I'm new to DIY bear hunting (in Vermont). I don't have dogs and paying to do so is not allowed. Baiting is illegal so my only option is Stalk/Stand hunt for them. I know the best way is to find the food plots, but I really stink at knowing the difference between Ash, Beech, Poplar and Beech. Is there any resource out there that will either give me a better understanding of the food sources, an online resource (NFS does not have any maps, I already asked) that maps stands of trees or any other way to help me narrow down my on foot scouting?? I will be in the Lye Brook Wilderness area... Thanks

I lived and hunted in Vermont most of my life. In all my years out in the woods I'd only physically seen ONE bear. It's hard hunting bear in the Vermont woods w/o bait or dogs that's for sure. I was like everyone else, just kind of hoped to bump into one while out deer hunting.

About a year before leaving Vermont in 2008 I bumped into an old school buddy of mine who happen to be a very successful Vermont bear hunter. I asked what his secret was and he told me that it's NOT illegal to "call" bears, using animal in distress calls. NOW for myself (being a female solo hunter) I just did not feel comfortable acting like and easy meal for a bruin.

When a black bear is hungry that is when it's the most dangerous. So there you go, if you have the wear for all to try bringing in a bear by ringing a dinner bell that's one answer. Like I said my buddy is very successful with this method.

One other suggestion is to hang around the outskirts of apple orchards. Bears love those sweet Vermont apples. Good luck! I really know how hard it is!

Sure do feel sorry for you folks that actually have to "Scout" for them critters. I normally run into at least 1/2 dozen of'um, everytime I leave the house.  Some of'um are so durn self important that they think that they own the durn road ways. Ya gotta get outa your rig and kick thier fat hinneys outa the roads!

Bears like any other animal need food and water. You can call them in using distress calls, you can sit by food sources and wait for them to make an appearance, or you can scout areas visited by bears. Also try watching the birds. Ravens or crows fighting over a dead carcass is usually an invitation to a bear to come steal it.

This fall will be my 1st Pa bear hunt so I am going with a friend that has had decent success. He uses a crow call and said that helps bring in hungry bears so you need to make your 1st shot count!

Posted By SteelCandy on 11 Jul 2012 07:51 PM 
He uses a crow call and said that helps bring in hungry bears so you need to make your 1st shot count!

It's long been known among Alaskan Natives that the Ravens and Crows will often help direct you onto a kill so they can benefit from the remnants of the carcass.  One of the things we forget in our techno-society is to listen to nature.