Any NJ Bear Hunters here?

[BierGut 0]

If so, when and how do you start getting ready for the season?  I saw another one today running across my road and it got me thinking.

 

I am not certain when to begin the baiting.  I often see bear and like most summers, they are messing with the berries and the occasional garbage can, but I'd like to know when to put out the bait stations on my property.  I think I waited too long last year and by mid to late November what bears we had in the area had moved off.  I am based in Warren County with lots of fairly dense forested property and nearby water.  Of course -- most years they seem to meander through in February if it's not too cold and well out of hunting season hitting up the bird feeders on local properties. 

 

What are some of your plans?

[DaddyNick 408]

I wish they had a season down south here.  not that we have a good amount anyway. but can always dream . lol.  be careful with the baiting thing I think its illegal hunt bear over bait. the couple guys I talked to said it depends on the weather. if it gets cold fast they may den up before the gun season. down here everything is flat but up there I would assume the bears would be near dens,caves, etc  and stayin low key (to hunting pressure).

 

as for your area/your property. I assume it wouldnt hurt to start baitin them now for them to get a routine.  down here the deer are in the corn(private). once its cut they head for the swamps/thick stuff(public). maybe the bears up there do something similar.

find an acorn flat NOW. once crops are cut in the fall that's where they will be.

best of luck to ya.

 

Nick

[Tallday 10]

read this page and get the proper papers in order. http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/bearseason_info.htm and here http://www.bearhunting.us/outfitters/nj-bear-hunt/. I would think about how the hell you will get all that meat and hide out of the woods when you get that giant bear...

[Clintoon Eastwood 2]

A couple more seasons of deer hunting for me then I will step up to big game like moose, elk or bear up north maybe even Canada eh?

[Parker 213]

Plan for the retrieval and have a group of friends ready so you can get your prize out of the woods.

 

 

And be prepared for the protestors at the check station.

 

 

[DeerSlayer 241]

I took a bear in 04 I believe or 03 whatever the first year they brought the hunt back to NJ was. Im gonna tell you upfront its a ton of work to get it out of the woods. You are allowed to hunt over bait but only from the ground. If you want to hunt from an elevated position then the you may not bait that area. If you do plan to bait then I would begin the first day that you see signs of fall outside. This is exactly what triggers the bear to go on a feeding frenzy for the winter months. And the best time to get their attention with bait. Im a member of the State Federation of Sportsmen, and we have been asking for an earlier few day season maybe around late October or November possibly muzzle loader only even. Its a possibility between now and next year to happen. There are more bears being born than hunted so they may allow this early season to help curb population growth. Every season we are seeing less guys getting permits and less bears being harvested. So good luck to you in taking one this season, wish you success.

 

 

Sent using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[BierGut 0]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I am most interested in hearing from guys who've successfully hunted them IN New Jersey.   The reason is I've hunted them the past three seasons since they reintroduced the bear hunt.  I'm most interested in how, how much and when you bait for them.  I've baited (obviously not well enough) the past two years with last year giving it one Hell of a try.  Nothing.  I think I started baiting too late for one thing on my property and then made the mistake of continuing to bait in an area there were no bear.  I had a second area I hunted near Worthington State Forest, but it was interrupted so frequently by deer hunters (no offense guys) that the bear stopped hitting the bait as soon as the season started.  Lastly -- if anyone knows of some land up way north NJ where I might be granted access to hunt them I'd appreciate it. 

 

(I am not concerned with getting it out as I've skinned and quartered large animals...  I am just looking for the rug so I'll be leaving a meal out there most likely anyway.)

[Parker 213]

Thanks for all of the replies.

 

I am most interested in hearing from guys who've successfully hunted them IN New Jersey.   The reason is I've hunted them the past three seasons since they reintroduced the bear hunt.  I'm most interested in how, how much and when you bait for them.  I've baited (obviously not well enough) the past two years with last year giving it one Hell of a try.  Nothing.  I think I started baiting too late for one thing on my property and then made the mistake of continuing to bait in an area there were no bear.  I had a second area I hunted near Worthington State Forest, but it was interrupted so frequently by deer hunters (no offense guys) that the bear stopped hitting the bait as soon as the season started.  Lastly -- if anyone knows of some land up way north NJ where I might be granted access to hunt them I'd appreciate it. 

 

(I am not concerned with getting it out as I've skinned and quartered large animals...  I am just looking for the rug so I'll be leaving a meal out there most likely anyway.)

