4 Practical Facts that Will Increase the Success of Your Black Bear Hunting - Outdoors

How well do you know Black Bears? In elementary school, we learned that bears hibernate. Movies give us the impression that bears often attack humans. We may even have notions that bears in campsites are less dangerous than bears in the wild. Nevertheless, when hunting black bears, it is important to know the appearance, behavior, and habitat of these huge creatures. Here are some black bear facts that are as interesting as they are practical, when hunting in the field with riflescopes:

1. Black Bears can be white, tan, brown, grey, blueand black

What is in a name? Black Bears' bodies can actually include a rainbow of colors, ranging from white to black. Most of the Black Bears in the Eastern US and Canada tend to be black. However, those in Western regions tend to have fur that includes a wide range of colors. Even cubs within one litter can range in color!

2. Black Bears do not technically hibernate

Animals that hibernate remain in a deep sleep throughout the entire winter. Indeed, after bears enter their dens before wintertime, they fall into deep sleeps, the temperature of their body falls, their breathing slows down, and their metabolism decreases. However, bears will venture outside before winter is over, to find some food or another den in which to stay. The bear tends to take this action if its den is not comfortable, or if a day is extraordinarily warm.

3. Bears' offense is usually defense

While bears are not typically aggressive, they will become as such if they feel threatened. Besides feeling personally threatened, bears will also become defensive if they believe their food source or cubs are threatened. In one scientific study of bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, only 6% of bears' aggressive actions towards humans, resulted in actual contact. Bears will usually give warning signs before they attack. Watch out for these signs:

lowered head

extended lips

chomping teeth

low growl

4. Black Bears rarely attack animals and humans, and are mostly vegetarians

It might seem logical for animals as large as black bears, to consume huge mammals. However, about 75% of a black bear's diet includes plants, while only about 25% of its diet includes small mammals. Common foods of bears include:

berries

birds

fishes

grass

honey

insects

leaves

squirrels

Secondly, several misconceptions exist about black bears being very aggressive. Bears rarely kill prey themselves. Instead, they typically eat leftover carrion from predators such as wolves. Usually they prefer fresher meats to rotting meats. Who can blame them, right? In fact, if bears find the carcasses of animals, sometimes they only consume the freshest portions. Finally, bears rarely attack humans. If bears enter your campsite, they are probably looking for food. In that situation, let them do what they do.

When hunting any animals, such as black bears, you must know the game. These aforementioned tips can make your bear hunting more than bearable!

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