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Hey guys i was wondering if anyone out there has hunted sterling state forest and if so where the hot spots were, what to expect on opening day, what time to arrive on opening day to get a spot, stories, etc....

I couldn't even watch the video. Just pisses me off that A.) Some "people" do think this is acceptable behavior, and B.) The humane society feels the need to smear all who partake in our great sport by releasing the video. I mean, they didn't just get this from a leak, they actually took the time to file a FOIA request. I have some sympathy for someone who poaches a deer here and there because he cannot afford food from the grocery store (out where I grew up it was quite common) and needs to feed his family, but these @$$holes are just killing for sport. Complete disrespect for the lives of the creatures God created for us. https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Video-of-Alaska-father-and-son-illegally-killing-bear-shrieking-cubs-made-public-507736061.html

5 yds with a .357 mag 679 pounder. This guy has a pair for sure! https://www.foxnews.com/great-outdoors/man-kills-679-pound-male-black-bear-at-5-yards-with-357-handgun They may have smaller deer down in PA, but they sure do have some massive friggin bears!

I'm looking at the big game hunting opportunities in Ontario, CA. According to the province's regulations, non-residents (with some exceptions) have to hunt bear and moose with a licensed guide. So, unguided, DIY hunts (at least for bear and moose) aren't feasible up there. I've looked through a few different guiding websites to get a baseline for the prices that are charged: $3.5k-$6k per person for Moose hunts (depending on the level of guide services); and $2.5k-$3.5k for black bear hunts (again depending on the level of guide services). My question: are there any guides/outfitters which offer minimal services, and cheap fees, for hunting these animals? For example, is there an outfitter which takes on a non-resident hunter as registered guest but allows him/her to hunt DIY for a cheaper rate than what is mentioned above?

Hello All, Just thought I would drop a message saying 'thank you' for the add and hoping that you all have great luck and stay safe this (and all) seasons. I enjoy the outdoors and decided to get licensed last year. I'm new to the game but always looking to learn and try things. If anyone ever feels like they want to teach a thing or two, I'm open to invites to outings. I've got 4 kids to feed and I'm hoping to put some food on the table and enjoy some relaxation out of the office. I welcome all tips and tricks! First question is opinion - your preferred caliber for hunting deer and black bear (and why)... one rifle & caliber to cover both animals... and... go! Thanks!

Anyone here ever tried calling for black bear in the northern zone of NY (mostly referring to Tug Hill and the ADK's)? I've heard that in certain areas which have similar vegetation and terrain to NY (western Oregon and Washington) calling black bear is a tactic used by some hunters, as traditional spot-and-stalk hunts aren't really feasible and baiting and hounding aren't allowed. I was thinking of trying some calling this coming fall. I'd be interested in talking to anyone else who has tried this method.

Large bear taken in Sterling forest. I heard the DEC said he had to have it out the next day so the hunter gave it to the DEC, this is here say... Not sure if the hunter wants to be identified so I cut his face out. Supposedly just under 800lbs!!! Waiting for more pics.

We are a Newfoundland Outfitter that offer Moose and Black Bear hunts. $4400us Contact us anytime .

