BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[2rocky]

This August16th I will have access to some private timber ground in NW California to bowhunt black bears. Densities are good at 4 bears per sq. mile, and my sources tell me that Blackberries are the main food crop at this time of year. I'm planning on spot and stalking as well as stillhunting the numerous gated roads in the area. One source has seen as many as 6 bears per day while driving around.

I'm looking for guidance and words of wisdom from folks who have hunted in this fashon before.

This will be my first time on the property, and I'm wondering "am I better off to cover lots of ground, or concentrate on productive looking berry patches with optics?"

Any still hunting tips?

Any field judging advice?

.

[91xlt]

how long is your hunt?

if time permits, i usually spend the first couple-few days, covering ground, familiarizing myself with the area, and looking for sign....then concentrate on the areas with the most sign....

[2rocky]

I'll have stretches of two days at a time. Not ideal but I have to save time for my Wyoming Elk Hunt in the End of September....

I'm assuming the Blackberries will be down in the creeks. I'm hoping I can be on the Mid slope roads walking into the wind and spot bears feeding below me.

[syndeis]

even with a good population of bears it is still dificult to get within bow range under the best conditions. The forest floor where I hunt does not allow for a stealthy approach and the bear would be gone long before I could get to him. Maybe where you are hunting will be better than my forest.

I would probably cover as much ground as possible with the field glasses and spot a couple berry patches where you are seeing bear. I would watch there and see when they are using the patch and calculate a time I could sneak in and lay in wait for the next feeding.

Without giving away your exact location, what county will you be hunting?

[atomikall]

I would concentrate on good berry patches and close to a watering hole. Find sign get yourself up on a ridge overlooking most of the berry patches and spot from there. Keep an eye out for good moss patches also and old stumps, Blacks love ripping into them to find grubs and other goodies. If you can find a good spot close to berrys with stumps and moss try spotting from there for a couple days you should have some luck. I dont know how different your forests are form mine but this is how I stalk them here. I successfully stalked a little guy the other day maybe 150,160 and he didnt even know I was behind him. We have been having a great year for berries this year(blueberrys) and the bears seem to be eating good. This guy sat on one patch for a good twenty minutes cleaning it right up. This is my year for the 600 pounder I think. He's a night feeder but I tricked him into comming in, in the morning so we'll see how it turns out. Good luck man

[atomikall]

Oh ya and bass pro sells some great scent covers. I use apple now you can try some acorn I have heard good things about it but I prefer fresh apple. I also go totally camo helps alot.

[2rocky]

Del Norte and Humboldt County.

Looks like there is a few perennial streams, so water is not very limited.