Trad Gang
Main Boards => Dangerous Game => Topic started by: brackshooter on February 27, 2008, 04:36:00 PM
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Hey there guys,
Just got my spring bear tag in the mail for southwest oregon. I will be hunting a friends property, about 1000 acres, almost all southfacing slope, partially timbered, with some large meadows. There are lots of bear/cougar on his property, in fact they have decimated the local deer pop. My buddy and I are heading there the third week of April, and I am looking for some advice. Never seriously hunted bear before, and since we cant use bait or dogs, thought we would try some calling. I was hoping some of you could give me some ideas on the best way to go about this. Setup, calls to use, etc. I will be using either a 68# recurve (Dale Stahl) or a 66# longbow (JD Berry), and using 650+ grain arrows tipped with Zwickey Deltas.
Thanks
Brack
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TTT im interested in subject as well...
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I don't know if what I'm about to tell you is considered baiting or mass scenting!
But I hear if you put honey in a 3 or 4 pound empty coffee can about an inch high then place it over a backpack stove or something similiar and let it boil till it boils out. Actually burns and smokes like crazy after awhile.
BEARS WILL COME FROM MILES AND DAYS AFTER IT'S BURNT OUT! DON'T DO IT NEAR ANYONES HOME, THEY WILL TEAR IT APART TO FIND THE HONEY!
They will be coming to scent but will not find anything to eat it will be burnt up!
I never did it just heard from a group of guys that have!
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The scent impregnants the woods and they follow it to the source for days.
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Maybe do it a day before the season starts. What do you think?
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I agree with Lone Archer on the burn. I used a small coffee can and a small fold up Sterno stove. You can also use some liquid scents that don't require burning, and will still make the whole area smell like food. A very good company to check out is Bear Scents. There stuff is high quality and very strong. My son and I have used Their Big Paw, and Bacon Secent, with good result. Heres a link to there site. Go the the photos and you scroll down about 11 lines of pictures. On the right you will see a pic of the big old boy we got using these scents. The pic says Bobby Stout under it.
www.bearscents.com (http://www.bearscents.com)
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There is a recipie out there for "bear crack" as well. Powdered jello, marshmallows, bacon, and I think, honey. Burn it till it stops smoking. Aslo you can pour some used grease around the burn area. It gets on the bear's pads and as he trots off it leaves a scent trail which (hopefully) will be cut by another bear who will come in to investigate.
Two words of caution: Make sure it is legal to do this. Some laws or people/ officers might consider it baiting.
Second, don't do it alone. Bears will come in before the burn is done if they are close. Sop have someone on the lookout if you burn.
Mike
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As far as I know, all of the suggestions listed would fall under "baiting", at least as Oregon defines it. The only scent we can legally use for bear/cougar must be worn on the body. I guess the idea is to turn ourselves into the bait. Its rediculous but its the law. Anyone called them in??
brack
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Same rules apply in Montana. We just glass the mountain sides and walk closed logging roads looking for bears that are foraging on the new spring grass.
Another idea is find a winter kill and sit over it. If you look in avalanche shoots towards the bottom often you will find winter kills. Don't know if this is an option in your neck of the woods. Works well here though.
Find the green grass, be stealthy, WATCH THE WIND and you will be fine. Good luck. Let us know how you did.
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Brack, I found an article that has some info about calling Black Bears that may help. Go to http://www.biggamehunt.net/sections/Black_Bear/Fall_Black_Bear_Basics_08010212.html
Read the article "Fall Black Bear Basics" by Judd Cooney. It deals with fall hunting but has calling info. Jim
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Hey Last fall I called in a bear with a wounded rabbit call It came better than my dog comes when I call her. It came straight to me, stopped at 15 feet head on. Never broadside then bam gone. My heart rate was through the roof. Called another one in 2006. Calls work. I saw both the bears before I began the calling. GOOD LUCK it is exciting. Joe
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The current world record for black bear was called in here in California.
It works, but you better be ready, because now the hunter has become the hunted.
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I have called in a few. The fawn in distress call has worked best for me. Try to get in an area that has good bear sign. Calling blind can work but not if there aren't any bear in the area. If you can see one then it's on! Every bear reacts a little differently to the calls but it sure is fun. Give it a try but be patient.
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Curlis, you got some good bears right up behind you there in the sierra's.
To bad Fish & Game wont let us have a spring hunt.
David
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No doubt! I've had a few come in, just no shot opportunities yet. It will all work out sooner or later. It's big country!
It's different than my NY bear areas.
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I normally just spot and stalk.
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I have seen sows abandon their cubs without a sound or a 'get up the tree and wait for me' sound; and come into a call.
I would not call bears in the spring.
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well normaly you wouldnt call at a sow, i dont call unless i have already decided to try at the bear and have closed a good deal of distance and need 20 or 30 more yards
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Check out Woods Wise they sell a bear call I think.
