Question about Bear Hunting

[KahrMan]

My 13yo daughter really wants me to take her bear hunting this year. We would like to do a "diy" hunt instead of a guided hunt. Can anybody point me in the right direction as where to get some good information? Need info like where to go, when to go, spot and stalk or baiting etc...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Bill, Jr

[Guest Verbal Kint]

?

Is there a reason why your last 6 posts are nothing but question marks and periods? Trolling through?

[Guest db99wj]

Is there a reason why your last 6 posts are nothing but question marks and periods? Trolling through?

Guess he got sent to a permanant timeout!

Nothing to add here other than come on this side of the state, you and your daughter could help the Tunica Miss. folks find the bear that is roaming around down there!

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showthread.php?p=116010#post116010

[Warbird]

Have you hunted bear before yourself? What kind of bear and where are you interested in going?

In general I'd recommend using a guide in an area that they know obviously. There are too many things that can go wrong hunting bear to chance it w/ a 13 yr old. That's just my opinion.

[towerclimber37]

I agree with warbird....unlike deer, Bear, even black bear are serious predators. The potential for damage is too risky to take, IMO. Even a black bear can do some serious damage if it gets up amongst you..and I'll warn you now, they can do that before you can blink good if they decide to charge you.

Go with a guide..you'd be better off! they know the lay of the land, have hunted bear before and will also offer an extra weapon to bring to bear on the bear (pardon the choice of words) should your first shot be the one to make him charge.

I would also ask the same thing warbird asked...have you hunted bear before? are you after a specific species of bear?

more information is needed..but I would say that if you take your daughter, use a guide...it's safer that way.

Edited June 22, 2008 by towerclimber37

[KahrMan]

Although I am a fairly accomplished hunter, I have never hunted bear.

We were interested in hunting black bear in East Tennessee.

We were trying to keep the cost down but may look into getting a guide.

Thanks.

[towerclimber37]

I can understand about keeping the costs down, but I can seriously tell you, a guide is the way to go.

black bear usually inhabit dense areas of forest, and not in the semi open ranges that others usually live in.. they're good at "hiding". they also climb trees as most bears do. they're the smallest bear of the ursine family, but they're still a bear. when on the move I should imagine it would be pretty dang hard to hit them with a bolt action rifle, just imagine if they were charging you!

they're not as aggressive as other breeds of bears...but they're still bad news if they want to tangle.

Find a guide that has hunted them before...that being said, you can always look in Ky as well. there are an abundance of bears coming in from the surrounding states and next year, the game commission is going to allow hunting of nuisance bears.

[Guest jackdog]

but if you shoot yogi who will hang out with boo boo. And who will s%^t in the woods.

[KahrMan]

And who will s%^t in the woods.

Me!:D:D

[HillbillyMafia]

Quite a few places to hunt in ET, I have been all over, never meant to find bear, but have run up on some while deer hunting, I mostly hunt private land in Sevier, Cocke, Greene and Sullivan Co.s. Also roane Mt for Hog. one thing, NO BAITING in TN, Quire a few places in the US do allow hunting over bait, but TN does not as far as I know.

Take her on a "photo safari" Go up to the Park Vista hotel in gatlinburg and pull around to the $10K apiece bearproof dumpsters at nightfall. then watch them big fat scutters come out of the NP and climb in and out of the dumpsters. Its hilarious. take a camera and some snacks and drinks. LOL

Hillbilly

[Guest roger519]

ha! go to twra site and there are open hunts [bear and boar] and on some there will be dogs running.chances are slim but you know what they say.you an't going to see one unless your in the woods.

[Guest Grizzly Johnson]

Quite a few places to hunt in ET, I have been all over, never meant to find bear, but have run up on some while deer hunting,

Hillbilly

So how did you handle the situation? I am not afraid to say it, my inner fear is wild bears. I saw a bear run through our neighbors back yard in west tennessee when I was a young kid, ever since then from time to time I have dreams about being attacked. Even now (yes I know there is nothing to be afraid of) being in the woods deer and turkey hunting before and after dark I get very nervous. I like 4-wheeling in east tennessee but being in a tent with bears in the woods also gets to me.......

[sigmtnman]

Definitely get a guide.