how to get'em in

[bigchast1]

I will be going into the forest this fall in search of the Virginia black bear. This will be the first time hunting this land, and also going looking for bears. In VA baiting is not allowed. A few things I'd like to know;
Do I need worry about my scent?
What kind of attractants are good, successful?
What about calls, do they make electronic ones worth buying?
And any other information you'd like to share, especially tips and secrets.
Thanks, Chad

[wyocarp]

Do I need worry about my scent?


I'll just speak to this one question and I'll be interested in what others have to say.  I've never noticed my scent making a difference while bear hunting.  I've used all the gadgets (sprays, detergent, special clothing, etc.).  I've actually had the feeling that it doesn't matter at all.  The times that I have stumbled, broken branches, and knew I should have showered after work are the times I have done the best.  You won't get me to buy into the "stealth" thing.

A couple of years ago, three of us spotted a nice bear a couple miles away near the top of a ridge.  We hurried as fast as we could since it was getting late.  We hadn't gotten to where we could see the bear yet but we knew we were close.  Within a hundred yards of him, my son slipped and rolled about ten feet, braking branches, crunching pinecones and dry leaves.  I figured it was over at that point.  I hadn't made it another five feet when the bear was in sight and didn't act it knew we were there at all.  After shooting it, it rolled all the way to the bottom of the mountain and came to rest just a few feet from a trail. 

I can tell you many stories of how neither smell or sound bothered them at all.

[theoldarcher]

I am very meticulous about scent anytime I hunt any animal.  Bears have a greatly developed sense of smell.  My Indian friend says quotes an early-American frontier saying: 'A leaf falls from a tree in the woods--the eagle sees it,  the deer hears it, and the bear smells it.'  I think for consistently close encounters, you must play the wind and watch your scent.  I don't know VA law, so I can't speak for attractants that are not bait food, but you might try James Valley Scents, which makes paste bear attractants that work extremely well in the spring during the rut, but they have some for non-breeding seasons as well.  Calls--many states do not allow electronic calls, so be sure to check with your state laws.  During the spring when does are dropping fawns, a fawn destress call can, at times, attrach a bear.  I would bet for your fall hunt, food sources would be the best for either spot and stalk or setting up a blind.

Best of luck.  I love bears--they're addictive!!

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