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- Feb 12, 2022
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- Argentina, Saskatchewan, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Zimbabwe, 30 US states and counting
This was my 5th bear taken but I'm still learning things and making notes as I go to cement the learning. This hunt report is an example of that.
I've learned that when bears are hungry, scent seems to matter less to them and getting the wind right is less of a concern. That doesn't mean you ignore the wind but be prepared to act boldly if the wind shifts.
Some say that bears don't see well but what they do see is movement. This trip I had used my rain jacket as a little curtain for the tree stand to conceal my feet shifting as the bears are below me. I tested that theory out and if quiet, it seems to be effective. Next time, I will bring a little roll of soft camo netting and run that around the outside safety bar of my stand. I will also bring my camp crocs with me to switch out of the heavy boots and into something that is more comfortable if the heat is bad.
One thing I didn't have but borrowed was a handful of carabiners. That seems pretty obvious in a tree stand but I'm making notes to bring them next time. There were great for getting things up off the floor of the stand like muck boots, pee bottle or anything I wanted handy instead of being in the little backpack I take into tree stands.
If you have photos of a target bear, try to get every image the guide has of it and study them closely. Many older bears are distinctive with a scar or torn ear or dark muzzle or any other type of identifiers that can help you locate your target bear faster from whatever is going on at your bait site. Sometimes there are numerous bears eating, fighting and chasing and you want to key in as accurately as possible on what makes your target bear unique.
Next year we are going to drive all the way. When splitting expenses, this is far cheaper than flights with their annoying delays, baggage fees, missing luggage, etc. It's a 22 hour drive and that's easily done in 2 days with a second driver. If you had to get home quickly, you could do it in one long day. Driving up also allows you to bring whatever gear you want with no restrictions to weight unlike flying. You can also come home early if your party tags out.
If you have been thinking about a spring bear hunt over bait, I encourage you to read the other hunt reports I have posted and feel free to post questions here or privately through DM to me. It's a great hunt that more need to experience.
I've learned that when bears are hungry, scent seems to matter less to them and getting the wind right is less of a concern. That doesn't mean you ignore the wind but be prepared to act boldly if the wind shifts.
Some say that bears don't see well but what they do see is movement. This trip I had used my rain jacket as a little curtain for the tree stand to conceal my feet shifting as the bears are below me. I tested that theory out and if quiet, it seems to be effective. Next time, I will bring a little roll of soft camo netting and run that around the outside safety bar of my stand. I will also bring my camp crocs with me to switch out of the heavy boots and into something that is more comfortable if the heat is bad.
One thing I didn't have but borrowed was a handful of carabiners. That seems pretty obvious in a tree stand but I'm making notes to bring them next time. There were great for getting things up off the floor of the stand like muck boots, pee bottle or anything I wanted handy instead of being in the little backpack I take into tree stands.
If you have photos of a target bear, try to get every image the guide has of it and study them closely. Many older bears are distinctive with a scar or torn ear or dark muzzle or any other type of identifiers that can help you locate your target bear faster from whatever is going on at your bait site. Sometimes there are numerous bears eating, fighting and chasing and you want to key in as accurately as possible on what makes your target bear unique.
Next year we are going to drive all the way. When splitting expenses, this is far cheaper than flights with their annoying delays, baggage fees, missing luggage, etc. It's a 22 hour drive and that's easily done in 2 days with a second driver. If you had to get home quickly, you could do it in one long day. Driving up also allows you to bring whatever gear you want with no restrictions to weight unlike flying. You can also come home early if your party tags out.
If you have been thinking about a spring bear hunt over bait, I encourage you to read the other hunt reports I have posted and feel free to post questions here or privately through DM to me. It's a great hunt that more need to experience.
