Good information, great video! Pointing out barrel dimensions helps and a person can measure reference points on trees and such in their bait site if they don’t use barrels. But posture of the animal is always the best, but like any animal it takes time and experience to get real good at judging.
Great video. I could hear you in my head saying " don't shoot that bear" when I had a small black bear work into my set up lol. Great job and keep up the great work!
We had a good sized bear coming in every night but he wouldn’t commit to the bait during daylight hours. He stayed back out of sight, popping his jaws and blowing bubbles at us until after dark every night. The evening after I left we got him on camera on the bait right at sunset! Maybe next year!🤦🏻♂️
Nice video man. I’ve been hunting bears for a long time but you definitely have the experience to watch big bears roam around. You got some very nice bear hunting terrain there!
Thanks for the question Steven, yes these are all spring bears. Honestly, I don't look for the sagging belly too much, even in fall. I look for an overall large bear dimensionally. I see I'll have to do a second video to clarify a few points. Also, this isn't a video on how to judge "Jumbo" bears that will come later.
I hunt washington spot and stalk bear and can confirm, its tough to judge without something like a barrel next to them. My first one looked like a giant but definitely had some ground shrinkage.
Going on my first bear hunt in New Brunswick Canada next week. This video was very helpful. So its taboo to shoot a sow? I don’t know what to expect but I will do my best to identity before the shot
Hey Kris, I'm glad it was helpful. Yes, as bear hunters we try not to shoot sows, especially sows with cubs as that's illegal. Good luck on your hunt and do your best!
U know, it depends on area, if they produce, I go off ear size, belly, length, the way the walk, blocky head, and rear end! Havent watched the vid yet but doing in 2 secs!! 😀
I will say you are accurate and thorough in judging bears. What I will say is that in areas where you can not bait, don't have the luxury of multiple comparisons up close and personal and don't have the time time to spend judging before you shoot, many more of these would be shooters...bit even at that your body types and descriptions should be very helpful to bear hunters
I have a couple trail cam pics of a bear frequenting my stand. No bait just apple trees and I can’t tell his size yet. Gonna set a marker for height reference today. Wish I could post the pics here to get some opinions. Great video
See here in Pennsylvania we aren't allowed to use barrels and have to use intuition, cameras and know how with a massive dash of luck to find nice size bear. I definitely agree with everything you've said, but when you live in a state that doesn't allow such hunting luxuries, anything that's 300 or more is definitely a taker
I'd suggest trying to find some pattern if you can. I've shot bears away from bait and it takes a bit more time to judge. But my exposure to large amounts of bears have helped in being able to judge. Good luck!
I'd suggest looking for a bear with big shoulders, wide stance and a flatter belly. Sows will have very small shoulders when compared to their hindquarters.
I'm in Georgia and we're not allowed to bait bear here. How do I judge the size of a bear. They have to be 75 pounds at minimum. I've never been but am planning on going this year
A 75 pound bear is going to look like a dog, it will be very obvious not to shoot. I'd look at how the ears sit in the head and belly line, structured of the shoulders, etc. You can still use a lot of the advice I give in the video minus the barrel stuff. You'll just have to take more time to judge the bear if you are particular on size. But a 75 pound bear will look very small. Good luck!
Great video. Super useful information. They are definitely tough animals to judge. It gets even trickier in low light or if they don't give you a lot of time to look at them.
Thanks for watching. I'd recommend to stay away from cubs and sows. If you can identify the difference between a boar and sow then target the boars. Watch this ua-cam.com/video/LIMR4DxjV-w/v-deo.html
Good educational video but I wish that we had time to size up the bear before you told us what it was. When you are immediately saying what size bear it is there is no chance for me to size it up before you tell me, "this is a small bear" or" this is a shooter." I finally turned the sound off and watched the rest of the video then went back with the sound to see how I did in judging the bears.
This is a great video. Thanks for your time. Anyway, In California you cannot bait bears, you cannot use dogs to find them. Hunters have to hunt them. That being said, my comments were not a slam regarding how you manage to get a bear. Every state is different. I just want to know what state allows hunters to bait them?
