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Judging Black Bears

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22 April 2009, 07:39
stevet50
Judging Black Bears
Has anyone got a sure-fire way to field judge Black Bears??? size of head in proportion to the body, size of ears, overall look, height, if over bait size as compared to something at the bait ststion, what else?????
22 April 2009, 08:11
308Sako
Position of the ears (should be on the side of the head) as opposed to being up top. Height at shoulder in a walking posture, and the weight distribution front to rear. Males generally appear to have longer legs.

Just my observations






Member NRA, SCI- Life #358 28+ years now!
DRSS, double owner-shooter since 1983, O/U .30-06 Browning Continental set.
22 April 2009, 08:50
ravenr
the only no brainer method i know to advise
would be, when their belly is less than a foot off the ground and they walk slow and ponerously
thats a big bear!
with no other experience you can shoot a
BIG BEAR with this rule.
other signs of a big bear would be ears appearing small on the head
lack of the gangely/all leg look
measure the width of a front pad + 1 x feet
a bear with a 5" front track will be close to if not exceed 6'
if its your first bear a 5 or 5 1/2footer will be a monster!good luck and post som pics for us
23 April 2009, 03:59
Snellstrom
Everybody has given good advise I may just reword something already said.
A big Bear's ears look small and further apart, a big Bear does kinda "roll" when he shuffles along and his belly looks close to the ground or from another perspective makes his legs look stubby. Their nose/muzzle may appear short as well.
Long faced, long legged, skinny, big eared bears are not what you are after!