Public Comments Accepted Through February 8 The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is now accepting public comment on proposed regulation changes that would allow the use of big bore air rifles as a legal implement for taking big game at certain times and places in New York, beginning in the fall 2016 hunting seasons, Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. DEC will accept written public comment on the proposed rule changes through February 8, 2016. DEC is proposing to amend the regulations found within Title 6 of the New York Codes, Rules and Regulations (6 NYCRR section 180.3) to allow the use of certain air-powered firearms for hunting big game. Air-powered rifles that meet certain specifications, termed "big bore air rifles," have adequate downrange energy to effectively harvest New York big game species. In 2010, DEC amended these regulations to allow the use of air-powered firearms for hunting small game. "The popularity of air-powered firearms is growing, largely because of technological advancements," said Acting Commissioner Seggos. "These modern firearms produce the force necessary to efficiently harvest big game animals. In addition, because big bore air rifles are not as loud as conventional rifles or shotguns, allowing their use may make hunting more acceptable in locations with higher human densities, including areas where deer are overabundant." Big bore air rifles are available commercially, and they fire bullets of sufficient size at sufficient velocities to safely and efficiently harvest big game. These big bore air rifles would only be allowed for taking big game where other types of rifles are allowed to be used for taking big game. Use of rifles for big game hunting is allowed in most New York counties. Please visit the Rifle, Shotgun, and Bow Areas webpage on DEC's website for more information. Details of the proposed rule can be viewed in the December 23 publication of the New York State Register and on DEC's website under Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources Proposed, Emergency and recently adopted regulations - http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html#p1s1803 Citizens who wish to make formal public comments through February 8 may do so by sending an email to: [email protected] (include "air rifle regulations" in the subject line) or by writing to: Bryan L. Swift, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Bureau of Wildlife, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4754.

Are you an outdoorsman? Do you hunt frequently? Do you experience the struggles of lifting your deer, elk, bear, or other kill onto your truck, ATV, or Gator? We’d like to interest you in our hunting hoist. My sons and I also had these problems. I created a solution with my portable hoist system. Our simple to use design allows flexibility to your hunt that other hoists can’t compare to. Simply attach our hoist to a tree, tie up the feet, crank the line, and you’re on your way! Check out what other customers had to say at http://huntersportablehoist.webs.com/testimonials where you can also find easy to view tutorials. For more information, please contact me, James Owen, at [email protected].

Here's a quick video of momma and her two yearlings taken in early June. I'm betting she ditched them not long after the cam captured them. This is in the front yard clearing that I'm hoping to turn into a viable food plot as the years go by. I have a stand set on the other side of this clearing; the does already frequent it. Bears.m4v

The Appalachian Eagle Project in NYS started camera trapping as part of our Golden Eagle/Scavenger research the day after muzzleloader season ended - 12/23. Things were slow then suddenly one site in Delaware County had a burst of activity. These photos are mostly from Delaware. Some may be from Otsego. The bear could be a big problem as deer carcasses are scarce. Bear removing one of the two carcasses it took. Bear resting after clearing out our bait. Bald Eagle Bald and Golden Eagles together Bobcat-coyote standoff (note -the cats usually win, which is weird). Coyote

I think the last 2 pics are of daddy. Looks to be a much bigger bear than momma with the cubs. Any opinions on how big daddy might be? Thought I'd add a video of the 2 cubs fighting/playing with each other.

Nice picture of Bear prints about 30 feet of my buddy's camp at the birdfeeder. Have gotten some really nice photos of bear over the years at this spot. Other pic of the Coyote is about 65 yds behind the camp on an atv trail, Nice detail on the Coyote pic. As the crow flies, about 30 miles southeast from Syracuse NY. Now, I am not of the wolves in NY group but could see why people would mistake that as such.

I have been hunting the Adirondacks for years and my father has been hunting for decades before I was thought of. These past few years, my brother, Brother-in-laws, nephews, and now my son are going. Needless to say, we have never bagged a bear- just lot's of beer and good times. We typically are out for 3-4 days. A few shots have been made through the years without connecting- Running shot after scaring them up. I am getting an itch to actually bag one of these bear this year. I tried honey burns, scent covers, etc. I own an electronic caller that I use for coyote, and an electronic motion device- Should I consider switching tactics (or actually using a tactic) and call for a bear this year. Thinking of a dying / distressed rabbit, or fawn in distress (not sure if it would work in fall) Any experience?

