Held back on temptation
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Saxonburg Pa
Posts: 3,925
If your estimation is correct that's basically a yearling/cub. I have so many Bears were I hunt I have no desire to shoot one at all. I think it's great you didn't shoot a small Bear. I here a lot of people say it's hard to judge the big from the small in the woods. I usually have no problem but I'm not hunting them.
#12
If your estimation is correct that's basically a yearling/cub. I have so many Bears were I hunt I have no desire to shoot one at all. I think it's great you didn't shoot a small Bear. I here a lot of people say it's hard to judge the big from the small in the woods. I usually have no problem but I'm not hunting them.
#13
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Boncarbo,Colorado
Posts: 9,186
same with doe. I shot a nice doe the other year and when I walked up to it, it was a tiny little yearling just wearing off its milk 'stache. I looked around like... was this someone else kill? LOL.
When theres nothing around them other than tall trees, it can get a bit hard to judge, especially when you may have less than 10 seconds to figure it out.
When theres nothing around them other than tall trees, it can get a bit hard to judge, especially when you may have less than 10 seconds to figure it out.
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
Posts: 3,732
If one needs ten seconds, or more; one should take ten seconds or more, before shooting, or pass on the shot.
Fawn faces are shaped differently than doe faces; study the shape of the face before pulling the trigger. Study the shape of the face.
Fawn faces are shaped differently than doe faces; study the shape of the face before pulling the trigger. Study the shape of the face.
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
I agree , some people are to quick to pull the trigger without being sure of what they are shooting . I have missed lots of opportunities because i took so long making sure it was a deer i wanted to shoot rather then being so quick on the trigger . Like the guy who shot his hunting buddy thinking he was a blackbear in the bushes and another i remember where the guy shot his grandson thinking it was a bear. Take 10 seconds like Ron said or how ever long it takes and be sure it is what you want to shoot . Better to miss an opportunity than make a mistake . Once that bullet leaves the barrel there aint no calling it back.
#16
Agreed. But I'm also sure that MD just threw that 10 seconds out as an arbitrary figure. But a bear is much harder to judge than a deer. Even expert guides have to look long and hard to determine if the bear they are seeing is a shooter. To me the head is the best determining factor. What I look for are ears that look too big for the head and a "skinny" face. Indications of a small bear. If they look small and to the side a bit I'm thinking hard about sending a bullet. If it looks in my direction and there is a crease going down the middle of the head or his head looks blocky there is no question. I'm shooting.
Deer on the other hand are fairly easy. Yearlings have a short snout and a rounded head. A mature deer will usually have a long slender snout or a develop that 'roman' nose look. Also the belly and back on a mature deer will sag a bit more.
Deer on the other hand are fairly easy. Yearlings have a short snout and a rounded head. A mature deer will usually have a long slender snout or a develop that 'roman' nose look. Also the belly and back on a mature deer will sag a bit more.
Last edited by bronko22000; 11-25-2015 at 09:51 AM.
#17
I'm probably going to get a bit slammed for this, but one of the good things about baiting for Bear, when using a 50 gallon drum, is for size comparison. It also gives a hunter ample time to have a good look at the Bear to determine if it's a mature animal. Having a known size of something close to an animal gives you a better perspective. I've never hunted Bear over bait, but hunting up in Main a few years I saw the bait stations and such and did ask some questions and can see both sides of the "baiting controversy".
#18
BPS
#19
I'm probably going to get a bit slammed for this, but one of the good things about baiting for Bear, when using a 50 gallon drum, is for size comparison. It also gives a hunter ample time to have a good look at the Bear to determine if it's a mature animal. Having a known size of something close to an animal gives you a better perspective. I've never hunted Bear over bait, but hunting up in Main a few years I saw the bait stations and such and did ask some questions and can see both sides of the "baiting controversy".
If you do right you will see more bear for sure than if you were stand or still hunting, you will be able to judge them better and make your decision from there.
I really get disgusted with "hunters" that shoot small (and really small) bears just to fill a tag. Once coming out of the check station after checking in my bear, I tripped over a bear that was no bigger than a woman's large purse. I've seen others that came in lying in a wash basin lucky to go 15-20 lbs. Its really disgraceful but legal here in PA ever since they dropped the "no cub" rule.