I could hear the black bear coming through the dry leaves. The steady crunch almost sounded like a man walking through the bush, when suddenly, there was nothing but silence. I say dead still, with my heart in my mouth, for almost an hour. My eyes were strained from peering into the closing darkness, when my fine-tuned ears picked up the distant growl of the truck coming to pick me up. I relaxed the grip on my .30-06 slowly and stood up carefully on the tree stand to ease my cramped leg muscles. The sudden wooding and crashing through the bush, as the bear took off, almost gave me a heart attack. The anxiety turned quickly to relief, however, when I realized it was gone. It was too dark to shoot anyway.
Black bear hunt
That was the last day of my hunt, and even though I never saw it, I knew it was a big old boar. The actions that night and the sign around the bait it had been feeding on told me the whole story. Big bears get that way because they’re cautious, and this old boy had played all its cards right.
A young bear will come into a bait with little caution, especially if it’s been feeding on it for a few days. A sow with cubs will be more careful, often hanging back with the cubs, attracted by that delicious aroma, tear right in and start feeding. A wise old boar or smart dry sow often approach the bait during daylight, but then sit and survey the situation until the last rays of light are fading before approaching it. A bear that has been hunted before and been scared off a bait, usually will wait for total nightfall before feeding. I’m convinced my old boy had previous experience with baits, and when I moved, I reinforced its wariness. Chances are that bear will live a long and cautious life.
Baiting black bear travel lanes
Baiting probably is the most common way of hunting bears in Ontario and likely the most successful. It is not, however, as easy as it sounds. A black bear does not have the greatest eyesight in the world, but it’s no slouch when it comes to hearing and smelling, and these two factors probably are the most important things to keep in mind when setting out a bait.
Travel lanes used by bears probably are the best places to locate a bait station. Natural rock ridges, a beaver dam crossing, old bush roads, or a trail along the lake are all good places. If, however, you find an ideal spot for a stand, don’t worry if it fails to meet all the requirements. A properly set bait probably will lure bears still just because of their great sense of smell.
The smellier the better
I have found that a combination of rank meat—the smellier the better—and fresh pork scraps constitute the best bait. The smell brings bears in, but they always tend to feed on the fresh scraps first. When a bear starts hitting a bait, keep replenishing it with fresh meat to keep its interest up. An extra tantalizer, such as honey, syrup, or jam, often will catch their sweet tooth and keep them hooked. I prefer a red-mesh onion bag to put the meat in, and either tie it four or five feet up a tree or suspend if at the same height from a wire run between two trees.
Some outfitters prefer loose scraps on the tree or in a five-gallon pail wired to a tree. They all work, but I feel it keeps the bear just a little more occupied if it has to eat the bag open to get at the goodies. I also feel it’s important to chop the scraps up into fairly small pieces, as this prevents them from grabbing a sizable hunk and running off into the underbrush to eat it.
Tree stands
The stand, whether in a tree or on the ground, should be located 40 to 60 yards away and always downwind of the prevailing winds. Bowhunters, of course, would have to be much slower, and much more cautious. When I set up a tree stand, I always pick out a spot for a ground hide exactly opposite, just in case the wind does a complete change around. Being up in the air will compensate for a lot of vagaries in wind currents, but if the wind is directly at your back, you’ll have no choice but to move. When I set up the ground stand, I always scrape the dead leaves and twigs away from three or four different spots, so I have an instant selection according to the breeze.
It’s just as important to have a tree stand that is sturdy enough so it doesn’t make any noise if you move, as it is clear the ground under foot when you’re hunkering. Any foreign noise will send a bear into rapid-fire retreat, so be careful. That also goes for the noise your gun’s safety makes when it’s moved to the off position. If you cough, take a supply of throat lozenges with you, and unwrap and lay them out handy, when you first arrive. If you smoke, there’s just one simple word of advice. Don’t! You won’t if you really want a bear.
Black bear eyesight
A bear’s eyesight is not that great, but movement will be picked up in a flash. For that reason, any move must be made in extra-slow motion. I believe that the motions involved in smoking are much more important than the actual smell, as they are reflexive and therefore harder to control. I move as little as possible on a stand, but when I do, I take a good look around first, and then do it carefully.
