What are some signs to look for aside from tracks? Have seen a black bear around the property twice now. I saw some sign last deer season that I thought were claw marks about 8-9 feet up a tree. Figured it was too high for a deer to make those kind of marks.

I am pretty excited now that I have seen him/her. Have always wanted to hunt bear but have never really had the chance. I am thinking it is not a momma since both times I have seen the bear, there were no cubs with it.

Any hints, tips, tricks from other hunters would be appreciated. Excited to get some more bear meat. Had some about 2 years ago and it was delicious.

baiting bear legal in VA?
The only time I was in the woods and saw a black bear I could smell it for few minutes after it past and there was a good bit of scat in the gully I was hunting at the top of.

Nope, no baiting allowed. Found a good bit of info, but most of it was how to bait.

Excited to get some more bear meat. Had some about 2 years ago and it was delicious.

WTF?:shaking:

WTF?:shaking:

bear meat.

as in, meato from the bearo...

:laughing::laughing:

I have nothing to offer except that I would like to kill a bear too. Good luck man. :)

You can come try to get this one when season opens. Just if you get it I want some meat :D

You can come try to get this one when season opens. Just if you get it I want some meat :D

Not a problem. When does season open anyway? :confused: Think a .375 Win would bowl one over? :D

Hmm, seems that firearm season is open October 1-January 3
In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk and Virginia Beach. Didn't realize that it was that long for firearm.

Archery doesn't even start until October 11th for bear.

Full info here

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/bear.asp

To bad you cant use Plott or Black and Tans to help you out.

bear meat.

as in, meato from the bearo...

:laughing::laughing:


Yeah, got that.:shaking:

Have killed a few. As with most omnivores, the meat is greasy and tastes like refried donkey shit (yeah, I'm a former Ag major). I was showing disbelief at the 'tastes great' comment...

Check Va. laws on baiting, and what is considered baiting vs. attracting.
Eat sardines packed in oil while hunting.
Sling the oil around your stand every time you visit.

Think a .375 Win would bowl one over? :D

A 243 would do fine also. Any caliber/bullet suitable for whitetail will work.

A 243 would do fine also. Any caliber/bullet suitable for whitetail will work.

I've sworn off the .243 on deer unless I'm hungry. I'll be rebarreling one to .308...whenever I get around to it. The age old 30-30 is my favorite round for white tail and has killed a pile-o-bears in the past too. I might try the .243 again if I find a better bullet; I was using 95grn Winchester Ballistic Silvertips.


BTW I know of no law that says you can't eat sardines or smoked oysters in the woods.

BTW I know of no law that says you can't eat sardines or smoked oysters in the woods.

But that would require acutally liking those two things to begin with. :laughing: My old man said to soak a piece of bread in bacon grease and leave it near the stand everytime I am out there. Not sure if that would be considered baiting though. I will look around on the website and see what I can find about baiting and attracting.

*ahem* there's no law prohibiting me from walking through your property eating sardines and oysters on crackers, even though I eat like a slob and tend to drip stuff everywhere. :flipoff2:

*ahem* there's no law prohibiting me from walking through your property eating sardines and oysters on crackers, even though I eat like a slob and tend to drip stuff everywhere. :flipoff2:

..and you just happen to be eatting them around a few stands. :laughing:

..and you just happen to be eatting them around a few stands. :laughing:

I like to check on things. You know, to make sure everything's still good and where I left it. :D

I might head out into the woods Sunday afternoon if nothing comes up. There is a wood stand and a stick on I need to checkup on if you want to take the grand tour.

If you can, don't forget the sardines and oysters :laughing:

I might head out into the woods Sunday afternoon if nothing comes up. There is a wood stand and a stick on I need to checkup on if you want to take the grand tour.

If you can, don't forget the sardines and oysters :laughing:

Will check the calender, would love to check it out. :homer:

Yeah, got that.:shaking:

Have killed a few. As with most omnivores, the meat is greasy and tastes like refried donkey shit (yeah, I'm a former Ag major). I was showing disbelief at the 'tastes great' comment...

oh. :D

I've sworn off the .243 on deer unless I'm hungry. I'll be rebarreling one to .308...

I had mine re-barreled to 7mm-08. Because the bullet choices for 308 are poor for whitetail deer. I have concluded the ideal size bullet for deer sized game is 120 to 140 gr.

I usually hunt over a deer carcass that I picked up from the side of the road. I have a bowie knife as my primary and a S&W 460 as a backup. It get pretty intense if you fall off the bears back after you jumped on him from out of the tree

I had mine re-barreled to 7mm-08. Because the bullet choices for 308 are poor for whitetail deer. I have concluded the ideal size bullet for deer sized game is 120 to 140 gr.

If I ever get the rest of the stuff to handload I might consider 7mm-08, though I doubt it would pay off that much. I like ~150 grains for white tail. At least out of a 30-30. I know some people swear by 170 grain bullets, to each their own. A .308 would make it easy to find ammo just about anywhere and add commonality to my line of shootin irons.


Romogo,

Sunday's out, have to head to NC. :(

Romogo,

Sunday's out, have to head to NC. :(

Yeh, may be out for me as well. Depends on what happens with this damn storm. Would be nice to get out there after a good rain hard rain though. New tracks and all.