Black Bear Population

[sojourner]

While elk hunting a few weeks ago I saw 11 bears in two days. I was within 30 yards of 6 of them. They were all within about a 3 square mile area at about 6500 ft.

 

[Bar]

While elk hunting a few weeks ago I saw 11 bears in two days. I was within 30 yards of 6 of them. They were all within about a 3 square mile area at about 6500 ft.

Where was that?

 

[gmajor]

Any chance you've got the link to the article? I believe it, but I'd love to read about their methodology.

 

[MattB]

I believe the same is true of whitetail deer as well.

CA has as many or more bears than any other state than Alaska, and our population has been growing for quite some time and in places where bears didn't exist 80 years ago. That makes the notion that there are more now than when the pilgrims landed very believable.

 

[MTbowhunter36]

Any chance you've got the link to the article? I believe it, but I'd love to read about their methodology.

Post #4 and it's on page 7. It's the editor's page.

 

[sojourner]

Where was that?

Marble Mountains California. Of course that was in the break between archery and rifle seasons. I'm hoping they are still there at the end of the month when I might get a chance to head back up.

 

[Bar]

Marble Mountains California. Of course that was in the break between archery and rifle seasons. I'm hoping they are still there at the end of the month when I might get a chance to head back up.

Oh ok. I was hoping for Colorado.

 

[gmajor]

Post #4 and it's on page 7. It's the editor's page.

Shucks. No data in sight. I'd really love to see some good science on this, I'll have to look around.

 

[brushape]

I've seen over 30 bears hunting blacktail in California this year, most was 7 in one morning hunt

 

[bjaegers]

We have an abundance of Black Bears in the Eastern Sierra's of CA. The season open's the third weekend of August for Archery and is open for 4 weeks. Then Opens again the Third weekend of September for Rifle and is open until December 27th or (1,800 Bears are killed, this hasn't happened in a while.) No Bait or Dogs allowed in CA, a hunting license and tag can be purchased over the counter or at https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing

I'm not Mr. Bear hunter but have been involved in the harvest of a few and look at it as a responsibility to help our deer heard. My Dad took one that I measured and it would have gone B&C if entered. I would be happy to share any ideas to anyone interested in harvesting a Black Bear in CA.

I see 5-10 a year while Deer Hunting including some very large boars. Huge population around Mammoth Lakes but many are dumpster divers.

 

[bighouse31]

As of 2012 CA F&W estimated the black bear population to be between 25,000-30,000

 

[69ChrisCraft]

7 day hunt in Northern California....spotted 19 bears. I believe it.

 

[PA 5-0]

We have the biggest black bears on the planet here in PA and they seem to get bigger and more plentiful every year. Many are killed over 800lbs each year. We seem to break the yearly harvest record regularly. The PGC keeps expanding the hunting opportunities as the population continues to grow and expand its range. This year in particular, my guys and I have already seen many mommies with three big fat cubs. And that's following our worst winter in a long time. It's nothing for my sons and I to have 15 different bears named off our trail cam pics each year, not including cubs. Then they all just dive into holes and disappear the night before the season. They truly are one of the most elusive critters on earth. Note: no baiting or dog hunting in PA.

Another side note: even with all the cities we have built, apparently there's more trees on the North American continent then when the settlers landed.

 

[PA 5-0]

Just saw a pic in the local newspaper of some big fat cubs up a tree in a pretty residential neighborhood in south eastern PA. Mom was herding her FOUR!! cubs up the tree fearing approaching cars. I've never seen or heard of a sow with 4 cubs. Things are good in the bear world.

 

[MattB]

As of 2012 CA F&W estimated the black bear population to be between 25,000-30,000

The link below indicates a 2013 population range (95% confidence interval) from 28,000 to 40,000 and the mid-point at ~33,000. In 2012 I was told by someone "in the know" that the CA bear population could very well be have been over 35,000. With the additional carry-over of ~900 bears/year over the past 2 years, we could be in excess of 40,000 bears in just a few years (assuming we are not already).

https://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/bear/population.html

We've seen as many as 19 bears in a day (incl. 4 cubs) in CA, and then saw 3 the next day - same spot, different weather.

 

[Brodie]

PA 5-0, your tree stat is surprising considering our logging and as you mentioned the amount of cities. I imagine modern fire suppression efforts have a large role in this.

 

[Moe.JKU]

I see bears all the time where in BC, we aren't even aloud to bait them and everyone spot prefers spot and stalk over tree stands. Even in a very populated area like Vancouver there are always bears in the suburbs roaming the streets. They range anywhere from coastal rivers and mountains eating fish, to the high alpine eating wild blueberries and such. Even seen a few at 7000ft. Next year i'm going to start to take up bear hunting now that i'm purchasing a bow.

Mind you this is Canada not the US like the OP stated. But i'm sure its the same for my neighbours just north of where I live.

 

[7stw]

I saw lots of bear scat around 9500-11000 ft this year in colorado in unit 161. During second rifle elk season ATTACH]21819[/ATTACH]
It looked a few weeks old. I never saw one but did see loads if sign.

 

[Skidro]

We have more bears than ever in WV, but average a lot smaller than the ones in PA.