from the bait station. Hunters know to expect the unexpected and prepare for it.
Once a bear feels comfortable enough to come in, it will feed for a while-most of the time. This gives the shooter time to calm her/himself and focus on making a lethal shot. In spite of the many years I've pursued bears, my heart rate still increases considerably from the moment I hear a bear approach until it actually begins feeding. While the bear eats I am given time to get confidently relaxed and then to pick the right spot behind the front shoulder.
Patience is a lesson I relearn constantly. Many hunters take the first bear to come it. And I certainly believe that it's not wise to pass up an opportunity, especially, if that opportunity gives you a great broadside shot. I consider the shot more important than animal size when I calculate success of a hunt. The current black bear population as high as it is, often times multiple bears use the same site.
Being aware of a bear's body language can give you an indication if another bear is approaching or if there is a larger bear in the area. If it seems nervous and can't settle down, chances are something bigger is out there. If the bear suddenly turns tail and runs then get ready because what ever it is that bear doesn't want to confront is probably close at hand.
Judging size is difficult unless you have a couple of bears close enough for comparison. I still have trouble and tend to underestimate their size. A large bear will advance to the site with confidence. This doesn't mean it walks straight in. I've found that they will circle and scent check the site but in a slower direct pace. What you won't see with large or dominate bears is quick or erratic movements such as suddenly bolting away. They are more likely to sneak closer to the bait.
Hunters looking for a Pope and Young quality bear need to know that their tag will probably go unfilled. Those looking for meat in the freezer will have a better chance of returning home with excellent table fare and a beautiful memory of their experience if they choose to have the hide made into a rug. A trophy bear does allow bragging rights but it also takes up lots of wall space.
My hunting experience has taught me one very important thing. Take a practice shot. As soon as I'm settled down in my tree stand and my backpack, camera, quiver and Travel Lite binoculars are hung on appropriate hooks or branches I take a shot using one of my two practice shafts that I've sprayed with Scent Killer™. I pick out a leaf, donut, pine cone or even tuft of grass near the bait container. When I hit the target I'm aiming at I know my sights are still "on" and I'm as ready as I can be should the moment come for me to loose an arrow. If I miss, I do a mental check of why that happened. Did the cable brush against my jacket? Was I not securely on my anchor point? Did I not hold on the target? Did I rush the shot? I then take out my second practice arrow and shoot again. If I miss with that arrow I change my position from hunter to observer. I try to be very careful with my equipment but sometimes a twig can misalign my sights as I walk through the brush to my hunting location or an usually bumpy road could loosen the sight bar nuts a smidgen.
Whenever someone tells me that broad heads and shafts are expensive, I reply that the price of a practice arrow far out weighs the cost of a lost or wounded bear. I don't retrieve my practice arrows until legal shooting time is over. Never has a bear spooked from one of my arrows. If fact, more often than not the bear will be curious and go over to inspect it first before eating. That inquisitive nature has work to my advantage more than once.
Bear hunting was made for beginning hunters. Knowing bear behavior plus knowing your skills equals a fabulous adventure.
I've learned a lot about bear behavior and how to hunt them over the years. Many experienced hunters at that time felt bears were not game animals a beginner pursued. They were higher up on the food chain and only the most skilled need apply for a license. I remember my husband, Jerry, saying I should get a couple of deer "under my belt" before going after a bear.
Actually, they are the perfect animal for a novice hunter. A bear can be positioned for a broadside shot at a distance within the hunter's comfort zone by placing the bait at a spot to provide just the right angle. When I deer hunt I look for a trail, then I look for a tree close enough to cover that trail. With bear hunting I do the opposite, I first look for a tree that will provide suitable cover and then place the bait sack appropriately.
Often times a bear will approach the bait site cautiously. I will always use my Nikon 440 range finder to calculate distances to any less obvious trails the bear might use coming to or leaving from the bait station. Hunters know to expect the unexpected and prepare for it.
Once a bear feels comfortable enough to come in, it will feed for a while-most of the time. This gives the shooter time to calm her/himself and focus on making a lethal shot. In spite of the many years I've pursued bears, my heart rate still increases considerably from the moment I hear a bear approach until it actually begins feeding. While the bear eats I am given time to get confidently relaxed and then to pick the right spot behind the front shoulder.
Patience is a lesson I relearn constantly. Many hunters take the first bear to come it. And I certainly believe that it's not wise to pass up an opportunity, especially, if that opportunity gives you a great broadside shot. I consider the shot more important than animal size when I calculate success of a hunt. The current black bear population as high as it is, often times multiple bears use the same site.
Being aware of a bear's body language can give you an indication if another bear is approaching or if there is a larger bear in the area. If it seems nervous and can't settle down, chances are something bigger is out there. If the bear suddenly turns tail and runs then get ready because what ever it is that bear doesn't want to confront is probably close at hand.
Judging size is difficult unless you have a couple of bears close enough for comparison. I still have trouble and tend to underestimate their size. A large bear will advance to the site with confidence. This doesn't mean it walks straight in. I've found that they will circle and scent check the site but in a slower direct pace. What you won't see with large or dominate bears is quick or erratic movements such as suddenly bolting away. They are more likely to sneak closer to the bait.
Hunters looking for a Pope and Young quality bear need to know that their tag will probably go unfilled. Those looking for meat in the freezer will have a better chance of returning home with excellent table fare and a beautiful memory of their experience if they choose to have the hide made into a rug. A trophy bear does allow bragging rights but it also takes up lots of wall space.
My hunting experience has taught me one very important thing. Take a practice shot. As soon as I'm settled down in my tree stand and my backpack, camera, quiver and Travel Lite binoculars are hung on appropriate hooks or branches I take a shot using one of my two practice shafts that I've sprayed with Scent Killer™. I pick out a leaf, donut, pine cone or even tuft of grass near the bait container. When I hit the target I'm aiming at I know my sights are still "on" and I'm as ready as I can be should the moment come for me to loose an arrow. If I miss, I do a mental check of why that happened. Did the cable brush against my jacket? Was I not securely on my anchor point? Did I not hold on the target? Did I rush the shot? I then take out my second practice arrow and shoot again. If I miss with that arrow I change my position from hunter to observer. I try to be very careful with my equipment but sometimes a twig can misalign my sights as I walk through the brush to my hunting location or an usually bumpy road could loosen the sight bar nuts a smidgen.
Whenever someone tells me that broad heads and shafts are expensive, I reply that the price of a practice arrow far out weighs the cost of a lost or wounded bear. I don't retrieve my practice arrows until legal shooting time is over. Never has a bear spooked from one of my arrows. If fact, more often than not the bear will be curious and go over to inspect it first before eating. That inquisitive nature has work to my advantage more than once.
Bear hunting was made for beginning hunters. Knowing bear behavior plus knowing your skills equals a fabulous adventure.
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