Hunter/nh2mt
New member
Many hunters out there try calling in black bears in grizzly country? Any bad experiences with it? Been think about giving it a try this spring.
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Ok, having done this, called in black bears in grizz country without "un-wanted" company, I'll put in what I did:
First, NO BLIND CALLING. The idea of just plopping down somewhere because there is some bear sign and blowing a call for an hour always sounded like the best way to find what you DON"T want.
I utilize calling as part of my spot and stalk strategy. I like to hunt with a handgun, this would also work very well for a bow hunting TEAM, as such I want my bear in close, under 50 yds. preferably under 25. A 454 Casull is very comforting at this range and as good as many rifles.
If I can see the bear, but it's moving in the wrong direction, not moving, I want to get a closer look at the bear (rubbed too much? too small? ) or I just get a adrenaline high out of dangerous game at close range I will not argue that this is really exciting moment. Predator call out and blowing , gets the bear's attention right now and in most cases they will move right towards me. Interesting to note that they will generally stop if you stop calling and after a few seconds actually seem to lose interest in some instances, in others, prepare to repel boarders.
Notice that you, as the caller, may not get a broadside shot, front under the chin is pretty much it. SO be armed appropriately. This is why for bow hunters its a team sport. I've seen 45-70, 7x57, 9.3x62, 44 and 454 and 12ga slugs all work perfectly with good bullets, penetration either complete or several feet into the bear. Oh, DRT, not so much, bears seem excited and turn and run off after the shot. If you don't want to shoot that bear, just stand up and yell at it, this alone is worth the effort and I've done this a hell of a lot more than shoot. (It may actually be more fun.) This would probably be the definitive "is this a grizz" test...
One last bit. I've never made much of a "camo" effort on this, far less than for coyotes. Cover your face and hands, sit still and be ready to shoot and even right out in the open, no issues with the bear not wanting to come a little closer. And the call didn't seem to matter, $5.00 Talley Ho works as good as anything else.
Very interesting and informative post. Like you, I hunt black bears with a handgun (Remington XP 100 in 7mm 08 calibre).Ok, having done this, called in black bears in grizz country without "un-wanted" company, I'll put in what I did:
First, NO BLIND CALLING. The idea of just plopping down somewhere because there is some bear sign and blowing a call for an hour always sounded like the best way to find what you DON"T want.
I utilize calling as part of my spot and stalk strategy. I like to hunt with a handgun, this would also work very well for a bow hunting TEAM, as such I want my bear in close, under 50 yds. preferably under 25. A 454 Casull is very comforting at this range and as good as many rifles.
If I can see the bear, but it's moving in the wrong direction, not moving, I want to get a closer look at the bear (rubbed too much? too small? ) or I just get a adrenaline high out of dangerous game at close range I will not argue that this is really exciting moment. Predator call out and blowing , gets the bear's attention right now and in most cases they will move right towards me. Interesting to note that they will generally stop if you stop calling and after a few seconds actually seem to lose interest in some instances, in others, prepare to repel boarders.
Notice that you, as the caller, may not get a broadside shot, front under the chin is pretty much it. SO be armed appropriately. This is why for bow hunters its a team sport. I've seen 45-70, 7x57, 9.3x62, 44 and 454 and 12ga slugs all work perfectly with good bullets, penetration either complete or several feet into the bear. Oh, DRT, not so much, bears seem excited and turn and run off after the shot. If you don't want to shoot that bear, just stand up and yell at it, this alone is worth the effort and I've done this a hell of a lot more than shoot. (It may actually be more fun.) This would probably be the definitive "is this a grizz" test...
One last bit. I've never made much of a "camo" effort on this, far less than for coyotes. Cover your face and hands, sit still and be ready to shoot and even right out in the open, no issues with the bear not wanting to come a little closer. And the call didn't seem to matter, $5.00 Talley Ho works as good as anything else.