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I have a buck grunt call that I modified to a lower gutteral call. Works great on big boars as they dont take kindly to being growled at in their territory.
I havent had any luck at all using predator calls (Bunnys). I have called in a few Brown bears on Kodiak with a fawn in distress meant to bring in Blacktail does. The does come running full tilt, the bears are a bit more sneaky about it. Take a change of shorts fer sure!!!
I called in a Blackie on the Kenai Penninsula some years back with the growl call and when he rounded the tree and saw me, he came to get me. I drilled him through the chest and he ran past me at about 5 feet and piled up after forty yards. Had to check my shorts for sign!!!
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I wish we could spot and stalk here but you cant see more the 25 yeards in the woods!
I have called bears using fawn bleats, learned another sound you can do with your mouth that may not be an attracting call but if they are close then they will stay curious and interested. Used it when I was spotted but they couldn't tell what I was, calmed them a bit. I remeber bears in Pungo making the noise when they were in clase proximity of each other, as it was bow season (and bear sanctuary even if it was a season in! I was just listening to them talk.
Gonna try a rabbit distress call this year. Always up for somehting new. Wanna kill a big one with my bow. One of the down east monsters.
J
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I called in my first ever Trad killed black bear with a Rabbit screamer 3 years ago. Last week, after killing my bear spot and stalk the week before I hiked in to a area to scout for next year and saw 3 bears. I called to one (a nice boar) from 150 yards out and he almost ignored the loud screaming. I tried two different times over 5-10 minutes and he could have cared less it seemed. He was however very happy grazing on the lush/wet grass he was standing in so that may have had something to do with it. So...try calling after you spot one if a stalk isnt in the cards for some reason.
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I will be trying this soon, September 20th I leave for Montana for a bear hunt. I plan on hunting near clear cuts with a good view in front and behind me too. I have Wayne Carltons call and CD, The shrills that come out of this call are pretty scary. I just hope I dont get the crap scared out of me.LOL :scared:
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Woodwise Calls has at least 2 different bear calls and a real good video on calling them.If I were you,I would at least get the video.
Most people say you should call for a full hour at each location and bears keep coming when you call and stop when you do.
It is not uncommon here,for bears to come into cow calls when elk hunting.
The Fall is prime time to call as bears are seeking anything to eat that they can find-24/7.Keep your eyes open.
I haven't done a lot of calling but often thought one of those fawn decoys would be great to divert the bear's attention from your location.
Don't forget,lions may sneak in too.Keep your eyes open.
If you hunt in areas with grizzlies,it's not a good idea.
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I saw a hunting show on TV where a Kodiak AK guide called in a brown bear with a dying rabbit call, the bear came in a gallop and gave a clear shot (rifle) at 15 yards, definitely got ther adrenanlin going.
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I prefer to use a deer distress sound in my area. I startout calling with low volume and then ratchet it up and then move back to low volume. You want to call steadily with only 30 second lulls. Bears tend to loose interest if you wait for long spells between calling. If you see the bear first calling is easy to gauge by their response. If you know they are around the area. Set in and call for at least an hour at each stand. Make sure to keep your eyes open. Bears are very quiet and Cougars come in a lot and are never seen. Look under brush and trees and try to spot ears and eyes. The cats tend to slink in real slow and hide under or behind something to see what is hollering. Bears can take up to an hour to show up due to a cautious approach. Calling is very effective and should put you on some bears if you call in the right areas. I second the no calling in grizzly country. Good way to get stomped!
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I am going to try calling as well for the first time this year. That is if spot and stalk fails me. I will be on the other side of the mountain from you here in oregon.
Best of luck to ya this spring!
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Years back I had a Black Bear come into my elk calls. Real close. I'd be more worried about the cougars coming in though. Tink's makes a Smokin'Deer Scent and I believe a Bear scent that works like an incense stick. Very oily smoke that sticks and lingers. Maybe check that out? Good luck.
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If your in an area with deer use deer / fawn in distress or weak bleats. If your in an area with elk use an elk distress sound. Bears will run down a calf elk before a fawn. I have done this quite a bit and it works great. Some bears will respond and some won't. It is best to spot the bear and determine it is alone first. You can call them in blind.
Unlike Coyotes, bears often come in slowly and stop moving when you stop calling. I tend to use short calling sequences and keep them steady and paced close together. I start out calling at mid level and if a bear is near it will often run in fast. If I get no response in 5 minutes, I crank up the volume and really let it blast for 5 minutes. I then slowly taper the sound off over the next 15 to 20 minutes.
I normally call for a minimum of 30 minutes on each set. Don't get totally focused on the bear you can see. Others can come in from a different direction. Also look out for coyotes and bobcats that come to the call. Deer and Elk also respond at times.
Calling is a great addition to your hunting repertoir and can make for some exciting hunting. If the bear your calling to is busy eating, put a stalk on and make your kill that way.