Hello there. I'm a lifelong archer, living in NYC, and my mom got me into hunting last year. We were shooting at a 3D range and her hunting buddies couldn't believe the shots I was making at 60 yards, I had no idea I was any good, it's just something I've done for fun for a long time and I guess I got pretty good. So I started doing some reading about conservation and I love to cook and I also love backpacking, so I just put those things together and got myself a proper hunting setup and got myself licenced this year. This last weekend I just went up to the Catskills for the early bear season. I hunted out of my tent solo in the forest and holy cow I'm hooked. It's bananas in the bush. I'm so used to being on trails there's a whole other world when you're off the trails. It was physically demanding (I'm in pretty good shape but I feel broken right now), and I feel an incredibly amazing positive energy coming from this experience. Confronting my lifelong fears of bears (I've been solo backpacking for a long time with maybe my dog but usually alone) ... I went into the woods with my pack, some water, my PSE Xforce (it's a beast), Montec G5 broadheads sharpened to a surgical edge and some scents I made following the NYS rule of 1.5 oz. I bought some small glass 2oz bottles and mixed extracts of anise, caramel and vanilla. Damn it's a strong smell. I know the area I was hunting quite well so I went straight to where I knew the bears were moving. Scat everywhere. I've been doing my research and following Cameron Haines, reading his books and it all fell into place. I'll try and keep this brief here and recount my experience under the bear threads where they may help other. No luck but using the Trimble app I logged at least 3 absolutely perfect hiding spots with 10 - 40 yard shots, perfectly hidden with tons of scat and water sources nearby. Exhilarating!

Black bear hunting opportunities have expanded this year as a result of regulation changes adopted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. “Under Governor Cuomo’s NY Open for Fishing and Hunting initiative, New York is working to increase hunting opportunities for sportsmen and sportswomen,” Commissioner Martens said. “With these changes, DEC is implementing strategies of the recently adopted Black Bear Management Plan.” More importantly, DEC deemed the changes necessary to limit population growth and range expansion by black bears in New York. Bears are a tremendous resource in New York, but they can have negative impacts too, through damage to camps, crops, homes and other property. In extreme cases they are a serious threat to public safety. DEC’s bear plan fosters a comprehensive approach to reduce negative black bear impacts by increasing public awareness of its role in preventing human-bear conflicts, addressing individual incidents of bear damage and reducing bear populations where necessary. The adopted season changes are as follows: establish bear hunting seasons in all of upstate New York (all counties north of New York City); create a special early firearms season (Sept. 6 – Sept. 21) for bears in specific Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in the Catskills and western Hudson Valley region; and provide a uniform start date (Sept. 13) for bowhunting and early firearms bear season in the Northern Zone. After careful consideration of public comments received on the draft bear plan last winter and on the proposed regulations this summer, DEC adopted the hunting season changes in accordance with the final Black Bear Management Plan. The purpose of the changes is to maintain bear population levels that are acceptable to the public while providing sustainable opportunity for New York’s big game hunters. The NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This initiative includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State. In support of this initiative, this year’s budget includes $6 million in NY Works funding to support creating 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of existing state and easement lands that have not reached their full potential. These 50 new access projects include building new boat launches, installing new hunting blinds and building new trails and parking areas. In addition, the 2014-15 budget includes $4 million to repair the state's fish hatcheries; and renews and allows expanded use of crossbows for hunting in New York State. This year's budget also reduces short-term fishing licenses fees; increases the number of authorized statewide free fishing days to eight from two; authorizes DEC to offer 10 days of promotional prices for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; and authorizes free Adventure Plates for new lifetime license holders, discounted Adventure Plates for existing lifetime license holders and regular fee Adventure Plates for annual license holders. The full text of the adopted regulations and a summary of public comments on this rulemaking are available on the DEC’s website at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html. The resulting 2014 bear hunting seasons can also be found on DEC’s website at: www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html. The final Black Bear Management Plan for New York State, 2014-2024 is available at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7215.html. Key elements of the final plan include the scientific monitoring of bear populations; continued use of stakeholders to assess bear impacts and identify population trend objectives; recommendations to expand areas open to bear hunting throughout upstate New York and to increase hunting opportunities in portions of southeastern New York. This post has been promoted to an article

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=92c_1407249904 I think I see a zipper in the back. Sincerely, looks creepy going through the trees.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=650_1402905289 Enjoy!

