black bear hunting in alaska bow presentation 2016
TRANSCRIPT
Becoming an Outdoors Woman
Black Bear HuntingBy: Becky Schwanke,
Biologist and Owner of Tuff Kids Outdoorswww.tuffkidsoutdoors.com
www.facebook.com/tuffkidsoutdoors
and
Stacee Frost Kleinsmith
• Introductions
• Personal Experiences
• Goals / Objectives
Black Bear Basics
There are an estimated 100,000 black bears in the state of Alaska.
They are common over most of the forested areas of the state; depending
on the season of the year, they may be found from sea level to alpine areas.
They are not found on the Seward Peninsula, on the Yukon-Kuskokwim
Delta, or north of the Brooks Range. They are also absent from some of the
large islands of the Gulf of Alaska, notably Kodiak, Montague, Hinchinbrook
and others, and from the Alaska Peninsula south of the Lake Iliamna area.
In Southeast Alaska, black bears occupy most islands with the exceptions
of Admiralty, Baranof, Chichagof, and Kruzof; these are inhabited by brown
bears. Both bear species occur on the southeastern mainland.
For most of the year, black bears are solitary, except from June through
July when mating takes place. The cubs are born in their dens following a
gestation period of about seven months. One to four cubs may be born, but
two is most common.
Cubs remain with their mothers through the first winter following birth.
Hunter education (Basic Hunter Ed / Archery IBEP)
Hunting license
Black bear harvest ticket or registration permit
Locking big game tag (non-residents)
Review Regulations (intro sections and GMUs)
Legal definitions
Black bear (1st year of life) vs Grizzly cubs (1st or 2nd year of
life)
Maps / Information sources (land ownership)
Alaska Hunting Regulations (federal / corporate land owner
contacts)
Alaska Gazetteer; USGS 1” to the mile maps
Google Earth
GPS
Black Bear Hunting Prep
Tips For Selecting Large Male Bears
Large/Adult Male Bears
Stocky legs
Massive body with belly that hangs closer to ground
Approach bait with more confidence
Slower, more deliberate movements
Large, rounded head (like basketball)
Ears look smaller
Thicker neck
Large males taller than 33" at the shoulder
Ears to nose an equilateral triangle
Small/Young Bears
Appear to be "all legs"
Approach bait nervously, frequently looking over shoulder or turning
around
More streamlined, pointed head
Ears look larger and closer together
Neck appears longer and thinner
Females and younger bears shorter than 33"at the shoulder
Ears to nose a skinny triangle
Grizzly sow and cubs
Black Bear Hunting Prep
Firearms
Many options here, 7mm, 308,
30-06, 270 are generally as
small as you would go for
a youth or new hunter. A
maximum expansion bullet
is preferred. A 300 Win
Mag, a 300 Short Mag, or a
7mm mag are preferred
black bear guns, especially
when in grizzly country. A 44
or a 45 cal handgun can also
be used, in addition to a variety
of archery setups.
Shot placement is critical on a black bear. They have dense thick bones and
vertebra.
The Heart / Lung area is the best vital area on a black bear.
CENTER OF MASS
Spot and Stalk vs. Baiting
Spring Hunting – Spot and Stalk
Early May is best, go about 1 week before leaf-out (generally right after snow
melt)
If an animal is actively moving, it can be long gone when you get there
Have patience, if up on a hillside, sit still – often bears just appear
Spot and Stalk Basics
Look for hillsides above treeline, or sparsely vegetated
Be prepared when you leave the boat or the road/trail; insects, rain, dark, hunger, etc.
