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Bear Sizes
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RussB
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My own largest weighed just a bit over 350# with the skin on at the check station in Pierce, Idaho. I have always used that as the "official" weight, when I tell the story.
I might also add it was a beautiful black bear in a blond phase, with three black stockings and a black face, It was taken during the spring (May)hunt, and had an excellent hide.
Other bear I have taken at this time, just coming out of hibernation, were so "ragged" they looked like manure!
I don't remember the exact length, just a bit over seven ft? from left hind, to right front....Certainly not a "big" bear by some standards, but a very pretty mount. The mount currently resides on the wall of the VFW in El Paso, Texas.
I have taken around 15 bear in fifty plus years of hunting, and I have yet to see a "Big" black bear. I read stories, and I see pictures, but I NEVER see the bears these stories, and pictures, represent.
Most bear I see run in the 200 - 250# range, Occasionally one may go 350#, Also, the majority of the "big" bear I see have been on the North Fork of the Clearwater River in the Bitterroot Mtns. of Northern Idaho. The bear in Washington and Oregon seldom make more than 275# (dressed)....that I'm aware of......Maybe they do, I certainly don't see, or hear, of them all.
Montana may have larger bear, but I have hunted there and I've never seen them...at least anything that I recognized as being "big".
The largest bear I've ever seen in my life was in the back of a pick-up truck in Missoula Montana. The hunter had been in Idaho, near Lo-Lo pass, when he shot it, He was guessing the weight at over 600#, and I was guessing he may have been close. Suffice to say it "filled" the back of the truck, and it was a long bed 3/4 ton. A truly big bear!
This should make for an interesting string, as I'm finding more and more local people telling me they've never "even seen" a bear in the woods. Makes me wonder how many they've walked by, and how close they were when it happened. I don't think you need to be afraid of a bear, but I do think you certainly need to respect them.
I don't think that hunting bear with a muzzleloader should turn anyone away from doing so, at the same time I can understand someone being hesitant in trying it intentionally.
I also think there is nothing more exciting than taking a bear with a black powder firearm, Albeit I've only taken two with BP...perhaps it was the closeness, perhaps it was the uncertainty of "what we've been told" to expect.....or whatever, AAR, it is a "rush", as the young folks say.
Sorry I got long winded.
Russ
i go to the check stations here in pa at night after my hunt to see some of the bears others got and some of them tip the scales at 500 to 700 pounds here in pike county north east pa....this year i'll have some pics........................bob
Guest
Bob!!?? easy now big guy,,steady,,steady,,,
If anyone could walk on down to the local check station and see 500-700 pound Black bear takin in Penn,, Canada would never see another american dollar. A 350 pound Black Bear is a good trophy so they say,,I don't care what he says,,,,,,,500 pounders are rare.
Maybe ya seen a big bear,,,,but bear that big are an exception ,,not the rule, sorry, 500 pounders make nation wide news, real fast. (period)
If anyone could walk on down to the local check station and see 500-700 pound Black bear takin in Penn,, Canada would never see another american dollar. A 350 pound Black Bear is a good trophy so they say,,I don't care what he says,,,,,,,500 pounders are rare.
Maybe ya seen a big bear,,,,but bear that big are an exception ,,not the rule, sorry, 500 pounders make nation wide news, real fast. (period)
Don't bank on that. I live in Pa. and the last 2 years there has been 9 bears taken within 2 mile of my home. the biggest last year was 510 pounds and the year before was 670 pounds at the check station, 7' 1" tall. We tracked that bear the year before on the ground I own and there were 2 of them that same size running together. when they walked in the snow it looked like someone drug a 55 gal. drum in the snow from thier bellys. Yeah, Bob is right, we have big ones
RussB
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Like I said folks, I hear about the big ones, and I have no reason to doubt but what there are some mighty big blacks out there, it's just that I never see them.
I got a PM mentioning that 15 seemed like a lot of bear to shoot. Let me just say that back around 1970 to about 1978 there was a definate "bear problem" in Northern Idaho.
