Would You Take a Bear If you Can?

RogueFishr · 01-08-2003, 12:56 PM

I still go out and hunt bear with my bow if I get time. The older I get, the more I hate packing a bear out of the woods. If I can get an easy shot (read that: easy pack back to the road), I will take one. When I archery hunt them, I am hunting after the season opens in the summer and the hides are usually not that good. But nothing beats bear salami and peperoni sticks from Taylors in Cave Junction

RF

Small Fry · 01-08-2003, 01:00 PM

In a heart beat. The last one a buddy of mine got and shared some of the meat was awsome. As far as the rug. He had his done and it looks great.

Beside in the area we elk hunt you can't go 500 yards without seeing a bear track or scat.

Theres way to many since they changed the rules. The elk and deer populations seem to get smaller every year.

skein · 01-08-2003, 01:14 PM

Yes. In fact my wife and I both think a bear rug will go nice on the wall of the reloading room, so I will be actively pursuing them this spring.

Eat it? Probably. I got a young one some years ago and took it to a friend who ran a commercial smokehouse. He cured it and smoked it and it was just short of excellent. Got another one (old, old) and it was inedible.

One more thing on the predation theory. I think we would be staggered if we knew the numbers of bears that are poached every year for the Asian markets (for bladders, oosiks, etc). Now that they're seeing the true value of Viagra (cheaper, more predictable, more available) there will eventually be much less poaching - thus more (lots more) bears. More bears most likely means less deer and elk.

In case you hadn't guessed, the opinions expressed were based on gut-feeling and seat-of-the-pants flying, and may be at odds with your opinions.

Skein [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

willametteriveroutlaw · 01-08-2003, 03:22 PM

Yep, would shoot one on sight. I have some friends in alaska who thought skinned bear foot looked very much like a skinned human foot. So for halloween they decided it would be funny to stuff one in a toliet at the Captain Cook Hotel. Needless to say The desired effect was reached + a Bunch of undesired effects.

I am sure a bear foot could have the same affect here as well.

tailchaser · 01-08-2003, 03:30 PM

I shot my first bruin this year, I had similar attitudes about shooting one and not using it, but I thought I would give it a try. I nailed one the first night out and love the pepperoni sticks and jerky the butcher made for me. Definitely changed my mind on the critters. Pretty cool being next to them for the first time. To say the least he's going on the wall in the new house. Took some time to warm up the wife to the idea, but she's ok with it now. I'll definitely bag another one next year.

tc

KingFisher85 · 01-08-2003, 03:33 PM

Well I do have room for one more bear on my wall so yes I would shoot one, tan that hide and turn the rest of the meat into jerky.

MountainLion84 · 01-08-2003, 05:09 PM

I shot my first one this year. I would definately shoot another, but I would probably hold out for a decent boar, or a non-black colored bear.

Grantspastor · 01-08-2003, 07:12 PM

Passed up many many chances while living and hunting in Alaska....mostly because I asked my dad when I was a kid how bear meat tastes and he said "the longer you chew it the bigger it gets". The other factor was we were generally targeting other game such as moose or caribou. In 1984 I bought a Grizzly tag and flew into the Talkeetna mountains on a mixed bag hunt. We spotted and stalked a beautiful silvertip Grizzly with intention of harvesting him, but once in position to shoot found there was another bear in the Alders. Decided to take a picture and leave because we didn't want to risk having problems with bear #2.

fishin · 01-08-2003, 07:34 PM

Yep, not only a chance to harvest a bear, but with the current restrictions I think we need to help out with controlling the population as much as possible.

Gun Rod Bow · 01-08-2003, 11:53 PM

This question was wandered into on a recent strand. If you have a tag, let's say because you bought a Sport Pac, and were rifle/bow hunting this fall, would you shoot a bear if you had the chance?

I wondered what to do with the rug. :whazzup:

My wife made it clear that she didn't really want it in the living room.

I had a great idea to bring some excitement back into our lives...so I stapled it to the ceiling above the bed.

Nice Visual Huh?

GRB

Fishplay · 01-09-2003, 02:57 AM

Without question.
There are plenty of unemployed folks out there that would be greatfull for any donated game meat (greasy bear) you do not care to utilize. The law says you can't sell it.....doesn't say you cant give it to needy famillies.

A buddy of mine tells me cougar meat is good eats. Anyone with thoughts on this.

