Black Bears - Still moving about Oct 23rd???

[simpatico]

Happy Friday everyone!

I was looking at the long range forecast and it looks relatively warm going into next weekend out west.

I was thinking of giving it one more try to help get my son his first bear. We are thinking of going out in the Robb area east or west of Fox Creek. I'm sure the grizzlies will still be active but how about the black bears? Where would you go or our they in the den?

This quest for his first bear has been going on for 5 years. We lost 1 due to me being in a serious accident and we do not have the tools for baiting so it's always been spot and stock.

We would appreciate any help or pointers.

Thanks
Tony

[Desert Eagle]

I think it might be pushing it to be finding one on the 23rd, but you never know.

I saw 2 out and about last week and they both had great hides. If the weather holds I don’t see why they won’t stay out as long as the sources of food are still available. I would look for a nice pipeline full of clover, that will still have a bit of green in some low spots, hunker down and wait it out.

[slough shark]

There’s a decent chance they’ll still be out, no guarantees because it is getting late but some ought to be. Look for food sources and talk to oilfield workers, they drive the roads every day and if they know where one is they’ll point you in the right direction

[Big Grey Wolf]

The black bears seem to be out until major snow storm and real cold weather hits. Probably related to food availability.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Depends on where you look - where there are grain fields or foliage that is still green (clover) etc. you may have better luck. Relatively speaking, it's still kinda warm out.

[Hunter3006]

I am still looking as well. Been walking cut lines for 2 weeks, sitting and waiting…as well as checking out oil roads. Checked out the the Hutch Lake area recently, looks like a great spot but nothing out wondering around. Lot’s of grouse everywhere though lol.

[-JR-]

Should do a spring bear hunt ,a lot less hunters and more bears come out to the road ,as thats where the grass is green first .

[simpatico]

We have done spring bear the last 3 years. We have had chances but want to make sure it’s a boar. Also, needs to be within 300 yards and broadside. To date with this teaching he has taken 2 moose, 2 whitetail does, and a nice whitetail buck.
The only thing I know from friends who hunt bear you want to hit them hard if not once but twice.
I know when it happens it will be great.
Thanks to everyone who has respond to date. It makes me feel optimistic it can still happen.
Thanks
Tony

[Dean2]

As long as there is food you will find Black Bears. It is not really temperature etc, the reason they seem to disappear when it gets cold is frost reduces the food value of green feed and snow covers it up. With Bears it is all about packing on weight for winter but if you want the best chance of success I would be looking in farm country bordering bush and river bottoms. Grain piles, standing barely and oats, etc are going to be where you find bears. There is pretty low food value in what is still available in the bush and most of those bears will hibernate when the calories expended exceed the calories they can intake.

As far as getting a perfect setup for a spring bear you may want to look at booking with someone who has baits setup. It is far easier to ensure animal is a boar, perfect broadside etc under those conditions. Best of luck.

[fishnguy]

I haven’t been out much this year, but I, surprisingly, haven’t seen a single bear this fall. Not one. Kind of weird, actually.

Last year, the last one I saw was this guy on October 28:



Great size bear by most standards and definitely a shooter. If I wasn’t after elk that day, I would pack it out.

My friend also shot a bear a few days before or after, I don’t recall exactly. Was a small bear. He shot it in the field. The one in the pic is deep in the bush of a river valley.

This time of year, it is probably best to know someone who has bears in their field showing up, really. What Dean said in regards to where to look. Other than that, it is a lot of luck involved in getting a good (or any bear) this time of year. Going on tips for location or knowing a farmer are probably the only efficient ways to proceed at this point, imo.

[Grizzly303]

From my experience they're fully out from May 6 and gone by Oct 6.
May still pop out like the one above but near their den probably, therefore low chance of seeing them wandering everywhere like they normally do.

I've just found by Oct 6 the activity really slows down, foods gone, stop seeing scat as well. Probably to do with photoperiodism/food.

Usually in the big bush, haven't tried hunting them near the farms in October, perhaps they're out later in those areas since food is still available.