For the "Spring" bear hunt in Idaho, back in 1970 and 1971 (if I remember correctly) a non-resident automatically got a bear tag with his non-resident license for Elk, and the second, third, and fourth tag only cost $5.00 each. I don't know what a resident paid, or even if he paid anything for a bear tag.
The reasoning behind all this was the fact that the Elk Calves were being taken down by Black bear just coming out of their den in late April, early May. When it comes to Game management, Elk tags equate to BIG money while the bear is seldom hunted on a bear tag alone......albeit, some outfitters do just that nowadays.
Back in those days, most of my pictures were done on "slides"....if you remember those. I understand I can have some of these converted to a disk that I can download on the computer. I have to check into this, if it works out, I will show you some nice pictures of bear hunts that have taken place over the years. The angle on many of these pictures make the bears look like they weigh a ton! I believe it's called focal depth, and it is very often very, very decieving. Ever see a picture taken of a fish held out in front of you, ever have your picture taken while you were 2' behind the animal, or if you were higher, or lower, than the animal.
See what I'm getting at???
I'm going to try taking a picture of a picture with my digital just to show you what I mean.
I'm sorry I got off the subject, it's just that sometimes the Bear, or the Elk, or the Deer, or whatever, just ain't as big as it seems in the pictures.
Would anyone know, or care to guess, which state has the biggest bears? (Lower 48)......I truly don't know. I hear of big bears just about everywhere, just wondering if the big bears were found more specifically in one place or the other.
Russ
I got a PM mentioning that 15 seemed like a lot of bear to shoot. Let me just say that back around 1970 to about 1978 there was a definate "bear problem" in Northern Idaho.
For the "Spring" bear hunt in Idaho, back in 1970 and 1971 (if I remember correctly) a non-resident automatically got a bear tag with his non-resident license for Elk, and the second, third, and fourth tag only cost $5.00 each. I don't know what a resident paid, or even if he paid anything for a bear tag.
The reasoning behind all this was the fact that the Elk Calves were being taken down by Black bear just coming out of their den in late April, early May. When it comes to Game management, Elk tags equate to BIG money while the bear is seldom hunted on a bear tag alone......albeit, some outfitters do just that nowadays.
Back in those days, most of my pictures were done on "slides"....if you remember those. I understand I can have some of these converted to a disk that I can download on the computer. I have to check into this, if it works out, I will show you some nice pictures of bear hunts that have taken place over the years. The angle on many of these pictures make the bears look like they weigh a ton! I believe it's called focal depth, and it is very often very, very decieving. Ever see a picture taken of a fish held out in front of you, ever have your picture taken while you were 2' behind the animal, or if you were higher, or lower, than the animal.
See what I'm getting at???
I'm going to try taking a picture of a picture with my digital just to show you what I mean.
I'm sorry I got off the subject, it's just that sometimes the Bear, or the Elk, or the Deer, or whatever, just ain't as big as it seems in the pictures.
Would anyone know, or care to guess, which state has the biggest bears? (Lower 48)......I truly don't know. I hear of big bears just about everywhere, just wondering if the big bears were found more specifically in one place or the other.
Russ
Depends on the type of bear we're talking about...
Black bears, Potter County in PA produces many bears in the larger sizes, I'll guess any state along the Appalachian Mountains will produce large black bears...
Here is a map of current black bear strongholds in the North American continent...
Black Bears
Grizzly bear locations can be seen on this map...
RussB
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Thought I'd try my hand at posting a picture taken from an old slide....Not much in the way of technology, and especially fer a feller that had just mastered the VCR before this putter thing came home with me wife.
Anyway, I'll try a couple...keep in mind these are about thirty years old, and taken with a digital from a screen of a projector.
This bear's weight is in the 325# neighborhood (+/- a few pounds)
This is what that hide looked like on a pack frame.
