Bear question

02 September 2013, 22:10

willieb

Bear question

Camping in western New Mexico. Came across bear tracks in a wash near camp. Front pad is five and three quarters inches across. How big is he?

03 September 2013, 01:34

Navaluk

The rule of thumb is based on measurement of the width of the front pad. The pad is almost always smaller than the track measurement, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot, depending on how the bear stepped and what it stepped in to leave a track.

04 September 2013, 03:34

p dog shooter

A 5.5 front pad a big black bear unless he just has big feet

We have shot some with 5.5 to 6 inch pads 400 to 600 pounds depending on the bear.

04 September 2013, 06:58

ravenr

Them are Big Bears
I get excited about them when
they go north of 350.
I agree, you would want good tracking conditions
to judge size by prints.
I got plenty of grizzly and a healthy dose
of Black bear around here.
Love seeing a bear track. Hate seeing cub tracks mixed in, Bad juju

04 September 2013, 07:46

JBrown

quote:
Originally posted by ravenr:

Love seeing a bear track. Hate seeing cub tracks mixed in, Bad juju

I thought you had them all "tamed" up there?

Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown