Scent control is of the utmost importance—even more so than with deer. A mature bear can distinguish between a guide baiting and a hunter sitting.

• Once you are in your stand, stay still. Do not go to the bait for any reason.

• Bears can show up at any time, day or night. The more effort and time you put into your sit, the better your odds.

• A mature boar (300+) will generally only give you one chance. They often sit out of sight for 20 minutes or more, listening and sniffing, before they ever commit to knocking over a log.

Timing & Discipline

• It is imperative to stay ready until the last legal second every evening. Many of the biggest bears won't show until the very end of light.

• When your hunt is over, leave your stand as quickly and quietly as possible.

• Opening Day: If you cannot hunt opening day, your chances of success go down significantly.

Judging a Bear

Judging a bear’s size is one of the hardest things for new hunters.

• Trust Your Gut: If you think it’s small, it probably is. Remember: the darker it gets outside, the bigger they seem to look!

• Your Choice: Ultimately, use your best judgment. Take a bear you will be proud to bring home.

Moving Stands

Sometimes a stand goes "stale" and the activity stops. If you don't see action after a few days, I will generally move you to a new location.

The Reality of the Woods: While we follow the rules of scent and pressure, bear hunting can be unpredictable. I’ve seen bears taken from "worn-out" stands where a hunter had tagged out just days before. I once took a 300 lb boar with my bow from a stand that had already seen a harvest and a wounding that same week. That’s bear hunting—expect the unexpected!