Exploring the Dangers of Bear Hunting

For some reason, people seem interested in the notion of tracking down a bear through the wilderness and killing it. While it may seem strange, there is a small cult of people that follow bear hunting considerably and make it an active part of their lives. These people tend to find generalized hunting a little too “tame” for their tastes and instead lurk after the lumbering bears of the forest. Often seen as an attempt to prove their manhood, bear hunting is a dangerous and largely unnecessary sport that typically challenges all notions of natural balance and order. Instead, most bear hunting aspects lead to dangerous outcomes or to the possibility of extinction.

Bear hunting, while seemingly unnecessary to the average person, is actually a legal and monitored part of the hunting regulations in North America. Alaska is one of the largest places for hunting bears. Several times a year, Alaska can be found swarming with hunters trying to bag the big one and those just curious to watch the bear hunts. The danger and general excitement of the hunt is enough to draw on the very basic components of human nature and create a buzz around bear hunting. Unfortunately for the bears and for some innocent bystanders, bear hunting creates a chaotic and unfortunate scene.

It is argued by hunters that the bear population is quickly recharging and regenerating itself, leading to the moral validity of bear hunting. In other words, there are enough bears in the world and, furthermore, without bear hunting the population of bears in certain areas would be overwrought. While this notion may be partially true, it is also important to consider that bear hunters typically are not properly educated in the matter. Some bear hunters are not hunting for purposes of thinning out a particular species to maintain some sense of animal control in the area. This leads to many bear hunters callously shooting at anything that moves and taking down anything that looks like a bear, paying no mind to the species or importance of the bear.

For this reason, bear hunting is best left to the professionals. There are many within the wildlife community that are given the task of taking down the bear population by statistically represented and supported numerical values. These wildlife officials know what bears to look for and have identified the bears that are older and weaker, leaving the decision of hunting bears down to an actual representation of the bear community in a particular area and to actual natural law.

In that respect, bear hunting appears to be the domain of the testosterone-driven hunters. The hunters looking for the best possible kill are typically adrenaline junkies that are looking for danger and excitement. As many examples over time have proven, bear hunting can provide that danger and excitement in more than ample amounts. This leads to fatalities or injuries that are often results of people getting too close to bears or people getting too involved in the bear's natural habitat. In short, people simply do not know when to leave well enough alone.

With all of this rhetoric around bear hunting, one would think that the very notion of how dangerous the sport is would be enough of a repellent. However, every season more hunters are flocking to alleged hunting sites and every season more needless waste is being done to the beautiful natural backdrop that bears and other animals call home. The amount of human-led damage to the forests and natural setting of Alaska because of bear hunting is staggering. 

Regardless of any moral convictions, it is important to maintain a factual focus when discussing hunting of any kind. Whether we live in an age in which hunting is a necessity at all anymore is certainly up for dispute. Many argue for the sport aspect of it, but a more logical approach might suggest that the arguments for the sporting aspect of bear hunting are better left behind.

Black Bear Hunting

Summary: Black bear hunting is a favorite game for hunters especially on areas that swell with their numberslike New Jersey and Canada

Long considered a predator, black bears were shot sporadically as vermin, for food, and for trophies. In some areas black bears are being seen as either a vicious beast or an endless commodity. This was because their behavior has been little understood until recently.

Today, the specie is fast becoming a favorite game for most hunters especially on areas that swell with their numbers like New Jersey and Canada, especially when it comes to the fact that the emerging breed of black bears are adapting to the life in the suburbs. Consequence is that the households sometimes awaken to the sound of rummaging bears in their property (black bears are strongly attracted to the scent of decay). Worst cases these black bears invade homes and proceed to rummage around in search for food and attacks could happen if humans are in the way.

Because of their swift growth especially on areas that are populated by humans, the ban on black bear hunting had been lifted. Since black bears reproduces slowly so black bear hunting should be carefully controlled. Several states allowing bear hunting have guidelines to follow. Carefully study hunting regulations and know the things you can and can’t do. Baiting the Black Bear

The most common method for black bear hunting is baiting. Baiting is basic. It is placing bait on a location and waiting for the black bear to show. Though it sounds easy on pen and paper, the actual process is rather difficult; often it is frustrating. Black bears have relatively poor eyesight, but outstanding olfactory and auditory senses. When they get a whiff on a scent of your boot or sweat, no matter the stink of your bait may be enticing to him, he would usually run away.

While some would argue that baiting is the worst form of black bear hunting, it is the safest and it allows you to check your game if it isn’t a sow. And it is far from easy too, because bears have outstanding sense of smell and the slightest hint of your smell will make the bear disappear.

Getting the Black Bear to Settle

Bait should be placed attentively. It should be along the bear’s movement path; proper anticipation should be made. Bears frequent those areas where he always likely to spot a meal. Some hunters prepare before the season by regularly putting baits in a location until a bear marks the spot.

While hunting for these spot, look for telltale signs of black bear activity, like claw marks and bear droppings. Also, disturbed vegetation always signifies presence, bear or not. Check beneath brushes and foliage for signs of feeding activity, as black bears tend to feed underneath brushes. 

Last piece of advice: remember these animals are dangerous, especially when provoked. So don’t ignore your safety while black bear hunting just because you’re carrying a gun. These creatures are considerably strong and can take a few hits while closing in on you.

Bear Hunting in Canada

Summary: Canada has the densest population of bears throughout America that most outdoor sports that happen there is bear hunting

Canada has the densest population of bears throughout America. The most common species is the black bear, though Grizzlies are also widespread. These bears are so common throughout the continent, Canada and Alaska, that most outdoor sports that happen there is bear hunting.

Bear hunting in Canada was an extensive activity even in the last century though the reason for most hunts did differ. Bear hunting in Canada were reasons of vermin cleaning as bears (especially the black bears) are rampant even in the suburbs. The black bears most especially are the specie types that do not shy away from humans. Cubs are often sighted playing with humans and human related objects like tires and cars. Black bear cubs are even known to beg for food on car doors, especially on stopped cars on a woodland freeway. Black bears are seen as harmless and cuddly, even the teddy bear existence was due to an alleged occasion when Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a young black bear because it was so cute and harmless.

Though naturally harmless, black bears are also far from the image it has portrayed for itself. Black bears are never cuddly. There have been thousands of mauling and deaths resulted by black bears, especially if the human is in between its intended food.

Grizzlies on the other hand are gigantic, often reaching the mass of 220 – 1500 lbs. In contradiction from the smaller black bears, grizzlies are timid creatures.

In general, bears are very adaptable and that’s what makes them dangerous. They have proved they can coexist with humans though peace is another story. Sometimes bears will find the human as food source which results to killings of human.

Bear hunting in Canada is the government’s move to curb the exploding numbers of bear populations. Several foreign hunters travel just to take part in the hunting, which is open in spring and fall. The government though has placed several restrictions for bear hunting in Canada, dictating when and how these bears can be hunted, on what regions and the candidates for hunting.

Bear hunting in Canada are now mostly for trophy reasons. With their thick coat maturing in winter, spring is the preferred choice for hunters. So how do you prepare for the bear hunting in Canada? Be sure to check each localities’ rules and regulations. Always come prepared, if bears won’t kill you in the wild, nature will. And remember, black bears are often cute and cuddly but dangerous. On the contrary, grizzlies are gentle and timid creatures. So choose your pick, black bears or grizzlies. Me, I’d go for the blacks.