 

 

 

Therein lies the problem. Unless you have a private piece of land to hunt that you can call your own and curtail access to others, bait an area and get pictures of bear on cam's at regular intervals; you are going to be dealing with everyone else traipsing around during the annual 6-day firearm season scaring everything. It becomes a crap shoot. Those taken become targets of opportunity, either pushed by other hunters as they're getting out of Dodge while you just happen to be in the right place at the right time. I know folks that have had bait out already since summer started and are getting bears on trail cameras.

 

Females range less than males in a given area because of their cubs. Males can range as much as 50 sq. miles. That's a lot of territory, and easy to understand how they disappear so quickly. 

 

NJ needs to get a little more create with its season for bear than "6-day firearm," a season which dates back to the Triassic period in New Jersey. A bow season, or special early muzzleloader season would make things interesting. 

 

 

I am just looking for the rug so I'll be leaving a meal out there most likely anyway.)

 

I'm pretty sure "recovery" includes an intact bear. You can quarter it to retrieve it, but a whole bear needs to be brought to the check station per regs.

[djg0770 481]

I'm pretty sure "recovery" includes an intact bear. You can quarter it to retrieve it, but a whole bear needs to be brought to the check station per regs.

 

I believe this is correct - recall that the purpose of this hunt is population control and curtailment.  F&W wants to weigh and sex each bear (as I recall).

[DeerSlayer 241]

Absolutely true. You cant leave everything but the hide and head out in the woods. You MUST check in the entire animal minus the entrails. You may quarter the animal but you have to bring all of it to check in. They used to ask if you harvest a female to additionally bring the reproductive organs as well for scientific research. Not to mention its rather unethical to wanton waste an animal. If you don't wish to consume the meat yourself, do the right thing and donate it to hunters for the hungry. A bear can feed a lot of needy families that have a difficult time putting food on their tables. Those are the types of actions that make hunters into hero's. Instead of those guys that just kill for the thrill or trophy. just my .02 I'm no angel myself, but I don't believe in wasting perfectly good food for someone. In many states its a serious crime to not recover all consumable meat from an animal. Unfortunately NJ dose not have such a law. And I hate laws, its just a matter of right or wrong.

 

If your baiting I also believe it must be on private property. Definitely get some trail cams out soon so you can begin to pattern them. Use Donuts, or anything else sweet and sugary. Bacon fat, peanut butter, the peanut oil from the Turkey deep fryer poured on a log. They will tear that wood up, things they have to work to get keep them there longer and thats what you want. Keep putting it out as it disappears. Check it every few days. Hope the weather doesn't get too cold too early.

 

Sent using Tapatalk 2

 

[BierGut 0]

Absolutely true. You cant leave everything but the hide and head out in the woods. You MUST check in the entire animal minus the entrails. You may quarter the animal but you have to bring all of it to check in. They used to ask if you harvest a female to additionally bring the reproductive organs as well for scientific research. Not to mention its rather unethical to wanton waste an animal. If you don't wish to consume the meat yourself, do the right thing and donate it to hunters for the hungry. A bear can feed a lot of needy families that have a difficult time putting food on their tables. Those are the types of actions that make hunters into hero's. Instead of those guys that just kill for the thrill or trophy. just my .02 I'm no angel myself, but I don't believe in wasting perfectly good food for someone. In many states its a serious crime to not recover all consumable meat from an animal. Unfortunately NJ dose not have such a law. And I hate laws, its just a matter of right or wrong. If your baiting I also believe it must be on private property. Definitely get some trail cams out soon so you can begin to pattern them. Use Donuts, or anything else sweet and sugary. Bacon fat, peanut butter, the peanut oil from the Turkey deep fryer poured on a log. They will tear that wood up, things they have to work to get keep them there longer and thats what you want. Keep putting it out as it disappears. Check it every few days. Hope the weather doesn't get too cold too early. Sent using Tapatalk 2

 

You're right -- I completely mind blocked the check station...  sounds like it'll be a workout, which is fine.  Anyone like bear venison?  I hate the stuff I've had.

 

Thanks for the tips and suggestions.  Sounds like I need to start baiting soon on my land and hope to develop some type of routine. 

[djg0770 481]

do the right thing and donate it to hunters for the hungry. A bear can feed a lot of needy families that have a difficult time putting food on their tables.

 

When I last spoke to a trustee and founder, Hunters Helping the Hungry did not take bear meat.

[DeerSlayer 241]

When I last spoke to a trustee and founder, Hunters Helping the Hungry did not take bear meat.

good to know, thank you.

Sent using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[Secret Squirrel 3]

Bear hunt? You mean bear killing...

 

This is how i go bear killing:

[bhunted 887]

Ok, I can't resist no longer!

 

I went hunting bear once!!!

 

I was escorted out of the woods because I wouldn't put my clothes back on!

 

Ta-da-dum! Ping!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2