Radios can’t be used for communication, but hand signals work good with preparation
Always confirm the bear does not have cubs before you shoot
Your pack will be heavy on the descent, be ready (hide/skull/meat can be 100-150+lbs)
If there’s a chance of seeing a grizzly, bring a locking tag if required for the area
Consider camping up high, makes the hunt a whole lot easier and more fun
Fall Hunting – Spot and Stalk
Anytime in August / September when blueberries and crow berries ripen up
If an animal is actively eating berries, it will likely still be there when you get there
If the bear smells good, it will taste great, be prepared with game bags
Salvage thick fat layers; can be melted down and used for cooking
Spot and Stalk vs. BaitingBaiting Basics
Take ADF&G online bear baiting clinic
Look for timbered areas in likely travel routes for bears
Scout for good locations while trying to avoid other black bear bait stations
Build or put up a tree stand early, or consider a ground blind
Build tough bait barrels, small openings, large plastic drums last (steel drums get bent)
Register your bait station locations with ADF&G (troopers will likely visit) – if it’s legal to
take grizzly/brown bear over bait in your area, tell ADF&G up front you might take one
Be prepared to spend some money, maintaining 2 bait stations all season can cost
~$500
Pre-bait the site as soon as legally possible to get bears interested. Dog food, bread,
donuts, grease, etc. are common black bear baits. Grizzlies will eat this too, so watch
out. Note - natural entrails/fish are very good grizzly bait.
Be prepared for sitting long still hours
Again, radios can’t be used to aid in taking an animal, but they can be used otherwise
Always confirm the bear does not have cubs before you shoot
Watch the bear for a while and be selective – because you can
Clean-up when the baiting season ends
Trichinosis from Alaskan wildlife is caused by a roundworm called Trichinella
nativa.
Lifecycle: The larvae of the roundworm grow and mate in the intestines of the
host animal. The females deposit larvae that travel in the blood to other parts of
the body where they form cysts in the muscle. Animals become infected when
they eat meat with cysts.
Occurs in bears (black, grizzly and polar bears), wolves, foxes (arctic and
red), wolverine, lynx, walruses, seals, and ground squirrels. It’s common across
the state.
Humans and dogs can also get trichinosis by eating infected meat. It may be
possible to get trichinosis from consuming smoked moose ribs.
Animals may appear healthy, and for all practical purposes are healthy.
Larvae form cysts usually in the muscles of the jaw, tongue, and diaphragm.
Cysts may not be visible to the naked eye. Animals may have swollen intestines
with small bruises. Affected muscles and associated lymph nodes (glands) can
be soft and swollen.
Black Bear Hunting Prep – Understanding Parasites
People can get trichinosis by eating meat from infected animals that has not
been thoroughly cooked. All bear and lynx meat should be considered possibly
infected.
Meat should be well cooked (internal temperature of meat should be at least
160-170° F).
Freezing meat does NOT kill the Trichnella species found in Alaska's wildlife.
Smoking, drying, salting or microwaving do not always kill the parasites, only
proper cooking or canning is known to make the meat safe to eat.
Do not feed infected parts to dogs.
If a person gets sick – Go see a health practictioner.
If asked to collect samples, a large sample of muscle (at least 4 oz.) is required
for analysis. To report a (tentative) diagnosis in a person or pet
contact [email protected]
Black Bear Hunting Prep – Understanding Parasites
Black Bear Hunting Prep - Skinning
Leave evidence of sex on the hide or meat depending on the area.
Get fat and meat off the hide, but be careful, DON’T cut into hair follicles.
Salt the hide heavily, buy a 5lb bag and don’t be stingy.
NEVER store raw hides in plastic. If the hide decomposes even just a little, hair slips
(pulls out) of the hide. Store raw hides in game bags, pillow cases, or burlap in a cool dry place.
Measuring a bear hide – Average of length and width (getting a ‘squared’ measurement).
• Length, tip of nose to tip of tail
• Width, between front feet (measure from tip of toe)
Measuring a bear skull – ADD length and width (calipers necessary)
• Length, tip of skull just above incisor teeth back to occipital lobe
• Width, between zygomatic arches
Black Bear Hunting Prep - Measuring
LASTLY – Don’t
forget to seal your
bear with ADF&G or
an appointed sealer
/ taxidermist if
required in your
area. If applicable to
your hunt area,
don’t forget to fill
out your harvest
report, paper
copy or online soon
after your hunt.