Thinking about doing this with my brother next year, any information or experiences posted would be greatly appreciated, as I don't have any practical experiences here,I just know that we both want to shoot us a bar'..... Probably use an '06, but could use a 30/30 or 338 instead, unless I get my 375 built by then. Could use a bow too but think I'd want to shoot one with a gun first so I know what to expect.

I thought Wisconsin was shotgun only? Maybe just for deer? I could be wrong, but I have a friend from there and I'll ask him. I think muzzleloader is OK too.

BigBores,
From Antigo, WI. north you can hunt with a rifle.

Mark,
I didn't hunt Wisconsin but I hunted the UP for fall bear several years ago. Three of us use .44 Mag. revolvers from tree stands. It was very stimulating to say the least. The meat is still top on my list of great meals, right up there with moose.
Bill

I would opt for the .30-06 -- it will give you plenty of range and adequate power. Don't use too "hard" of a bullet, faster expansion will serve you well on black bear.

The 30-30 would probably do, but might be a little short on range if a shot across a clearing presents itself. The .338 and .375 would be fine, but are unnecesarily powerful.

Stonecreek,

I agree with you, regarding calibers I think the '06 is pretty much optimum for whatever I would encounter. However, the long story of why I would consider the 30/30 is that it was my first ever centerfire rifle I had ever purchased, and back then it was the biggest and baddest gun in the world for me.

And I always wanted to take it bear hunting (well black bear hunting at least...)

So that is why I'm considering it. It took me a long time to save up the money to buy that gun, and now I spend more than that when I go out for dinner somewhere and don't bat an eye....

Bill T,

Would it be too much to ask for you to write a little of your experiences in the UP?

Thought about using handguns but I think we are going to use them on hogs instead...

HEY...... Anyone want to swap a bear hunt for Ill. whitetail or turkey?

If you haven't been apply for a permit you should now the drawing time is from 3 to 6 years depending on what area you put in for. All most any area north where you would be hunting them is rifle country . Use any good center fire of 6.5 or bigger and it well get the job done. The last bear I killed in wis was two years ago and took 3 years to get permit they are on drawing only and you get preferance points every year you put in. If you have any other ? post them and I well try and get back. If you want to go next year think about MN. they are giveing two permits to each hunter this year. Or go to Canada.you could shoot one easy up there if you spend the money on a guide.

Any idea how much guided hunts run, either in Canada or North US? Would prefer to do a more basic package, as opposed to the deluxe package complete with Walter and apron!

They should run you about 1000 to 3600

MarkWhite,

There isn't a whole lot to tell.

We had dinner one night in the early spring in the UP with a guide. He suggested that we try bear hunting with revolvers. Good idea, right? I had some misgivings. He had some tags. I was outvoted.

We (the 3 three of us) bought .44 Mag revolvers with factory ammo and components for reloading. We worked very hard on the loads and target reaction timing with the shooting. You cannot (as most hunters know) prepare for the surprise of the arrival of your animal of choice especially when he has teeth and claws!

Since we were hunting out of tree stands, there was a limited amount of security. Fifteen feet between me and 400 pounds of teeth and claws is not nearly enough. The weather was clear and cool with very little wind. We had 2 days of switching stands morning and evening. Bow hunters understand the problem of boredom and maintaining alertness while sitting in a tree stand with your behind going to sleep. This was no different.

Two of the three of us harvested our bears on the third day, both towards afternoon. Our third member got his bear on the morning of the fourth day. We all had the hides tanned with the hair on and we all opted to butcher the meat. In my opinion, bear meat is truly one of the most enjoyable bar none. It has an incredible richness and fullness of flavor. The only downside was the immediate purchase of a new freezer.

Bill