Black Bear Hunting Tips

 

Scout, Scout, Scout

Where there is food there will be bears. In the fall bears focus on hard mast crops such as acorns, black walnuts, hickory nuts and beechnuts. Search for dense vegetative cover in and around wetlands located near these mast crops. Once mast is found, look for scat or trails in these areas to confirm that this is a good hunting spot. Locate agricultural crops such as corn or orchard crops as black bear forage here, too. During the fall bears are constantly moving, so scout regularly up until the season. Just because a bear was observed in September doesn't mean a bear will be in that area come December.

Choose Your Method of Hunting

There are many methods by which bears may be hunted successfully. Driving, spot-and-stalk and baiting are the three most commonly used techniques in New Jersey.

• Driving is one of the most effective methods to harvest a bear. Having an intimate knowledge of the area is essential. The more people in your hunting party, the better you can cover the area and the more people you will have to help get your bear out of the woods. Focus on driving wetlands and expect bears to remain concealed in the heaviest cover as long as they can before breaking out into the open.

• Spot-and-stalk hunting is a challenging and rewarding way to hunt. If there is snow on the ground , locate a fresh set of tracks and walk slowly while watching ahead. Chances are good that before the day is through a black bear will present an opportunity. This method requires pre-season planning with a firm commitment from friends or family to help retrieve your bear from the woods.

• Baiting can be a very effective means of harvesting a bear. However, baiting is neither easy nor cheap and it is very time consuming. Harvesting a bear by baiting is very rewarding, especially after a hunter has spent so much time and energy attracting the animal and learning its habits. This method allows a hunter to be selective about the bear harvested, increases time spent in the field and helps him or her gain a new respect for the quarry. Baiting should be done regularly right up until the first day of the season. If bears become nocturnal at the site, try putting out bait during the day and pick it up at night, or place the bait early in the morning. Hunting is prohibited while elevated or in a constructed blind within 300 feet of bait - check the DIGEST for additional regulations.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Do not enter the woods unprepared to hunt black bear. Develop confidence in your shooting skills by practicing often with the firearm and ammo with which you will hunt to ensure a clean shot and a quick kill. Respect your quarry. New Jersey is home to black bear weighing over 800 pounds. Although shotguns and muzzleloaders are more than capable of delivering a quick, clean kill, it's up to the hunter to make the shot. Sub-par marksmanship would be the quickest way to ruin the hunting experience and risk injuring an animal. Frequent practice is essential.

Shot Placement

Shot placement is critical. A poorly made shot could only injure a bear. A properly placed shot will kill a bear in seconds. Know the kill zone. The ideal shot is just behind the front shoulder with the bear angling slightly away from broadside. Take those extra seconds to calm down and slow your breathing to ensure a good shot. Count to ten before pulling the trigger. It may feel like an eternity but your odds of success will greatly improve.