Measure a seven foot log and drag it over by the barrels gives another reference. Lol and keep stuff on level ground lol bear fever grows quick if there be a high ground on one side of the barrel. Lol
That bear you were considering shooting, looked right at you, I live in Maine and have been on 4 bear hunts and been successful on 4, one very nice one, wish they would of measured it, we just weigh them here, 397lbs but had no belly, was all height and length and marked up from fighting. But there is nothing more exciting then a black bear looking right at you and being able to keep your calm, cause I know up here one movement and they bolt. Hunt deer, turkey, and so on but nothing compares to beat hunting to me. Don't get too many brown or cinnamon ones here, get a few with white markings on the chest that can look very nice on a mount. Great video, def no expert but been enough times to THINK I can judge size and still have to question myself sometimes. Hardest animal to judge size, especially when they come out before dark , in low light and it's a black animal.
@@rattlingjunkie you guide hunts right? What's the name of the outfit? Like I said I go to northern Maine, literally 15 mins from the Canadian border and have always wanted to go further north to Canada and try it, and I'm almost positive if your not a Canadian resident you have to hire a guide to hunt anything in Canada. And you guys have a spring hunt too right? Just curious for future planning. So name of your outfit or guide service? And do you have a web site or anything to check out?
As a guide in Northern Michigan and know a lot about this. Your size ideas are pretty good, and you passing very large bears makes me wonder why you did that…. But I’ve past 140 inch bucks and same thing. But I’ll say this, kill whatever bear you want!!! If it makes you happy size makes no diff. Bears need to die to keep numbers in line. Don’t go home empty handed unless your a nut like this guy ;-)
No lol serious question. A place I was hunting that’s all I would get on trail cams is short long stubblie legged bears. I’d post pic but can’t on here
@@kalib20101 where are you hunting? The location will have a lot to do with the characteristics of the bears in your area. My area was those short bears as well as the tall ones. Those short ones could be sows as well. A mature sow will almost appear to be like a miniature boar. They are always short, that's why I always stress shooting tall bears, so you avoid shooting sows. Though "Gorilla" boars can be common too. These ones are like what you are describing.
@@kalib20101 from what the record books state Wisconsin might be the best area for skull size. If the bears in your region don't stand tall I'd look at the width of the stance, boars will have a wide stance. I hope this helps. Maybe someone from Wisconsin can chime in?
Kinda a douchbag move to high jack a guys video for followers. Watched your last two videos and honestly they made me cringe. Nice chocolate bear but maybe just shoot footage and don’t talk. Also, chasing baby bears up trees and shooting them isn’t sweet footage.
I hunt washington spot and stalk bear and can confirm, its tough to judge without something like a barrel next to them. My first one looked like a giant but definitely had some ground shrinkage.
Good information, great video! Pointing out barrel dimensions helps and a person can measure reference points on trees and such in their bait site if they don’t use barrels. But posture of the animal is always the best, but like any animal it takes time and experience to get real good at judging.
Great comment! The posture of a bear is so important and one that is overlooked often.
The impact on biodiversity from these invasive species is significant!
Some good tips. Not allowed to bait on the west coast here, so I'm a little less picky. Looking forward to the season.
Good to see you back. I hunted on Vancouver Island one year and man are there bears over there! One day I hope to get back there!
Great video. I could hear you in my head saying " don't shoot that bear" when I had a small black bear work into my set up lol. Great job and keep up the great work!
Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful!
ANOTHER WAY I CHOOSE A BEAR IS IF HIS NECK IS WIDER THAN HIS HEAD .
Did you find this video helpful?
I’m headed out for my first bear hunt in the morning. I’m coming back to this video AGAIN! Great job helping us learn how to judge them! Thank you!
@@bradquigley3676 how did your hunt go?
We had a good sized bear coming in every night but he wouldn’t commit to the bait during daylight hours. He stayed back out of sight, popping his jaws and blowing bubbles at us until after dark every night. The evening after I left we got him on camera on the bait right at sunset! Maybe next year!🤦🏻♂️
Come on up to camp next year and we'll get you one!
Man, these videos are getting me excited. 10 days until fall season starts!
