Southern Zone bears

[bkspyder]

I am stuck out on Long Island these days of lockdown and we've had some severe windstorms. I am wondering about the fallen trees on the bear hunting land I have been to - I would imagine that bears would use the underside as dens in the winter. 

Would they also sleep in them during the seasons? Might these be spots to look for bears going to or coming from?

[G-Man]

1 hour ago, bkspyder said:

I am stuck out on Long Island these days of lockdown and we've had some severe windstorms. I am wondering about the fallen trees on the bear hunting land I have been to - I would imagine that bears would use the underside as dens in the winter. 

Would they also sleep in them during the seasons? Might these be spots to look for bears going to or coming from?

Under deadfalls are prime bedding sites and if thick enough will den there for years. Illegal to take bear in den ,but many have run out of brush piles during deer season when hunters have walked up on top of them, bears are very light sleepers

[bkspyder]

Thanks. And yes, did not plan on taking any bear in their den, just wondering if this might be a spot they frequent.

[bruno1]

My cousin sent me 2 trailcam videos from a few days ago. One bear was an absolute stud. I’ll post up videos later 

[bkspyder]

Early Bear is less than a month away in NY. Anyone planning to do it? I've got a buddy who's sent me trail cam pics of some bears. It's all about food, right? I think the berry sources are gone or will be by then.

[ny hunter]

Would love to get out for a few days.... Have some pics of bear on trail cams..

[Versatile_Hunter]

I’ll be targeting bears. I’m surprised 4O doesn’t have an early season. 

[ATbuckhunter]

Id like to get out. Hoping Ill be out opening weekend 

[Bionic]

Hopefully 

[bkspyder]

any september strategies / tactics besides look for their food sources? 

[ny hunter]

Never hunted bear ... But I am looking forward to hunting in decent temperatures 

[Kmartinson]

Check out the yearly  kills its not a great likelihood in the catskills but its definitely possible. I stack the freezer with early geese instead.

[bkspyder]

[bkspyder]

[rooster85]

I always plan it but rarely have the time off. Maybe this year!


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[Trial153]

I take my bow out for few days. Up until a two weeks ago we had real bruiser making semi regular appearances....

[GreeneHunter]

Just a little off topic but are Northern Bears still allowed to marry their sisters ..... asking for a friend !   LOL

[Kmartinson]

It is very hard to kill a bear in nys. No baiting means the bears can be anywhere. They are nomadic and dont have a home territory. It is a very beautiful place, and very wild. The catskills are real mountains. You will be in nature. 

Some of the best hunters I have ever had the pleasure to hunt with go to catskills every year.... they have been going for 7 or 8 years, usually at least 4 guys and have never killed a bear unless it was trying to get into someone's dumpster.

If you look at the county numbers, the counties that kill the most bears is still only a couple dozen bears for hundreds of square miles. Go for the experience.  Go forage for wild food. Do some fishing. Enjoy the thin clean air. Get comfortable with going for years and not connecting. When and if the moment happens you will never forget it.

North Maine woods is the spot. Otherwise I stack up a pile of geese this month for the freezer.

[bkspyder]

Yep, going for early bear isn't a high odds hunt, I know, even with those cam pics. Scent lures, calling would be fun to try out. It's about trying for a bear and not worrying about blowing a much higher percentage deer opportunity. 

[Berniez]

801-acre Hooker Mountain State Forest Otsego county, There are other forests close by that have bears.. Its a couple of miles off I88.

I got 3 bear on my place  One poor cub with no mama, 1 medium and this one.  this is the best pic and He is around every 4th day.I'm only 5 miles from hooker mt. The bear sighting have increased dramatically in the last 4 years.  I don't know where they are coming from but they are all over the place (1 got hit on I88 last month)

I don't shoot them as they can scream like people and I had enough of that 50 years ago. 

Good luck

[ny hunter]

Looks pretty big..... We have 2 decent bear on camera this year.... Good luck

[Melvinpeople]

Why is it that the town of Hamptonburg gets no bear kills year after year? The rest of the towns in 3M adjacent to Hamptonburg have kills every year, If not every couple of years. It seems like a dead zone. Any reason?

[bkspyder]

Huckleberry Ridge State forest - anyone ever hunt there (bear or anything)?

[bkspyder]

Been e-scouting Sterling again, might aim to head up there now, deer or bear, whatever happens. Or a just a nice long hike

[Versatile_Hunter]

On 10/14/2021 at 9:54 PM, bkspyder said:

Been e-scouting Sterling again, might aim to head up there now, deer or bear, whatever happens. Or a just a nice long hike

@blackbeltbill has that place memorized. He may be willing to offer some pointers…