Calling Bear... The next great hunt begins.... Any pointers?

E

elks

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Well drew a bear tag for this fall in an area that has a decent population. I have decided that calling will be my method of choice. I know that bear calling is usually supposed to be a long prospect with stands lasting an hour plus. Call using lots of wind etc. But how many here have actually called bear on purpose? What pointers do I need? Is scent as big a deal? Should I stick with calf elk distress? I know this year is set to be one of the driest on record here and am guessing usual food sources like berries, acorn etc. are out of supply early.

So what pointers do you have?

Also anyone have a good source to look at sizing black bears and aging and maturity? I know head shape is big, but I have not seen enough bears to tell big from small so I am looking for lots of pics.
 
I am also interested in learning some pointers. I traveled to Idaho this spring and made several stands using my FoxPro. In the end I shot my first bear ever but it was over bait. Would have been neat if I called it in.

Elks, I was thinking about going up toward the trinidad area and buying and OTC bow take and trying to call a bear in there...
 
I've called several black bears to the gun/bow. I never use baits and only call or spot and stalk.

I use deer distress, but you elk call will work.
I don't normally cold call bears unless the area screams "black bear live here."

I find some fresh sign and set up. In my experience they seem to take a while to come in. With coyotes or wolves you can have them come in in just a few minutes sometimes. I've not found this with bears for some reason.
They seem to have ADHD sometimes and forget what is going on. Sometimes they come in slowly and other times they are moving with a purpose. I call loudly and steadily. Once i have one in sight , I will stop to assess the quality and size.
Big head stuck directly on a fat body indicates a larger bear. If it's neck and leg are easily visible and he looks lanky or rangy he's small. I also glass them to make sure the hid is not rubbed. Start to blow again and he will start o come in again.

I have been charged by black bears but never when I'm calling.

Good luck and keep your eyes and ears working. It can get 'Western' in a hurry.
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I know others have called in a lot more than me but I have called in 7 bears using a pinch elk call. I start with mews and cow talk then go into distress sounds. My buddy and I blind call in areas where we find a lot of bear sign. Every time we have tried to call to a bear we see first it has not worked for us, and i have no explination for this.
Every bear we have called have come in close (bow range) and fairly fast, within 20 minutes or so. Be careful though they are funny when they come in. They do not like to leave even when we yelled, shot at at ( one and missed) and after they smelled us. I think once they get their mind on an easy meal, they are focused and can't figure out what is happening. I would take knapper along for backup!

Our success rate is probably one in 7 or 8 stands. Make sure you watch your back, or have a solid backing.

They are very callable!

Oh ya, like Redfrog siam, I call almost continuously in short burst then very short pauses. I think that the bears I have called were close when we started calling.
I posted a video of one bear we valled in like 07 on here if you can find it.
 
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Originally Posted By: SalemDawgerI know others have called in a lot more than me but I have called in 7 bears using a pinch elk call. I start with mews and cow talk then go into distress sounds. My buddy and I blind call in areas where we find a lot of bear sign. Every time we have tried to call to a bear we see first it has not worked for us, and i have no explination for this.
Every bear we have called have come in close (bow range) and fairly fast, within 20 minutes or so. Be careful though they are funny when they come in. They do not like to leave even when we yelled, shot at at ( one and missed) and after they smelled us. I think once they get their mind on an easy meal, they are focused and can't figure out what is happening. I would take knapper along for backup!

Our success rate is probably one in 7 or 8 stands. Make sure you watch your back, or have a solid backing.

They are very callable!

Oh ya, like Redfrog siam, I call almost continuously in short burst then very short pauses. I think that the bears I have called were close when we started calling.
I posted a video of one bear we valled in like 07 on here if you can find it.

Thanks for the tips. Knapper has a full plate this fall. I have a few areas I know the bears hit pretty hard. However the dry weather and lack of water where I hunt are going to be key. I am hoping that I can call in the day and spend the twilight hours at the water holes. I will give it a [beeep] of try.
 
The dry conditions will work to your advantage! I think it will concentrate the bears around green areas and water. I like your idea of water hole sitting. You are using your bow right? Definitely give calling a good effort, I think they might be more likely to come because of the dry conditions.

One other thing to think about, if your unit has had large fires hunt around them in good habitat. I took my nine year old out on Friday because he has been bugging me to go calling, and while I normally don't hunt this time of year I am concerned the new bounty system is going to distroy coyote calling this fall and winter in Utah. I wanted him to have a good experience. We went around a large burn thinking the fire would concentrate the coyotes. We made five stands and called in 6 for sure and possibly 7. I got three, not bad for four hours. I think the fire might have helped.

Good luck, you will have fun I'm sure. I would buy a big can of bear spray just incase, so you dont have to kill a small one or sow in self defense.
 
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