Hunting Bear at Sterling State Forest

[AaronBlaine]

Hey guys i am going on a bear hunt at sterling state forest in orange county. I was wondering if anyone has ever been bear hunting there and if so weather or not they were successful! Any stories feel free to share them weather you have hunted bear successfully there or somewhere else. What should i expect? What are some good hunting tactics for hunting bear? Good access points at the park for bear? What type of stalk and hunt should i preform. How often should i stop and wait. Any info would greatly be appreciated! Thanks again for your time!

[Elmo]

I've only seen one bear in the wild my entire life...and it happened to be at Sterling Forest. Saw it on walking along the side of a road as I was driving. I guess that all I can say is yes, there are bears at Sterling. As far as hunting them, sorry. Don't have any advice.

[NY Region 3 Trapper]

You may want to do some pre-scouting. The chances of walking into Sterling Forest State Park and finding a bear is about one in a million. Way to much property to roam free looking. You'll end up lost. Trust me. As far as walking. As slow as possible and when you think your walking slow enough. Slow down more. Good Luck.

[AaronBlaine]

thats interesting about the walking speed and thanks for the info on sterling elmo. I am planning on walking two and a half miles into the woods. Hopefully i dont get lost! I bring two compasses and a topographical map so i should be ok i have gotten myself out of stickier situations lol. As far as my pack i bring a first aid kit, Tons of hand warmers, extra clothing couple pairs of dry socks all wrapped in ziplock bags in my back pack. I have a contact back home that knows what time i go into the woods and what time i come out. How many feet is a good length to drag a bear? I could imagine that would get touch if i was two miles in dragging that puppy through the woods lol Could always strap it to my back and run around untill someone shoots me lolol Lemme know if you got any advice on gear and or means of extracting and hunting a bear!

[NY Region 3 Trapper]

Unless you harvest Boo Boo I can't imagine your dragging any bear. I would check with the park office staff. They have established pick up points through out the park for deer. Which may include bear. (845) 351-5907.

[AaronBlaine]

yea your right i just got my pass in the mail today for the hunting season! I tell you what i would love to harvest honey boo boo's mom that chick is smokin hot!

[mac]

you walking in 2+ miles in and out each day ? or camping out? creeping in 2 miles is goin take long time. You cant bait in NY so you maybe plan your whole days path in a circular path since you have the topo maps. dont expect see many bears but give it try, cant win if you dont play!

[AaronBlaine]

good point i was not aware that you could camp out in sterling state forest This is getting more and more exiting by the min! With heavy snow fall expected this year it may be a little tough to camp out and find dry firewood etc plus i would prob get in trouble if i got nabbed for starting fires in the middle of the woods. Then again two miles deep who would really know. I have to find the best spot to go in. I have to meet some other hunters or hire a guide i really want to learn as much about this sport as humanly possible. Im hooooked!

[Elmo]

You can't camp out in Sterling. No fire allowed. To camp and hunt, you need to head up into the Catskills or Adirondacks for the most part. There might be one near here but the ones I've seen don't allow hunting and camping at the same time.

[AaronBlaine]

thats what i figured thanks elmo

[Chef]

I was in sterling opening day bow this year, I was deer hunting in a bow only area off a field edge about 200 yards from the parking area, I heard noise behind me and turned around I saw a decent sized black bear walking through some brush. I drew my bow and waited for her to show her vitals. I took a shot that aparently hit a twig and deflected off to the left. I nocked another arrow and drew again because she seemed un disturbed by the first shot. Right before I pulled the trigger on the release I saw movement behind her and stopped my shot as I saw a tiny cub emerge from the brush. Thank god I missed the first time I would have been heartbroken if I saw the cub after killing her. He was walking a wobbly reminded me of belu from the jungle book.. I tried to get my phone out to take pics but before I could they were gone

[AaronBlaine]

wow that is one amazing story chef hunter! Where is a good spot i can park where i can get away from the other hunters? I want to get nice and deep in the woods on opening day. What do you think i should do and or where should i park? Thanks and can you shoot a bear at sterling with a rifle or is it bow only?

[Chef]

You can shoot a bear in any season... If you shoot me a pm I'll gladly direct you to a gun spot that is off the beaten path. I saw the bear in a bow only area

[Warren]

About 4 or 5 years ago one of my hunting buddies was still hunting in Streling for deer on the last weekend of the season. He was about 1 to 1.5 miles back and it was in the middle of the afternoon when he spotted a black bear less than 100 yards away feeding. He shot it with his 35 Remington. Field dressed at about 160 lbs. He has dragged out many whitetails but said this bear was like brigging out a bag of blobber, hardest thing he even had to do.

The following year I was hunting with my brother-in-law off of Ironwood road on the Saturday of the Thanksgiving weekend. We went up the hill just at light and saw 2 other hunters a few hundred yards away. We split up and I went up the hill. At about 8am he shot at and missed a nice size bear. A week into the season and not far from 4 hunters and this bear was feeding like there were no worries.

Last year my other buddy saw a big bear on opening day but too far for a shot.

My numbers might be a little off but something like 3 bears were taken last year and 8 the year before.

I have yet to see a bear but I have on occation seen a lot of bear sign.

[AaronBlaine]

oh man those are some amazing stories! I am totally psyched to go to sterling opening day! Is there anywhere in the northern zone i can go and hunt bear next weekend? I am dying to go!