Record Takes Again In the Southern Zone New York bear hunters took 1,358 black bears during the 2013 hunting seasons, making last year the second highest bear harvest on record in New York, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. "New York has excellent bear habitat and vast, accessible public lands that offer exciting opportunities for bear hunting," said Commissioner Martens. "With abundant natural foods this past year, bears were in great condition, and we heard of several hunters who took bears weighing more than 500 pounds dressed. Under New York's Open for Fishing and Hunting, our Fish and Wildlife Programs are being enhanced and our hunting and fishing licenses are streamlined to ensure increased opportunities for recreational in this state." Regionally, bear hunters took a record 636 bears from the Southeastern bear hunting area and a near record 342 bears (2nd highest take) from the Central-Western bear hunting area. These high harvests reflect that bear populations have increased over the past decade. In addition, an abundance of hard mast (e.g., acorns and other nuts) kept many bears actively feeding later into the fall and available for harvest through the duration of the regular firearms season. Hunters took 224 bears in the Central-Western area and 431 bears in the Southeastern area during the regular firearms season. Bear populations in these ranges are in need of higher harvest rates in coming years in order to stabilize population growth generally and reduce populations in the Catskill region. In the Adirondack bear hunting area, hunters took a total of 380 bears, fewer than the recent 5-year average. However, Adirondack bear harvest is the tale of two seasons. Bear harvest during the early bear season, which runs from mid-September through mid-October, is strongly influenced by availability of soft mast (e.g., apples, cherries and berries), and harvests tend to be poor during years with abundant soft mast like the 2013 year. Early season only accounted for 84 bears taken, approximately 65 percent below average. In contrast, hunters did well during the regular season, taking 246 bears, about 13 percent greater than average. A complete summary of the 2013 bear harvest with results by county, town, and Wildlife Management Unit is available on the DEC website. NYS Black Bear Management Plan In January, DEC released a draft black bear management plan for public review and comment. The plan describes DEC's approach to bear management which includes population management through regulated hunting, mitigation of human-bear conflicts, and technical guidance and outreach to the public about bears and conflict avoidance. The plan proposed several changes to bear hunting, including expanding the area open to bear hunting to encompass all of upstate New York and establishing a supplemental firearms season in September for bears in the Catskill and lower Hudson Valley region. DEC is reviewing the comments received on the plan and anticipates publishing a final version of the plan this spring. See Black Bear Management to review the draft plan. NYS Black Bear Cooperator Patch Program Hunters play a pivotal role in bear management through reporting their bear harvests, and many hunters also submit a tooth sample from their bear for DEC to determine the age of harvested bears. For all hunters who report their harvest and submit a tooth, 680 hunters in 2013, DEC provides a NYS Black Bear Cooperator Patch and a letter informing them of their bear's age. DEC is still processing tooth submissions from 2013, but we anticipate hunters will receive their patch by September 2014. Governor Cuomo's NY Open for Fishing and Hunting Initiative is an effort to improve recreational opportunities for sportsmen and women and to boost tourism activities throughout the state. This initiative includes streamlining fishing and hunting licenses, reducing license fees, improving access for fishing and increasing hunting opportunities in New York State. In support of this initiative, this year's budget includes $6 million in NY Works funding to support creating 50 new land and water access projects to connect hunters, anglers, bird watchers and others who enjoy the outdoors to more than 380,000 acres of existing state and easement lands that have gone largely untapped until now. These 50 new access projects include building new boat launches, installing new hunting blinds and building new trails and parking areas. In addition, the 2014-15 budget includes $4 million to repair the state's fish hatcheries; and renews and allows expanded use of crossbows for hunting in New York State. This year's budget also reduces short-term fishing licenses fees; increases the number of authorized statewide free fishing days to eight from two; authorizes DEC to offer 10 days of promotional prices for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses; and authorizes free Adventure Plates for new lifetime license holders, discounted Adventure Plates for existing lifetime license holders and regular fee Adventure Plates for annual license holders. This post has been promoted to an article

Calling card from a visitor to our hunting camp. Yes there ARE bears on The Tug.

got this big bruin on our field cam on Tug Hill. Just visiting? Lots of does, fawns, and little bucks, but nothing big.