Flying Roast Beef · 01-09-2003, 03:21 AM

I've passed on several bears over the years. Just couldn't see the need to shoot one. Had tags too! Now a cat? In a heart beat but for different reasons.

pdxkevin · 01-09-2003, 03:58 AM

If I can get a clean and legal shot - - - sure. You really have to get these guys cooled fast though. Seems like you have to do it 2 or 3 times faster than with elk, even. I am not sold on the "age : taste" ratio. I have had some that older bear that had been cooled rapidly, which ended up tasting pretty decent.

As far as the hide.... been thinking about the possibility of making a small, fur covered blanket for the couch. I don't know if that's reasonable or possible but why not? Something to keep your feet warm. I would rather put it to use than put it up for only viewing.

01-09-2003, 07:45 AM

I would have to think about it before I shot another bear. The meat isnt that good and I have rugs, pictures of dead bear and many skulls (1 to 2 a year for 9 years plus some shot out of the garbage can or off the neighbors porch and two that were hit by cars and ran off into the woods). However, now that bear in Oregon aren't legaly hunted with dogs they need their numbers kept in check. I gues it depends on where I am when I see the bear.

Now a lion is something else, I'll shoot one if I had a tag and saw one.

[ 01-09-2003, 08:48 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

Salmon Stryker · 01-09-2003, 08:30 AM

Just because I have never shot a bear, I think I would take one if I saw one in woods while deer or elk hunting. After eating a whole bear (if it's really that bad) I might think twice before shooting another.

Lured In · 01-09-2003, 09:09 AM

I took my first bear last year duing the rifle elk season. It was a nice sow that field dressed around 200. After we got it hung and started skinning we figured out why it was so heavy. It had areas with close to 2" of fat on it. :shocked: She was definitely ready to start hibernating.

I shot her at about 10 yards while on my stand (stool) and she was coming right at me. We had it butchered and the hanging weight was 98#'s. She wasn't huge, but her coat was buitiful and smelled just like the woods. (Really, she didn't stink at all.) My buddy wanted the skin for a rug and it turned out great ($1100). The meat was good and my dad smoked up the hams. Reminded me of pastrami. Yummm. Some of the ground meat had just too much fat in it and wasn't as good. I would think a spring bear might actually eat better, given they should have less fat after hibernating.

MarlinMark · 01-09-2003, 09:35 AM

Hey there guys,

Just a quick note. My taxedermist told me that nothing spoils as fast as Cougar. He said that if you don't get the hide off and everything cooled fast then it's all worthless. If you're fast to the meat locker/cold creek/ whatever then you'll have some of the best meat around. Bears are not as bad but still need more rapid processing than deer and elk. All game improves with the speedier processing but some can't even be eaten if it's not hustled to the cooler.

To answer the question, yes. I shot a decent black bear in OR. two springs ago. Had it all made into salami by Gartners. Great stuff. The hide is rolled up and in my closet. I'm waiting for more material to make a bear skin coat like the one Anthony Hopkins wore in "Legends of the Fall." I know that it's a great idea because my girlfriend rolled her eyes when I told her of my plan.

[img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

I want a Mt. Lion really bad. :grin:

Mark

Bill Monroe · 01-09-2003, 09:36 AM

I've always bought tags, but never took one...Think I would just to see what it's like. I've had bear in roasts, jerky, salami, etc., and it's all pretty good. Family might not like it as well, but a few of the kids would scarf up the jerky.
I'm probably going to apply for a spring hunt just because of the area and the challenge...it looks like a neat hunt and specifically targeting bears where you at least have a chance of seeing and stalking rather than chancing across one...

RogueFishr · 01-09-2003, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fishplay:

A buddy of mine tells me cougar meat is good eats. Anyone with thoughts on this.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">My taxidermist says cougar meat is great. Supposed to be white meat (like pork), but better. He said there was a psycological barrier to get over (eating cat), but it was great and he would eat it again.

RF

birdhunter · 01-09-2003, 10:54 AM

Done and done.

I take a bear most every spring, provided I draw the tag and if not me, then the party always gets a few. Spring bear is without a doubt the best eating bear and is a really good all around game meat. Treat it like pork and you'll do fine. I mostly make sausage or salami out of it, but I'll smoke the hams too. I'll shoot a fall bear if it's not going to ruin my deer/elk hunt but don't usually target them. Too greasy. Much better hides, but I'm no longer interested in the rugs or a trophy. Already have enough bear rugs and phases and not nearly enough money.

nerta · 01-09-2003, 07:48 PM

:grin: I would shoot with visions wolfs in my head one less bear. :grin:

garyk · 01-09-2003, 07:51 PM

After shooting a couple trophy Oregon blackies (the one was 450-475# live weight), I'll pass. Killing a 15+ year old resident of the woods just doesn't seem right any more.

