Bear Hunting West Virginia

bm22 · October 09, 2011, 01:26:00 AM

as it turns out i have family that lives in west Virginia and i am considering taking a trip next year if my chance to go to Montana doesn't work out. they have bear on their property and i thought it would be an awesome chance to give that a try. i have never hunted bear before or been out of Texas for that matter hunting.

that being said i have always heard to set up a bait and to bait with donuts. i was doing a preliminary search on Google and from my understanding it is illegal to use bait in WV. is this true? also how do you hunt bear without a bait. It said you can use dogs, i have no access to dogs.
i understand this is almost impossible to know without knowing the area but what are the chances to get a bear within a week, having to set up and everything without bait? nearly impossible?

i was thinking with a bait and assuming this place has never been hunted i would give the chances fair to possible. But with no bait only a few days to try to determine travel routes and hope to be sitting on a trail when one happens to walk by would be impossible and my time may be spent on something realistic.

thanks for any insight, i don't know what i am getting myself into i am just looking for ideas right now.

Jack Whitmire Jr · October 09, 2011, 07:01:00 AM

Brandon I have bowhunted most of our Beautiful state for 37 years . I have seen a total of 2 bears . BUT must say I have not hunted them in a good area . I have a buddy that goes after them every year , and comes close . Have another that lives in the coal fields and has taken 4-6 bears in 20 somes years . You are correct no baiting . Dogs are not an option in bow season .

What pasrt of WV do your realitives live in ? I'm from a mountain county ( eastern part of state ) originally . Anyhow let me know what your plans are maybe I can help you .

Good Huntin'
Jack

bicster · October 09, 2011, 07:08:00 AM

I agree with Jack. If someone could do some scouting for you ahead of time and let you know if there is any berry patches of any kind with bear droppings then you might stand a chance. That is what a fellow told me. I live in one of the bear counties and have only seen one bear in the ten years I have been here.

bm22 · October 09, 2011, 10:50:00 AM

I will have to ask my step mom what city they live near and go from there. But from what it sounds like unless they live in just the right area it isn't worth the effort to hunt, I know it is very remote and they live on a farm but that is probably half the state.

I am keeping my fingers crossed on my trip to Montana
thanks guys

bicster · October 09, 2011, 07:01:00 PM

Ask what county too. There aren't enough large cities to use as a reference. Most people describe where they are from by county.

bm22 · October 09, 2011, 09:55:00 PM

ok they live near elkview, north east of charleston. What kind of deer are in that area? I have the opportunity to shoot some nice deer in texas. I am just looking for options right now.

wvtradbow · October 10, 2011, 08:25:00 AM

It's difficult to hunt bears in WV with a bow, I think (but can't prove it),that most of the bears taken by archers are shot while deer hunting or hunting a natural food source..The bear hunters in WV use dogs an it's a very clicky kinda sport..I've done it a few times with some friends down state an the dog hunters won't let you to use a bow because if you arrow one an it falls to the ground,usually a big fight follows an they don't want the dogs cut up by a broadhead...But if you come up it's always nice to have bear tag,just in case..

October 10, 2011, 04:22:00 PM

Hey Brandon! I don't have a clue about bear hunting in WV but just wanted to say hi to ya. Good luck in WV or Montana, which ever works out.

See ya later,

Bisch

bm22 · October 10, 2011, 11:42:00 PM

Hey bisch, how's it going? looking forward to the hillcountry shoot this year.
take care.

TJK68 · October 11, 2011, 11:50:00 AM

I live in the southern part of WV and have taken two bear with my bow, both big enough to score P&Y. I have bow hunted for 30 years and saw 4 bears total. I killed both like stated above, while sitting in a stand deer hunting. I have been lucky to take mine. The bear population has really took off in our state,lots more bear, but you would have to be really lucky to take one without dogs, and yes they are a clickish bunch. The best place to bear hunt in the state without dogs is a very remote place called Cranberry Glades, like I said big remote country, loaded with bear and some big deer. This would be about an hour and 15 minutes from Elkview. Good Luck with where ever you go.
Tom