@@samwagner31 good luck!
I'm going on my first-ever bear hunt in like a week and I can't wait. And I'm nervous about not shooting a shooter so this was very, very helpful
That's exciting! I'm glad the video was helpful, good luck!
end up getting anything? I'm going on my first this weekend!
@@ericbailey1182 not yet; saw one last night but didn’t ever have a clear shot
@@hunt_trap_fish nice! always a blast to even get in the vicinity. the right time will come!
@@ericbailey1182 2 nights left. Hopefully I can make somethin happen 🤷🏻♂️
This was really detailed. The length from belly to the ground is something to look at also.
Good point Jason, thanks for contributing. If we can all help each other then we are all better off. The bears will be out early!
Here in western Manitoba generally lots of air between belly and ground equals a big boar, as long as he has the overall frame.
They are all shooters and great representatives! Its a personal choice!
It’s distressing to see how rapidly these invasive species take over!
@mousefarm they're not invasive lol. But they should be kept in check
Nice video man. I’ve been hunting bears for a long time but you definitely have the experience to watch big bears roam around. You got some very nice bear hunting terrain there!
Thanks Gary, and good luck this spring or whenever you get out next!
10:07 - I'd take that one. He's a keeper for sure. 15:05 - ditto. 17:11 - I really like this bear. 19:20 - oh that's a wonderful bear
Are you showing us spring bears? The bellies don't seem to sag any
Thanks for the question Steven, yes these are all spring bears. Honestly, I don't look for the sagging belly too much, even in fall. I look for an overall large bear dimensionally. I see I'll have to do a second video to clarify a few points. Also, this isn't a video on how to judge "Jumbo" bears that will come later.
I hunt washington spot and stalk bear and can confirm, its tough to judge without something like a barrel next to them. My first one looked like a giant but definitely had some ground shrinkage.
What if you are shooting for meat? Younger/smaller would be better/more tender meat correct?
Just like any animal and younger one will be more tender. Though, the big bears that I have taken, have all tasted good.
Going on my first bear hunt in New Brunswick Canada next week. This video was very helpful. So its taboo to shoot a sow? I don’t know what to expect but I will do my best to identity before the shot
Hey Kris, I'm glad it was helpful. Yes, as bear hunters we try not to shoot sows, especially sows with cubs as that's illegal. Good luck on your hunt and do your best!
U know, it depends on area, if they produce, I go off ear size, belly, length, the way the walk, blocky head, and rear end! Havent watched the vid yet but doing in 2 secs!! 😀
I agree it's the whole package.
I will say you are accurate and thorough in judging bears. What I will say is that in areas where you can not bait, don't have the luxury of multiple comparisons up close and personal and don't have the time time to spend judging before you shoot, many more of these would be shooters...bit even at that your body types and descriptions should be very helpful to bear hunters
Thanks!
good video David! i cant judge a bear for the life of me. this is good!
We will get you primed up for spring Mark!
Depends. My local bears, that is a trophy in the thumbnail. If I'm up in Canada I'm holding out.
I have a couple trail cam pics of a bear frequenting my stand. No bait just apple trees and I can’t tell his size yet. Gonna set a marker for height reference today. Wish I could post the pics here to get some opinions. Great video
I'm glad you could still find it helpful. Good luck!
I’m hunting in Arkansas this year and our bears aren’t as big as the ones in Canada on average
See here in Pennsylvania we aren't allowed to use barrels and have to use intuition, cameras and know how with a massive dash of luck to find nice size bear. I definitely agree with everything you've said, but when you live in a state that doesn't allow such hunting luxuries, anything that's 300 or more is definitely a taker
I'd suggest trying to find some pattern if you can. I've shot bears away from bait and it takes a bit more time to judge. But my exposure to large amounts of bears have helped in being able to judge. Good luck!
I like those 🐻 that make the barrel look like a Dixie Cup! 👍🏻💯🇨🇦
These invasive species are creating an ecological crisis!
Whats the best way to identify a boar if you are spot and stalk hunting and the bear is hundreds of yards out?
