Close to the road?

[Timberjack86]

I've found several good leads and saddles to scout for early bow season. Each is up around 2800 -3000 ft. They have white and red oaks scattered about them. My only concern is each of these awesome areas is within 300-400 yards of a service road. Would you hunt these areas that close to a service road? I'm sure I will be able to hear the gravel popping when I'm out there.

 

[whitetailfreak]

I've killed several within 200 yards of the truck. In fact I look for spots like that.

 

[jbogg]

The older I get, the closer to the truck the better. When I started Hunting the mountains I assumed I needed to get way back in there so I didn’t have to worry about other hunters. The reality is there are not a ton of guys hunting bears during early bow season, so hunt where you find the fresh sign no matter how close to a road.

 

[Professor]

I would. The bigger issue is how many people actually walk into the woods where you want to hunt. If people are hunting these areas all season I would move on.

 

[Timberjack86]

Due to time constraints I'm hunting in TN this year and we just have a 2 week bow season in the National Forest. Im going to blitz scout all these areas I've marked the 2 weekends before season opens. I've got 6 leads to check and one that is a proven producer. Hopefully I can get it done in that short amount of time.

 

[Timberjack86]

I would. The bigger issue is how many people actually walk into the woods where you want to hunt. If people are hunting these areas all season I would move on.

Probably be lucky to see another person on these hunts. Most bear hunters are dog hunters here in TN.

 

[WOODIE13]

I would, bears don't mind roads and will use the just like old logging roads, path of least resistance

 

[Doug B.]

I have watched bears lap white oaks from the road. I was standing in the road and the bear was in the tree eating acorns. Good luck!

 

[ddd-shooter]

Yep. Sounds like great spots to me!

 

[Railroader]

I don't hunt bears, but I see bear tracks in roads all the time...They certainly don't avoid them.

A good spot is a good spot, road or not... ?

 

[Buckman18]

Early season especially, closer to the truck the better!

 

[NCMTNHunter]

Hunt them where they are, when they are there. Sometimes the best hiding spot is right beside the road.

 

[Hillbilly stalker]

Always hunt the sign. No matter what critter.

 

[ddd-shooter]

Always hunt the sign. No matter what critter.

Great lesson to learn, and one I have to remind myself often. Don't try to make the animal be somewhere it's not. You don't know what they know. There's a reason they're there, even if your brain can't figure it out.

 

[RatherB]

I’ve killed a few big bears. I’ll never kill another one unless I’m under 100 yards from my truck.

 

[nix03]

I’ve killed a few big bears. I’ll never kill another one unless I’m under 100 yards from my truck.

I just want to kill one and then i'm done.

 

[chrislibby88]

I just want to kill one and then i'm done.

Until you put one in a slow cooker and realize how superb the meat is. Then you’ll want more.

 

[WOODIE13]

Until you put one in a slow cooker and realize how superb the meat is. Then you’ll want more.

Or grill the back straps or can it

 

[KentuckyHeadhunter]

I've found more bear sign within 50 yards of where I park. I stepped out of my jeep one day and almost slipped and smeared myself in it. Where people park people leave trash. The smell of motor oil attracts them also. I don't want my first bear to be that easy though. I want a bloody pack!

 

[WOODIE13]

I've found more bear sign within 50 yards of where I park. I stepped out of my jeep one day and almost slipped and smeared myself in it. Where people park people leave trash. The smell of motor oil attracts them also. I don't want my first bear to be that easy though. I want a bloody pack!

If it's big, you'll be happy it was close to the road and you will have plenty of blood on the pack. Nothing easy about it since it is free ranging and you found the honey hole