Black Bear Hunting

Black bear hunting can take you into densely forested regions all over North America. These magnificent creatures have a natural curiosity about things in their surroundings. If they confront you, they may move toward you out of curiosity, or they may aggressively run toward you to move you out of their habitat. Bear hunts seems to instill some fear in most cultures, although statistics report few deaths from bear attacks on humans. Nevertheless, there seems to be an adrenaline rush while bear hunting that is missing in other types of game sports.

In North America the black bear has 16 subspecies with small variations in their physical appearance and characteristics. Don’t be surprised while black bear hunting to come across a beautiful cinnamon or blonde bear. You can by law pull the trigger, since these are considered to be black bear as well as those that are truly black. The American black bear is closely related to the Asian black bear.

This type of hunting involves stalking one of the most intimidating animals in the world due to its size, quick speed and occasional aggressive behavior. The typical adult male stands about three feet tall weighing in from 125 to 550 pounds. There have been several reports of bears that weighed up to 800 pounds. The female runs about 2 ft to 2.5 feet tall weighing in at 90 to 275 pounds. The length of an adult black bear runs about 4 to 6 feet, some can be much larger.

Black bears thrive on vegetation such as roots, bulbs and tubers, which comprise about 85% of their diet. They also eat insects, bees and ants and demonstrate a sweet tooth for honey when they come across a beehive. They are great salmon fishers. In coastal streams, you will find them standing in the cold rushing water feeding off on fish.

Bear hunting can yield bear hides made up of long course thick guard type hair with dense under fur that is soft to the touch. Early settlers in America once prized black bear fur to use for rugs.

Baiting is legal in some areas, which makes it much easier to kill your prey, but definitely cuts down the excitement and challenge of stalking. Hunting bear requires a different set of skills than other game hunts, so make certain you research the types of bullets and guns required to bring down these huge animals and how to safely stalk this predator. Make certain you contact Wildlife Law Enforcement in the area where you want to go black bear hunting, since local laws will govern each location. Requirements will probably be a hunting license and a black bear permit, along with the knowledge of seasonal dates these animals can be hunted.

Black bears hibernate during the winter months. In colder climates where food becomes scarce, hibernation can last up to six months. Some bears make short forages into the forest leaving their den for food during hibernation. During the few weeks before hibernation they become voracious eaters putting on about 30 pounds of fat that serves to sustain their nutritional needs and to insulate their bodies against severe cold weather.

Cubs are born to females during this time of hibernation. Their dens make excellent homes for the cubs to nurse their mother’s milk while cuddling into her fur to keep warm. The black bear tends to go into a sleep induced state called “torpor” rather than full scale hibernation, which means they are alert enough to ward off predators, yet their bodies are in a state of metabolic rest. When winter comes to an end, they leave their dens and start the cycle all over again.

Do not approach the den of a hibernating bear. The mother will aggressively protect her young. The black bear has excellent eyesight and can run much faster than the fastest athlete.

Bear hunting during the fall typically brings the hunter into a dense forest decked out in radiant colors of red, gold and tan leaves that are preparing to shed silently onto the forest floor. During this time of seasonal change there seems to be a fresh aroma in the forest that can double your pleasure while hunting. Have a safe enjoyable hunting excursion while enjoying nature decked out at it’s best!