As the season approaches (only 2.5 months ;) ), I was wondering if anyone's had luck calling bears. We can't bait in MT and I've not had luck with a plain spot and stalk on a bruin. Suggestions? Just plain distress calling or are there techniques?
I think Paul Navarre of the CBA
Oops, sorry......I think Paul Navarre of the CBA has had some luck in calling in black bears. I recall reading a story in the CBA magazine where he described his method and the results.
2 years ago I had a bear tag for here in Colorado (also a no bait state). I tried calling using a fawn bleat and rabbit-in-distress. I didn't get any bears to respond but a coyote came runnin in fast without offering me a shot. I was calling blind though (didn't know if a bear was in the area). Lots of fun thinking you might be a big bears idea of lunch. I'm considering trying again this year.
In the Boundary Water Wilderness Canoe Area sometimes you can call in a bear by banging a wooden spoon on a frying pan. That is supposed to frighten them off, but once they are a bad bear, it tells them who's got the food. While I was in Canada a first nation guide we talked to could call in bear by making cub in distress calls. His client, who filled his bear tag, said it was the shortest bear hunt he had ever been on. They had time so they were out exploring and fishing with a canoe for a day.
I have seen it done. I don't think it should be done unless you see the bear first and establish that it does NOT have cubs.
Sows will come in on a run; but they will leave their cubs behind when they do.
Perhaps its meant for fall; or just for when you see a bear; watch it while; and confirm it has no cubs.
Montana has its own baiting system really; you can shoot a moose or elk or deer; and then hunt bears over the remains legally.
Here in Idaho; you cannot use any bait that is a legal game species; like fileted out steelhead; or grouse leftovers; or deer or elk carcasses.
But we can use other baits.
Be aware that some bears look big at a distance because the cubs will ride the sows back; and too: they will walk directly under the sow.
Those two things result in a majority of the situations where I have talked with people that have taken sows with cubs- that or the grass was so high that they could not see the cubs.
In the situation of calling; your running a risk of calling in a bear(s) without seeing them first; and that could mean shooting sows with cubs.
I think it is a fine idea if you can see a bear and establish if it has cubs or not; just beware!
Fawn bleats work really well; as do preditor calls you might have used all winter for coyotes; and that the yotes are wary of. Course the bears slept through all that action ...
good luck - be prepared to have a bear coming in on a run!!
Years back, I bugled in a great big black bear; I was trying to get elk, and the bear responded. He's now on my wall. The following year, my hunting buddy had the same thing happen. Probably wouldn't work in the spring, but I can attest to the fact that they will come to an elk bugle. When you aren't expecting that result, it is pretty exciting.
Thats a good point, Brian, and I hadn't thought of that. I was thinking about spring bears and a friend of mine accidentally called in a huge bear while cow calling elk. He didn't have a bear tag at the time and almost had to shoot it in self defense at 7 yards. So now, I guess, only P&Y boars show up in my bear calling day dreams.
So really, if I was doing the responsible thing and confirming the lack of cubs prior to calling, then I'm kind of back at square one. Spot and stalk with calling as a final measure to seal the deal.
I have inadvertantly called in LOTS of black bears while sping turkey hunting. We actually had one come in on the dead run a few years ago. He only slammed on the breaks and stopped the charge at 15 paces when the guy I was calling for and I got up and yelled at him. Even then he wouldn't leave. Just kept pacing back and forth right in front of us for about 5 mins. before slowly walking off. :scared:
Seems like they're more attracted to loud aggressive hen yelps and cutting than to soft calling.
We have a bear problem hear in the people's republic of NJ though, we have way too many bears and we can't hunt them. Could be that the dense population has something to do with them coming to turkey calls so often. You might try it though, I know many turkey hunters who have called in bears by accident.
-Ron
Calf Elk call works very well. They are not very aggresive and more interested in a high fiber diet,during the early spring so really depends on when you are hunting them.
if you see the bear and get almost in range it is a good way to get that extra 10-20 yards or more, i used a doe bleat and the other time just a squeak with my fingers and mouth, spring is the time when they are hungry.
Thanks for the tips, guys.
I have heard they will come to a varmit call & when they do they are ready to eat. Frank