Deer Hunting in Bear country: How do you prepare?

6690 Views 79 Replies 10 Participants Last post by JerseyJim, Aug 29, 2005

pla930

Discussion Starter · Aug 16, 2005

Based on the Assunpink Bear thread, chances increase that bowhunters will encounter bears this season and seasons to come.

I would like some input from experienced hunters that have walked into bear country for deer.

Lynda Smith won't offer any advice nor will Stuie.

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drome

· #2 · Aug 16, 2005

I prepare by loading my glock 30 clip with fully jacketed .45 ammo

mysticguido

· #3 · Aug 16, 2005

I have Lynda & Stu walk in first with a 5' long Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwhich.

pla930

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 16, 2005

I have Lynda & Stu walk in first with a 5' long Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwhich.

Stu would eat it before he got into the woods.

imb21

· #5 · Aug 16, 2005

I will be taking one of my pistols with me!!

pla930

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 16, 2005

I prepare by loading my glock 30 clip with fully jacketed .45 ammo

I will be taking one of my pistols with me!!

I have a full size USP. I am buying a Para Warthog in a few weeks.

I don't think rangers would be to thrilled with it.

Matty

· #7 · Aug 16, 2005

Well bear spray is not legal, so DONT CARRY IT! Wink wink, nudge nudge!

Secondly, just stay alert. Bears honestly dont want anything to do with us for the most part. As long as you dont stumble on one up close, or get between a sow and cubs, you are normally in no danger.

Tracking and gutting deer is when you may run into problems. Just stay alert, and get it done quickly. It helps to have a buddy watch, while you gut. Dont hang around the gut pile, and be aware if you track your deer well after the shot. I lost most of a large doe two years ago to a bear up in Montague. They also cover it with dirt and sticks and stuff, so if you find your downed deer like that, KEEP YOUR EYES WIDE OPEN! The bear may be lurking nearby waiting to eat again.

Other than that, just know how to react in different situations. Sometimes you need to be dominant and scare the bear off, other times you are the one that needs to slowly back out of the area. Never run, never scream, or get upset, just stay calm and let the bear know you are a person, more than likely the bear will run away.

Dont let bears ruin your hunt, theres not all that much to worry about.

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NJDiverDan

· #8 · Aug 16, 2005

ok guys, on taking along the side arm. ?? Don't worry about it? Keep it hidden?? Or, COs will understand in bear country?

-dan

imb21

· #9 · Aug 16, 2005

Dont go telling anyone that you will be carrying it, cause i am pretty sure you can't carry semi pistols while hunting. But I would rather be safe than sorry

drome

· #10 · Aug 16, 2005

my glock 30 is subcompact model!!

Or other thing you do is hunt with law enforcement permitted to carry!!!

You gut while they cover you

imb21

· #11 · Aug 16, 2005

Cover me I am going in the gutt pile!!!

drome

· #12 · Aug 16, 2005

you can't carry pistols period (hunting or not) unless you have a permit to carry or a badge.

wojtowicza

· #13 · Aug 16, 2005

I'll take JerseyJim hunting with me. I'm pretty sure i can out run him...LOL

If not i'll take OutlawJT because I KNOW i can out run him...

G

· #14 · Aug 16, 2005

You guys that have handguns and plan on taking it with you while hunting that would be a mistake. If you get caught with it on you, your done. Kiss your life away, you will be arrested on the spot, car and all other equipment will be confiscated. Most guys here that hunt deer in bear country like me never had a problem with the bears, I see them every time I deer hunt, and never once had a problem.

Walikng in the morning with a flashlight will scare any bear away and deer. I had a cub climb a tree next to me, look at me and he started making noise almost like a cry, I then heard walking, looked over my right shoulder and her comes MAMA, she growled and the cub left the tree, and they walked off, it was a nice experience this took place last year opening day morning of the bow season. My best friend is scared of bears and I mean really scared, but he still hunts, and if a bear looks up at him in the stand then he stands up and just says somethings and the bear knows he is human and runs off. You guys are making a mountain out of a mole hill

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pla930

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 16, 2005

ok guys, on taking along the side arm. ?? Don't worry about it? Keep it hidden?? Or, COs will understand in bear country?

Unfortunately Dan, none of the above can help. If you conceal it - it may not be noticed. I don't think CO's would be too understanding.

I used to hunt private land in the Pineys. My brother always carried a side-arm. Public land would be a different story.

There are bills in congress now that would allow hunters to carry on federal lands, but the libs are against it. NJ will never allow it.

pla930

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 16, 2005

You guys that have handguns and plan on taking it with you while hunting that would be a mistake. If you get caught with it on you, your done. Kiss your life away, you will be arrested on the spot, car and all other equipment will be confiscated. Most guys here that hunt deer in bear country like me never had a problem with the bears, I see them every time I deer hunt, and never once had a problem.

Walikng in the morning with a flashlight will scare any bear away and deer. I had a cub climb a tree next to me, look at me and he started making noise almost like a cry, I then heard walking, looked over my right shoulder and her comes MAMA, she growled and the cub left the tree, and they walked off, it was a nice experience this took place last year opening day morning of the bow season. My best friend is scared of bears and I mean really scared, but he still hunts, and if a bear looks up at him in the stand then he stands up and just says somethings and the bear knows he is human and runs off. You guys are making a mountain out of a mole hill

That was the input I was looking for. Thanks![up]

drome

· #17 · Aug 16, 2005

I think a bunch of us are only joking around. I am very aware of the law concerning handguns as my best friend is in the law enforcement field. BHC is 100% right, you aren't just breaking hunting regulations with the pistol, but state criminal law.

I actually hope I run across a bear especially during the PA bear season

imb21

· #18 · Aug 16, 2005

I am not gonna carry, but I dont think that I will run into a bear per say, but hope to see one. Quick story, A friend of mine was pulled over in NJ a few years back, and he had hollowpoint .40 ammo on the front seat from shooting in PA days before. They arrested him, and he sat in jail for a day, and got a huge fine, and almost lost his truck.So needless to say, I dont have any guns registered in NJ, and they only one I will be using is one of my shotguns.

pla930

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 16, 2005

There is no such thing as gun registration.

NJDiverDan

· #20 · Aug 16, 2005

Thanks for the info BHC. Until we get CC passed in NJ (never) I hope flashlights and "acting like a human" will cover all encounters.

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