Help, How to hunt blackbears...

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Blacktail_Slayer

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I have started to elk hunt an area that holds a decent number of black bears. Everyone in the camp that has hunted here for more then a couple years has seen one or two while pushing the timber. I want to mount a good attempt at getting one next season. The season goes Aug - Nov. No bait, no dogs. There is next to no wild berries or such in the area. Just a lot of timber, ferns, thistle filled clearcuts and grass. I want to get a good jump on being prepared for it. Any tips?
 
Given your circumstances, your best bet is to glass and stalk valleys with creeks or river running through them as they will hold the most opportunities for bears to feed.

You might also watch the slopes for bears coming and going from bedding areas to feed. Deadfall areas where there are a lot of rotting logs would be another place to watch.
 
Same as deer. Ok that is simplified but true. Find the feeding areas, find the bedding areas. Look for trails and sign between them.
 
I ran into two black bears and a grizzly in Idaho this year while hunting deer and elk. If you know how to hunt those, you are pretty much set - it's not really any different. They do smell pretty darn good, and aren't curious, like deer can be - if they smell or hear you, they are GONE! (A lot more like elk) They, however, can't see worth a darn, especially if you hold still. Had one come out of a creek bottom this year and walked right up on me. At 15 feet I stood up and started waving my arms and he just stopped and looked at me. After I chucked a couple of dead branches at him he kind of wandered off...I guess he knew I didn't have a tag.

Slopes and valleys are perfect spots, as stevelyn mentioned.
 
Blackies kill and EAT humans a lot more than any other bear in NA. If I hunted where there were a lot of them but couldn't shoot one I'd be carrying some bear spray.

That being said, find a feeding area and set up somewhere downwind and up high and wait. A tree stand is a good idea.

Take care.
 
In Arkansas use of scents, baits, dogs, etc. is prohibited.
The bears taken are almost always incidental to a deer hunt. In other words, the guys just get lucky when one walks into view. Actually going after one, or 'hunting' a bear here is near impossible.
 
Bear hunting is illegal here. It used to be prime black bear but they got hunted out. Teddy Roosevelt loved bear hunting here.
 
the only time I have ever gotten a black bear was when I was hunting deer, I had a bear tag as well and the seasons overlap.

I was using my marlin 45-70 just encase and it paid off!
 
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