Calling for Eastern Black Bear

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I know this is primarily a western thread, but has anyone tried calling black bears in eastern states such as Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, etc? I was watching some Stone Glacier hunts in Alaska and calling seemed to work very well for them using fawn calls. I have seen quite a few other youtube channels where calling has really worked well. It got me thinking that it may be a good strategy to try over here. Especially if I can find hot sign.

If some folks have tried it and think it works, do you have any recommendations on animals/calls to imitate? I have a white-tail fawn call and a wounded rabbit call I have used in AL for coyotes and have had some success so I THINK I can make some good enough calls. I have also had coyotes come in to turkey calls so I could mix those in as well.

 

[Eleven]

I was messing around one fall afternoon in VT doing some moose calls while working on my property. Had a decent blackie come to it. I would bet that a fawn call would work.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I was messing around one fall afternoon in VT doing some moose calls while working on my property. Had a decent blackie come to it. I would bet that a fawn call would work.

That's very encouraging to hear. Did it come in cautiously or fairly aggressive? I have seen a mix of responses on youtube footage, but the majority seem to have come in running.

 

[Undrcoverrednek]

I haven't tried it, but I seem to remember reading that calling is much more effective in the spring. During hunting seasons in the east they have plenty of mast and aren't as interested in the meat. Can't hurt to try though.

 

[Eleven]

That's very encouraging to hear. Did it come in cautiously or fairly aggressive? I have seen a mix of responses on youtube footage, but the majority seem to have come in running.

Well, I was running around doing various tasks, not being stealthy at all and he still came in looking. I didn't see the approach, but all of a sudden he was there about 40 yards away looking around for the source. I’d say aggressive enough. If I had my rifle with me I would have taken him.

 

[medvedyt]

not that southern east but i did try calling in the forest in quebed and it did not work while it worked a lot on berries field so it will depend on time and they way they are feeding with a good food of source or not ...

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

not that southern east but i did try calling in the forest in quebed and it did not work while it worked a lot on berries field so it will depend on time and they way they are feeding with a good food of source or not ...

I am assuming it will probably work better in years the white oaks don’t produce all that well so food is more scarce.

 

[RADunfee]

It hasn't worked for me in the fall in GA. They'd rather be popping akerns and hickories.