Bear hunting Angeles forest

[Sammy Blades]

Hi,
I am new to this site but not new to hunting, I have over 30 years experience but just about 0 experience bear hunting. I had planned on scouting every weekend but circumstances will prevent me from scouting. I had planned on hunting the Chilao camp ground area. I have deer hunted there in the past and saw a lot of bear sign. I planned on avoiding the area on opening day, I will be up bouquet canyon deer hunting. But the weeks that follow I plan on doing some "cold" hunting ( no scouting ). I won't be able to travel much so I need to stay close to home. I was hoping to maybe get some advice on tactics on a spot and stalk hunt.

 

[NBK]

I can't help with your bear endeavor but would like to welcome you to SCH!

 

[SoCalGuidedHunts]

Welcome to the site.

 

[BuckHunter]

Are you using a rifle or bow? Scouting is key when hunting the local bears. Those 3 things they need every day are water, food, and cover, and those 3 can ony be found together in a few accessible areas in the LA mountains. They will not go far from it. The hills are dry this year so it will narrow your search. No one is running dogs so expect the bears to get closer to the fire roads. The hardest part about bear hunting that is under estimated is getting 250 -350lbs out of some place you'll name Hells Canyon before it spoils. Good luck this season.

 

[Sammy Blades]

I will be using a rifle. I wish I could scout but I am pretty much locked down until hunting season. I will try looking at aerial maps to find water in the area and go from there. Thanks for your help

 

[SoCalRebelHunter]

Both of my bears, I shot by coincidence. I was hunting deer and happened to have a bear tag in my pocket both times and the old adage "right place at the right time" played well into my hands.

But with that said, I have done spot and stalk with friends and have been successful. Water is the biggest factor especially to these SoCal bears. The hot temps usually keep them close to, if not in, the watering holes during the day. Both of mine were shot less than a mile from a water source. And it's been my experience that as soon as it warms up, their in a shady spot with a vantage somewhere.

As for food, keep an eye out for berries; choke cherries, goose berries, etc. It might be a little early for the berries to be ripe but they'll usually keep a bears attention for a little while otherwise.

To be honest, going in cold on a bear hunt is tough. They're not real predictable and seem to continually move while eating, so a spot that had good sign one day may not the next, or the next week. It's really just a chance thing. I'm not saying it can't be done, as I'm doing the same thing in November with a friend of mine, but it's tough.

Good luck!

 

[Sammy Blades]

Thanks Rebel hunter,
I found some water sources on google maps, my plan is to come in from behind it and skirt around until I find some fresh sign then I will glass and sit on the area

 

[chuck88norris]

Good luck! It's a huge goal of mine to get a bear tag filled. Let me know how your hunt goes, I would love to hear what you encountered successful or not.

-Jimmy

 

[SoCalRebelHunter]

Thanks Rebel hunter,
I found some water sources on google maps, my plan is to come in from behind it and skirt around until I find some fresh sign then I will glass and sit on the area

Sounds like a plan! Hopefully you're able to do it over a couple of weekends. Those bears aren't real predictable.