That bear of David's is a knee-knocker too. Gosh-I really want one. Didya hear that Tom Phillips? Grant

String Cutter,

Just to keep the record straight, I did not take the pic of the bear, I got the pic some other place, and posted it to show you, a big black bear.

That being said, and please don't take this the wrong way, but every bear that comes to a bait are not that size. I would be more than happy with steadmans bear, especially being a color phase, and being your first time and never had taken a bear, I see nothing wrong with that bear.

Black Bears will fool you even people with experience, the bear in my avatar or in my profile, was I believe 170# when I shot it the bear looked 200-225 easy, low light, heart pumping and the bear was bigger than the others I've seen that evening. Am I proud of it, hell yes! I shot it with the Little Delta Bow, to me that bear is as good as 12 foot Polar Bear.

You will do just fine, there is a lot of very good advice posted for you. Just go have fun, and remember ANY BEAR taken with archery tackle especially trad gear is a trophy.

This is a P&Y bear everyday. Being from Missouri I had to learn how to judge a bear. Experience is the greatest teacher.
Look at ear size, width between the ears and for the crease on the forehead. Don't get excited and kill the first bear you can. Wait, watch and then you will know when you get close to a big bear.

John III

You need to make up your mind to have a good time.  It makes living with ground shrinkage easier to swallow.  Seriously, I have only been bear hunting once, but I learned quickly that spring bears are hard to judge.  

You also need to make up your mind what value you place on a color phase bear.  That will likely depend on their frequency in your hunting area.  I know guys who would shoot a 150 pound color phase bear in a heart-beat because they are not as common in their area.  

I saw a couple posts about shooting low.  Aim for the lungs.  There is a lot of fur on the chest of a bear and it is easy to shoot too low.  They don't jump the string.  Trust me.  I know!

I plan on first having fun.... If I have a Sow and two cubs come in and play  around me.... It'll be worth the trip to me. I love animals.... But, at the same time I don't want to kill a yearlin either. Would rather let him walk.

Tom, the Bear that John D posted was off my trail cam where you are going with me. He is bigger than the 400# 21 3/4 bear I shot in '03 in my avitar and it was at Ron's camp, I'm guessing 450 and over 21".

That picure was taken 2 days before the end of last season.

Greg, I hope I meet him . Seems Like a really nice bear!!!!  

Two bear that pics were taken in the same spot. the first is a large boar and the second is a young sow with three cubs. I have photos of the boar going back three years

 
 .

Greg, youi got any more pics to share of bears in that area?  

OK..I got a question about the 'young sow with 3 cubs'...I thought that young sows didn't have 3 younuns at a time.  That 'young sow' in the pic looks like a pretty decent sized sow.

Yeh or Ney?

I've seen quite a few bears in the Cohutta wilderness, and when you've seen a few, you start developing a sense of what's big and what aint.  

If you have a chance to get to a bear habitat, just go an sit for a few hours, and asked the keeps there about certain bears sizes.

I had only seen a couple in the woods when I went to a bear habitat....and it helped a bunch to see them in person, and at close ranges.  Pictures do help, but nothing like seeing them in person.

Terry-
  I have seen 4 cubs with one sow; all little cubs. I sometimes think they will adopt them??

   My youngest son was bear hunting once with a rifle; and shot at what he thought was a nice bear. It rolled down the hill and took off into the brush; and another hunter came over and berated him for shooting a sow with cubs.

He drove home to get me-to help find it; and he had cried his eyes out over shooting a sow with cubs.
 Turns out it was a boar; with an over 18 inch skull. The 'cubs' were not his!! nor no doubt 'cubs'.


 Boars will group up together; I have seen 6 in one group; and they were a hunting machine!
 
I have tagged a lot of bears; and yet last spring I shot a small sow. I thought it was the biggest bear I had ever seen; and although it was not a tiny bear; it fell short of the 650 pounder I shot once- by about 500 pounds  

string cutter,
                 that pic that John posted was taken on Gregs trail cam at the very same place we will be in a few weeks.Greg D. is who I am referring to, he is who you contacted to go to Rons camp. Looking forward to meeting you there.
     
                   Ron A

Sorry I didnt see Gregs post  :(

Nuther little trick we used on stand.

Place a "story stick" across the trails.

Basicly a long stick propped up across the trail at 34-36".

If the bears back brushes the stick when he passes under it is most likely a shooter.

Take you time and enjoy them.

More than any other critter, bears are subject to massive amounts of ground shrink.

You do not want to be able to carry him home in a bait bucket...

Terry
Sows with three cubs are pretty common in my area.This is her first set of cubs. She looks large but I would say she is at most #200-#250. The boar in the other pic is in the #450-500 range. I know this sow because she has some distinct markings that I have seen on her since she was a cub three years ago. Herself, the boar and several other bear are regular visitors to my food plots.

Thanks.....around here, 200-250 would be a decent bear spotted....and a definite shootable boar in the wilderness.

Got a zoo here in Richmond that has 2 Black bears. Going to go set with them for awhile tomorrow. Don't know what size they are yet???? But, I'm hoping this will help me judge some..... Anymore helpful hints or great pics.???

QuoteOriginally posted by String Cutter:
Got a zoo here in Richmond that has 2 Black bears. Going to go set with them for awhile tomorrow. Don't know what size they are yet???? But, I'm hoping this will help me judge some..... Anymore helpful hints or great pics.???

I'd like to hear about what you though when you get back.

Well, They had this one I got to spend an hour with. BUt the also had another that was only about 2/3 his size. Is this a shooter or not???? I think I'ld have to let the string twing if this one came under me..... The yare some really awsome amimals to see up close!!!

String, Bears are like Deer in away, most are just shooters, some are to young or to small and some are monsters.

Any legal Bear you shoot as your 1st will be a fine animal, then if you dig Bears, you can go for a big one just like a Whitetail.

I'd say sow around 175-225 for most this is a shooter.

Have fun on your Bear hunt