Arkansas Hunting banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

2025 Arkansas Black Bear - sucked into it again

Jump to Latest
381 - 400 of 514 Posts
Discussion starter · #381 ·
ksf04001 said:
Very fortunate this afternoon. This is the only shooter ive had and he has been at the bait the last two days at 2 pm. The wind was shifting and he was getting ready to bolt, but I was able to get an arrow in him at 55 yds (much further than I wanted). He didnt run 50 yards and piled up. For once I already have one skinned and everything cleaned up before midnight. He had some gnarly teeth, im guessing an old bear.
Click to expand...

Awesome bear !!
 
Discussion starter · #382 ·
This bear came in behind me. 7 steps and sat and stayed for 5 minutes finally moving literally directly under me, 12 feet from my feet. Walked a semi circle and I shot, high ribs my side, low ribs off side, 50 yard run and death moan. 225# dead weight is a lot ... I spent time cutting out an old log trail 1/2 to it then drug it. Used some ingenuity to get it loaded. My buddy nicked one and we spent 2 hours blood trailing it. 100 yards maybe of little spots ...he had his arrow so that bear lives

I spent money and time ... people like K-Mo and my buddy Mike thanks bigly. I was after a good bear, im happy
 
#383 ·
Very thankful to get one yesterday afternoon. We were on the edge of a big storm and it got windy and lots of acorns fell. I wish I had started doing this earlier in life. It's hard, but i find it exciting and rewarding. From the size and strength of these animals to how they move through the forest without making a sound, it's all amazing to me. Next year, I plan to take my cousin and the following year another hunter that's a little older than me. If they get one, I'll probably hunt if bears keep coming to the bait. Congrats to those that were successful and thanks again to those on here that helped me and answered questions. I dont think I would have been successful without y'all. And thanks to my wife. All 115# of her helps with bait, dragging, loading and skinning. Best of luck to those still after them.
 
#384 ·
We had a bear flirt with us but never come in. Saw it once about 60yds out, straight upwind. Then gone. I really don’t like hunting them from a ground blind. But we’re staying after it. Be back after this afternoon. Of course a couple hours after we left, bears all over the bait all night. Maybe they’ll get a little braver this afternoon. Supposed to get some rain and cloud cover, so maybe that will bring them in. Congrats to the killers!
 
#385 ·
spur said:
Very thankful to get one yesterday afternoon. We were on the edge of a big storm and it got windy and lots of acorns fell. I wish I had started doing this earlier in life. It's hard, but i find it exciting and rewarding. From the size and strength of these animals to how they move through the forest without making a sound, it's all amazing to me. Next year, I plan to take my cousin and the following year another hunter that's a little older than me. If they get one, I'll probably hunt if bears keep coming to the bait. Congrats to those that were successful and thanks again to those on here that helped me and answered questions. I dont think I would have been successful without y'all. And thanks to my wife. All 115# of her helps with bait, dragging, loading and skinning. Best of luck to those still after them.
Click to expand...
I'll be your cousin..Just sayn..
 
#394 ·
K-Mo said:
Settled in for the afternoon. It in fact did NOT cool off and rain as forecast. But still saying it’s gonna drop soon. Wind isn’t our friend, but I’m hoping Ole @SwampCat is right, and the bears are just gonna get used to us being here and say screw it and come in anyway.
Click to expand...
It takes more than that - I always back my ground blind up to the base of a steep hill which seemed to keep them from slipping around back - somewhat. I hunted bears for five years - three in trees stands and two on the ground. Never killed one from a tree stand and killed one both years I hunted from the ground. I really think that I made tree stands a problem by thinking I only had to play the wind and not be as concerned with a bear circling the bait. One year, I hunted eight time from a tree stand and never saw a bear. Half the nights I was not there, the bear showed up in shooting light. That is a sign. There is no telling how many times we hunt and dont see a bear - the bear has circled down wind and left without knowing we were there.
 
#395 ·
SwampCat said:
It takes more than that - I always back my ground blind up to the base of a steep hill which seemed to keep them from slipping around back - somewhat. I hunted bears for five years - three in trees stands and two on the ground. Never killed one from a tree stand and killed one both years I hunted from the ground. I really think that I made tree stands a problem by thinking I only had to play the wind and not be as concerned with a bear circling the bait. One year, I hunted eight time from a tree stand and never saw a bear. Half the nights I was not there, the bear showed up in shooting light. That is a sign. There is no telling how many times we hunt and dont see a bear - the bear has circled down wind and left without knowing we were there.
Click to expand...
We have dozer piles behind us, but on a flat ridgetop, so they can do as they please pretty much. In a small clearing about 75yds long and 30yds wide. Dozer piles on the long sides. Open on the ends. Bait against the N end of the clearing. We’re on the W side of the clearing about 15yds S of the bait. 25yds from blind to bait. They’ve been coming from the N by the trails, but on Cam they are coming in from the S. I think they just aren’t being caught on cam until they walk around the S side of the bait. Bear we saw yesterday was to the N.
 
#396 ·
SwampCat said:
It takes more than that - I always back my ground blind up to the base of a steep hill which seemed to keep them from slipping around back - somewhat. I hunted bears for five years - three in trees stands and two on the ground. Never killed one from a tree stand and killed one both years I hunted from the ground. I really think that I made tree stands a problem by thinking I only had to play the wind and not be as concerned with a bear circling the bait. One year, I hunted eight time from a tree stand and never saw a bear. Half the nights I was not there, the bear showed up in shooting light. That is a sign. There is no telling how many times we hunt and dont see a bear - the bear has circled down wind and left without knowing we were there.
Click to expand...
We have dozer piles behind us, but on a flat ridgetop, so they can do as they please pretty much. In a small clearing about 75yds long and 30yds wide. Dozer piles on the long sides. Open on the ends. Bait against the N end of the clearing. We’re on the W side of the clearing about 15yds S of the bait. 25yds from blind to bait. They’ve been coming from the N by the trails, but on Cam they are coming in from the S. I think they just aren’t being caught on cam until they walk around the S side of the bait. Bear we saw yesterday was to the N.
 
#397 ·
I set up similar to Swampcat. 50ft bluff 10 yds behind me that is 150 yds long. A nasty draw to my right that the only thing that can traverse it is a squirrel. Perpendicular to the stand 15 yds out is a logging road. They use the road whether bait is on it or not. About 80 yds in front of me is another bluff. It runs for over 1/4 mile. The main trail they use is a narrow crevice in the bluff straight ahead and the trail comes straight down. Really helps me with the wind and if I make a good shot I dont feel they can get out of there.
 
#398 ·
spur said:
I set up similar to Swampcat. 50ft bluff 10 yds behind me that is 150 yds long. A nasty draw to my right that the only thing that can traverse it is a squirrel. Perpendicular to the stand 15 yds out is a logging road. They use the road whether bait is on it or not. About 80 yds in front of me is another bluff. It runs for over 1/4 mile. The main trail they use is a narrow crevice in the bluff straight ahead and the trail comes straight down. Really helps me with the wind and if I make a good shot I dont feel they can get out of there.
Click to expand...
You just described my main bait
 
381 - 400 of 514 Posts
About this Discussion
513 Replies
34 Participants
Last post:
K-Mo
Arkansas Hunting
posts
4M
members
37K
Since
2003
A forum community dedicated to Arkansas hunters and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, trails, clubs, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Bowhunting Deer Hunting Member Classifieds Waterfowl Hunting Turkey Hunting