Encountering Bear While Deer Hunting ???

[88GW]

I have read all the info. online regarding encounters with Black Bears. You should make presence known, look bigger, talk softly, walk away while facing etc. etc.

Now the question is what have you done if you encountered a bear??

Have you ever been charged by a bear??

Are you or should you be concerned about walking in the woods especially early morning(dark) and stumbling upon a bear??

I ask these questions because while out bowhunting came upon a considerable amount of bear scat. I then thought I have a bow and arrow, what are the chances of fatally shooting a bear that may be moving toward me? I feel much more comfortable during gun season knowing you can fire multiple shots if need be. But still have the issue of hiking in the dark and target acquisition. Maybe I am making something out of nothing but would like to hear your experiences.

[YFKI1983]

Just make sure you dont surprise one. I saw a big one last week and it just walked by my stand, I dont think it saw me. 2 years ago I was sitting on the floor and 1 came by, as soon as it saw me it took off screaming.

[First-light]

Never surprised one on my property. One year during opening day a sow and cubs hung around my brothers stand till dark. He called me and I came over around 4:30, still light and was able to walk up to

his stand. The sow and cubs were 30 yards away content on eating corn. One of the cubs walked within 20 yards of me and Momma didn't care. They moved on after loud yelling and a gun shot.

[88GW]

Just make sure you dont surprise one. I saw a big one last week and it just walked by my stand, I dont think it saw me. 2 years ago I was sitting on the floor and 1 came by, as soon as it saw me it took off screaming.

YFK. Thats exactly what Im talking about, surprising one while quietly stalking your way to your stand in the pitch black.

[Sogaard]

One ran into me during spring turkey two seasons ago. I was surprised he didn't smell me at all. At about 75' I had to stand up and wave him off because I didn't want him to get close enough that he would be startled. He just turned around and strolled off in the other direction. I did get some great picts though (albeit from my cell phone camera). The only time I would ever get nervous would be if I ran into cubs. Momma bear never likes that much.

Edited October 9, 2012 by Sogaard

[ANTLERS]

I encountered one during the may turkey season.Did everything you said,Waved my arms,Yelled at it ect. It just stood there staring at me for what seemed like an hour.He didnt seem the least bit scared.I finally threw a big stick at him,And only then did trot away.

[Elmo]

Unless you're hunting deer out of season, why don't you just shoot the bear if there are no cub in tow? Bear and deer season coincides.

[Sogaard]

Some people just don't want to. My brother won't shoot bear. He doesn't like the taste and won't shoot anything he doesn't eat because he doesn't care for the trophy. He also won't shoot bobcat.

Personally, I think he's just weird, but it's choice.

Also, walking to your stand in the dark during bow season, face to face, only a short distance from a black bear, I don't think you're thinking about firing off an arrow at it. I sure wouldn't be, at least.

Edited October 9, 2012 by Sogaard

[88GW]

Some people just don't want to. My brother won't shoot bear. He doesn't like the taste and won't shoot anything he doesn't eat because he doesn't care for the trophy. He also won't shoot bobcat.

Personally, I think he's just weird, but it's choice.

Also, walking to your stand in the dark during bow season, face to face, only a short distance from a black bear, I don't think you're thinking about firing off an arrow at it. I sure wouldn't be, at least.

Sogaard

Couldnt have put it any better. Bow season, face to face, short distance away. What to do??

[Elmo]

Some people just don't want to. My brother won't shoot bear. He doesn't like the taste and won't shoot anything he doesn't eat because he doesn't care for the trophy. He also won't shoot bobcat.

Personally, I think he's just weird, but it's choice.

Also, walking to your stand in the dark during bow season, face to face, only a short distance from a black bear, I don't think you're thinking about firing off an arrow at it. I sure wouldn't be, at least.

Good point.

[k burke]

I've come across a few in the woods and I don't think you have much to worry about. First of all, you'd be hard pressed to sneak up on one. No matter how quite we think we are stalking - we're really not that quite - especially if the wind is not in our favor.

I've read that the vast majority of black bear charges are bluffs that end a few feet from you. I'd be more concerned if cubs were around. Regardless, even if it wasn't a bluff you still have a razor sharp broad head you could use as a knife - no need to be a marksmen.

BTW - the bear literature they give out in Alaska says that you fight back against a black bear - don't play dead like you would with a grizzly.

[Pointer]

Ran into one last season on the ground...he was running full out..from what I don't know..I always have bear spray with me. Spoke to an officer from the DEC and he told me that the are I was in (Sterling Forest ) is crawling with them. Said he's in Tuxedo park 3 nights a week pulling bears out of people's garbage cans.

[crappyice]

If charged, I think we are shat out of luck! Theres no way i would be able to nock and arrow, draw back and aim..its hundred of pounds of pissed off TEETH! My reaction would be to fight and flail. Grab arrows out of quiver to stab as much as possible. Grab gutting knife and stab like crazy...what else can you do? PRAY like you never prayed before!

[JimmyDaSavage]

Sogaard

Couldnt have put it any better. Bow season, face to face, short distance away. What to do??

Pray the bear is a vegan!