Latest successful bear hunt?

[Cervid]

When is the latest in the year that you’ve successfully hunted black bear (and what state was that in)? Any advice on tactics for those late season bears?

 

[Taudisio]

Ran into one during deer season and had a bear tag, if that counts.

 

[Wrench]

Our season is closed, but one walked by me yesterday.

 

[Cervid]

Our season is closed, but one walked by me yesterday.

Which state was that in?

 

[flytrue]

My last one was 2 years ago, mid November.
Mendocino County, California. I'm still trying for one this year, the season closes late December or when the take quota is met. I'm at 2500 feet.
They are still actively moving around feeding on the plentiful acorns and manzanita berries.

 

[TechsanHunter]

Never had the chance but really want to go!

 

[Wrench]

Which state was that in?

Ne Washington

 

[longrangelead]

Western Montana, I start feeling pressure at the end of Sept.
Bears seem to be denned up by end of Oct.

 

[freezerfull]

If we’re talking successful harvest of a fall bear while targeting them, end of Sept. I have seen plenty of bears in October and November but not while primarily looking for them. In NW WA bears are relatively easy to find from August 1st through mid September, just follow the feed. After mid September most of the bears I run into are incidental, still hunting dark timber for blacktails or hiking. If I had a tag in my pocket that late in the year I would probably focus on bushwhacks and timber still hunts in locations that have fresh bear sign. Generally I either don’t have a tag left or I’ve moved onto other hunts or activities by this time of the year.

 

[ianpadron]

If I could pick 1 week of the year and had to bet money on killing a bear in WA state it'd be whatever week the last few days in September and first few days in October was.

Bears have migrated up top to den, feed bags are on, berries are peak sweetness, no other hunters in the highcountry.

Meanwhile here in MT I've never seen a black bear after September.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Ran into one during deer season and had a bear tag, if that counts.

Hey me too, first time I’ve seen one during deer season

October

 

[welkin]

Latest I've ever seen a bear in western Oregon was first week of November. I don't think I've ever found fresh sign until late April at the earliest.

 

[againes85]

Our seasons dont come in until the beginning of November and then again this week of December. That is in NC.

 

[Taudisio]

Our seasons dont come in until the beginning of November and then again this week of December. That is in NC.

Dang that sucks. Do you guys just try to find their dens and smoke them out or something?

Latest I've ever seen a bear in western Oregon was first week of November. I don't think I've ever found fresh sign until late April at the earliest.

I have seen fresh tracks in the snow in early/mid march. Killed my spring bear last year April 9th and had passed on two others before that.

 

[Cervid]

Our seasons dont come in until the beginning of November and then again this week of December. That is in NC.

Are they out then? For sure in other states the game agencies set the season dates for periods when the bears are mostly hibernating.

 

[justinspicher]

September archery hunt with a buddy. Saw the dude three times, missed him twice and connect on day four.

 

[43.6N]

Location: South and central Idaho.
I’ll run into a new bear every couple of days hunting September.
By October I’ve only seen 1 that I can remember over the last 5 years, and it was just the first week.

Good friend killed a nice black bear on Oct 15th this year in an area that tops out at 9000ft.

 

[43.6N]

Location: South and central Idaho.
I’ll run into a new bear every couple of days hunting September.
By October I’ve only seen 1 that I can remember over the last 5 years, and it was just the first week.

Good friend killed a nice black bear on Oct 15th this year in an area that tops out at 9000ft.

Quick update, looking through my notes from this year I had forgotten about a small cinnamon bear I found feeding grubs. I made a note to check on it next year to see how it had grown.
Central Idaho, 7k ft.
Oct 20th.