Bear attack during Turkey Hunting

[Mateo]

I've had three encounters over the years and only one could have gone south and that was because of my actions.

Encounter 1 - sow with three cubs popped out of the bush 150 yards from my set-up. I stood up and walked towards my decoys and they all bolted for the woods.

Encounter 2 - very personal. I was set-up in a fence line and could here something coming. It was a very dry spring and at first I thought it was someone on horseback. Imagine my surprise when a sow with twin cubs stops directly in front of me inside of 10 yards. They were upwind of me thankfully but that sow knew something was there. She stood up and looked around. I was actually reaching for my camera but thought better of that as I didn't want to betray my position and risk the encounter getting nasty. After a few seconds they headed off to a nearby bush. That sow ended up being a nuisance bear and was shot by a farmer a month or so later.

Third encounter. I was travelling between spots and spotted some black blobs in the back of a corn field I had permission to hunt. I parked the truck and made a big circle around popping out right at the field edge. Imagine my surprise when the black blobs I thought may be strutting toms were actually two cubs and mom wasn't in sight. That was unnerving. I backed out and vowed to always use my binoculars before I pulled a stunt like that again.

Glad you made it out of those situations in one piece. I'd never want to be within 10 yards of a cow with cubs lol. But I'm definitely getting my self a good set of binoculars though lol

[DropT]

I use to be a big name on this forum but dropped off after years of BS. I only presently have an account to peruse the for sale section and every once and awhile peek my head in here and the ice fishing sections. Your thread has made me want to respond.

Leave it up to these fine gentlemen to be so nice to a new hunter. I was lucky to have a good friend and great turkey hunter bring me on my first trip. This may all come off as a little harsh but better you find out this way then a harder way.

I'll tell you this straight up.

1) Find someone experienced willing to show you the ropes. I'm still learning going on to my 3rd season. You have picked a hell of a hard first ever hunt. Also I'm not taking on apprentices

2) Go find yourself a property to hunt. Down here you better know someone because many Southern Ontario folk don't take too kindly to rednecks shooting their Turkey's or the property already has existing hunter(s). Also don't rely on crown land unless you want to be picking #5 shot out of yourself. Lots of yahoo's in the local free for all woods.

3) If you are hunting south of 89 I wouldn't put too much thought to bears, especially enough to buy a tag or carry a different type of round on you. It would be pretty hard to explain to a CO why you were carrying a slug or buckshot on you when hunting Turkey this far south.

You have a much better chance of being a coyote target but they are sure aware of their surroundings and extremely skittish of humans. I had one Coyote wind me twice last year turkey hunting. The third time he charged my hen Decoy. At 12 yards, nothing will come for a second round of #5 - 2oz Turkey load, just ask that Coyote.

4) Walking out to your spot at 4am in the darkness can make your mind run, but you will likely only ever stumble into a Coon or a skunk. A skunk and I came 10 yards from each other last May at 4am. Thankfully we both decided walking in opposite directions was preferred.

5) Camo, don't cheap out, don't leave exposed skin

6) Tuck your pants into your socks, tuck your shirt in your pants, wrap your gloves around the cuff of your shirt and try to to leave any exposed skin. You are worried about bears? Be worried about ticks. Hose yourself down with deet and damn well make sure you are checking yourself after every hunt.

But please, find someone to bring you out.

Good luck and be safe.

-Screwbs

[terrierman41]

If for some reason you were in a situation where a black bear was threatening you a turkey load or two at close range would change things pretty quickly.

[Mateo]

I use to be a big name on this forum but dropped off after years of BS. I only presently have an account to peruse the for sale section and every once and awhile peek my head in here and the ice fishing sections. Your thread has made me want to respond.

Leave it up to these fine gentlemen to be so nice to a new hunter. I was lucky to have a good friend and great turkey hunter bring me on my first trip. This may all come off as a little harsh but better you find out this way then a harder way.

I'll tell you this straight up.

1) Find someone experienced willing to show you the ropes. I'm still learning going on to my 3rd season. You have picked a hell of a hard first ever hunt. Also I'm not taking on apprentices

2) Go find yourself a property to hunt. Down here you better know someone because many Southern Ontario folk don't take too kindly to rednecks shooting their Turkey's or the property already has existing hunter(s). Also don't rely on crown land unless you want to be picking #5 shot out of yourself. Lots of yahoo's in the local free for all woods.

3) If you are hunting south of 89 I wouldn't put too much thought to bears, especially enough to buy a tag or carry a different type of round on you. It would be pretty hard to explain to a CO why you were carrying a slug or buckshot on you when hunting Turkey this far south.

