How To Bear Hunt

Need to know how to bear hunt? There are many levels of bear hunting as there are 4 major species of bear in the United States, the grizzly, the brown bear, the polar bear, and the black bear. The black bear has the widest range of all of the bears and is probably the most hunted of the species so we will concentrate on black bear.

Here is a list of some things the new bear hunter may need to get started, depending upon location and type of hunting allowed:

• Hunting weapon
• Hunting clothing
• Dogs
• Dog food
• Bait
• Bait barrels
• Hunting stand
• Dog tracking collars
• Dog tracking location device
• Hunting knife
• Food
• Water container
• Compass
• Topographical maps
• Camp gear

This is just a beginners list. The bear hunter will expand this list of equipment as his knowledge grows. The process the new bear hunter may go through is as follows.

1. Determine hunting area.  Decide states in which you would like to hunt. Then research each area to find out if bear hunting is allowed.
2. Determine hunting method.  Determine what methods of hunting are allowed in the area you wish to hunt. Some areas use dogs to track the bear, some areas do not. Some areas use bait stations to attract bears, some do not. 
3. Buy gear appropriate to the method of hunting.  Different methods will require different hunting supplies. Baiting will  require bait stations, bait, and the methods of transporting and using the bait. Dogs will require, well, dogs, and tracking collars, tracking devices and other gear appropriate to the care and use of dogs.
4. Choose hunting weapon.  This is often determined by the area. Some areas will allow rifles, some shotguns, and some bows. If you have a choice of weapon in mind it may make you chose an area which allows it.
5. Practice with hunting weapon.  Bears, including black bear are large dangerous animals. It is important that any shot taken must hit the vitals Trailing a wounded black bear could be a dangerous proposition. Practice builds confidence also, so make sure you can hit the vitals every time you shoot.
6. Get in shape. Black bear territory can be rough. You will want to be in good shape so now is the time to get in it.
7. Find hunting guide. If the area you are hunting requires a guide you will need to do research and find a reputable one. Even if they do not require one you may wish to consider one. A good guide will know the area. He will likely have a lot of the gear you need already. He may have bait stations built and pre-baited. He may have dogs and all the gear for them ready for you to use. A good guide in the area can save you a lot of headache so consider one.
8. Research your prey. Read everything you can find on Euarctos Americanus, the proper name of the American black bear. Did you know there are seven sub-species? If not, you have work to do. Knowledge is power, use it, you will be going up against a shy, but possibly dangerous animal, on his home turf. These are not the clowns you see on TV documentaries, they are wild animals who can see you as a food source, or danger. Bears near population centers are learning to think of man and his habitation as a source of food.
9. Buy hunting gear and clothing. By now you know the area you are hunting, and the time of year you will be hunting it. You have hopefully gotten a guide, or talked to locals in the area. They will be able to tell you what gear you will need. Buy quality clothing, boots, and everything else needed. Your enjoyment, and your life may rely upon it, do not skimp here. Break in boots and test or learn how to use other gear in advance.
10. Enjoy your hunt. You have done a lot of work.  Enjoy the hunt, successful or not.

 That is how one might go about learning to hunt bear. Share the experience with someone special, maybe with a young future hunter.

Be safe, and the following sites may be of help.