bear activity?

[roosterslayer]

Anybody seeing a bear activity near the duluth area, or specificly the zone 51 area?

[cyberamish]

I was out checking foodplots last weekend in the Cromwell area. Came across a set of tracks in the mud that were in the 8" range. Also had a birdfeeder knocked down and ripped apart.

[Neiko]

Was at the cabin on the northside of Nemadji in Holyoke and we drove around looking for sign but didn't see anything yet. I know they are there so I will keep looking.

[nolte]

cyber

I'm guessing your looking at the hind foot track length with that size. Most people gauge the size of the track by the measuring the width of the front foot not the length of the back foot. I've bear hunted with dogs my whole life in WI and the largest front foot I've ever seen was about 13 years ago and that went 7 1/4" which is an absolute toad. Anything around 6" (dollar bill size) is a dandy bear. 8" inch front pad would be closer to a coastal brown bear.

[cyberamish]

It was sunk into the mud quite a bit. I guessed it at that size as my hand could barely cover it (I'm 6' 5" with big hands) I would assume it was a rear paw track as well but there have been some large bears spotted and/or hit on HWY 73 in that area in the last couple of years. I will have to go back out next time I'm up there and see if I can find more. If I do I'll snap a pic and post it.

[big drift]

We saw one this weekend in an area we are planning on hunting this fall, about 250lbs. I am guessing. Tracks were right around 4 3/4" to 5" wide.

Lots of berrys out in the woods, Rasberries, blue berries, goose berries, you name tons of em and they are just getting going here. We are planning on baiting in the area of the berry patches. Lots of logs torn up getting at bugs inside apparently.

Don't know if this helps we are hunting in zone 41.

Seeing more of em at dusk coming out on the road edges, suspect the bugs are forcing em out somewhat.

later,

big drift

[protrapper]

I have seen two in the last three days, crossing a road. One was pretty small. Still gets the blood running.

[vermilionlocal]

They are really starting to move around here too. Saw 3 in the last 5 days.

[cyberamish]

Ok, I was back up there and found the old track still dried in the mud and it indeed measured 6.75" across....but I think figured out why. The tracks I was looking at were at the base of a tree that had been clawed up. It looks like it had been rocking back and forth on it's back legs which obviously distorted the track. Also explains why the tracks were so deep in the mud. The claw marks on the tree were about 5' off the ground and some of the other, fresher tracks were in the 4.5" range.

[MuskyBrian]

Saw one Saturday morning 9 Oclock practically in the middle of town, just down the street from the old Gander Mountain Location. BIG!