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If your state says no baiting, it will also mean no scents/smokers etc. Get a copy of Wayne Carlton's "Callin' Bears" and you will get a good idea of how it works...plus a too-close look at a big kitty.
good luck!
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Not necessarily.Some states allow scents.
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Called a couple in in AZ with the Wayne Carlton Bear call. Don't know if they still make 'em? It is a squaller, a loud fawn bleat. It came with a video that was helpful. I never had any luck blind calling but, if you can spot them, they will usually (or sometimes) come over to check it out. They come hungry and planning on a free meal so, it's a good idea to have a buddy calling and you can watch each others backs.
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Originally posted by JimB:
Not necessarily.Some states allow scents.
Which states allow scents but not baits? I never heard of such a thing.
Thanks for your time!
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I am looking at calling in bears this fall in Montana. Sounds like a good alternative since I can't seem to draw an elk tag.
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I seem to recall an older Video it was called Calling in Bears by Wayne Carlton. He uses various calling techniques in his video. Hope this helps. I myself have hunted bear but strictly over bait, it is legal here in Ontario. And burning honey or molasses would be considered baiting.
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I've never tried it...but will this year for sure....just for kicks.
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I have called in 14 bears so far. I like a raspy sounding call better than a higher pitch call. I like to cold call, since it's pretty thick up here in NE WA. I call pretty much non-stop for an hour and I set a watch out in front of me, because calling for an hour is a looong time and without the watch it is hard to judge how long I have been on stand.
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The thought of calling in a bear is pretty exciting and a little spooky!
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I might suggest an electronic caller if they are legal in your state. Especially if you are hunting alone. Put the speaker 15-20 yards in front of you with an old rabbit fur to draw their attention. Then run the call for at least a half hour.
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Sounds like a whole lot of fun.
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They consider that baiting
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They consider that baiting with sceants
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check the rags on the use of scents.. I've called in three bears with a simple squeeling rabbit call. All three came running. (one to with in 5 yards!) Have fun.
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I read a "bear warning" poster in Montana that advised people to wear little jingling bells to alert bears to your presence and to carry a can of pepper spray. It then also said, and I quote: "It is important to learn to identify black bear feces and grizzly bear feces. Black bear feces will contain berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear sh*t contains lots of little jingling bells and smells like pepper spray."
Found on the net :)
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Think I will add calling to my bear hunting trips this year sounds as if it works pretty well.
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Bear calling works! I've called in quit a few. We don't have a spring season here BUT these bears were called in in the spring. If I can find them I have a few pics of a bear I called in for a buddy that shot it with a rifle in the fall.
(http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af70/timberking69/bear%20calling%20pictures/bearpic1.jpg)
(http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af70/timberking69/bear%20calling%20pictures/bearpic2.jpg)
(http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af70/timberking69/bear%20calling%20pictures/bearpic3.jpg)
(http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af70/timberking69/bear%20calling%20pictures/calledbear1.jpg)
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I like it.
I bet the big guy was a lil confused when that fawn dint run!
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That is really funny. I wish you had a close up of that bear's face when he ground to a halt and the "fawn/dinner" didn't take off. that is awesome.
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LOL,you could hear that particular bear coming for a loooong ways off. It put the binders on and looked at the fawn and swapped booked er'
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Did you have any luck calling bear after this post?
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I just read all the way through the post and was wondering the same thing... Did you call in any bears???
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I'm referring to the guy who started the post.
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So what happens if I set up a stove and cook up some bacon and eggs for MY breakfast ?
Is that baiting too ?
ChuckC
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Who says a man can't eat 20 pounds of bacon, 6 dozen eggs, and 60 doughnuts for breakfast???
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LOL, A mans gotta eat!
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Originally posted by Surveyor527:
Originally posted by JimB:
Not necessarily.Some states allow scents.
Which states allow scents but not baits? I never heard of such a thing.
Thanks for your time! [/b]
New York allows scents but not bait. Your scents cannot turn something into food. So like bacon grease poured onto sawdust would not be ok. But grease and jello powder burned would be ok I thnk.
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Washington also is a NO bait state, BUT you can use scent and calls.
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Baiting is legal here in Alaska. You first must take a class and now it is offered online aswell. Then you have to submit the coordinates of bait station to Fish & Game.
Bears are very plentiful here and some units residents can harvest one a day year-round. Two of my firends here have harvested black bear with the use of mouth calls. Electronic calls are illegal for bear.
While working on Kodiak Island I have used my digital Foxpro call for fox hunting and have called in brown bears twice, one from a boat and a sow and two larger cubs while sitting on the hood of my truck at dusk. Amazing how stealthy animals this size can just appear before you.
As moose populations are down in unit 15 next year they will allow for the taking of one brown bear by use of bait. For safety reasons the meat must be salvaged.
Calls work well on bears and snowshoe hare in distress is all I've ever used.
~CB