BTW; The gun is PC for that time in my life, I gave those up as a "passin fad" a few years back, and I haven't looked back. Albeit, I still have a gun locker full. (Seems we all have to at least pass through this stage as we search for whatever it is we're lookin for.)
Like I said, not much for pictures, but I think you get the idea. All bear look big, and some bears are VERY big.
I think I just might develop a whole new perspective on this bear hunting thing, if I ever came across a 600, or 700 pound bear. I suspect he may stand a good 4+ foot off the ground when on all fours, perhaps 10 to 12' stand on his hind legs...and all ya got is yer trusty flinter! Man! What a way to go! Just might give a whole new meaning to "manure in your paints"!
Russ
Anyway, I'll try a couple...keep in mind these are about thirty years old, and taken with a digital from a screen of a projector.
This bear's weight is in the 325# neighborhood (+/- a few pounds)
This is what that hide looked like on a pack frame.
BTW; The gun is PC for that time in my life, I gave those up as a "passin fad" a few years back, and I haven't looked back. Albeit, I still have a gun locker full. (Seems we all have to at least pass through this stage as we search for whatever it is we're lookin for.)
Like I said, not much for pictures, but I think you get the idea. All bear look big, and some bears are VERY big.
I think I just might develop a whole new perspective on this bear hunting thing, if I ever came across a 600, or 700 pound bear. I suspect he may stand a good 4+ foot off the ground when on all fours, perhaps 10 to 12' stand on his hind legs...and all ya got is yer trusty flinter! Man! What a way to go! Just might give a whole new meaning to "manure in your paints"!
Russ
RussB
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Thanks MM...Good Ilustration on the black bear map. It was pretty much as I pictured it in my mind. I was surprised to see all the places in Florida. You never get to old to learn!
When you say "I'll guess any state along the Appalachian Mountains will produce large black bears..." I suspect you are right.
I heard a story once of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) under President Rosevelt, "capturing" a black bear in the Cumberland Mtn. area of Virginia, supposingly this bear weighed over "half-a-ton". And was kept in camp on a logging chain! Many of the hill folk through Va., Tenn.,Kentucky, and North Carolina speak of "big bears", especially of big bears in years gone by, along with some recent sightings.
I have no reason in this world to doubt them. I think one of our rock stars / hunters (Ted Nuggent??) took a bear with a bow that weighed in the neighborhood of 700# somewhere in the south.
I don't want anyone thinking I'm not a believer in bears of the weights mentioned, it just that at one time I thought of my self as a bear hunter. I delibertly hunted them year after year. Then I would turn down many shots, every season, just because it seemed like it was no bigger than one I had already taken. They're there! No doubt! And one day it may be my luck to find one that will become a real wall hanger....or fireplace hugger. Until that time, I will still get my tag, and I will wait on him....who knows? This might be the year.
Russ
When you say "I'll guess any state along the Appalachian Mountains will produce large black bears..." I suspect you are right.
I heard a story once of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) under President Rosevelt, "capturing" a black bear in the Cumberland Mtn. area of Virginia, supposingly this bear weighed over "half-a-ton". And was kept in camp on a logging chain! Many of the hill folk through Va., Tenn.,Kentucky, and North Carolina speak of "big bears", especially of big bears in years gone by, along with some recent sightings.
I have no reason in this world to doubt them. I think one of our rock stars / hunters (Ted Nuggent??) took a bear with a bow that weighed in the neighborhood of 700# somewhere in the south.
I don't want anyone thinking I'm not a believer in bears of the weights mentioned, it just that at one time I thought of my self as a bear hunter. I delibertly hunted them year after year. Then I would turn down many shots, every season, just because it seemed like it was no bigger than one I had already taken. They're there! No doubt! And one day it may be my luck to find one that will become a real wall hanger....or fireplace hugger. Until that time, I will still get my tag, and I will wait on him....who knows? This might be the year.
Russ
Hey! I had an uncle lived in Potter Co. (Roulette). He had bears on his porch and in his garbage like we have squirrels in the birdfeeders.
