Colorado Black Bear

Zutt-man · Aug 19, 2024

My dad and I planned a high country mule deer trip in mid September with our flintlocks. He drew a tag for Unit 444 and I’m ‘guiding’ him so to speak. We both also picked up bear tags. I’m going to try to get him his deer first, but looking for advice as bears are new to me.

I realize I’m looking for berries and acorns, but not sure where a good starting point is. Anyone have any advice for the unit? I’m getting familiar with the topography via maps, but what kind of elevations would you see them running around in? (For those not families the unit is 8,500-12,000 on the public land side)

Any advice is welcome!

hawkenhunter50 · Aug 19, 2024

No expert on bear hunting, but I was in Utah and we called in a pair with a rabbit in distress mouth call. The type of call you would use for predator hunting. Might be worth carrying one along in case you spot some and aren't able to get into flintlock range. Good luck!!

Phil Coffins · Aug 19, 2024

At those altitudes you won’t find acorns. Most bears I’ve seen around here has been by chance and generally by looking at clearings at a distance. Seems to be more coming into town to get into trash then in the high country. None the less good luck and show us pictures!

longcruise · Aug 22, 2024

Like Phil says, they will be low where the berries and acorns are. The general area blocked in is a possibility but I've not been through it. There's enough public land to stake out. It probably holds deer as well. If high country is important then it's still possible to get into a bear. They will be moving around a lot putting on fat and can pass through anywhere.

Fizzle1 · Aug 22, 2024

Zutt-man said:
My dad and I planned a high country mule deer trip in mid September with our flintlocks. He drew a tag for Unit 444 and I’m ‘guiding’ him so to speak. We both also picked up bear tags. I’m going to try to get him his deer first, but looking for advice as bears are new to me.

I realize I’m looking for berries and acorns, but not sure where a good starting point is. Anyone have any advice for the unit? I’m getting familiar with the topography via maps, but what kind of elevations would you see them running around in? (For those not families the unit is 8,500-12,000 on the public land side)

Any advice is welcome!

Pic taken by my sister last night 5 minutes from downtown Aspen! Gorging on sarvis berries now but they’ll probably be gone by mid September. Lots of scrub oak at that altitude (8500’+-). Most Colorado bear hunting (second hand info from family) is glassing valleys then trying to get close enough for a shot.

Zutt-man · Aug 22, 2024

Fizzle1 said:
Pic taken by my sister last night 5 minutes from downtown Aspen! Gorging on sarvis berries now but they’ll probably be gone by mid September. Lots of scrub oak at that altitude (8500’+-). Most Colorado bear hunting (second hand info from family) is glassing valleys then trying to get close enough for a shot.

Thanks for the info! Aspen isn't terribly far south of where we'll be.

CoHiCntry · Aug 24, 2024

I’m not familiar with that specific unit or area. Find oak brush if you can. That’s where the acorns will be. And it grows into the elevations you mentioned. Acorn crop changes year to year. Some years it’s good, some years it’s not. Choke cherries are another good area to look in. I’ve had good success sitting water too. Water with either oak brush that has good acorns or choke cherries is a good recipe for bears. Good luck!

Zutt-man · Aug 25, 2024

CoHiCntry said:
I’m not familiar with that specific unit or area. Find oak brush if you can. That’s where the acorns will be. And it grows into the elevations you mentioned. Acorn crop changes year to year. Some years it’s good, some years it’s not. Choke cherries are another good area to look in. I’ve had good success sitting water too. Water with either oak brush that has good acorns or choke cherries is a good recipe for bears. Good luck!

Appreciate it. Drought reports look promising in this area. I think I’ve identified a few locations where we can glass flats as well as higher slopes to cover our tag bases (deer and bear). I’d be content with some encounters, thrilled if we came home to render bear grease

Horizontal Hunter · Aug 25, 2024

hawkenhunter50 said:
No expert on bear hunting, but I was in Utah and we called in a pair with a rabbit in distress mouth call. The type of call you would use for predator hunting. Might be worth carrying one along in case you spot some and aren't able to get into flintlock range. Good luck!!

The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting by Douglas Boze is a good book on calling bears and hunting western bears.

Bob

Loja man · Aug 25, 2024

Zutt-man said:
Appreciate it. Drought reports look promising in this area. I think I’ve identified a few locations where we can glass flats as well as higher slopes to cover our tag bases (deer and bear). I’d be content with some encounters, thrilled if we came home to render bear grease

We all expected pic after the trip! Bear or no bear! But hopefully bear!

Zutt-man · Aug 25, 2024

Loja man said:
We all expected pic after the trip! Bear or no bear! But hopefully bear!

Will do!

Colorado Black Bear

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