It's Bear Season!

by Ryan D. Gorsche

My grandfather, Robert Tasker, was regarded by many as the greatest hunter in the state of New Hampshire, and I’ll argue his merits with any jackass in the state. Some of you reading this article may be dubious, so for your personal edification consider this anecdote. One year Pop, as he was known to his kin, invited five of his old friends from the service to hunt bear. They rolled into North Conway, New Hampshire new guns in tow and expensive hunting clothes to show that they meant business. They would bring home the largest bear—so large, that the other hunters knew they were amateurs. Pop sat quietly in the corner. Hours before dawn, Pop hopped from his bed straight into his hunting boots, rousing the other men who begged for a few hours sleep. Piled together in the car they reached their destination, loaded and dispersed, wishing each other luck. Hours later Pop emerged from the woods, his hat perched jauntily on his head as always, and walked to his car, where he found his five friends huddled smoking cigarettes and digging through prepared lunches.

"Well Robert, looks like you had about the same luck as we did, eh?"

Pop chuckled quietly.

One however made his anxiety known. "No. Actually I got one. About 500 lbs., too heavy for me to carry alone." The men’s eyes bulged. "Well how can I go home to my wife without a bear. I’ll look like a fool. I’ve been telling her for weeks what a great hunter I am."

Pop thought quietly. These men were not great hunters, but they were his friends. "Tell you what, I’ll be back in a few hours," and he wandered off. Again several hours later he returned. "Should we go and get your bears?"

The men were bewildered. "What do you mean our bears," one inquired. "Well, there are six dead bears on this mountain, and six of us. We can’t leave them there."

Pop had done the unthinkable, successfully downing six bears. That night his friends left North Conway with honking horns and bears tied to the roofs of their Packards, Chevrolets, and Mercurys. Their wives would kiss them, and call them the best hunters in the land. No one, not even the local game warden, was the wiser. Black bear season has come to New Hampshire. The season opener statewide was September 1, and closes depending on which Wildlife Management Unit you hunt in. Around Dartmouth the season closes December 9. Additional closing dates can be found through either your copy of the New Hampshire Hunting Regulations, which can be picked up locally at Lyme Anglers or Wal-Mart, or on the Internet at the NH Fish and Game Dept. website.

Here’s what you will need: License and bear tag. If you’re a non-resident the license will cost you $70.50 and the bear tag an additional $5. Residents can pick up a license for $15.50 plus $5 for a tag. New Hampshire also requires a Hunter Education Certificate. You’ll also need a rifle, preferably something heavier than a .270. If you are a bowhunter, I’d recommend as heavy a draw weight as you can manage. Regulations are too numerous to mention, so be sure to familiarize yourself with them before heading out. Remember N.H. does require usage of at least one piece of hunter orange clothing while bear hunting.

Tips: Baiting season has ended as of this publication, so find a good spot with plenty of signs and be prepared to sit for several hours —bear are very shy animals. Bears are putting on weight this time of year, and all of them will look fairly large from a distance. To make sure you are shooting a mature bear and not last year’s cub is to look at the neck. Mature bears have no noticeable neck; a younger bear’s neck will be very defined. If you do get lucky, remember to tag your bear immediately and that you must notify a conservation officer within 12 hours. In some cases you may be required to take a department employee to the kill site. Be an ethical hunter and safe hunter. Be courteous to others using your hunting area, and never enter private property without prior permission. Be safe and good luck.