On one hunt, I was sitting on the ground watching a slug crawl up my rifle stock. One leg, tucked under me, started to cramp, so I raised my head slowly to look around before moving. Forty yards away, a 350-pound black bear was looking in my direction. It stared for a second or two, then ripped the onion bag open with its teeth, and dropped down on all fours to feed on the bits that dropped out. While its head was down, I shifted up onto one knee and started to bring the rifle up. When it reared up to the bag again, I froze, but as soon as it was down again, I got into position. When it stood on its hind legs, I was ready and the bear was mine.
The point is, if I had moved without looking carefully first, I would never have had time for even a snap shot. Two jumps would have taken the bear out of sight and gone for good.
Baiting tactics
I should mention two more items about hunting over a bait. Always make sure you have a clear shooting lane when setting up your stand, even if it means chopping down a few saplings. Secondly, carry in a piece of four-inch-thick foam with you. It’s light and easy to carry (you probably won’t be walking far anyway) and the comfort it adds makes sitting still a whole lot easier.
While baiting is the most popular method used in Ontario because of the thick bush, stalking can be successful, especially when done early in the spring season. When bears first emerge from hibernation, they are ravenously hungry and feed longer hours throughout the day.
The best place to glass for bears is along the edge of open areas. Power-line right of ways are good, as are beaver meadows of open areas. Power-line right of ways are good, as are beaver meadows and the edge of fields, if you are in farming country. They eat grasses and legumes at this time of year, and it’s suspected they do so to clean out and reactivate their digestive systems after the long winter fast.
Bears also will eat young poplar leaves as they burst from the bud stage, so it’s a good idea to run your binoculars over the tree tops from a high vantage point, if it’s available.
Plan your stalk
Once a bear is spotted, plan your stalk and do it carefully and quietly. It’s surprising how close you can get to a bear, if you keep it in sight and freeze every time it looks your way. Step on a twig, however, or bang your rifle against a tree trunk, and it will be all over. Get as close as you can before you try a shot. A bear is a big target and the bulk of the animal is deceptive, making it easy to underestimate the range.
Hunting black bears with dogs is exciting and demanding. A bear can plough through the bush like a tank, and with dogs on its tail, chances are it’s not going to stop soon. A hunter has to be in good shape to keep the dogs within hearing range. When the bear does a bay-up a tree, odds are better than 50-50 that it will be off again when it hears the hunters approaching. Stamina is an important word when it comes to dogs and bears.
Bear-dog hunters are a breed apart. They’re as tough and wiry as the lean hounds they use, and are dedicated, as well. They have to be if they’re going to keep a pack of hungry plots all year to use for a short season. A well-trained bear dog is a valuable animal. Hunting bears with dogs is a science all to itself, and it is not something amateurs should start into by themselves. The best way to start would be to locate someone already involved in dog hunting and see if they’d be willing to take you along for a trail run. You may change your mind in a big hurry.
Treated as varmints
The black bear has been notoriously downgraded and often treated as a noxious varmint for a long time. Northerners considered them useless, and I’ve heard the comment, “I wouldn’t waste the price of a shell on one of them!” more than once. I have always considered them Ontario’s best trophy.
In the past few years, attitudes have changed drastically, and the province is enacting new legislation. Natural Resources Minister, Vince Kerrio, in a February news release, explained that: “black bears have become a popular big-game species and are under increasing pressure in some areas. The new regulations help ensure we head off problems before they arise.”
Regs and commercial hunts
Some regulations are in effect already for this spring season, while others will become law as soon as amendments to the Fish and Game Act are passed. Regulations in effect for this spring restrict hunting with dogs for both residents and non-residents from April 15 to May 15. The exception is that residents alone in Wildlife Management Units 61 to 76 and 83 will be allowed the traditional use of dogs throughout the entire spring season. It is also unlawful to hunt bear within a 400-meter perimeter of any dump or waste-disposal site on Crown land, or shoot bears in their dens. Non-resident black bear hunters are required to use the services of the tourist industry or an approved commercial Ontario guide.
