Alberta, Canada Bear Hunting

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Alberta Black Bear Hunting Tips

• Black Bears love to eat carbs - they need the energy and are looking to store fat.  That's why they frequent garbage dumps.  They are looking for pizza, pasta, pastries, bread and and junk food.  A variety of foods are used at baiting stations, but carbs are a good choice.  Bears do not like rotten meat and will only eat meat if it is a fresh kill.
• Black Bear have a very powerful sense of smell, about 250 times more powerful than humans.  Black Bear know what people smell like, and they are very sensitive to perfume, smoke, deodorants, and other human smells.  It is a good idea to wash your clothes twice, and the second time, only use water in order to rinse out all the detergent.  If you smoke, bring a nicotine patch with you so you don't go crazy craving a cigarette.  A black bear can smell a cigarette miles away.  And remember to use unscented deodorant, soap, shampoo.  And make sure you boots don't smell like stinky boots. 
• You must stay very still during your bear hunt.  Bring a mint flavored throat lozenge with you in case your throat gets scratchy.  You don't want to cough on the stand.  If allergies are a problem, take medication starting a few days before your hunt and each day of your bear hunt to keep you from sneezing. 
• Black Bears love the scent of mint.  Use mint flavored gum and brush your teeth often.  It may actually attract the bears!
• Bear are not very vocal animals, but calls are used to hunt bear.  You must be very cautious if using calling techniques that may make a momma bear think her cubs are in danger.  You may be the one in danger. 

Alberta Bear Hunting Techniques:

• Spot & Stalk:  The most common and perhaps one of the most exciting methods for Bear hunting.  Make sure you have a high-quality set of binoculars.  You will want to make sure you are in good physical shape for any spot and stalk hunting trip.  If you are not use to hiking in high altitudes, do your best to prepare yourself by walking at an incline and spending time out of doors.  Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and also to avoid an altitude headache while bear hunting.
• Still Hunting:  The key to any successful still hunt is pre-season scouting and knowing the routine of the bear.  Your pro Alberta hunting guide should be very helpful in this area.  Keep in mind that bear forage through the day on berries, ants and other edibles.  Plan you hunting position near berry patches and other areas the bear might be feeding. 
• Calling Techniques:  Once a bear is spotted, or you think you have a bear in earshot, the calling techniques are more effective.  Predator distress calls and fawn bleats can be effective on fall bear.  Big boar bears looking to fatten up for the winter my respond to these types of calls with impressive aggression.
• Tree Stand:  Due to the bear's powerful sense of smell, tree stand hunting can be very productive.  It is best to know the route of the bear so you can place your stand in a heavily trafficked area, and place your stand fairly high, 25-30 feet.  Use safety straps and harnesses - that's a long way to fall!
• Baiting:  Many hunters prefer using baited sites to insure some hunting action.  If you are limited on your time, as most hunters are, you may want to consider this.  Keep in mind the kinds of foods that bear like to eat.  They have a 'carb' tooth! 
• Bear Hunting with Dogs: Several pro outfitters, especially in the western states, have trained dogs to locate bear and "tree" them.  If you are lucky, you'll find a big bear on a limb.  

Interesting Facts about Black Bear:

• Big ears mean small bears.  It takes a bear about 3 years to grow into his ears.  If the bear appears to have big ears, you may want to pass on that one.
• The largest known American black bear weighed 805 pounds.
• The fur of a black bear falls out and grows back each year.
• The American black bear moves up to 35 miles per hour and can also swim and climb trees with ease.
• Black bears consume up to 40 pounds of food a day when food is abundant.
• Black bears hibernate for up to 7 months in a year.
• Black bears live up to 20 years in the wild and even longer in captivity.
• Black bear cubs weigh about a half pound at birth and grow rapidly by feeding on the mother’s milk and, they weigh as much as a human infant after a few months.