Western Bear Hunts: Getting Your Client a Shot

Spring bear hunts are one of my favorite hunts to guide. There's not as much pressure as a $10,000 elk hunt. The wild flowers are out in full bloom. Elk are everywhere and sometimes you get lucky and stumble onto a pile of elk sheds.

The stage is set. The country is lush and beautiful. Elk couldn't care less that you're there and hopefully you've got a few fresh horns in the bed of your truck. Awesome! But don't forget, the reason for being there is to get a bear to the taxidermist. When it comes to preparation for a western spring bear hunt, Spring Bear Hunting Necessities has you covered on what to expect.

Baiting

Baiting may be the best way to kill a bear. Running several baits with cameras hung on them will leave no doubt about what's showing up and when. Baiting may seem simple but a little bit of reasoning goes a long way. Setting baits up that take advantage of two or more drainages has more drawing power than just one drainage. Most bear hunting will be done in the afternoon/evening. Knowing predominant wind direction and thermals is very important. You will want to set your stands up accordingly.

The approach to your stand site is also important. You don't want to come into your stand the same way you expect the bear to come from. Nor do you want your wind blowing toward the bear as you approach. I also believe in a quiet approach. Why let him know you are coming if it's not necessary? However, I do believe there is an exception to this. If a bear is used to you driving up to the bait regularly, making noise and smelling you, then you can get away with a lot more “mistakes." Nothing works all the time in every situation.

Some western states do not allow baiting. Always check the regs.

Hounds

Hunting bears with dogs seems to be a dying art. The anti's have done a good job of getting hound hunting outlawed. Idaho is one of the few states that still allows hunting bear with dogs.

In my opinion, it all boils down to the dog handler and usefulness of his dogs, the shape of the hunter and the weather. As the guide, you should know your dogs well enough to know if they're capable of handling the job or not. All the guides I know take great pride in their dogs so that usually isn't a problem. The shape of the hunter is probably going to play the biggest part in the hunt. Do you, as the guide, have 4 wheelers or horses to get his overweight, outta shape butt into the terrain that the bears gonna take cover in? To me, that's the biggest question. The spring weather is always unpredictable and you can't do a dang thing about spring blizzards. With good guides, good dogs in good country, and a hunter in decent shape, I expect success rates to be very good.

Calling

Calling in black bears with a predator call can be a downright, hair raising experience! Not to mention, a lot of fun when it works. Emphasis on when.

Calling for bears is a lot like rattling for whitetails. One day it works like a charm and then, you can't get anything to respond to it for the rest of the season. I'm not sure why, that's just how it is. There are some things you can do to get a response more often though.

Call in areas that have a higher density of bears. I know that's an obvious one but something that you need to consider in the success of your calling. I bring the success factor up because the more confidence you have in it the more likely you are to use it and it is a tactic that needs to be in your arsenal. By higher density, I'm also meaning more concentrated. In heavy timbered areas with few open parks (meadows), bears will be easier to find. These parks will oftentimes have more than one bear hanging around them because that's where the feed is. By calling in such locations, you will have a better response rate than in the heavy timber.

In open or broken country, cover a lot of ground and call often, always paying attention to the wind direction. In this circumstance, the more ground you cover the better. Even in areas that have a relatively high bear population, you may have to go 15-20 miles in between bear sightings. That's why it's important not to get discouraged when your calling does not produce.

When calling for bears, I like to have my hunters set up close to me. Teeth and claws should be reckoned with by the client and his gun, not the guy blowin on the call.

Spot and Stalk

Covering country and using my Zeiss optics is by far, my favorite way to hunt bears. You can also incorporate using your calls.

Heavy timbered country is tough hunting. Bear densities are lower due to lack of food. Heavy timber with meadows scattered about makes the hunting a little easier. By moving from meadow to meadow, you will be able to find where the bears are feeding. I like to look for fresh piles of scat. When I find that, I like to set up downwind and watch until dark.

I like to cover broken country (ground that is under 50% timbered) as much as possible. Be it on foot, by truck or with the optics. If you spend enough time “poking” around, you will find bears. A lot of times there is no rhyme or reason to where you will spot a bear. Sure, the bright green meadows and winter kill carcasses will produce but there are times that they’re just not hitting them. Two things to keep in mind while hunting broken country; food is everywhere and boars are cruising, looking for sows. Just because you find sign, doesn't mean he’ll be back. Kill him when you see him.

Getting your client a shot may be as easy as letting the bear come to you. It may be tough because you may spot him from several miles away. Use terrain features as markers and move as fast as you can to get into position for a shot. If he is gone when you get there, get to a high vantage point and glass until you find him. If this isn't an option, hit the predator call. This might be the only time you see this bear, give it all you've got.

Conclusion

With any of the methods described above, it all boils down to determination. The will to succeed and be successful is often the deciding factor in hunting, none more so than bear hunting. Put in the time and the Braggin' wall photos will come.