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January 8, 2007, 10:41 PM | #1 |
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Where is a good place for hunting bear with a rifle?
I know next to nothing about hunting. Never saw much interest in deer hunting. I would rather hunt something bigger (something that can conceivably hurt you, rather than a harmless deer). I know in many states bear hunting, certain kind of bear anyway, is illegal. But where can you go, besides up in Alaska, to hunt down large bear in the wilderness? Thinking about a vacation this summer.
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January 9, 2007, 02:55 AM | #2 | |
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January 9, 2007, 03:08 AM | #3 |
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I suggest picking a handful of western states you'd like to visit and research their game regs and season and make your decision from there.
Summer isn't likely going to be a very good bear hunting time since most hunting seasons are either in the spring or fall. Alaska is the only state I'm aware of that allows bear hunting (black bear) during the summer. Black bear hunting is open nearly year round in most GMUs with a limit of three a year. However, most of us hunt early spring or late fall for blacks as hunting during the winter wouldn't do you any good. Hunting during the summer is out because likely they're too fishy and their fur too scraggly. If human habitation is within a days walk, they've probably been dumpster/dump digging.
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January 9, 2007, 05:33 AM | #4 | |
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But hey, you have to start learning somewhere, right? I'd check into booking a guided hunt for a bear, hopefully in a State that is not too far away. You'll probably learn a lot from the guide. That would make a great vacation! Last edited by Fremmer; January 9, 2007 at 10:20 AM. Reason: Too early. |
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January 9, 2007, 11:28 AM | #5 |
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Be Careful
Hunting a bear with a rifle can be dangerous. Make sure you get the first shot in.
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January 9, 2007, 02:19 PM | #6 |
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Washington's bear season begins August 1st. Can't use bait or dogs though.
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January 9, 2007, 02:35 PM | #7 | |
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January 9, 2007, 03:05 PM | #8 | ||
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January 9, 2007, 04:46 PM | #9 | |
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January 9, 2007, 05:33 PM | #10 | ||
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January 9, 2007, 07:54 PM | #11 |
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Bears usually use something in the ballpark of a .45-70 Govt. You can avoid their return fire simply by stepping up to a .325 WSM and staying out of their effective range.
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January 9, 2007, 08:40 PM | #12 | |
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But frankly, how does this come in to play when we're talking shooting animals with rifles from a distance? There's not a thing wrong with hunting with such a method, but doing so essentially negates the variable you mention. Certainly, a dangerous encounter with a bear is possible. Most people start with small game and migrate towards medium game/deer, and so on. As others have mentioned there are numerous lessons learned in the process. I still squirrel hunt religiously. Not glamorous, but it's darn fun. In fact, you might just enjoy hunting non-dangerous game simply due to the satisfaction involved with being successful in obtaining your quarry. Not to mention it's tasty! I say this while I snack on my venison sausage. Here's what 350lbs of venison sausage looks like just after casing it! Hopefully this will motivate you! |
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January 9, 2007, 11:47 PM | #13 |
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book a guide hunt
Maine has a lot of outfitters that have baited bear hunts starting in august going into september. Since you do not have a lot of hunting experience this is the way to go.
Best laugh I ever had was when two Texan came to Pa to hunt bear with me. They had on cowboy boots with nice leather smooth slippery soles. Well it snow the night before. When I started hiking then up the snow cover ridges of Potter county. They we're on their butts every couple of steps Laugh my butt off. Morale of the story if you don't know what your doing learn from people who do know |
January 10, 2007, 02:13 AM | #14 |
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Do people eat bear meat or is it just hunted for it's hide? If it is edible what does it taste like? Curious Texan here
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January 10, 2007, 04:40 AM | #15 |
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Oh by the way...
Don't underestimate your game animals. Deer are FAR from harmless--they can and WILL attack, given the proper circumstances. And, if you decide to hunt bear, I'd take something a bit heavier than a .357 as a backup gun--a .44 Mag loaded with 300 grain Garrett Hammerheads would probably be the lightest I'd carry.
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January 10, 2007, 05:14 PM | #16 | |
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I believe that most people who tried bear meat and didn't like it cooked some fat in with it, too. It's not the meat that is gamy and rancid tasting, it's the fat. Bear carcasses, because of the high fat content, need to be cooled off quickly. |
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January 10, 2007, 10:00 PM | #17 | |||
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As for deer...my dad has two cars inside of a few months almost totaled by deer that hit his car....yes that's what I mean't to say, THEY hit HIS car. He was driving on some backroad on two different occasions, once with a Saturn SL2 and another with a Chevy Blazer. Passed by a deer on both occasions on two different sides of the road and they panicked and ran into the side of the car. The plastic door on the passenger side of the Saturn was cracked with a piece missing. The steel back left door of the Blazer was completely pushed in and dented. Dad could hardly open the drivers door in the front. I don't know if this was the kind of attack you had in mind, but it shows that they make good living torpedos. Quote:
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January 10, 2007, 11:45 PM | #18 |
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This really isn't meant toward you doug, but you said something that made me want to post. Just the way you related deer hunting to shooting a cow.
Some people against hunting say, "Why hunt, you can just buy your steak at the store. You don't need to kill something." I don't know how to describe it right now, but there's something good to be said about a person who can go out, do the deed, cook it, eat it and be fine with him/herself. People making the above statement seem to be in denial that something did in fact die for them to eat. They just paid someone else to do it... my point... I dunno... At least we (who hunt) have the guts to face the animal. Does this make sense to anyone else? Tom |
January 11, 2007, 12:37 AM | #19 |
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Yeah Tom, it's the ultimate in "free range". I think it's most ethical to let something live a normal life until the moment you harvest it, rather then keep it in an overcrowded cage or fenced in it's whole life.
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January 11, 2007, 01:13 AM | #20 | |
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