Regarding spring hunts, after you mistakenly shoot a sow, you'll have to decide what to do with the cubbies. Not very pleasant.

Fish Hunter · 01-10-2003, 08:20 AM

Columbia Meats in Scappoose did a good job making sausage out of the bear I got last fall during a deer hunt. I would do it again just for sausage. Spring's a great hunt also, no crowds, great scenery.

Quote:

I'm waiting for more material to make a bear skin coat like the one Anthony Hopkins wore in "Legends of the Fall." I know that it's a great idea because my girlfriend rolled her eyes when I told her of my plan.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Too funny. Sounds like my wife. If I ever get a cougar, I can't wait to see what my cat's reaction is to having the whole body mount in the house.

Some Oregon bears are not all that big, but they do make great bath mats. :tongue:

Really though, it's not too hard to watch a bear for a while in the spring to see if it has cubs. Especially in spring where the spot and stalk is the method in the open country . It's not for everyone I understand.
The spring fauna in the normally dry country the can be incredible.

Killertraylor · 01-10-2003, 10:58 AM

I'm an avid hunter of deer, elk, ducks, geese, pheasants, and even coyotes, but for some reason I have absolutely no desire to kill a bear. I just think they are too cool to shoot, especially if you are just shooting it for the hide. I'm glad that most of the posts here are folks who eat them - that makes me feel better. I know I'll probably get flamed for this, but I just have a soft spot for them.

bigshark · 01-10-2003, 11:22 PM

According to a friend who has a hunting unit named after his families sir name, the old timers served little wooden sticks to scrap the fat off the top of your mouth after eating bear.
I had some sausage made from bear once and while the taste was good enough, I took a spoon to scrape the lard out. There must be a better way to fix it for the table.

TheRogue · 01-12-2003, 12:22 PM

My first bear I ate on was one that spent the fall chowing on rotten spawner salmon on Hunter Creek in Southern OR. YUCKK!!

The second was one that spent the fall chowing on acorns up the mountains aways. MMMMMMM Good!!

Yup, take one whenever I get the chance....legally of course :grin:

TR

lightline · 01-12-2003, 04:35 PM

In a heart beat..

Fishplay · 01-15-2003, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Regarding spring hunts, after you mistakenly shoot a sow, you'll have to decide what to do with the cubbies. Not very pleasant.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Might make good bait for that cougar. :shocked:

Sorry

Bounty Hunter · 01-16-2003, 06:30 AM

No. Many things were put on this earth to be part of the food chain, but a bear was meant to stay at the top. Some things weren't meant to be hunted in my mind.

I don't by into the whole mindset that ______ (fill in the blank with seals, sealions, bears, lions) should be harvested because there are too many of them and they are eating all the ________ (fill in the blank with salmon, deer, elk).

Just my $.02

01-16-2003, 06:51 AM

BH,
The natural cycle doesn't work when you put in domestic animals and man. Preditor populations need to be kept at a reasonable size.

danger · 02-02-2003, 07:29 PM

I got my first bear last year with a bow out of a treestand. It was a young bear and was delicious. The hide is fantastic and it is an excellent story...missed the bear on the first shot and it climbed the tree right next to my stand, we were twenty feet up with only ten feet between us, he was on the back side of the tree and I got him when he came down. I would take another one anyday.

Dan

id. painter · 02-05-2003, 06:30 AM

I read an article once that put an estimate of 70% , for black bears killing calf Elk in the Selway. The researchers concluded that the blacks get 70% of the elk calf population each year born in the Selway .... I always kept a bear tag just in case.. I killed a 6'2" black that made a great rug. It hangs in our down stairs family room. id. p.

id. painter · 02-05-2003, 08:08 AM

I took my bear about 10 years ago. I have not purchased a tag since. For me , one big bore is enough. I eat herbivores and fish not omnivores. Old bear dont tast good, I dont want to kill young-uns. id. p.

GutshotApe · 02-05-2003, 10:17 AM

I've killed two black bears - both 30 yrs ago. The 1st was for the hide mainly, the second one was shot to put it out of it's misery (had gangrene in rear quarter from old wound, dragging around obviously not having fun). The hide on the first one was OK but instead of making a rug I cut it up into 10" squares and gave the pieces to friends who tie flies. Kept the head and shoulders and have hanging on wall in my shop.

I've seen only three full grown adults during my years in the woods - but these bears grow into monsters if they live long enough. I wouldn't shoot a bear in western Oregon anymore. Someone else can control their numbers.