I'll be off the hunt black bears for a week, 8 days from now. I know the 'experts' say that when you see a really big bear, you will know he's B-I-G. But what about all those other above average bears, that are not monsters, but very decent size bears? What about the rule of thumb that you should be able to fit four ears' widths in between the actual ears? What other tips? Does anybody have some pictures of big bears to share?

If anything, just looking at the pictures will get my spirits up, and ease the wait!

Frans

Well the bear is one of the most difficult to judge relative to the "book." However, a big bear is a rather obvious fellow. The first thing I was taught was that a boar has longer legs in general over a sow's. The next was about the ears appearing further down the side of a bears head as he ages or grows. I had not heard the 4X rule, though 4x was a great way to suit up(LOL.) I would further add that by watching numerous bears over the years, the head would appear smaller in proportion to the body on really large black bears. As always I try to find some naturally occuring plant or brush which has a consistant size. Then if the animal near said source I have something to compare size to. Good hunting.

OK, to start answering my own questions:

This bear has about three-ears' widths, and the ears look small:

Looks like a shooter to me.

This one has large perky ears, hardly fitting two widths:
http://www.firstpeople.us/pictures/bear/1600x1200/Black...nessee-1600x1200.jpg
Must be a youngster...?

Big ears on this one:


Not so big, and massive body on this one:


A shooter?

And this one: little ears, but hardly any space between them:


Rounded head though...

Frans

When they have a big head a gut that looks like a over stuffed 55gal barrel and their ass looks like a fat lady waddleing down the street.

My son saw a big one about 1 mile from the house last evening. He knew it was big cause he thought at frist it was one of neigbors black angus beef cows. The then he got a closer look he just said wow. Thats a big bear.

This is bear number 1 in the front/side yard



This is #2







The distance is 22 yards, and believe me #2 is the way bigger bear. Hard to tell until #2 walked off. The rolling gate and definate width showed what he/she was made of. Taken last May at home... why be elsewhere at that time of the year.

The head should be big to make record book. . . . If the head looks blocky, with the ears farther apart than in the pictures above, it is a biiiggg bear. If the shoulders are within 6 inches of the top of 55 gallon barrell, it is a biiiggg bear. If the belly drags the ground, it is a biiiggg bear. If hairs stand up on the back of your neck, it is a biiiggg bear. If the bear walks in like he is not afraid of you, or anything else in the bush, it is a biiiggg bear.