You have a much better chance of being a coyote target but they are sure aware of their surroundings and extremely skittish of humans. I had one Coyote wind me twice last year turkey hunting. The third time he charged my hen Decoy. At 12 yards, nothing will come for a second round of #5 - 2oz Turkey load, just ask that Coyote.

4) Walking out to your spot at 4am in the darkness can make your mind run, but you will likely only ever stumble into a Coon or a skunk. A skunk and I came 10 yards from each other last May at 4am. Thankfully we both decided walking in opposite directions was preferred.

5) Camo, don't cheap out, don't leave exposed skin

6) Tuck your pants into your socks, tuck your shirt in your pants, wrap your gloves around the cuff of your shirt and try to to leave any exposed skin. You are worried about bears? Be worried about ticks. Hose yourself down with deet and damn well make sure you are checking yourself after every hunt.

But please, find someone to bring you out.

Good luck and be safe.

-Screwbs

Thank you very much Screwbs. I do appreciate your input here. I'm glad you pin pointed some things like the ticks as it wasn't one of the main things on my mind. I will definitely make sure to wrap my self into Camo completely without any exposed skin. I will also purchase a blind that will hopefully help me avoid them for the most part.

I'm now starting to search a land to hunt since I want to have something ready for when the time comes. I might be opting out for an outfitter that is called Wing Feather Outfitters or something similar. I will start doing some scouting or may be knocking on doors next week and see where it leads me.

Public land definitely seems to have more things to worry about which is something I want to avoid for my first hunt.

The turkey hunt will most likely be my first hunt ever but it doesn't have to be. As soon as I'm getting my PAL next month I will try to get out for something that will be in season at the time. I really don't mind driving a few hours to find a WMU that has some game in season that point. Even if it's not Southern Ontario. What do you usually hunt prior to the Turkey season?

Thank you very much once again sir for the valuable info. I really do appreciate it.

Happy Hunting

Mateo

[Mateo]

If for some reason you were in a situation where a black bear was threatening you a turkey load or two at close range would change things pretty quickly.

This is what I hear a lot too. Once I purchase the turkey gun I will definitely shoot it quite a bit before going out for a hunt to pattern the gun and just learn what to expect out of those 3.5 inch Turkey loads.

Thank you

[dutchhunter]

You should save up and hire a guide for your first turkey hint or two.you will Learn some if the most important stuff just being in the woods. Learn how to find turkey and how to set up on them .no worry over bears .Dutch

[Mateo]

You should save up and hire a guide for your first turkey hint or two.you will Learn some if the most important stuff just being in the woods. Learn how to find turkey and how to set up on them .no worry over bears .Dutch

Will do Dutch. Found a Wing Feathers outfitter within 200 kms of where I live. If you could recommend an outfitter or two I'd appreciate it as well. But yes I will definitely use an outfitter or guide for the first hunt or two. Nothing will beat learning for someone who has been there and done that.

Thank you for the advice.

[MikePal]

To piggy back on what DropT mentioned about ticks....almost everyone who hunts turkey in the spring owns a Thermacell, the woods can get pretty thick with Black Flies and Mosquitoes. These work and worth every penny !

http://www.thermacell.com/mosquito-r...iance-in-olive

[Mateo]

To piggy back on what DropT mentioned about ticks....almost everyone who hunts turkey in the spring owns a Thermacell, the woods can get pretty thick with Black Flies and Mosquitoes. These work and worth every penny !

http://www.thermacell.com/mosquito-r...iance-in-olive

Thank you Mike Pal,

It's awesome that this is pretty much odorless. I definitely wouldn't want to use anything that can have a lot of scent but this seems to be awesome for scaring most of the bugs off.

Thank you

[finsfurfeathers]

The turkey hunt will most likely be my first hunt ever but it doesn't have to be. As soon as I'm getting my PAL next month I will try to get out for something that will be in season at the time. I really don't mind driving a few hours to find a WMU that has some game in season that point. Even if it's not Southern Ontario. What do you usually hunt prior to the Turkey season?

Thank you very much once again sir for the valuable info. I really do appreciate it.

Happy Hunting

Mateo

Steelehead. Now to seriously answer your question. Although there maybe some options regarding hunting there are some things to consider. Being spring most animals will be in reproductive mode so becomes the ethical decision do you want to leave orphan critters behind. Ground hogs, pigeons, is some areas even rabbits would be legal game but all will have families so not my idea of a good time.