Spring Black Bear Hunting Basics

Black bears have the widest natural geographic distribution of any North American big-game animal. They can be found in about 37 states. The species, which predominantly lives in forests, is thought to have a total population of around 480,000.

Despite burgeoning populations of this game animal, liberal hunting regulations, and relatively little competition, the spring bear season is on the back burner for many hunters. However, black bear tags are generally readily available and cheaper than most deer or elk tags.

Bear hunts present the unique sense of adventure found in any deer or elk hunt without all the pressure and high costs. So, have we piqued your interest? If so, here's what you need to know about black hear hunting in the spring.  

Why Consider Spring Bear Hunting

In the spring, bears emerge from hibernation groggy, malnourished, and vulnerable. So, spring bear season is a great time to get out, burn off some winter fat, test your hunting gear, and help the local whitetail population. 

Why Hunt Bears? 

Bears are extremely hard on spring calf and fawn population growth. Black bears are increasing in population throughout the United States. At the same time, residents of black bear states will find acquiring tags reasonably easy, either through lottery draws or over-the-counter sales. Non-resident black bear tags for hunters residing in states without a bear population are abundant and easily acquired as well.

Biologists believe there are more black bears in the United States now than before European settlement. Because of this, states offer more opportunities to hunt black bears now than in previous generations. 

Hunting Ethics Are at Play

Conservation efforts by the National Wildlife Federation for black bears have been effective and, in most areas, black bears are increasing in numbers and can sustain hunting seasons. Accordingly, the ethics of hunting black bears come into play. 

As is true with all hunting situations, the hunter must make every attempt to place a quick and effective shot at the time of a kill. To make a quick kill, the hunter must be proficient with his firearm or bow, understand his personal effective range, and understand basic bear anatomy. 

Additionally, hunters must understand that bears are built differently than deer and other big game animals. With heavy bones, hides, and fat layers that inhibit blood dripping to form a good trail, an injured bear is difficult to track. Therefore, proper shot placement is essential.

Understanding the Black Bear Habitat

Bears naturally rise from winter slumber between March and June, depending on the snow line and weather. Bears tend to live and hibernate in dense forests, but usually, after waking from their hibernation, they are drawn to any open hillside facing south. 

As soon as a bear wakes up from its winter slumber, it immediately seeks food. The easiest food for these omnivorous mammals to get is new blossoms, flowers, berries, tree buds, bugs, grubs, and anything in between. 

Because of their versatile diet, black bears can live in various habitat types. They are found in Alaska, much of Canada, and the contiguous United States and extend as far south as northern Mexico.

What Do Black Bears Eat? 

The key to finding bears is locating their feeding areas. 

As omnivores, black bears are opportunistic feeders with a wildly varied diet. Favorite food items vary depending on location and time of year and are almost too numerous to list. 

Common staples include:

• Acorns, beechnuts, hazelnuts, and pine nuts
• Fruit such as cranberry, huckleberry, bearberry, salmonberry, buffalo berry, and wild strawberry
• Insects and insect larvae such as yellow jackets, bees, ants, and beetles

Black bears can also kill adult deer and other hoofed wildlife but most commonly prey on deer, elk, moose, and other hoofed animals when the prey is very young. They can kill livestock, mainly sheep. 

Additionally, bears are very attracted to human garbage, livestock food or pet food, or other human-associated foods like fruit trees. Bears using these human-associated foods can quickly become habituated to them and this commonly results in the bears being killed as nuisances. 

This is also true for bee hives, as bears are very attracted to honey.

The 4 Most Common Methods for Hunting Bears

Hunters primarily use four methods to hunt bears: baiting, calling, spot-and-stalk, and trailing with hounds. 

However, different states regulate when and where some of these practices can be done. Bowhunters of spring bears often face fewer regulations than hunters with firearms.

1. Baiting

Baiting bears, and baiting in general, is one of the most controversial and misunderstood forms of hunting. 

Although baiting has been around for millennia, many people misunderstand it as inhumane, takes little effort, and cheating. However, baiting is the most popular and effective method for many hunters to bag a spring bruin. 

When done properly, baiting increases the odds of success and allows the hunter to accurately evaluate the trophy quality of the bear before taking a shot. 

Before setting up a bait site, ensure it is legal in your area. Every state is different, and some require a special permit to hunt bears over a bait site.

2. Calling

As is true with foxes and coyotes, bears may be lured in by the sound of a predator call. Fawn bleats, injured rabbit sounds, and even turkey calls have been used successfully to draw bears. 

Bears are opportunistic feeders and respond favorably to the call of a wounded animal, or a prey animal that might offer an easy meal. When calling, persistence is key.

3. Spot and Stalk

Spot and stalk hunting is easily the most rigorous and demanding form of black bear hunting. The method is well suited to open or semi-open spaces, where a hunter can locate prey at a distance before stalking into an effective killing distance without alarming the animal. 

When spotting and stalking black bears, apps like HuntWise can help uncover different hunt areas and access points. The app also helps you pinpoint the best times and optimal conditions for black bear hunting. 

Drop a marker where a bear or signs of a bear are spotted. Along with topographic and 3D maps, HuntWise can help uncover slopes and spaces where black bears are likely to hide.

4. Trailing with Hounds

Hounding involves hunters and guides using packs of radio-collared hounds to pursue bears. Hound hunting goes beyond buying a specialty breed of hound and cruising the woods in an attempt to tree bears. 

Besides the basic gear essentials required to participate in the hunt, such as a pack of trained hounds, a dog box, GPS collars for all the dogs, and radios, there is a process the Houndsmen follow to get the bears in the tree.

For more information about bear hunting with hounds using HuntWise, check out the video below. The Chase, a HuntWise film in collaboration with The Untamed, Vortex Optics, and Bowga Hunting, captures the spirit of hound hunting and highlights the divisions between hunters.

Use HuntWise for Black Bear Hunting Success

The spring bear season is an exceptional time of the year to get out and enjoy the great weather and sights. Additionally, the black bear season is a great opportunity to test out new gear for upcoming hunts in the fall. 

For someone looking to dive into western hunting while cutting the expensive costs, bear hunting is where it's at! Before you head out on your black bear hunting adventure, make sure you have the HuntWise app. 

With HuntWise, you can plan your day in the field based on the weather, mark hunting areas with good bear activity, and share those locations with your hunting buddies (because hunting bears is better with friends)!

We hope you have a successful spring bear hunt! Download HuntWise and start your free trial. The first week is on us!