3Coues3 Report post Posted July 22, 2014 I have a San Carlos Bear tag that starts in a few weeks. This will be my first bear hunt and just wanted to get some opinions. Shoot or Pass on this bear? Photo Was taken from about 500yards 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adicted Report post Posted July 22, 2014 at 500 yds that looks like a beast????Blast em Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naturegirl Report post Posted July 22, 2014 Depends on what you are looking for. If you want to tag a bear, then shoot. Me personally I'd pass after seeing some of the big ones off the rez. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZHog Report post Posted July 22, 2014 I'd shoot, but then I'd be happy just to tag a bear! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Browns Report post Posted July 22, 2014 Shoot, Shoot, Shoot!!!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
camoremi Report post Posted July 22, 2014 Bow? I would definitely shoot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azhuntnut Report post Posted July 22, 2014 That's not a big bear. Keep searching and you will find one much better. I have seen them with there belly not far off the ground. Find a place with lots of cow calves. If you find a dead cow, there are usually bears close by. Another way to tell if you have and big bear, is to look at them from the front and see if they have a deep v in the skull and it's nice and wide. I have seen bears in the desert and up in the pines during that hunt. David Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muzzlehunter75 Report post Posted July 22, 2014 Is it me or does it look like their is a bull elk bedded down in the brush up from the bear! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
capoeirajosh Report post Posted July 22, 2014 Ears look rather big, meaning that it isn't a monster bear. Hard to tell from the distance though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PRDATR Report post Posted July 22, 2014 Ears look rather big, meaning that it isn't a monster bear. Hard to tell from the distance though. They look about average for his head size which is blocky and the snout looks short. I am guessing about a 6yo bear that isn't getting enough to eat. I would guess about 225#'s. Looks like a boar. Is that an OTC Tag? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Stew Report post Posted July 22, 2014 Iv Only seen one big bear from that distance, what stood out most to me was not being able to see his ears and how low he was swaying his head back and fourth to the ground as he walked.Looked like he could barely lift his noggin. Im no expert but I would say average and still SHOOT! Every other bear iv ever seen was real scronny like sub adults. Also +1 on the dead cows. Had a buddy who found one and ended up getting a nice brown phase close by up there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LovinthehuntAz Report post Posted July 22, 2014 That bear has some age to him! I would wait a few days to see what else might show up. Lots of average bear on the san carlos! Good luck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kidso Report post Posted July 23, 2014 I have shot a variety of different sized bears on state land. However, San Carlos does have some bruisers, and color-phased ones at that! For the price of that rez tag, I would wait for a larger colored-phased beast to come along. Do some calling out there! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3Coues3 Report post Posted July 23, 2014 Thank you everyone for the input. In my opinion I will be looking for something bigger with that bear being at my minimum size to shoot. And kidso I know you love your color phased bears but I am looking for a jet black bear. I personally like them more than the color phase. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites