NH Hunter
Well-known member
This could be the latest a bear season has run without a post and some grip in grin pics of a members recent harvest. Is anyone bear hunting? I know the weather has absolutely sucked for it this past week.
Bear season
- Thread starter NH Hunter
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longbow
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I was wondering the same?
I don’t specifically hunt bear but since the 9/1 season opener here in VT I do carry a rifle on my morning hikes. That said, with this recent heat I’d be very hesitant to pull the trigger unless I was positive I had the time and resources to recover, cool and process one!
Pine-lock
Well-known member
Sows with cubs have been all over my baits. Not many options for shooters this year. Especially during shooting light.
My son may have a couple days out with hounds late next week and I’ll try to trap one. We’ll see how it goes. Bait hunting has been tough with all the natural food in the woods.
My son may have a couple days out with hounds late next week and I’ll try to trap one. We’ll see how it goes. Bait hunting has been tough with all the natural food in the woods.
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NH Hunter
Well-known member
I just came back from a camera check and was having the same small seminar with myself. I did see a decent bull on the way in. I picked a fight with him and he started coming but I thought better of it once I realized the nearest tree I could get behind was more than a 100 yards away. He got within 80 yards or so from me.
NH Hunter
Well-known member
I was out for the early deer/bear firearms in NY last couple days. It’s not over run w bears but I typically see 1-2 a year. I thought I saw one this morning but not for certain.
The farmer didn’t plant corn this year so that makes it tougher.
I can see where they’re entering fields and cut them off when he does
The farmer didn’t plant corn this year so that makes it tougher.
I can see where they’re entering fields and cut them off when he does
I’ve shot a bunch of bear and eaten even more. I’d never shoot a giant without help. Too much work. A smaller bear skins and quarters right quick. I’ve got big refrigerators in my garage for early season large game. I place a whole quarters in there to cool. Debone in a couple days so it’s easy. It’s actually pretty easy on me watching guys struggle w big bears too. I never once strained!
I worked a couple bear camps as a kid, dealt w plenty of big ones, that’s all history!! As we get older we get smarter!
Pine-lock
Well-known member
338 Bear Hunter
Active member
Hell yeah I've been bear hunting. Went yesterday, going tomorrow. Taking next week off to bear hunt in NH.
Went to Allagash Maine for week 1 (8/28-9/1) Daughter scored a bear. I didn't, but I got front-row seats at the nighttime bear fight of the year. The first time I was truly scared while bear hunting, and I've been doing it for 10 years now. It was too dark to see much, but they were fighting within 10 yards of my elevated ground blind. Would have been exciting in daylight, but at night, it was unnerving.
On Tuesday, I passed on a marginal bear. Didn't see another for the rest of camp. The group as a whole didn't do so well, and we had a few misses.
Back home, my daughter's bait and one of mine are getting hit. I'd be surprised if she doesn't tag out again.
Went to Allagash Maine for week 1 (8/28-9/1) Daughter scored a bear. I didn't, but I got front-row seats at the nighttime bear fight of the year. The first time I was truly scared while bear hunting, and I've been doing it for 10 years now. It was too dark to see much, but they were fighting within 10 yards of my elevated ground blind. Would have been exciting in daylight, but at night, it was unnerving.
On Tuesday, I passed on a marginal bear. Didn't see another for the rest of camp. The group as a whole didn't do so well, and we had a few misses.
Back home, my daughter's bait and one of mine are getting hit. I'd be surprised if she doesn't tag out again.
338 Bear Hunter
Active member
This is what I'm seeing too. In years past, bears almost never came to my bait after dark. This year, so far, its all I've got.
338 Bear Hunter
Active member
This is technically Maine since that's where we went to bear camp, but I received permission from my daughter to post. Opening Day (August 28th).
338 Bear Hunter
Active member
We went on our first NH bear hunt together last night. Several sightings on trail camera, day and night, of a young boar. Didn't see anything last night though.
Jury still out on the new bait. I'm seeing more bears that previous years, but that could be a fluke. They still seem to prefer my special treats to the bulk bait.
Jury still out on the new bait. I'm seeing more bears that previous years, but that could be a fluke. They still seem to prefer my special treats to the bulk bait.
Wells Bowhunter67
Active member
Opening night , Maine , 363 lbs
Hope all is well here!
Hope all is well here!
338 Bear Hunter
Active member
Good deal! Is that a slug shotgun? Was this a DIY or an outfitter hunt?
338 Bear Hunter
Active member
(Snicker), I'm amused by the "Bowhunt" hat in the photo with the firearm 
EODTek
New member
Been baiting since the 1st, and the first week I had bears in at all hours of the day. Since the heat jumped up to around 90 with high humidity, they've transitioned to only coming in at night. Nothing that I would really consider a shooter yet on camera anyway. I haven't hunted yet as at my age, I have no desire to hunt in the heat/humidity and rush to get the bear out to process it (I do my own processing). The constant rain this week hasn't helped either (yes, I can hunt in the rain, I just chose not to). If I don't get one during bait season, I'll just transition to still hunting. Friends that have three sites are reporting the same: small bears and mostly at night now. Hopefully this cold front coming through will liven things up.
As an aside, the state 'bear biologist' did say it would be a tougher year for bait hunting this season due to the abundance of natural food and he expects the harvest numbers to be down.
Pic below is a sow with one of her yearlings. Last season I had two sows with cubs showing up every day. One of those sows still has two yearlings following her.
As an aside, the state 'bear biologist' did say it would be a tougher year for bait hunting this season due to the abundance of natural food and he expects the harvest numbers to be down.
Pic below is a sow with one of her yearlings. Last season I had two sows with cubs showing up every day. One of those sows still has two yearlings following her.
338 Bear Hunter
Active member
I see much of what you're seeing, but I have a slightly different take. We've all been told that this is an abundant year for natural foods, yet I'm seeing a LOT of activity at the baits. They're small, and they're nocturnal, but they're also very active.
This being the case, I question whether the slowdown is due to natural foods. I think the weather has a lot more to do with it. In truly boom food years, I see little activity, day or night. With all of the eating going on, I expect things might get pretty good when it cools down, which here should be Thursday.
Today is supposed to rain like hell through the prime time. We need a rest, so I think we're going to skip today.
Camera guy
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I’m hunting this year but you’re correct about the warm weather. But, all pics I have they are coming through between 10 am and 3 pm
