Black Bear Hunt

[jgregoir]

Anyone ever hunt black bear in units 39, 391, 051, 46, or 461? I drew a tag for September for these units accidentally and wondering if anyone has experience in these units?

Good spots to set up camp/jumping off points?
Areas they think may be holding bear or they've seen bear while elk/deer hunting?

Not really looking for anyone's honey holes just wondering where to start in these units. Figured not too many people into hunting bears so hopefully this isn't like asking for someone's secret elk spots. Any help getting started would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance and fingers crossed!

[Hummer]

I hunt bear every year, mostly concurrent with the elk season. I don't know those areas but would suggest you contact your local wildlife officer asap for any suggestions as to where to find (problem) bears. Spend every morning and evening you can out there. Good luck!

[hunterhawk]

Never hunted that unit but usually the key to a good bear hunt is to not have a bear tag and be elk hunting then you are sure to see bears :-/

[CO Hugh]

While not unit specific I am curious how people hunt bear as it sounds like most people get a bear tag while elk hunting but don't really make a specific effort toward bear, so what so people do to fill their tag?

[Irving]

I've had a bear tag for three years and never seen one. Since you can't bait in Colorado, you have to do the next best thing by killing something else, then hunting over the gut pile for the next few days.

That strategy worked for me last year in that it attracted a bear (I heard it) but I was messing around and by the time I got up there it was long gone.

[hunterhawk]

Hunt near streams and meadows morning and before dark

[jgregoir]

Awesome. Thanks for all the advice. I've seen bears several times while scouting for elk or elk hunting but never had a tag in my pocket at the time. I've heard from multiple people too that finding a gut pile from an elk is the best bet. Second would be a water source and berry bushes. Hunted south Georgetown last weekend and saw one pile of sign but the area was loaded with people camping. Going to try a new spot this weekend.

[davsel]

Got my first black bear on Thursday.
Turns out, all you need to do is move onto acreage in the mountains, pick up a private land only bear tag good for Sep - Nov, have a rifle ready in the house, and wait for one to walk by.

I'm pretty certain this is the same bear I posted about a few years ago. First time I'd seen him since.

Thankfully I have a winch on my Mule UTV and was able to get him back to the shed. No idea on the weight (over 400 is my guess), but he measures 84" nose to tail and 79" across front paws. Hard to tell skull size until it's cleaned, but I'm pretty certain he'll make the B&C record book. He was an old bore with broken and missing canines and a lot of other teeth jacked up or missing. Curious to see what the DOW office says about his age.

I doubt I'll ever have a chance at a bear this size again.

Attachment 76054

That's the SCAR 17S I shot him with for perspective.

[Irving]

Congratulations, good looking bear.

[kidicarus13]

Nice!