Bear Mauling News: Open Season October 1st

by YankeeJim | September 21, 2011 at 12:02 pm

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Back to business of being bears

You think we’re just targets, some sort of game? If you are coming after me, you had better be prepared. First off, I am hungry. I am busy fattening up before my big snooze this winter. If the weather isn’t too bad, my snooze may not last long or I am not going sleep too soundly.

If you get me riled, shoot at me and miss, I may enact revenge. I will find your garbage and spread it out all over the place. When the Mrs. and kids are all alone and she is in the kitchen cooking with great smells coming my way, I may just pay a visit through the broken screen or dog door.

Yea, I may not fit, but when she comes to let the dog in, guess who’s coming for dinner?

“Archery Bear Season

October 1 through November 18: Statewide

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Special restrictions apply to archery tackle use during this season. Click here for more information.

Archery tackle (including crossbows) only.

Broadheadwidthsmust be at least 7/8- inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8- inch.

Bowsmust be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.

Unlawful to use arrows towhich any drug, chemical, or toxic substance has been added or explosive head arrows.

Unlawful to use dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead bear (see Hunting with Dogs).

It is unlawful to have a firearmin possession except that a muzzleloading firearm, as defined in the muzzleloader bear season section, may also be in possession when and where there is an overlap with a special muzzleloading bear season where bear hunting with a rifle or muzzleloading firearm is permitted (see exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders).

Muzzleoader Bear Season

November 12 through 18: Statewide in all areas where hunting with a muzzleloading rifle is permitted

Legal Methods and Restrictions

Special restrictions apply to specific firearms use during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

Only muzzleloading firearms, .45 caliber or larger, loaded from the muzzle of the gun.

Muzzleloading firearms must be single shot, capable of firing only a single bullet or saboted bullet (.38 caliber or larger).

Flintlock, percussion, or electronic ignitions are permitted.

Unlawful to have in immediate possession any firearm other than a muzzleloading gun while hunting with a muzzleloader (see exception for valid concealed handgun permit holders).

Unlawful to use muzzleloading pistols.

Must use at least 50 grains of black powder or black powder equivalent.

Smokeless powder is allowed in muzzleloading firearms designed for it. Never use smokeless powder of any type in any quantity in a muzzleloading firearm that is not specifically designed for it.

Scopes are permitted.

For the purposes of transportation in a vehicle, muzzleloading firearms are considered "unloaded" when all powder has been removed from the flashpan, or the percussion cap, primer, or battery has been removed from the firearm. For complete safety, a muzzleloader should be emptied by shooting into soft ground.

Unlawful to use dogs, except that dogs may be used to track wounded or dead bear (see Hunting with Dogs).

Bear Checking

All bears must be checked at an official bear check station. Locations for bear check stations are available on the DGIF Web site or by calling 1-804-367-1000.

Bear information will need to be recorded on Black Bear Check Cards. There is no longer a combined check card for Bear, Deer, and Turkey. Do not record information on Deer and Turkey Check Card. Tooth collection is mandatory and the tooth envelope is part of the new Black Bear Check Card.”