Customer Reviews

Successful Black Bear Hunting

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was excited to get this book in the mail to help prepare for a western bear hunt, but was pretty disappointed after getting through the first few chapters. Each chapter opens with a story of how the author got lucky (or unlucky) on a given trip, then meanders into how baiting is somehow related to the chapter title. It's a good book, I suppose, if you live in one of the rapidly decreasing number of states that allow baiting, however for the majority of states, this book holds little value. What I was hoping to find: more in-depth calling techniques, descriptions of food sources with pictures and parts of the country they may be found and during what time of year, better identification of bear sign, droppings, etc, shot placement and anatomy, maybe the various state regulations regarding bear hunting at the time of publishing - plenty of stuff other than "where to set up your bait station in a corn field, in a swamp, or in the timber." Sorry Bill, there's a ton you could have added to my knowledge on bear hunting, but fell very, very short...

Somewhat good for techniques other than baiting. Locally, I have to spot and stalk. That doesn't keep me from going to places where I can bait. The tables showing bear populations and other data will help me choose my trips. Furthermore, I can use bait if I'm not hunting. Photography and scouting come to mind. This book has great photos.

Vaznis' instructions for dealing with guides, including naming names, is also good. I liked the bit on bear camp dynamics too. The discussion of the bear's senses and the behavior of different bears is great. Old boars get very wary and can live for a long time. Sows, cubs, and young boars are easier to notice, but subordinate.

I definitely enjoyed the hunting stories. Not just the successful ones, but the very many unsuccessful ones. I make mistakes and learn every time out. Hopefully, I can avoid some of the mistakes the he mentions. Vasnis also gives a sense of how time/labor intensive it can be crawling around looking for sign.

Lastly, thanks to Vaznis, I'm going to pack more than a 9mm along with my bow. I guess that bit of fear that comes with bow hunting such large carnivors never goes away and is well founded. I will never huff on a predator call in grizzly country (again) unless I have about 5 12 gauge slugs backing me up.

As a novice hunter, I found this book to be extremely informative. One reviewer mentioned that he didn't like the stories that Bill Vaznis opens each chapter with but that is exactly what I LIKED about this book!

This book provided an overall understanding of bears, how to interpret bear signs and track, how to bait bears, methods of tracking and taxidermy. It also discussed strategies to get "finicky bears", discussed mistakes to avoid (very important read for ANY hunter), and had stories of the author's "close calls".

As a female hunter just getting into the sport, this book allowed me to put into context all the hunting stories I've heard and this book managed to get me that much MORE excited for this season's hunt! In fact, while driving out to the bear camp I was reading the "close call encounters" stories to the men and we were all talking about it and having a great time!

If you are serious about bear hunting, or just getting into the sport than I would highly recommend this book!

This book was very informative and included an absolutely wonderful section on the skinning part of the hunt. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about their animal and be more successful at obtaining one.