7 replies to this topic

[assasin]

so i've decided that i want to shoot myself a california over grown monkey aka black bear does anyone have any tips or pointers on where i should go i figure if im going to shoot one i should go check the area out and scout acouple times before the season start and a 6 month jump on it give me enough time to procratinate thanks

[HogHunter714]

I've been hunting black bear for a long time now and its a very rewarding hunt. Most of the states bear hunting is done with hounds. Most guys buy a bear tag and keep it in there back pocket while deer hunting and if they happen to see one, than they take the shot. Depending where you live you have a few options on how and where you wanna hunt. My advice is go with a guide for the first time and see how its done. Most people think its EXTREMEMLY expensive to hire a guide for black bear, depends who you go with. There are guides out there that charge not much more than a guided CA pig hunt. If going on a guided hunt is not an option, the internet can provide a lot of useful information on hunting black bear and where to get started. HH714

[Shoot-it]

I think you have a better chance seeing a bear than a buck.I talked to alot of hunters that seen black bears last season In D 6 twain hart area stanislaus forest area of D6 but they dont hunt bears.If you are after bears than you will see deer.............

[yotehunter]

It just depends on the areas you want to hunt, I shot mine outside of Portola juet east of Quincy.There are alot of bears in the sierra's. How do you plan to hunt? Spot and stalk, call, hounds, Stand.I used hounds to get mine in October but this year I plan to call.Make sure you prepare and take supplies (dont ask how I know), I know Black Bears are not the biggest bears out there but dont under estamate them just have enough gun and place your shots, it also helps to have a partner that you can outrun

[Cranky Farmer]

I used hounds to get mine in October but this year I plan to call.

How did you like hunting with hounds?

[yotehunter]

How did you like hunting with hounds?

Hound hunting is addicting, alot of guys think its easy but they either never tried it or had a very easy hunt at one time. I have had some easy hunts using hounds, but it not common. I went out 3 weekends before I caught up with my bear. The first 2 weekends we chased those hounds for 6-8 hours in very rough terrain, and I managed to get lost in the process.I have used them on MT Lion hunts also, I will say the bear hunts were tougher because of the terrain.I just love the sound of the hounds now, even now when I hear a hound barking in my neighborhood I just love it. I can pretty much promise you will have so many memories from it, some of them are funny when you look back. Some of them make you wonder What the Hell was I Thinking. You all need to get behind a pack of good hounds just once for the experiance, you will be glad you did.

[Braz]

Back in the late 60's I use to run coon hounds. Like you said, there is something addicting about listening to hounds on the trail. We use to go out at night and try and chase the hounds. What fun and what work. Running up and down hills with a flashlight can be an interesting experince to say the least. When we would finally get to the tree with the coon or fox, we would hold the hounds, jump the predator from the tree, and the race would start all over again. We usually didn't kill the animal so it would be there to chase on another night. Too much work for an overweight retired ol fart now!

[MojaveJ]

I am really surprised to hear that people run coons with dogs out here. My dad runs coons with dogs and has owned several nite champions and grand nite champions running them in competetions. If anyone still hunts them with dogs please shoot me a PM. I would love to go out with you just to listen to the dogs I miss it alot.