The game and fish wardens were unloading and setting a bear trap behind my house and told me a story: a tourist in Montana sold little silver bells and cans of pepper spray to ward off bears while hiking in the woods. One of the wardens was asked by a tourist, “Can you tell the difference between black bear scat and that of a Grizzly?” “Oh, that’s easy,” he replied, “Black bear scat has ruminates of nuts, berries, and some roots. Grizzly bear scat has the same but with little silver bells and empty cans of pepper spray.”
By Jared Newman
For thousands of years, humans have been documenting their hunts: from ancient cave paintings to the handwritten notebooks of Lewis & Clark, Theodore Roosevelt, Jack O’Connor, Fred Bear, and other hunting legends. Their stories shaped our imaginations, sparked innovation and exploration, and brought value to the land and animals that we, as hunters, cherish and strive to protect. Stories are powerful and your story is important.
By Jillian Garrett
Growing up in a house against hunting, the author began to search for where her food came from and became a farmer, hunter, and conservationist. The recent decision in Washington to do away with the 2022 spring bear season has her questioning motives of the rule makers that took away her spring bear hunting dreams.
By Bernie Barringer
There are some significant drawbacks to having a bowhunting YouTube channel. Then consider that my channel is largely about bear hunting, and you can double down the number of negative comments that come flying in day after day. Hate speech is a daily part of my life. Most mornings I get up and sit down at my computer while my wife spends the first hour of her day in the bathroom. I use this time to go through the daily assortment of comments on my YouTube channel. I’ve learned not to take it too seriously, because if I let it affect my mood, it would ruin my day most days. YouTube is a world-wide platform, and many of the comments come from Europe.
Article & Photos by Clay Newcomb
By the 1940s, it was believed that less than 50 bears remained in the entire state and were located near the White River. However, significant bear sign was also reported by trappers in the western Ouachitas around the turn of the century. However, between 1954 and 1964 the AGFC traded bass and wild turkey with Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada for 254 black bears, which were relocated into Arkansas. The bears were hauled in pickup trucks with wire cages built in the pickup bed, usually hauling multiple bears at a time. What a sight that would have been to see a pickup full of live bears!
By Timothy Fowler
For the life of me, I can't remember if I was cutting black-tipped fur or splitting cartilage between the deer’s ribs and sternum, but I'll never forget the moment I realized there was a Buck Vanguard knife buried up to the hilt, in my thigh.
By Al Raychard
For all practical purposes the Canadian border is now open. While it is now possible for fully vaccinated hunters to enter Canada, they should check if they are eligible and meet all requirements.
By Timothy Fowler
Bella Twin was a calm, quiet, clear-headed Cree woman with a trap line. May 10, 1957, she killed a massive grizzly bear with her Cooey Ace #1 .22. That was near Slave Lake, Alberta, and the bear Twin killed turned out to be a world record that stood for a good long time.
By John Baugus
Early April found me slipping quietly along the top of a hardwood ridge looking and listening for any sign of wild turkeys. At an elevation of 3000 feet, some of the trees had small green buds preparing to burst with color, but many of the larger oaks still looked as dormant as they did in the dead of winter.
By Jake Horton
Spring bear hunting has become a prevalent time to chase bruins on public land throughout different parts of the United States. At least nine states offer a variety of spring bear hunts, including Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Arizona, Alaska, and Maine. This time of year can be some of the highest opportunities to harvest a bear in these difficult-to-hunt states comprised of thick mountains and dense timber.