Early Bear Stewart State Forest

[BKhunter]

Anyone here getting out for the early bear season? Just curious if anyone ever went in Steward State Forest and what your thoughts are? Also looking for tips and tactics for the early season.

[diplomat019]

not sure if there are bear in there.  and if there are idk if they are worth targeting.

[Bowguy 1]

They're def worth targeting., best meat you ever had

[BKhunter]

2 minutes ago, Bowguy 1 said:

They're def worth targeting., best meat you ever had

Any good public land in the Southern Zone to recommend? Most likely will be walking the woods spot and stalk.

[diplomat019]

17 minutes ago, Bowguy 1 said:

They're def worth targeting., best meat you ever had

I meant there really aren't any bears in Stewart as far as I know. And if there are they are very few and far between. I think you would have a better time going to the Catskills and targeting bear rather than Stewart if there were any in there to begin with

[BKhunter]

4 minutes ago, Bill Schmidt said:

I have never seen a black bear at Stewart State Forest. I know people who have seen a few though. Your best bet is to hunt bear in Sterling Forest State Park. They are there--big time. I have been hunting there since 1990. You need a hunting permit. Call their outdoor center and get on the mailing list! Hunting applications will be mailed out to people who have have permits before. Fill it out- send it back and your permit and a beautiful colored topo map will come your way. It costs just 5 bucks. Pheasant only hunters pay zip?!!   Or just drive down to the Visitor Center and start the process. Hope I helped out---Bill.

Thanks Bill. Will be calling today to inquire. Much appreciated!

[Uptown Redneck]

I believe you are only allowed to hunt with a gun after Oct 1 in Sterling Forest, so unless you plan on bowhunting early bear Sterling Forest would not work

[Uptown Redneck]

Firearms aren't allowed in Sterling Forest until Nov 1

[BKhunter]

13 minutes ago, Uptown Redneck said:

I believe you are only allowed to hunt with a gun after Oct 1 in Sterling Forest, so unless you plan on bowhunting early bear Sterling Forest would not work

Yea plan was to bow hunt early season.

[BKhunter]

22 minutes ago, Bill Schmidt said:

Thats another thing I have been trying to change for years. Firearms should be allowed on Oct 1st in Sterling Forest State Park. Nov 1st is much too late!   With our now 2-week Fall turkey season---hunting here is out of the question. The season starts and ends before Nov 1st!! I can only hope things will change in the future for those of us who only have access to public lands.

It would also be nice to get out small gaming. Squirrels, rabbits and anything else you can go after. 

[Bowguy 1]

On July 28, 2016 at 9:50 AM, BKhunter said:

Any good public land in the Southern Zone to recommend? Most likely will be walking the woods spot and stalk.

Closer to NJ the better. Anything near the line should have bears. We're over run

[BKhunter]

On 7/29/2016 at 10:55 AM, Bill Schmidt said:

Thats another thing I have been trying to change for years. Firearms should be allowed on Oct 1st in Sterling Forest State Park. Nov 1st is much too late!   With our now 2-week Fall turkey season---hunting here is out of the question. The season starts and ends before Nov 1st!! I can only hope things will change in the future for those of us who only have access to public lands.

Hey Bill,

Looks like they are doing a small game trial run this year allowing firearms in Oct 1. Just and FYI.