Post by joel on Nov 24, 2008 11:10:34 GMT -5
Joel,
Thanks for your question. New York State regulations prohibit bear hunters in
the Southern Zone from shooting a cub or a bear that should be known to be a cub,
shooting any bear from a group of bears, or shooting or taking a bear from its den.
The best method to determine whether a bear is a cub or adult is by examination
of the teeth; that is, does the bear have milk canines or fully erupted, permanent
adult canines. Obviously this method can't be used by hunters before the bear
is shot, so field judging a bear as a cub or not is best done by observing whether
the bear is alone and close observation of the bear's physical proportions.
Adult bears are typically found alone, while cubs will remain with the sow through
their 2nd winter (they were born during their 1st winter). So if bears are observed
in a group during hunting season, most likely it is a sow and her cubs. The breeding
season for bears is in June-July, and grouping of adult bears will occur then.
Judging a bear as a cub based solely on size can be problematic, as bear sizes can
vary greatly depending on summer and fall food availability. It is not uncommon
for male cubs to have fall weights near 100 lbs during good food years. In poor
food years, some adult females may weigh less than 80 lbs. Also, the excitement
of the hunt and rarity of seeing a bear often influences a hunter's estimation
of bear size with most hunters tending to overestimate the bear's weight. Close
observation of the bear's head may give some clues to its age as cub or adult.
The ears of young bears typically appear large in proportion to their head, whereas
the ears of adult bears do not appear proportionally large. Adults also typically
have a more blocky and triangular head shape.
After careful observation of a bear that's alone, if you're still undecided
about whether a bear is an adult or a cub, don't take the shot.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Hurst
Wildlife Biologis
Thanks for your question. New York State regulations prohibit bear hunters in
the Southern Zone from shooting a cub or a bear that should be known to be a cub,
shooting any bear from a group of bears, or shooting or taking a bear from its den.
The best method to determine whether a bear is a cub or adult is by examination
of the teeth; that is, does the bear have milk canines or fully erupted, permanent
adult canines. Obviously this method can't be used by hunters before the bear
is shot, so field judging a bear as a cub or not is best done by observing whether
the bear is alone and close observation of the bear's physical proportions.
Adult bears are typically found alone, while cubs will remain with the sow through
their 2nd winter (they were born during their 1st winter). So if bears are observed
in a group during hunting season, most likely it is a sow and her cubs. The breeding
season for bears is in June-July, and grouping of adult bears will occur then.
Judging a bear as a cub based solely on size can be problematic, as bear sizes can
vary greatly depending on summer and fall food availability. It is not uncommon
for male cubs to have fall weights near 100 lbs during good food years. In poor
food years, some adult females may weigh less than 80 lbs. Also, the excitement
of the hunt and rarity of seeing a bear often influences a hunter's estimation
of bear size with most hunters tending to overestimate the bear's weight. Close
observation of the bear's head may give some clues to its age as cub or adult.
The ears of young bears typically appear large in proportion to their head, whereas
the ears of adult bears do not appear proportionally large. Adults also typically
have a more blocky and triangular head shape.
After careful observation of a bear that's alone, if you're still undecided
about whether a bear is an adult or a cub, don't take the shot.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Hurst
Wildlife Biologis
