What to do when a bear climbs your stand

[memphismason]

The Rub Line - News, Notes, and Hunt Reports from the Deer & Deer Hunting Staff - Video: What to Do When a Bear Climbs Up Your Stand

Black bears are one of the most curious creatures in the deer woods. They're quick to check out new things, such as a deer stand. But what happens if their curiosity is piqued when you're in the stand? This video from a Deer & Deer Hunting reader shows what to do.

As the video shows, a simple "hey" will usually scare the bear away. However, had this been a sow with cubs, things could have been more confrontational.

When placing a treestand, it's always a good idea to check for bear sign. You wouldn't want someone claiming your treestand before you get a chance to hunt, as this photo from another reader shows.

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I got nervous watching this video. There is no way I would have let that bear get as far up the ladder as he did.

You East Tennessee boys be careful out in the woods.

[ShaunM]

If the bear kept climbing when all else fails then I guess a good kick in the face with my boots would be in order.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

That's what I expected to see. A boot. Not a lot of things to do.

[Guest drv2fst]

The caribou in this thread should have thought of saying "Hey, what're you doin' there?". If he only knew it could be that easy.

[Guest Letereat!]

Hmmmmm. Dude was pretty casual about it. Wonder if hes seen that Bear before?? Cool vid.

[Guest drv2fst]

I'm not sure how he managed to get his boots in the shoot, with that "giant pair of brass ones" in the way.

I think you'd likely see the barrel of my rifle in the shot if I had been holding the camera, just in case.

Edited December 10, 2010 by drv2fst

[Guest drv2fst]

What to do when a bear climbs your stand....pray that being peed on does not make him mad.

[Guest Ae-35]

I don't know about where you'all live but around here if there's fresh bear sign or scat, you won't be see'n NO deer.

[DaveS]

Bears climbing your stand is why you carry extra toilet paper in the woods! LOL

Edited December 11, 2010 by wd-40

[Chief07]

The Rub Line - News, Notes, and Hunt Reports from the Deer & Deer Hunting Staff - Video: What to Do When a Bear Climbs Up Your Stand

Black bears are one of the most curious creatures in the deer woods. They're quick to check out new things, such as a deer stand. But what happens if their curiosity is piqued when you're in the stand? This video from a Deer & Deer Hunting reader shows what to do.

As the video shows, a simple "hey" will usually scare the bear away. However, had this been a sow with cubs, things could have been more confrontational.

When placing a treestand, it's always a good idea to check for bear sign. You wouldn't want someone claiming your treestand before you get a chance to hunt, as this photo from another reader shows.

__________________________________________________ ________________

I got nervous watching this video. There is no way I would have let that bear get as far up the ladder as he did.

You East Tennessee boys be careful out in the woods.

Yup. In Greene County Black bears are very common. My wife found a few piles of bear scag on our front lawn and by my fruit trees.

Hope I don't up on one.

[Guest BEARMAN]

Good case for carrying bear pepper spray. fwiw

[Kenstaroni]

Good case for carrying bear pepper spray. fwiw

I'm pretty sure you should be considered the utmost authority on this issue

[Guest IceBreakerG]

Wow. I didn't know bears could climb "ladders". I'm guessing shooting the bear wouldn't be an option? Then again, just saying "Hey!" to the bear, scared him/her off, so the less confrontational way might be better first.

[Guest Appalachian]

A bear wouldnt be the only thing $h!t'n in the woods, I've read black bears are more unpredictable when it comes to aggression tward people than a grizzly.

[Guest BEARMAN]

Wow. I didn't know bears could climb "ladders".

Hell, they even teach 'em to ride bicycles...so a ladder would be a "piece of cake" for most bruin's.

[gnmwilliams]

This is why I always carry a spare picnic basket with me into the woods. Hey boo boo!

[roverboy]

I'd probably yell at him or something to get the bears attention. If that didn't work I'd probably put a hole where his life used to be.

[Guest Jamie]

I'm not quite sure what I'd do, and with any luck at all I'll never find out.

Seems to me though that this vid is a good example of why tree stands that either don't have a ladder or have a retractable one of some kind might be a good idea when hunting in bear country... Not that the bears couldn't find their way up to you anyway, mind you. Still, there's no reason to make it easy for 'em.

... I do kind'a wonder how bears feel about being :poop:ed on though.

[memphismason]

The wife and I watched "Sarah Palin's Alaska" last night (we had it recorded on the DVR) and they went to a Bear safety class in preparation for a camping trip. The instructor told them that when confronted face to face with a bear and he opens his mouth to growl at you you should simply say "No Bear, No Bear." No yelling or screaming just in a stern mid level voice say, "No Bear, No." He said they are trying to train the bears to respond to the sound of the human voice.

Remembering to say "No Bear, No", might not happen until after I had shot and killed the snarling beast.