Predator Calling Specifically for Bears

[kidso]

Greetings!

I have been calling black bear in Arizona using hand-calls for the past 20 years and have called bears in every year without fail. Calling bears is my primary hunting passion and I have always dreamed of calling bears in Alaska. Thus, I am curious if anyone purposely or regularly predator calls for bears in Alaska?

I am finally taking a trip to Soldotna next October to visit my friend who is a resident. I plan on calling off the Swanson River area for black bear and my friend will be hunting with me just in case a brownie decides to show up. Obviously, I will not be calling right up along the river, nor in any areas where people who are fishing would hear me screaming away at my calls. Hoping to take two black bears in a week of hunting if weather and bears cooperate! Is it a valid concern to worry about brownies in the area during the first week of October? Or are they sparsely populated in that area compared to the black bears?

Thanks for any responses.

[4merguide]

Is it a valid concern to worry about brownies in the area during the first week of October? Or are they sparsely populated in that area compared to the black bears?

Sure.........it's a valid concern in Oct. Anywhere there are known to be a good amount of brown bears, such as the Kenai, there is always the possibility of calling one in. You might want to find a nice tree to climb up into while doing so.....

[tyrex13]

Brown bears are thick in that area. Get some!

[Bushwhack Jack]

Greetings!

I have been calling black bear in Arizona using hand-calls for the past 20 years and have called bears in every year without fail. Calling bears is my primary hunting passion and I have always dreamed of calling bears in Alaska. Thus, I am curious if anyone purposely or regularly predator calls for bears in Alaska?

I am finally taking a trip to Soldotna next October to visit my friend who is a resident. I plan on calling off the Swanson River area for black bear and my friend will be hunting with me just in case a brownie decides to show up. Obviously, I will not be calling right up along the river, nor in any areas where people who are fishing would hear me screaming away at my calls. Hoping to take two black bears in a week of hunting if weather and bears cooperate! Is it a valid concern to worry about brownies in the area during the first week of October? Or are they sparsely populated in that area compared to the black bears?

Thanks for any responses.

If you are anywhere near the road system I would say the browns far outweigh the blacks in my opinion. Reason being, is that guys actively bait and hunt the blacks near the road. That, and they don't taste too bad either. Most residents would rather shoot a black to put a little meat in the freezer than shoot a brown. The browns taste like crap. I'm not real familiar with the swanson river area, but I do know that that area gets a run of salmon, and where there are salmon, there are brown bears. Bottom line is, most places you hunt blacks you will find browns as well. If you want to be selective for blacks, hunt the mountains and glass. Leave the caller at home. You might find a few blacks still picking berries in October but on the other hand it might be too late. You would have been better off going in September in my opinion. Not saying you can't call in a black, because you can. But chances are you will run into some browns as well. Try using a deer fawn bleat if you do. Sounds a lot like a moose calf.

[limon32]

I carry a .375 h&h while predator hunting early season here on the peninsula, brown bears are everywhere here, more so in areas with fish, like Swanson river.

The weather will determine how many black bears are out that time of year but I've seen them ON Swanson river road that time last year.

I think calling for them is an awesome idea but do be prepared for brown bear encounters, if you shoot one of those your vacation will be ruined, justified or not.


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[mtnclimber]

you better have a really good vantage point to be calling bears, especially in areas where theres the black and brown kind. Be cautious, try to be on higher ground, and not in the thick stuff.

but, it could prove to be very effective.

[kidso]

Luckily, my resident buddy should be able to take of a brownie if one pops out! In Arizona, most bear hunters are lobbing 600-900 yard shots at black bears with rifles while they are eating *****ly pear cactus fruit on our high desert hillsides leading into rugged oak and pinion pine canyons. I get my rush while calling them into close range and have taken my last four bears with archery gear from 4 to 22 yards. The feeling is indescribable, especially when you do the work with your own lungs and not a play button. I think it would be a hand-callers dream to call in a big Alaskan bear for someone who is ready to harvest it...well, at least that is my dream.

[AZVince]

Luckily, my resident buddy should be able to take of a brownie if one pops out! In Arizona, most bear hunters are lobbing 600-900 yard shots at black bears with rifles while they are eating *****ly pear cactus fruit on our high desert hillsides leading into rugged oak and pinion pine canyons. I get my rush while calling them into close range and have taken my last four bears with archery gear from 4 to 22 yards. The feeling is indescribable, especially when you do the work with your own lungs and not a play button. I think it would be a hand-callers dream to call in a big Alaskan bear for someone who is ready to harvest it...well, at least that is my dream.

Good luck!
I'm currently sick in the *****ly pear but looking to make the move north in the next year or two.
I'm interested in how Arizona tactics play out in Alaska. Now I have to stay getting ready for a coues deer hunt in October.

[AZVince]

Stuck*...............not sick.

[Amigo Will]

I was told by a trooper you can't be calling and then claim DLP on bears.

[kidso]

Good luck!
I'm currently sick in the *****ly pear but looking to make the move north in the next year or two.
I'm interested in how Arizona tactics play out in Alaska. Now I have to stay getting ready for a coues deer hunt in October.

Sorry, the word was "*****ly" pear cactus. I have no idea why the stars popped up on that word! No, I would not plan on losing a brownie or grizz on a DLP take. If brownies respond well to my calling style, I will definitely return with a guide on my next trip for a dream harvest...but, would hopefully get a blackie or two if they elude the bait sites.

As a bear hunter, I am ecstatic to read reports of grizz and brownie hunts on this site. It is a bear hunting addicts heaven!

[Abel]

Calling blackies in SE Ak is awesome. If I wanted to call one it, it would be spring in the Ketchikan area with a fawn bleat. I have a bud that uses a blade of grass now down there.

[limon32]

Luckily, my resident buddy should be able to take of a brownie if one pops out! In Arizona, most bear hunters are lobbing 600-900 yard shots at black bears with rifles while they are eating *****ly pear cactus fruit on our high desert hillsides leading into rugged oak and pinion pine canyons. I get my rush while calling them into close range and have taken my last four bears with archery gear from 4 to 22 yards. The feeling is indescribable, especially when you do the work with your own lungs and not a play button. I think it would be a hand-callers dream to call in a big Alaskan bear for someone who is ready to harvest it...well, at least that is my dream.

The refuge has closed brown bear hunting on refuge land, which Swanson river is, so if you call a brown out there your resident buddy can't shoot it either, FWIW.

May want to move off refuge to do your calling.


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[kidso]

I will check that stuff out next summer before fall approaches. Is that refuge closing business the recent news I read about a federal judge or somebody closing down brown bear hunts on the peninsula early before the season even ended? Why do judges think they can make management decisions for people living in a particular area with their own local resources? Outlandish decision! Very akin to "taxation without representation" when King George III and the British Parliament tried to assert control over our American colonies.

[4merguide]

I will check that stuff out next summer before fall approaches. Is that refuge closing business the recent news I read about a federal judge or somebody closing down brown bear hunts on the peninsula early before the season even ended? Why do judges think they can make management decisions for people living in a particular area with their own local resources? Outlandish decision! Very akin to "taxation without representation" when King George III and the British Parliament tried to assert control over our American colonies.

It's the refuge, which is Federal property. If it was up to them I think they'd make all Alaska a park and close it to all hunting. The people working there act like they own the place......