Spring Black Bear Gear List

Spring black bear hunts take place in May & June and the weather can range from 32 degrees to 80 degrees. It can rain, snow, sleet then be very sunny and hot all in the same day. Hunters must be prepared for almost anything. Most of the bear hunts are done out of a 4×4 suburban so you will always be comfortable & you can pack a wide range of hunting clothing . We recommend light wool pants for maximum silence as this is the most important quality that hunters will need when stalking those huge BC bears. Camo is not required except for archery hunters. We also recommend soft soled leather boots for quiet stalks.

A fly or small spin cast rod is also recommended as the lake fishing at this time of year is unmatched anywhere on the continent. Rainbow trout ranging from 1 to 4 pounds will keep you busy during the mornings and early afternoon until your departure on your afternoon hunt. Waders and float tubes will be provided but if you have your own gear please is sure to include this in you gear list.

CLOTHING

  • Wool or fleece pants
  • T-shirts, long and short sleeved
  • Personal gear
  • Light wool or fleeces jacket
  • Soft sold leather boots
  • House slippers
  • Head net
  • Sleeping bag *not required

EQUIPMENT

  • Archery 70lb
  • 100+ Grain broadheads
  • Binoculars
  • Rifle, 30cal up to 300 win mag
  • 180 Grains Barns X
  • Bug Dope
  • Rangefinder
  • Blackpowder – 250 grain
  • 2-38 Qt Coolers – if taking meat
  • Rain gear (light)
  • Camera/video

 

The list is very basic. I find that most of the clothing and gear can be purchased at Sportsman’s Warehouse; they have locations throughout North America. However some items you can pick up at your local Thrift stores or Value Village locations. Hey, you don’t  have to shop at some of those other stores and pay hundreds of dollars on items you can pick up for $15 or $20 bucks or even less. I myself would rather spend my money going hunting, or putting gas in my truck for a day out scouting.

Light wool or fleece pants, I find Columbia Brand gear to be more than adequate and very inexpensive, you can find this at your local Sportsman Warehouse, or I often take a trip to Value Village to pick up light wool pants for $5 bucks and tee shirts as well. Same goes for the jackets.

Foot wear is another story, I find Rocky boots to be the most inexpensive boots to buy, soft soled  archery type boots for stalking those huge bruins in the spring is vital, running shoes work, or if archery hunting wool socks . QUIET & SILENCE is essential to harvest that 7 foot bear. Sportsman’s has a wide variety of inexpensive foot wear.

Weapons are a personal preference, but what I have listed in this gear list is the minimum that is required. I do not look forward to going after wounded bears, not even a little bit. When it comes to bears, I prefer “BIGGER IS BETTER.”  Marlin makes the best bear guns on the market and it is more fun to get close, 50 yards or under is fun. But like I said, this is a personal preference.

OPTICS, enough said, good binos are the most important tool in the bag. This is the one item that can break the bank, or not. I find that there are so many optic companies out there today that often you will come home with nothing after a day of shopping for this particular tool. Of course you have Swarovski, Leica and Ziess if you have pockets full of cash, but for most of us we want something in the $500 to $800 dollar range, and for this I highly recommend “VORTEX OPTICS” They are fantastic and will perform as good as the any of the top 3 for less than half the price.

Well this should get you started, have a safe trip and good hunting.