I'd suggest looking for a bear with big shoulders, wide stance and a flatter belly. Sows will have very small shoulders when compared to their hindquarters.
Going to hunt bear for the first time thus year. Why do some of them seem to be missing fur?
There are a lot of burrs in the area, so they get stuck in the fur.
Just shot my first bear he was 5.5ft 🤷🏿♂️
Congrats, great first bear!
First time bear hunter researching, thanks for the info!
I'm in Georgia and we're not allowed to bait bear here. How do I judge the size of a bear. They have to be 75 pounds at minimum. I've never been but am planning on going this year
A 75 pound bear is going to look like a dog, it will be very obvious not to shoot. I'd look at how the ears sit in the head and belly line, structured of the shoulders, etc. You can still use a lot of the advice I give in the video minus the barrel stuff. You'll just have to take more time to judge the bear if you are particular on size. But a 75 pound bear will look very small. Good luck!
This was great and informative. I will use this wisdom wisely.
Thanks Tanya, I'm glad you found it useful!
Great video. I enjoyed the educated and articulated commentary.
I'm glad you found it helpful!
thanks for your candor about being patient
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed the video!
Great video. Super useful information. They are definitely tough animals to judge. It gets even trickier in low light or if they don't give you a lot of time to look at them.
So for us guys in west virginia where we rarely get bears that big and we can't bait for them what would you consider a shooter
Thanks for watching. I'd recommend to stay away from cubs and sows. If you can identify the difference between a boar and sow then target the boars. Watch this ua-cam.com/video/LIMR4DxjV-w/v-deo.html
What are you using for bait? It looks like all corn @rattling junkie
Yes, it is corn and used fryer oil. I've tried just about everything and this seems to be the best for the price/value.
Good educational video but I wish that we had time to size up the bear before you told us what it was. When you are immediately saying what size bear it is there is no chance for me to size it up before you tell me, "this is a small bear" or" this is a shooter." I finally turned the sound off and watched the rest of the video then went back with the sound to see how I did in judging the bears.
Thanks for the feedback. How did you do?
What's your favorite broadhead for bears?
you didnt show a jumbo?
Hey Mike! Good to see you back! No, believe it or not I did not show a "Jumbo." That will be for another video.
Great video very informative, looking to go on our first bear hunt any suggestions on a outfitter that is reasonable in northern Ontario thank you
I would really suggest going with Stickflingers in Manitoba. He has an all weapons camp and a bow only camp. I guide there as well.
This is a great video. Thanks for your time. Anyway, In California you cannot bait bears, you cannot use dogs to find them. Hunters have to hunt them. That being said, my comments were not a slam regarding how you manage to get a bear. Every state is different. I just want to know what state allows hunters to bait them?
I'd recommend contacting each and every state.
Great video, very informative, a great help to hunters
Measure a seven foot log and drag it over by the barrels gives another reference. Lol and keep stuff on level ground lol bear fever grows quick if there be a high ground on one side of the barrel. Lol
Good advice, that uneven ground can definitely fool a person.
Don't forget to turn on your room lights.
Would be nice if you would include approximate weight of each bear
I'll see what I can do
That bear you were considering shooting, looked right at you, I live in Maine and have been on 4 bear hunts and been successful on 4, one very nice one, wish they would of measured it, we just weigh them here, 397lbs but had no belly, was all height and length and marked up from fighting. But there is nothing more exciting then a black bear looking right at you and being able to keep your calm, cause I know up here one movement and they bolt. Hunt deer, turkey, and so on but nothing compares to beat hunting to me. Don't get too many brown or cinnamon ones here, get a few with white markings on the chest that can look very nice on a mount. Great video, def no expert but been enough times to THINK I can judge size and still have to question myself sometimes. Hardest animal to judge size, especially when they come out before dark , in low light and it's a black animal.
Sounds like you had a great hunt! I agree a measurement is very nice rather than just weight.
@@rattlingjunkie you guide hunts right? What's the name of the outfit? Like I said I go to northern Maine, literally 15 mins from the Canadian border and have always wanted to go further north to Canada and try it, and I'm almost positive if your not a Canadian resident you have to hire a guide to hunt anything in Canada. And you guys have a spring hunt too right? Just curious for future planning. So name of your outfit or guide service? And do you have a web site or anything to check out?
