bear tracks

[fishkid]

i found some bear tracks in my yard and was wondering if any one knows how big the bear would be. the paw measured 5 1/2 inches in diameter.

[LABS4ME]

I'd guess in the 300-350 range... anybody else? I've only hunted them a couple of years, so I'm no expert.

Good Luck!

Ken

[Sarge]

I agree with Ken, I might +- 25lbs either way, but a definite "shooter" to me.lol

[BBL Resident]

It's funny you mention that. I was watching a Bear hunting show last night and the guide said that if you measure the width if the Bears paw and then add 1" that will be the estimated lenght of the Bear (nose to tail).
Now, that will not determin the weight of the Bear but you can get an idea of the size. On this particular show they were hunting Brown Bear and he did not indicate if it was an accurate measuring device for all species of Bears.
But, it will give you a rough estimate.
Good Luck!

[TomBow]

Dang, watch out fer them thar 6-and-a-half-inch bears!!! They're sneaky!!

[metrojoe]

Tom, yer killing me!

Definitely a nice bear.

------------------
RAGNAR!!??....BAH!!! BRING BACK HUB!!

[BBL Resident]

I apologize, I left out the most important part of the Bear Paw formula (for some). What ever the measurement in inches is, that will be the estimated length of the Bear in feet.
I.e. 5 1/2in (paw) + 1in = 6 1/2in
That would equate to an estimated 6 1/2 ft Bear.

I hope this helps those who did not figure it out the first time.

[TomBow]

Didn't mean to bust on you BBL! My overactive imagination started visualizing 6.5 inch bears and it was all over then!! For an animal that size, I'll need a bow with an AtoA length of about 12", 3.5inch arrows and a 10 gr. broadhead, just use a twinkie for bait. Best of Luck to all (seriously this time!)

[metrojoe]

I was with ya on the 6-1/2 inch bear but then I put 5-1/2 inch paws on it.

[fishkid]

so how many pounds would a 6 1/2 foot bear weight

[BBL Resident]

There are formulas avaialable to determine the weight of Bears that require Total Length, Shoulder Height, Neck Circumference and Chest Circumference.
To estimate the weight of a Bear is very difficult. In the next three weeks Bears can put on another 60 to a100 lbs.
I have shot my share of Black Bears over the last 10 years but nothing that tall ( a 6/12 ft Bear is a very large Bear!). My guesstimation of a 6.5ft Bear would be from 350 to 425lbs.
Anybody else want to take a crack at this question?

[This message has been edited by BBL Resident (edited 09-23-2004).]

[Swamp Scooter]

It is definately a shooter, as mentioned. I would say it is now over 250# but depending on food and if it has worms or something it could go very big. Up to 400# would not be out of the question.

Shoot it and let us know... even if it is next year!

[BBL Resident]

I did some more digging and I found a site that contained research data on Black Bears in the Appalachia Mountains.
This site contained data on about 70 different bears that were captured over a "summer time" frame.
A 255lb Black Bear contained the following measurements:
Nose to tail length of 5.3ft (63.7cm)
Shoulder height of 37in (96cm)
Front pad width of 4.7in (12cm)
So the measurement of the Black Bear’s front pad width plus 1in equated into feet isn’t to far off!!
I.e. 4.7 + 1 = 5.7 (the recorded data showed 5.3ft)
So, a 6.5ft Black Bear is going to be a nice shooter!

[bigbucks]

TomBow & others, I was right with you on that little mini bear. I was busting a gut thinking the next reply was going there.

[Deputy Grizz]

Guys, bear hunting is my passion-been doin' it for 25 years now! (where's the time go?)you are right that a 5 1/2 inch paw is from a large bear, but there is no formula for weight on these buggers. I've seen old bears with hardly any teeth have HUGE paws, and only weigh 200 lbs. I've had young sow bear with 4 1/2 inch pads go 300 lbs. It all depends on the amount of food they eat, and their health at the time.
-As for the 6 1/2 inch bears, down here in Mpls we call them "rats". Takes a LOT of 'em buggers ta make a rug, too!Grizz

[Perch Jerker]

You didn't mention if it was the front or hind foot print. There is a big difference as the hind feet are much longer.

PJ

[BBL Resident]

Measure the Front Paw.

[fishkid]

front paw was 5 1/2inch

[Browning83]

It depends what the bear was stepping in....if it was sand it might look bigger than actually is. But on weight guess....our group killed two bear this year that measured 5 inches and one around 5 1/2 inches and both were around 475. I see plenty of bear tracks....I hound hunt in wisconsin and stare at the tracks out the window all summer long.