Top Tips for Hunting Black Bear
Sponsored by: All Terrain Bear Hunts
11 Top Tips for Hunting Black Bear in Manitoba (+ Bonus!)
Do your homework.
First, you should learn as much as possible about black bears: what do they eat, when do they eat, what are their typical behaviour patterns? Once you are familiar with their habits, take some time before hunting season if you can to scout out the territory.
Be very quiet.
Stealth is of great importance while hunting Black Bear. They are quickly startled by sudden movements and can soon disappear if they detect wild movement like flailing arms or weapons. It is important that the hunter moves very quietly. Care should be exercised to make sure that one wears clothes that do not rustle while walking and boots that do not make noise. Remember that no tip will help your success as much as pre season scouting before your hunting trip.
Carry no scents.
Black bears have magnificently developed senses of hearing and smell, and they know what people smell like. Particular care must be taken to insure that there is little or no human scent on the clothes, rubber boots and hunting equipment. Don’t wear any cologne, aftershave, perfume or hair spray or gels. Bugs can be bad so one must use insect nets as insect repellent will give you away.
Don’t smoke.
With a highly developed sense of smell, Black bears are able to detect smells emanating from bodies. To maximize your chances of success you should use scent covers to mask your scent while stalking in on that record book Black bear. Tobacco smoke has a very distinctive smell and can put the bear on alert at once. Hunters must avoid smoking if you want to improve your chances of coming across a bear. Smoking should be avoided during or even before the hunt; because the scent can permeate clothing and be carried along to scare the prey, which can immediately sense the unfamiliar scent. If you must, use a nicotine patch while you are hunting to help curb your urge. Bears are smart enough to smell tobacco, and they know tobacco comes with humans.
Stay upwind.
Keeping track of wind direction is also crucial to prevent the bear from detecting your presence and therefore the bear should always be stalked upwind.
Patience is a virtue.
Bears are mostly nocturnal and will come to the baits in the late afternoon or early evening. They are a solitary animal and will not feed or disturb occupied bait, unless they are bigger and then they will force themselves on the site. A female with cubs cannot be taken and she will fight off most bears that try and come to her food.
Remain calm.
When spotting a Black bear during the hunt either from the ground or from a tree stand at a bait station, it is important to remain calm and take time to aim and execute the shot carefully, adjusting it to hit a vital organ. Any tendency to rush a shot should be calmed down by waiting or taking a deep breath. This will prevent losing a good trophy bear, as black bears can move very quickly over considerable distances if wounded with a poor shot.
Modern or primitive weapon.
Black bears can be taken by archery or rifle. The baits are relatively close to the tree stands and shots of 10 to 50 yards are common. Bears are very strong and only a well placed arrow or bullet will bring the trophy down. The outfitter or guide will usually make the hunter sight in his rifle or bow before he is allowed to go to the stand. This is very important for the success of the hunt.
Time Counts.
Hunting and the discharge of any firearm is permitted only from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Standardized time charts are available in the Manitoba Hunting Guide and your outfitter.
Use a guide.
Bear hunting guides or outfitters are mandatory in Manitoba, so one must hunt with a guide. This will prove very useful to the hunter as the guide will pre bait your site. He may set timers and cameras to let you know when the biggest bear frequents the bait. The outfitter will also assist with the retrieval of the harvested animal as black bears can be very dangerous in the woods.
Prepare your trophy.
Outfitters and guides will expertly skin and transport your trophy. They will arrange for your taxidermy work or export of your trophy and meat to your home. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) export permits are required before transporting a black bear out of Canada. The outfitter will arrange this for the hunter.
Bonus: Gray Wolf and Coyotes.
Gray wolves and coyotes can be hunted under the authority of any big game animal license, and as such, have no tagging requirements. A hunter‟s big game license number is all that is required to possess a wolf or coyote taken under the authority of that license. You must however, retain the services of a guide or outfitter.
