Deep in the poplar forests of Northern Alberta reside some of the most cunning and adaptable apex predators in North America. These are the black bears of northern Canada.
Hunting Black Bears in Alberta – The Hunt of a Lifetime
As spring finally arrives and the forest begins to thaw, these black giants emerge from their den. During this short warm season, they will consume up to 30 pounds of food a day to gain enough mass to prepare them once again to head into hibernation in the late fall. This is also when the spring black bear season opens. If you would indulge me, here is my story of hunting black bears in Alberta.
As the season finally arrived, I found myself on a long flight and then sitting through a nine-hour drive to our camp in northern Alberta. This would be my second visit to W&L Guide Service, and they have become like family. In northern Alberta, hunters are allotted two tags for the duration of the season. During my time in camp, I would get the opportunity to hunt on six different occasions. My goal was to take larger, older male bears.
Choose the Right Equipment
Hunting bears can be difficult, so choosing the right rifle, ammunition, and optics is critical. In our setting, shots would be relatively close due to the forest’s density. My choice for this hunt was the Ruger American Gen II Ranch rifle chambered in .450 Bushmaster. My optic would be the EOTECH Vudu LPVO. I like using an LPVO in this setting simply because of the close nature of the shots. I also believe that a lighted reticle is very important on your optic. In many cases, the forest will be dim, and when you look at a black bear through your optic, a black reticle will simply disappear.
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During my first two sits, I had the pleasure of seeing a large number of bears. However, none of them was a true shooter-size boar. With that, I would quietly back out each night, and we would prepare for the next day. While the weather generally cooperated, we experienced what a good friend of mine would call “all the weather”. During several of the days, the temperature reached the high 70s, yet in some of the sits, it was in the high 30s with drizzle and a stiff wind.
The Third Day
The third day saw yet another long truck ride, followed by a lengthy ride on the quad into the hunting site. Once we were close, I’d climb off, gather my gear, and then quietly walk the last remaining distance into the stand. The reason for this is that many times bears can be in the area, and it gives you the possibility of getting a good bear as you’re walking in. During the walk-in, I saw multiple bear tracks as well as many tree scratches that guaranteed me bears were in the area.
Once I arrived at my new hunting site, it was quiet, yet very fresh scat on the ground told me that bears had recently been there. With that, I climbed into the stand, set up all of my gear, and prepared for the wait. It is not uncommon to have to wait hours before you see a bear at your site. In this particular area, however, we generally don’t suffer from that. This was the case once I had settled in. Within about 10 minutes, a large boar began to make its way into my area. If you’ve never hunted black bear, it’s hard to appreciate how incredibly quiet they are. When an animal approaching 300 pounds and almost 7 feet long can walk directly underneath you without you hearing it, it makes you appreciate them.
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Taking Time to Get a Shot
As always, I was very patient while watching the bear. Because of their color and build, it can be sometimes difficult to judge the size and even the sex of the bear. As a general rule, we like to focus on taking bears that are at least 36 to 40 inches tall at their back. And we also do our best to take male bears whenever possible. It’s an uncomfortable fact that older boars kill cubs in many cases to drive the sows back into heat. Once the bear had checked all the boxes on my list, I carefully waited for a good shot. Shot placement on a black bear is very different than what we experience with deer or elk. Their lungs and heart tend to be lower in the chest, so the best option is a good shot midline, a few inches behind the shoulder. This is our best opportunity to get a good lung shot and drop them as quickly as possible.
Once again, I can’t say how important an illuminated reticle is in these situations. Black bears are very tough animals, and a poorly placed shot can result in a wounded bear. The idea of tracking a wounded bear in the dense brush and forests of this area is unnerving. So I encourage you, in these hunts, to take your time and get the very best shot possible.
Patience Pays Off
My patience paid off as my bear gently turned and provided me a good broadside shot. With a smooth press of the trigger, I landed the hefty 450 Bushmaster round right on target. He jumped as they always do, rolled a couple of times, and then began to try to make his way out of the area. While I doubt he would have gone far, I provided a second follow-up shot not only to keep him from running but also to follow good ethical hunting practices.
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In many cases, when we hunt, we are excited to climb out and recover our animal. However, when you are bear hunting, it is important to remember that while the shot was loud and there may have been some commotion, there may still be other bears very close by.
This was the situation I faced as I had seen several other bears moving around the perimeter of my site. With that, I called the guide and waited for backup. Shortly after, he arrived, and we loaded the bear onto the quad and made our way safely out of the area.
A Great Bear
In the end, this bear would be over six feet five, weighing close to 250 pounds. He was an older, well-worn boar, and I considered him a good bear for that hunt. That same evening, one of our other hunters, a good friend, Linda Powell, was able to take a monster black bear. Coming in at over seven feet eight inches long and weighing close to 320 pounds, it was one of the biggest black bears I have ever seen.
Once we were back in camp, stories were exchanged, and other hunters listened intently, waiting for their opportunity. There are few things as exciting and enjoyable as black bear hunting. While the hunt itself is exciting, it is the camp and the people you are with that truly provide the trophy. During these long trips, you spend a great deal of time with the people in your camp, and they almost become like family. Black bear hunting is not truly about a trophy animal. It is about the experience.
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Conservation
More importantly, it is about conservation. Through excellent population management and controlled hunting, bear numbers in Alberta have risen to over 40,000, with bears being present in 75% of the province. This year, our group of five hunters saw 72 bears in our time in the field. This included a large number of cubs, which is promising for the bear population in general. Compare this to last year, when, as a larger group, we saw an impressive total of 54 bears.
I consider this one of the most enjoyable hunts I’ve ever experienced. The ability to see a large number of bears, to share a camp with good friends, and to have time in the quiet forest is something that I believe everybody would enjoy and quietly needs in their life.
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