Pressured Bears? D-Zone

[americanmade91]

Hi All,

First time bear hunting here, I have game cams out, I am getting about a bear a day on them. I have now started to see more hunters show up in the spots where the bears are (on the game cam footage). I'm sure when deer hunting opens up (rifle) that the bears disappear and there is much more pressure (but I am not sure, since its my first time). Any past experience or advice someone can give me? I feel like I need to have more realistic expectations for my first time.

 

[dthome]

Hi Americanmade,
Your hunch is probably right. Hunter presence can change bear behavior. If you’re getting people on your camera, then you’re surveilling a well used hiking trail. It would be better to find a lesser used game trail off the beaten path. It doesn’t have to be deep in the wilderness, just not used by people (my best bear spot is 300 yards off the road). Still, it might be worth spending some time along your path, despite the traffic. Bears are traveling that route for a reason, which they’ll still have when the season opens. They might go nocturnal, but they might not. I’ve watched bears coming down a path, catch my scent, and circumvent me by 50 yards. They then proceed down their intended route. Other bears catch my scent and scram to the next county. I’ve had some climb a tree when they smelled me. They know when people are there and how long it’s been since they’ve left. Situate yourself downwind, or you don’t have a prayer. Your best hope is likely opening day, when you can catch them off guard. Give something a try, it’s how you’ll learn your area.

 

[americanmade91]

Thanks this is very helpful! I will be using a predator call and I believe they are living in the rocks around 200 yards from the camera spot. Ever tried using a predator call?

 

[dthome]

I have, but I just scared the crap out of the bears. I tried to coax them out of the alder thickets they fed in, but the call just made them bolt out of the area. Some guys have great success with calls, though.

 

[muskeg]

There is one thing predictable about Bears ..... they are unpredictable.

 

[americanmade91]

There is one thing predictable about Bears ..... they are unpredictable.

Can you tell me more? I have been trying to pattern them, is that not too realistic?

 

[dthome]

They can definitely be patterned, so long as the reason for their movement is still there (food, water).

I’ve found it very useful to find the trails where bears use the same footprints year after year. They wear depressions in the trail that can clearly be seen. Those are gold mines. You said you hunt rocky areas, so that may not apply, but keep an eye out.

 

[americanmade91]

They can definitely be patterned, so long as the reason for their movement is still there (food, water).

I’ve found it very useful to find the trails where bears use the same footprints year after year. They wear depressions in the trail that can clearly be seen. Those are gold mines. You said you hunt rocky areas, so that may not apply, but keep an eye out.

So the water is from a guzzler (I need to hunt 200 yards away from it per CDFW), the food is acorns all throughout this forest area. I believe they are living in these rock piles on the side of south facing cliff. My plan is to sit in a pop up blind, use a predator call, and try and lure them in. The area has some does on my cams as well but seems like predominantly acorns and not deer for food. Any tips or things I should be aware of?

 

[dthome]

Also, have you located fresh scat? I mean like a day old or less. Still soft. If you do, hunt that exact area in early morning and evening. In the evening, expect them to come to the food source they’ve been eating. In the morning (before light), expect them to be in the food source. Place yourself downwind accordingly.

 

[americanmade91]

Also, have you located fresh scat? I mean like a day old or less. Still soft. If you do, hunt that exact area in early morning and evening. In the evening, expect them to come to the food source they’ve been eating. In the morning (before light), expect them to be in the food source. Place yourself downwind accordingly.

The scat is old and dry. The area is 3 hours from my home so its difficult to do any more scouting before the 4 days we are going for. I think I will need to scout that rock area first and then look for scat and then set up a little from there.

 

[dthome]

Nice looking bear. Honestly, I’d ditch the blind and the call. You can only see so much in a blind, and they can smell you in a blind just as well as without. You’ll learn a lot more if you can see all around you. I’d wait atop a good vantage downwind of your path and see what comes. But you do you. Have fun. Experiment.

 

[dthome]

Don’t scout the area when the season is open. Hunt it. Scouring just spreads your scent everywhere and you’ll be looking for sign instead of game. Still hunt the acorns instead. Sit by your trail. But avoid wandering everywhere staring at the ground.

 

[americanmade91]

Thanks! Yea I was feeling disappointed because some hunters got on my cams and then no bears for a few days. Just got some pics back and a bear decided to come back in! Okay good idea, appreciate the tips, i think the blind was more for visibility and not being seen but with cammo should be good. They are def in the area! This is another spot

 

[americanmade91]

Don’t scout the area when the season is open. Hunt it. Scouring just spreads your scent everywhere and you’ll be looking for sign instead of game. Still hunt the acorns instead. Sit by your trail. But avoid wandering everywhere staring at the ground.

This is super helpful. I was planning on doing all of the things you said not to do. Lmao. Im planning on doing stands around 200 yards apart, basically in a line around 300 yards from the top of the ridge/plateau. Maybe its too much moving and spreading scent like you mentioned.