Spot & Stalk Black Bear - First Time

HunterTonio · #1 01-30-2019, 04:10 PM

Hello All,

I am a new hunter and would like to go out and hunt a black bear this spring. I have done one whitetail hunt before and loved the whole spot and stalk style of hunting.

What I am looking for his advise locations, tips and tricks from those who have paved the road before I came to found this passion. As of now I have spent my time on the internet and on YouTube to obtain some knowledge before posting here.

All advise is welcome. Thank you!

nimrod · #2 01-30-2019, 04:28 PM

Lets start with, Where are you located

HunterTonio · #3 01-30-2019, 04:30 PM

I am located in Calgary

Mountainaccent · #4 01-30-2019, 05:31 PM

South facing hill sides. Willow thickets, new pipelines clover spots. Bear hunting is easy find the tracks they won’t be far

bitterrootfly · #5 01-30-2019, 05:37 PM

Look at some of the WMUs north west of Calgary because they have longer seasons than any of the kananaskis zones, there are bears, best way to find them is to find south facing slopes with good green grass and berry growth and spend some time watching them and the surrounding areas for bears. Also take a bear identification quiz before the season, montana fish and game has an excellent one and Alberta fish and game had a pretty decent one if I remember right as well.

hunter123! · #6 01-30-2019, 06:42 PM

Head up south of slave lake. Great bear hunting in the spring. Mid to end may once the grass and greens are growing you will have a short window to find them out and about feeding on cut lines, tree lines, and pipelines. If you hit it right you wont have any issues finding them.

That time of year watch the roads. Very easy to get stuck that time of year.

Best of luck and bring a rangefinder!

HunterTonio · #7 01-30-2019, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitterrootfly

Look at some of the WMUs north west of Calgary because they have longer seasons than any of the kananaskis zones, there are bears, best way to find them is to find south facing slopes with good green grass and berry growth and spend some time watching them and the surrounding areas for bears. Also take a bear identification quiz before the season, montana fish and game has an excellent one and Alberta fish and game had a pretty decent one if I remember right as well.

Can you be specific on which NW wmu's you have in mind? How hard is it ton get a tag for a black bear or is their a draw for a specific wmu? Do you have any butcher recommendations in Calgary?

I have taken the Montana Fish & Game Identification Course, that is great advise and something I never thought of.

calgarychef · #8 01-30-2019, 07:57 PM

Bear tags have no draw.

The problem for us southerners going north is timing it just right. It’s a short window of opportunity and if you miss it they’ll be harder to find. When the poplar buds are just about to open it’s a good time.

bitterrootfly · #9 01-30-2019, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterTonio

Can you be specific on which NW wmu's you have in mind? How hard is it ton get a tag for a black bear or is their a draw for a specific wmu? Do you have any butcher recommendations in Calgary?

I have taken the Montana Fish & Game Identification Course, that is great advise and something I never thought of.

I’ve had great success in 420 just be careful of he cutoff creek road corridor sanctuary, no butcher recommendations because I’ve done my own meat but I’ve heard from friends Ryan’s Meats does a decent job and isn’t too expensive, but I’ve never used them myself so take that with a grain of salt.

HunterTonio · #10 01-30-2019, 09:19 PM

Ok once we have shot a lethal black bear and have gutted it. Now I need to get this back to my vehicle. I dont own a quad, . I'd like to keep the hide. What are my options of transporting it back to my truck?

HunterTonio · #11 01-30-2019, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterTonio

Ok once we have shot a lethal black bear and have gutted it. Now I need to get this back to my vehicle. I dont own a quad, . I'd like to keep the hide. What are my options of transporting it back to my truck?

Haha you got to love auto correct. Let's call it a "legal" black bear this time!

marky_mark · #12 01-30-2019, 10:09 PM

Foot mobile and a good back pack

calgarychef · #13 01-30-2019, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterTonio

Ok once we have shot a lethal black bear and have gutted it. Now I need to get this back to my vehicle. I dont own a quad, . I'd like to keep the hide. What are my options of transporting it back to my truck?