Some pretty cool footage from just a couple days ago, bear decides to practically get in the stand with this guy. http://huntervids.com/videos/bear-climbs-face-to-face-with-hunter/

Found this the other day while shed hunting. In your opinion is this bear poop?

New York bear hunters took 1,337 black bears during the 2012 hunting seasons, making last year the third highest bear harvest on record in New York, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. Only the 2003 harvest (1,864) and 2009 harvest (1,487) surpassed last year’s take. “New York has excellent bear habitat and vast, accessible public lands that offer exciting opportunities for bear hunting,” said Commissioner Martens. “Black bears are thriving in New York, and they represent a great resource for all New Yorkers. Through the NY’s Open for Hunting and Fishing Initiative, Governor Cuomo is improving opportunities for hunting in New York State.” Regionally, bear harvest increased in the Adirondacks but decreased in the Southeastern and Central-Western bear hunting areas. Though overall population size plays a large role in harvest totals, annual variations in take are also strongly influenced by environmental factors such as natural food availability and snow fall that affect bear activity and hunting pressure. These environmental influences were very apparent in the harvest totals of the past few years. In the Adirondacks, hunters took 606 bears in 2012, returning to a more normal harvest level after an exceptionally low harvest in 2011. This past season, hunters found greatest success during the early season (386 bears; mid-September until mid-October) compared to the regular season (132 bears; late October to early December). This pattern was expected after a summer of low natural food availability. The early season harvest is always high in such years because bears are moving more in search of food and many are closer to human food sources, which in both cases makes them more vulnerable to harvest. In fact, towns along the western and southern fringe of the Adirondacks saw some of the highest harvests as bears were found feeding in corn fields during the early season. Bears also tend to den early when natural foods are scarce, so fewer bears were available to hunters during the regular season. In the Southeastern bear hunting area, bear take dropped from the record 630 taken in 2011 to 442 taken in 2012. Similarly, take in the Central-Western bear hunting area dropped from the record 353 in 2011 to 289 in 2012. In both areas, take during bow season contributed substantially to the overall take (51 percent Southeastern, 37 percent Central-Western) and increased from 2011, reflecting the longer bow season initiated in 2012 and greater availability of bears during this period. Notably, take during the regular season dropped in both areas. The drop was most pronounced in Southeastern New York where biologists anticipated a potential reduced harvest due to early denning behavior associated with the general lack of soft and hard mast (apples, acorns and beechnuts). Since 2005, DEC has expanded the area open to bear hunting in Southeastern and Central-Western New York and increased season length, aligning bear seasons with deer seasons. These actions were implemented to reduce bear population growth and range expansion. Most recently, in 2011, DEC expanded bear hunting into eastern New York from Rockland and Westchester to Washington counties. Hunters took 22 bears from these newly opened areas, with eight bears coming from each of Washington and Rensselaer counties. Governor Cuomo’s Open for Hunting and Fishing Initiative is an effort to improve recreational activities for in-state and out-of-state sportsmen and sportswomen and to boost tourism opportunities throughout the state. This initiative includes the streamlining of hunting and fishing licensing and reducing license fees, improved access for fishing at various sites across the state, stocking as much as 900,000 pounds of fish, expanding fishing clinics and increasing hunting opportunities in various regions. A complete summary of the 2012 bear harvest with breakdown by county, town, and Wildlife Management Unit is available at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/42232.html on the DEC website. This post has been promoted to an article