dogs! that'll put on up a tree

If you know where one is then the battle is half over.

Pattern this bear then employ the spot and stalk method or predator call.

While baiting and hounds are equally tough methods, you will truly earn your bear if you do it on your own.

billy are you implying that houndsmen don't earn the game they harvest while using their hounds

I think I know where his den is. Do they only use one? How close to it should I set up? I don't want to spook him.

tnhoundsman - No, that is not the intent. I know how hard it is to run hounds as well as how hard it is to bait and animals harvested that way are usually hard earned. But if you find the bear, patern it and kill it without the aid of bait or dogs, then you did it yourself, and anything done by yourself is more rewarding in my book.
Thanks for asking and not flaming right off the bat.

raz-n-co - Black bears will have many dens or bedding areas. Bears are constantly on the move in search of food so you should try to locate trails to and from food sources.

Raz
Natural food is the key. In upstate NY where I hunt, you cannot use bait or hounds for bear. I am very sucessfull hunting the areas of ripe natural fruits and or nuts at the time I am hunting. Ideal locations also have a source of water close by and some dense cover around.

Hey TNHoundsman what is up? Never did get over to go pig hunting with you. Proub for the best some dam yankee fighting a big ol hog with a knife.... well that might just have become a little to ugly. Work got real busy here in central TN. this winter and I worked most every day I was here. Hope you had a good season.

had a great winter of hunting. got a special going on at the hunting lodge that is keeping me buisy right now. mabe we can hook up and go before they ship ya out for good.

:( I have recently started a bullshit conversation with many of my neighbors and a few of the local loggers here in NE Washington and now am in the hunt for some information on bear hunting without bait and hounds also. What is a good place to look for bears??? What is a good caliber for bears??? Will a .270 WSM do the job???? Is it safe to move in on a wonded bear after only a few minutes??? Are bears safe to clean without gloves(I herd they can get diseases like tricenosis)????? What kinda shot place ment is required on a bear???? Thanx for any information. The trip is already set with one of my neighbors for the Swan lake area on Opening weekend of season. one last Q!!! DO bears have different habbits in the fall as to any other time of the year???

So what is the BS conversation about? "Can't hunt bears without hounds?"

The .270 WSM will do the trick.
Always becareful approaching any wounded animal.
You should always wear gloves when gutting an animal if you have cuts or scratches. I myself get infections from bear blood/meat if I have any cuts or scratches.
Broadside shots through the shoulders or lungs are a higher percentage shot.
Habits can change daily, but in the fall they will not usually be where they were in the spring if the food source changes by season.

As far as a good place to look, that depends on the area you intend to hunt. "Swan Lake" is not enough info to help you on that one.

If it is in the Sherman unit then here is some harvest data.
Year / number of bears killed
2004 57
2003 74
2002 80
2001 54
2000 56

raz-n-co.......try this website from the Colorado DoW.....

http://wildlife.state.co.us/hunt/HuntingBlackBears.asp