Up here in Southren New York + North New Jersey- Black Bears are a common sight. Fact is there are just too many of them!
During a New Jersey Spring Turkey Hunt a few years back,I called a Black Bear out of a Swamp. Before he appeared, I had a few Gobblers answering my calls. He started up my way. I was set up in the hardwoods. I opted to first stand up and Yank down my Facemask. This put him to Flight right quick.
In another area of New Jersey- a Big Black Bear appeared on a ridge above me a good 80 yards out after,I finished a Loud Yelping Series. I got up and again yanked down my mask and started slowly away. This Black Bear stayed and watched from the Ridge. Last thing,I want to do is put the Bead on the Bears nose and let fly a horde of Nickel plated #4s.
I saw another Black Bear in New York come out of a Swamp. Very curious he was . He took off too.
I had a Chilling experience over 20 years ago in North New Jersey. I was set up in some open + mixed hardwoods/ conifers and Calling for 30 minutes. All Sounds just stopped- Birds,squirrels, etc. I had a feeling a Black Bear must be approaching my Hen Calling from behind me. So,I slowly left that area. Just weird a how all noise just stopped on cue. I took that as a cue to leave- ready to open fire. That was off of Lonely Clinton Road. Got a Tom near that area last Spring.
So-- anyone else here has had the experience of calling up a unwanted Black Bear during a Spring Turkey Hunt?
Not yet. But I do hunt in bear-infested eastern NC. We kill a bunch during bear season where I turkey hunt.
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Not really interested in turkey calls around here. Have had many encounters with them on the spring but for the most part we just do our thing. Heck last year I was climbing up a mountain and as I was crossing over a large fallen tree I noticed a large blob skylined above me. I fipped my light on in red mode and it was a bear sitting there looking at me from about 10 yards. I politely asked him to move and let me through and he just turned and slowly walked off. I have only been concerned on two occasions. One involved cubs and the other one I am not sure what happened. I think something startled it and I just happened to be squarely in the escape path but maybe it was a mistaken identity and it was an attack. Either way if it hadn't veered at the last second it would have got shot. They are pretty cool animals to watch. If you get a chance. Just be respectful of them and there are typically no issues.
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Black bears may show up but you aren't calling them in with hen calls. No way a bear is going to catch a turkey. I have called in coyotes, fisher, bobcats and one panther.
Quote from: quavers59 on February 27, 2021, 10:20:31 AM
Up here in Southren New York + North New Jersey- Black Bears are a common sight. Fact is there are just too many of them!
During a New Jersey Spring Turkey Hunt a few years back,I called a Black Bear out of a Swamp. Before he appeared, I had a few Gobblers answering my calls. He started up my way. I was set up in the hardwoods. I opted to first stand up and Yank down my Facemask. This put him to Flight right quick.
In another area of New Jersey- a Big Black Bear appeared on a ridge above me a good 80 yards out after,I finished a Loud Yelping Series. I got up and again yanked down my mask and started slowly away. This Black Bear stayed and watched from the Ridge. Last thing,I want to do is put the Bead on the Bears nose and let fly a horde of Nickel plated #4s.
I saw another Black Bear in New York come out of a Swamp. Very curious he was . He took off too.
I had a Chilling experience over 20 years ago in North New Jersey. I was set up in some open + mixed hardwoods/ conifers and Calling for 30 minutes. All Sounds just stopped- Birds,squirrels, etc. I had a feeling a Black Bear must be approaching my Hen Calling from behind me. So,I slowly left that area. Just weird a how all noise just stopped on cue. I took that as a cue to leave- ready to open fire. That was off of Lonely Clinton Road. Got a Tom near that area last Spring.
So-- anyone else here has had the experience of calling up a unwanted Black Bear during a Spring Turkey Hunt?
Wow that makes turkey calling interesting. Didn't know that a bear caused the woods to go quiet ?
Must have been a bit eerie feeling? Probably a sasquatch. :newmascot:
Haven't had any problems with them, we are infested with them. Just can't see them during hunting season.
I hunted a FL WMA that they said was thick with bears. Never saw one or called one up, so I guess no. :toothy12:
I have run into a few black bears over the years while turkey hunting but have never had one come to my turkey calling. Same with mountain lions. I really have no concerns about either, although admittedly I am a little more comfortable when I see one of them if I have a shotgun or rifle on me when it happens. ;D
Quote from: quavers59 on February 27, 2021, 10:20:31 AM
Up here in Southren New York + North New Jersey- Black Bears are a common sight. Fact is there are just too many of them!
During a New Jersey Spring Turkey Hunt a few years back,I called a Black Bear out of a Swamp. Before he appeared, I had a few Gobblers answering my calls. He started up my way. I was set up in the hardwoods. I opted to first stand up and Yank down my Facemask. This put him to Flight right quick.
In another area of New Jersey- a Big Black Bear appeared on a ridge above me a good 80 yards out after,I finished a Loud Yelping Series. I got up and again yanked down my mask and started slowly away. This Black Bear stayed and watched from the Ridge. Last thing,I want to do is put the Bead on the Bears nose and let fly a horde of Nickel plated #4s.
I saw another Black Bear in New York come out of a Swamp. Very curious he was . He took off too.
I had a Chilling experience over 20 years ago in North New Jersey. I was set up in some open + mixed hardwoods/ conifers and Calling for 30 minutes. All Sounds just stopped- Birds,squirrels, etc. I had a feeling a Black Bear must be approaching my Hen Calling from behind me. So,I slowly left that area. Just weird a how all noise just stopped on cue. I took that as a cue to leave- ready to open fire. That was off of Lonely Clinton Road. Got a Tom near that area last Spring.
So-- anyone else here has had the experience of calling up a unwanted Black Bear during a Spring Turkey Hunt?
quavers search North woods turkey hunt and it will tell you my story up in ADK on a turkey hunt yogi showed up!
Na they don't come to the calls but have had them spook birds. I've noticed when a bear spooks one they're pretty tight lip rest of the day for some reason. Haven't had that effect with yotes
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I've seen a few over the years, but they have always left when they winded me. Sometimes fast, other times in no real hurry. Do we have any turkey hunters who have hunted the panhandle of Idaho? I have a good buddy who has hunted Merriams up there with good success. Got to carry bear spray due to brown bears in that area. He said some guys carry a large handgun and/or have a slug close at hand. I love to turkey hunt, but have no desire to be slipping quietly along in brown bear country. That could get ugly.
Down in Dixie we routinely call in yotes and bobcats. Never had bears come in even though I have hunted were bears are prevalent.
Sent from deep in the woods where the critters roam.
Only Raptors and Bobcats here in Florida, personally.
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We do not have many of them in my county of NY but I know of someone else that had one come up on him one county over in remote hill country. He said he knew to be on the lookout because he stepped in a pile of bear scat on his way in that felt pretty fresh. Only thing I have ever called in that worried me deeply way a skunk.