If the amendments to the act are passed before the spring season, hunters will be limited to purchasing only one bear licence per year. Other regulations concerning baiting and the use of dogs also will come into effect. One thing is certain, all the new regulations will be in place for the fall season.
It’s no wonder that black bear hunting is becoming more popular. It comes at a slow time of year for the hunter, it’s exciting, and it’s rewarding.
Commercial black bear hunts can be arranged through outfitters listed in the classified section of this magazine. Two outfitters I’ve tried and found to be good are:
Algonquin Bear Hunters, Box 1230, Waterdown, ON, L0R 2H0
Grey Owl Outpost Camps, Box 1387, Chapleau, ON, P0M 1K0 705-864-1084
Equipment for the spring bear hunter
Any rifle that is used for deer in Ontario is fine for black bear. Magnum calibres are not required, but lighter varmint cartridges should not be used either.
Binoculars are almost a must when stalking for bear, but are a definite liability when hunting over baits. The whole trick on a stand is staying still, and if you see a bear, I’ll guarantee it will be close. The time can drag on a solitary watch, and if binoculars are handy, they get used to inspect red squirrels, woodpeckers, etc., and the movement is counterproductive.
Quiet clothing
Warm, quiet, and I repeat QUIET clothing is a must. The spring air may feel balmy, but it’s surprising how fast you can develop a chill when just sitting still. Camouflage is a definite asset, but there may be some problem there is a blaze-orange law comes into effect. Leather gloves and a good headnet should also be included as protection against blackflies and mosquitos.
A good knife for field dressing your bear, a soft gun case, and a flashlight for finding your way out after dark complete the essentials. A small backpack for odds and ends is a good idea, as is some camouflage scent such as skunk screen. I know people who swear at scents, but if there’s even a slight chance it will mask your smell, it’s worth using.
Bear meat supreme
A lot of people turn up their nose if you mention you eat black bear. If the truth is known, it’s probably one of the mildest, best-tasting wild-game meats. The fat from a spring bear, when rendered properly, makes a lard that is whiter, lighter, and milder than the best you can buy. If anyone ever cooks with it once, they’ll only go back to pork lard when they run out. Bear meat can be served any way pork can, but the same precautions must be observed. Trichinosis is avoided by cooking approximately 45 minutes to the pound, until well done and tender.
I once entertained a fairly elegant dinner party and served broiled bear sausage as an appetizer and a hip of bear as the main course. I had hinted that it might be caribou before dinner, and everyone dug in with gusto. After the meal, I announced that it was, in fact, black bear they had been served, and I had 12 instant converts. I’ve never had a problem inviting anyone over for a black bear cook-up since then.
Treat it like pork
If you have a butcher process a bear carcass for you, just tell him to treat it like pork. Sausage and smoked hams are excellent, as are the regular cuts like chops and ribs. If you do it yourself, here are a few hints:
One of the simplest recipes for bear also is one that gets the most raves. If you’re having a large group, just spit a leg and cook it on your barbecue as you would any large roast. Use lots of your favourite barbecue sauce to seal in the moisture and cook slowly until well done. It’s a great meal to serve slices on a bun for a casual affair, or as the main entrée for a gourmet meal.
You’ll be surprised at the compliments you get.
Rib-sticking meals
Another favourite of mine also is easy to prepare. Cube as much bear meat as you think will be necessary (almost any cut will do) and shake it in a paper bag with half a cup of flour. In a frying pan, sauté one large onion (diced) until translucent and set aside. Add the bear meat to the pan and brown on all sides. You may have to do this in shifts, until all the meat is done. Return browned meat and onions to the frying pan, cover with red wine, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
If you enjoy curries, add that spice mixture to taste and simmer until the meat almost falls apart on its own. This is one of those cases where longer is better. The gravy will thicken on its own, but if it becomes too dry, add more wine. Serve with rice of egg noodles for a rib-sticking, tasty meal.
Originally published in the April 1987 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS
Please check the most recent Ontario hunting and fishing regulations summaries, as rules and regulations can change
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