Radical Bear Hunter »

Dick Scorzafava has spent a lifetime studying and hunting black bears. He serves as a staff writer for Bear Hunting magazine and is also the author of Radical Bowhunter. He lives in Westfield, Massachusetts.

The black bear population has exploded, and as their numbers increase, so do hunting opportunities. Twenty-eight states now offer black bear seasons, and much of Canada boasts healthy, huntable bear populations. Radical Bear Hunter presents innovative approaches to give hunters an edge for success. Included is valuable biological information, tips for reading bear sign and determining a trophy, as well as proven strategies for baiting bears, hunting with hounds, spotting and stalking, and setting up scouting cameras. Hunters learn how to choose the right outfitter, or if they prefer, how to coordinate a do-it-yourself hunt. Scorzafava recounts his favorite bear hunts and shares some hair-raising close calls—radical experiences that will resonate with would-be adventurers.

Acknowledgments     vi
Foreword     viii
Introduction     xi
The Beginning of My Love Affair with the Bear     1
Understanding the Black Bear     10
Reading Bear Sign     20
Reading a Bear's Body Language     31
Baiting the Black Bear     36
Spot and Stalk     61
Hunting with Hounds     71
Special Hunting Techniques     81
True Trophy Black Bear     93
How to Field Judge a Bear     106
The Well-Equipped Bear Hunter     114
Deciding on a Hunt Location     127
Picking an Outfitter     141
Do-it-Yourself Trophy Bear Hunting     149
Live Smart in Black Bear Country     162
Favorite Hunts     176
Radically Close Calls     197
Resources     203
Index     207