I may be wrong so don't bash me to hard if I am incorrect, but I think I have read that Pennsylvania had the largest black bears in the lower 48. Once again I could be wrong, but I think I read this some where. Old age, can't remember like I would like too also over loaded on :bull: :youcrazy:
I would agree with that from what I seen, I also think the time of year has a lot to do with the bears weight, PENN's hunt is late November, bears are fat for winter by then...
That same bear in the spring will be less in girth...
RussB
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Hey! Good string!
Like you other folks, I have always suspected Penn. To rate right up there at the top when it comes to BIG.
I also understand that very few of the states, in the lower 48, have bears that truly hibernate. I heard that bears that hibernate, vs "Winter Sleep" are, for the most part, larger bears.
Idaho is one of these states where bears truly hibernate, I think upper Mich, maybe N.Dakota, and possibly Maine.
This theory won't hold much water if Penn. turns out to have the largest bears, and if they don't hibernate there.
The problem with spring bears, as I see it, is their coat is normally trashed out from the vermin spending the winter in the den with them.
I have seen nice, beautiful bear, from a distance using a spotting scope, that was just about naked on the tummy, or the off side when you got within shooting distance. Field Mice love bear hair for making their nest! And they will take ALL of it, if left to it.
The nice blond I described earlier was an exception. A rare exception! Very, very seldom do you find a spring bear that hibernates, that will make a good rug.
I've got to salvage some of my old slides. Those of you interested in bears would truly love some of the pictures I have. One box of slides (about 36) are all pictures of a mama bear running her two year old adolescent club off a mountain side....she beat the manure outta that little free loader.
All of my exposure to bears has been black bears. I have seen three grizzles, to the best of my knowledge, in the woods. Two in montana, and one in Idaho. These are big bears! You can see they are big even though you're six or eight hundred yards away. They move big, they walk big, and I suspect they are big. Not real sure I have any desire to run into one. There's bear, and then there's too much bear. I suspect a grizzly just may be too much bear.
Russ
Like you other folks, I have always suspected Penn. To rate right up there at the top when it comes to BIG.
I also understand that very few of the states, in the lower 48, have bears that truly hibernate. I heard that bears that hibernate, vs "Winter Sleep" are, for the most part, larger bears.
Idaho is one of these states where bears truly hibernate, I think upper Mich, maybe N.Dakota, and possibly Maine.
This theory won't hold much water if Penn. turns out to have the largest bears, and if they don't hibernate there.
The problem with spring bears, as I see it, is their coat is normally trashed out from the vermin spending the winter in the den with them.
I have seen nice, beautiful bear, from a distance using a spotting scope, that was just about naked on the tummy, or the off side when you got within shooting distance. Field Mice love bear hair for making their nest! And they will take ALL of it, if left to it.
The nice blond I described earlier was an exception. A rare exception! Very, very seldom do you find a spring bear that hibernates, that will make a good rug.
I've got to salvage some of my old slides. Those of you interested in bears would truly love some of the pictures I have. One box of slides (about 36) are all pictures of a mama bear running her two year old adolescent club off a mountain side....she beat the manure outta that little free loader.
All of my exposure to bears has been black bears. I have seen three grizzles, to the best of my knowledge, in the woods. Two in montana, and one in Idaho. These are big bears! You can see they are big even though you're six or eight hundred yards away. They move big, they walk big, and I suspect they are big. Not real sure I have any desire to run into one. There's bear, and then there's too much bear. I suspect a grizzly just may be too much bear.
Russ
RussB, I will agree with the light sleep theory. We track bears here all winter long and they are not all big ones. last year my son was huntin. and made a big circle in the woods, when he arrived back to his starting spot he noticed bear track in his tracks and started back around to see where he went and the bear followed him most of his walk. I know they keep moving here most of the winter anyway. There is another thread started about bear sizes, check it out also, it has some good information.
