2021 California Bear

[180ls1]

If it's a once a year trip I would start learning an area with a higher concentration of bears.

Is the basics behind that strategy the needing to pattern them or time food sources making it much more difficult in low-density areas as opposed to just "bumping" into one in a higher density area?

 

[David Gough]

Is the basics behind that strategy the needing to pattern them or time food sources making it much more difficult in low-density areas as opposed to just "bumping" into one in a higher density area?

You'll need to find the areas with food for the time of year you're hunting. Find the food, find the bears.

 

[180ls1]

You'll need to find the areas with food for the time of year you're hunting. Find the food, find the bears.

I guess, to put it more clearly, I was trying to find the reasoning behind why you suggested learning an area with a higher concentration. Is it purely that I just have a better chance of running into one given the limited amount of time I would be devoting or was there more to it?

 

[David Gough]

I guess, to put it more clearly, I was trying to find the reasoning behind why you suggested learning an area with a higher concentration. Is it purely that I just have a better chance of running into one given the limited amount of time I would be devoting or was there more to it?

Higher density areas just hold more bears due to more resources (food and water). It will be easier to find places where bears are frequenting. I hunt lower density areas because they are close to home, but I can keep up with where the bears want to be due to being there more and scouting before the season.

Heading to a low density area with limited time and no prior knowledge is a recipe for frustration.

 

[36Fan]

Higher density areas just hold more bears due to more resources (food and water). It will be easier to find places where bears are frequenting. I hunt lower density areas because they are close to home, but I can keep up with where the bears want to be due to being there more and scouting before the season.

Heading to a low density area with limited time and no prior knowledge is a recipe for frustration.

Solid advice right there.

 

[Kevin0351]

Hey guys, pretty new here but I’ve learned bears require much more water than deer so a small trickling spring that works for deer won’t cut it for bear.

I was fortunate enough to find this unmarked water tank and set up a camera on it… I was not disappointed.

 

[Wags]

Hey guys, pretty new here but I’ve learned bears require much more water than deer so a small trickling spring that works for deer won’t cut it for bear.

I was fortunate enough to find this unmarked water tank and set up a camera on it… I was not disappointed.

Nice! A bear is my #1 goal this year in CA. I'm hoping to spend enough time in the woods to have an idea of where to start this fall.