Drew a MD Black Bear Tag

BaldingEagle · September 06, 2011, 07:38:00 PM

I will take any and all tips on hunting black bear - especially if you have hunted them here, in Maryland. I just checked the DNR website today, and found out that I drew a tag through the lottery. We are not allowed to hunt over bait.

jcar315 · September 06, 2011, 07:41:00 PM

Congrats!!

Talk to the DNR....my understanding is that they can put you in contact with landowners that have been having "bear problems."

Get on one early as they reach the quota pretty quick.

RodL · September 06, 2011, 08:07:00 PM

The DNR usually has a list of landowners with bear problems. If possible plan on hunting the first day or 2 of the season, its usually over by thursday. If you are lucky you will be able to contact a farmer who still has some corn standing, next best thing to baiting and its perfectly legal. I was lucky enough to get a tag as well. Good luck.

Rodney

jcar315 · September 06, 2011, 08:32:00 PM

Good luck to you both. Anxious to hear how it goes for you guys.

I happened to have a bear cross the road in front of me here in Frederick County a few weeks ago not far from my house.

AdamH · September 06, 2011, 09:02:00 PM

Good Luck to Ya, Had a "Dandy" bust out in front of me years ago through a clear cut in Frederick's Water shed, Had to "remind" myself, I was in Md. !!!

RodL · September 06, 2011, 10:35:00 PM

I have seen a few already this year while scouting for whitetails, mostly moms with cubs. Don't think I could release an arrow at one that had cubs with it. Lots of corn fields around our farm in Garrett county, bear sign around each of them. I think that would be the best bet for gettting a shot with the bow.

Jack Denbow · September 07, 2011, 09:15:00 AM

Good luck John, I hope you get a good one.
Jack

two4hooking · September 07, 2011, 11:23:00 AM

Good luck! I just saw my first inthe "wild" here at the Frederick watershed Sat after squirrel. I have them often in my backyard!

Keep us posted!

BaldingEagle · September 07, 2011, 06:50:00 PM

Thanks, all. I have a spot in Garrett County. Three years ago, I saw 5 bears in ONE DAY. It's not near corn, but there is an apple orchard on the property. Would setting up near an apple tree be a good idea? I have never seen a 'bear trail'. Do they follow trails much, or do they just go wherever?

I will keep you all up to date. I have been practicing with my Northern Mist Whisper and am shooting it pretty well. I hope I can send good news.

John

Scott Beitzel · September 07, 2011, 07:23:00 PM

i only new of one fella that got a tag this year you guys are gonna make the tally on them bear .
my buddie had one last year and he got one with a rifle . big one it weighed rite at 87 lbs lol.
told us on the phone it was a monster i got over to him ( i was bow hunting deer about 500 yrds away ) and picked it up with one hand and loaded it on the wheeler lol.
nice i said .
hope everyone that got a tag gets a bear. them things are a pain in the butt. lol

Scott

RodL · September 07, 2011, 07:54:00 PM

John, an orchard with apples would also be a good spot to set up. Have you been to that spot this year to see how many apples are there? Last year almost every tree around our farm had a fair amount of apples, this year only a handfull have apples and those trees are not very full. As far as trails go, I have seen them use the same trail going into a corn field, open woods might be a different story.

Rodney

Scott Beitzel · September 07, 2011, 08:10:00 PM

oh and to shed a lil lite on the hunting over the apples . i would treat that the same as pa having no baiting rules you can hunt over natural bait as long as you do not alter it . from that i mean move them from one side to the other drag them into a pile or otherwise move them from where they lie lol.

just thought i would throw that out there for ya .

Scott

an rod hows that mustang runnin?

BaldingEagle · September 07, 2011, 09:15:00 PM

Thanks for the information. Any more huntin tips would be welcomed.
John

BaldingEagle · September 07, 2011, 10:12:00 PM

ttt

Running Buck · September 08, 2011, 11:31:00 AM

Scout as much as you can between now and the opener. Your idea of hunting the apple trees will work as long as there are apples on the ground.

BaldingEagle · September 08, 2011, 08:40:00 PM

Running Buck. Thanks for the info. It is three hours from my home and I will try to get up there a few times. Fortunately, my friend who is going to hunt the land with me will get a chance to do more scouting. I would love to see a few and maybe get a chance.