Hey guys. I was going through some bear pics and vids from a few years back and came across these 2 vids of what I think appears to be the biggest bear I've ever got on a trail cam. I've had baits at 5 different spots around here over the years, mostly on small parcels of bush and I don't recall ever seeing a bear that was so fat and round like this one. I hadn't seen these vids for a long time and they are the only evidence I have. No stills. My first thought was boar but then the snout was a bit pointed still so I don't know lol. Ears aren't real wide...
So I'm hoping some of the more experienced bear hunters in particular here could give me an honest opinion. These vids have always intrigued me. Some of you lads have had real large bears at your sites with plenty of pictures and kills too so you would be best at it I figure. Greenhorn about the only reference I can provide is that the cam would have been in the 36" range, depending on the trunk. I was actually kind of worried about that tree being right along one of the paths but I was limited. I totally sprayed it down with scent killer first and then only handled it with nitrile gloves. Black leds too. Probably got lucky.
That sow in my avatar was in the 325-350 range, she was dry, and to me this bear looks much heavier, but I only have these two videos for judging. But my first thought the first time I saw them is still the same, damn that looks heavy. He's got a good gimp too. I know its not a monster, but even when I compare it to 325lb Dave up the road to me that has to be pushing 4 bills I would think. Unless I'm getting fooled by the camera... It could be
So all comments are welcome. Don't worry about offending me, I'm just throwing this out there for fun, and to satisfy my curiosity too hehe. Bears are hard to judge, there's no doubt. I sure wish I had more pics. Just because...
Cheers
Last edited by smitty55; September 4th, 2017 at 11:18 AM.
Guesstimate the length from base of tail to between ears, multiply that by the heart girth squared and that total divided by 400 and you should be close on live weight.
Ex. 45 x 45=2025 then 2025x60=121500/400= 303.75 lbs. live weight
Vids not working on my phone but they are on my desktop. As for size we need Skeeter, Greenhorn and Sawbill to comment.
Yep, that was my thinking right off the bat when I posted. Some folks don't like to give estimates like that online though, and that's cool.
The vids didn't work for me at first because I didn't have the vimeocdn script allowed. Ok now.
It wouldn't surprise me if I am over. It doesn't seem real long and don't have much to go on, but its the girth that stands out to me. I've looked at way over 1000 pics over the years and these stand out. Funny though, I tend to usually guess on the low side, even for deer, and was the lowest guess on my bear by far when everyone else was saying 350. Then when Dave showed up and said he was 325 I changed my thinking.
If anyone wants to take a stab at the sex feel free. My first thought was a boar, it had that look to me, then you start second guessing yourself but I'll stick with that.
It takes a real big bear to make that magical 400 pound mark and most people overestimate their weights simply because they want it to be big--just like fishermen do.
I've always have a real hard time estimating the size of a bear by pics that have little or no reference points. This one shows all the characteristics of a very good sized and very healthy bear. The roundness of his belly and butt, no neck, low slung belly are key points. What is missing however is a perspective of its length and that's important as that's where the overall bulk comes from.
I had a hunter who took a bear that looked exactly like that one but it didn't go 200 lbs so looks can be deceiving.
It takes a real big bear to make that magical 400 pound mark and most people overestimate their weights simply because they want it to be big--just like fishermen do.
I've always have a real hard time estimating the size of a bear by pics that have little or no reference points. This one shows all the characteristics of a very good sized and very healthy bear. The roundness of his belly and butt, no neck, low slung belly are key points. What is missing however is a perspective of its length and that's important as that's where the overall bulk comes from.
I had a hunter who took a bear that looked exactly like that one but it didn't go 200 lbs so looks can be deceiving.
I agree 100%. Wish I could see the pics. Almost every. Weight level will have small, medium and rolly Polly Bears.