@@chadbinette3201 I guide for www.stickflingers.com We have a spring season and can accommodate gun hunters and bowhunters.
Thanks for the video. Very informative!!
I'm glad you found it useful!
The last bear said. Sorry I’ve had enough corn
Yes Yes ! I know ... a silly joke on my part of the stupid troublemaker that I am ..🥴 Excellent video!
If it fits in the barrel it's too small
Thanks for the video .
Good video thank you for sharing your information
What is that on the fur of all the bears you showed?
Burdocks, dread locks or ticks
had to review this video again....
Are you bear hunting this year?
@@rattlingjunkie yep, in two weeks.
Nice, good luck!
As a guide in Northern Michigan and know a lot about this. Your size ideas are pretty good, and you passing very large bears makes me wonder why you did that…. But I’ve past 140 inch bucks and same thing. But I’ll say this, kill whatever bear you want!!! If it makes you happy size makes no diff. Bears need to die to keep numbers in line. Don’t go home empty handed unless your a nut like this guy ;-)
Thanks!
Great info thanks for the video
You're certainly welcome and thanks for stopping by!
What is the bait
Make Good Rugs .
Helpful video. I was thinking of making something like this for my clients, but this will do :).
Thanks so much, I'm glad you can benefit from it!
HADAI GWAII IN BC HAS THE BIGGEST BLACK BEARS IN THE WORLD . THE BIGGEST BEAR HERE IS ONLY HALF THEIR SIZE .
Every time he says “bear” take a swig 😅
STANDING ON ALL FOURS, THE BEAR FOR ME MUST BE TALLER THAN THE DRUM THAT HAS THE BAIT . HIS BACK MUST BE TALLER THAN THE DRUM .
How about a bear that is short and long stomach hits the ground almost
Are you talking about me?
No lol serious question. A place I was hunting that’s all I would get on trail cams is short long stubblie legged bears. I’d post pic but can’t on here
@@kalib20101 where are you hunting? The location will have a lot to do with the characteristics of the bears in your area. My area was those short bears as well as the tall ones. Those short ones could be sows as well. A mature sow will almost appear to be like a miniature boar. They are always short, that's why I always stress shooting tall bears, so you avoid shooting sows. Though "Gorilla" boars can be common too. These ones are like what you are describing.
@@rattlingjunkie northwest wi
@@kalib20101 from what the record books state Wisconsin might be the best area for skull size. If the bears in your region don't stand tall I'd look at the width of the stance, boars will have a wide stance. I hope this helps. Maybe someone from Wisconsin can chime in?
Sorry bro…going in my first 3 day bear hunt next month and I will shoot the first bear I see and feel honored to do so
Shoot what makes you happy. Just don' shoot a cub or sow with cubs. Toilet doilies aren't fun to shoot!
Totally agree Rattling Junkie….I would never ever shoot a cub nor a mother of Cubs……that’s not being an ethical hunter…..
i still dont understand hunt bait pills where is the fun
Thanks for watching!
With my 380 😮
No to young if you’re looking for an old bear
21 minutes of video without showing a hunt?? bring the pillow...
Thanks for the comment. My channel has lots of great bear hunts. This video was for educational purposes.
No u arent talking too much man haha
THEY CALL THE WALK A JOHN WAYNE WALK , OF A BIG BEAR.
I have never heard that before, and I've guided a lot of bear hunters. I might start using that one now!
Great vid guys!!
For some real cool footage check out "LIVIN FOR THE RUT"
SOME SWEET FOOTAGE!!!
Kinda a douchbag move to high jack a guys video for followers. Watched your last two videos and honestly they made me cringe. Nice chocolate bear but maybe just shoot footage and don’t talk. Also, chasing baby bears up trees and shooting them isn’t sweet footage.
Field judge? Ya mean as opposed to zoo or oven judging them? Lol!
I hunt washington spot and stalk bear and can confirm, its tough to judge without something like a barrel next to them. My first one looked like a giant but definitely had some ground shrinkage.