Hunters like us know the approach of summer can only mean one thing: a trip to the hunting store to get ready for the black bear hunting season!
Indeed, black bear hunting season is set to begin on May 15 and already, experienced as well as novice hunters are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting season ahead. Preparing for the start of any hunting season also means visiting your favourite hunting store to stock up on the essential accessories for any successful hunting season, such as fleece hunting clothing, waterproof boots and scent-controlled laundry soap and hygiene products.
Another interesting aspect of the upcoming bear hunt season has been that many hunters who have so far preferred using a gun as part of their bear hunt are now expressing curiosity towards a novel accessory for them: the bow.
Some hunters have come to realize that hunting black bears with a bow and arrow gives them an unparalleled adrenaline rush due to the fact that it becomes critical to shoot the arrow in the right spots (such as the lung) to prevent the bears from simply running away injured.
Luckily, a good hunting store will be ready to answer this question: “How can I hunt a black bear with a bow rather than a gun?”
Since hunting with a bow restricts the range at which you can aim at the bear, you will quickly realize that the trick to successfully hunt with a bow is the proper bait. Black bears are extremely attracted to pungent scents, from smelly fish carcasses to even desserts and pastries!
But beware of placing bait outside the regulated dates: some zones forbid the placement of certain baits within certain periods of the season. Your hunting store will be able to provide you further information about the various baits acceptable for bow bear hunting depending on the zone you are hunting in.
Novice and experienced bow bear hunters are also strongly advised to always carry a gun as a back-up weapon should the bear you were aiming to kill begins to charge at you or your hunting buddies.
Of course, even with the best hunting gear, it is of critical importance to understand that Quebec law only permits the killing of two bears per year per person: one bear must be from Zone 10 and must be killed during the fall period of the hunting season.
What about you? Do you have everything you need to ensure your bears bite the bait this hunting season?