Think it’s time to read the regulation book...

You have to keep the hide

HunterTonio · #14 01-30-2019, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarychef

Think it’s time to read the regulation book...

You have to keep the hide

That's right, reading the regulations is always good advice.

Let me more specific so that there is no misinterpretation. I want to keep the hide so I can get it tanned as my first black bear. I know some people will gut the bear and then drag it out. My concern is damaging the hide.

What do you do if you choose not to skin the bear after gutted and you want to get that bear back to your truck with minimal damage.

Thank you

calgarychef · #15 01-30-2019, 11:03 PM

Skin your bear then take the meat that you want. The back legs and the back straps is enough for me. It’s good meat but I wouldn’t overload my freezer with it. Some of the fat is nice for biscuits. You’ll have to flesh it and salt the hide right away or freeze it fast otherwise the hair will slip.

DeadEyeGardner · #16 01-31-2019, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterTonio

That's right, reading the regulations is always good advice.

Let me more specific so that there is no misinterpretation. I want to keep the hide so I can get it tanned as my first black bear. I know some people will gut the bear and then drag it out. My concern is damaging the hide.

What do you do if you choose not to skin the bear after gutted and you want to get that bear back to your truck with minimal damage.

Thank you

Get a good backpack and carry it all out on your back. That would be the easiest way and the safest for not damaging the hide. If you’re not comfortable skinning the paws and head, leave that for the taxidermist. Having a good pack is a necessity, and you’d be surprised how much you can carry with it.

HunterTonio · #17 01-31-2019, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeadEyeGardner

Get a good backpack and carry it all out on your back. That would be the easiest way and the safest for not damaging the hide. If you’re not comfortable skinning the paws and head, leave that for the taxidermist. Having a good pack is a necessity, and you’d be surprised how much you can carry with it.

Looking for a good backpack. What should I be looking for in a game backpack? I dont know the difference between my butt and my elbow in this case.

Thanks!

35 whelen · #18 02-01-2019, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarychef

Think it’s time to read the regulation book...

You have to keep the hide

X2 I was just going to say this about the hide

wildwoods · #19 02-01-2019, 08:23 AM

For a day pack I recommend the team elk eberlestock pack. I find it a bit heavy but it serves me well as a day tripper.

Clover is crack for bears. They love lease roads as they need to sow in a certain percentage of clover when they replant apparently. Find some non busy roads and or cut lines with heavy clover and you’ve found bears. May 15-30th is best. Happy hunting

Grizzly Adams · #20 02-01-2019, 08:24 AM

The further North you go, the better your chance, inescapable fact.

Grizz

DeadEyeGardner · #21 02-01-2019, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterTonio

Looking for a good backpack. What should I be looking for in a game backpack? I dont know the difference between my butt and my elbow in this case.

Thanks!

There’s lots of options. Something with good shoulder, chest and waist harness style I’d recommend for packing out game. A light durable pack is key, with a harness system that fits you properly. So try them on or get one that adjusts. I got my frame pack off of amazon and I love it. I can pack out a full wt quartered out on my own. A large day pack would probably suffice for a bear cape. But again, it might not distribute weight the best. You don’t need to spend a fortune on a good pack, but it’s certainly an asset. How else do you pack your gear, food and water around effectively and then carry out your harvest? Start out hiking with your pack to see how it fits you, and to get used to the added weight. Can add more weight to prepare for that bear you’re going to get!

Tony the fish · #22 02-09-2019, 11:30 PM

Exo pack

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1973 Moose · #23 02-10-2019, 09:28 AM

If you want to rug your bear, the earlier in the season the better. I used to hunt south of Debolt east of Grand Prairie. we always started at he end of April and finished in early May. If you wait until June the hides will be rubbed and patchy.
Spring bear meat is not the best as they have been in the den for 5 months, fall bears are better eating.