Important topics are covered in this extensive training DVD. Check out the video below and you will see exactly what the DVD includes that will put you ahead of the rest on your black bear hunting adventure.

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The following info is directly from Black-Bear-Hinting.com’s web site, about their black bear hunting encyclopedia DVD :

Black bears- Information on size and colour variations as well as eating habits, gestation periods, and reproduction. Comprehensive information on black bear facts, animal characteristics, and universal survival tips for the outdoor enthusiast.

Scouting for bears- Scouting forms an important part of black bear hunting and hence we felt it important to include ample information regarding; eating habits, common black bear habitat, how to identify tracks, and interpret bear sign.The book and DVD also go in to detail of different types of scouting; how to talk and gain access to experienced hunters knowledge, how to use maps and GPS as bear hunting resource, where to invest time hiking, and even some fly over tips.

Bear hunting gear- In order to equip hunters properly for their bear hunt, the right gear is a necessity. The book and DVD provide you with hunting trip checklists for all types of situations and gives specific gear advice. There is guidance on proper caliber and bullet information, bow and arrow tips, boots, optics, rangefinders, clothing and all essential bear hunting equipment.

Hunting bears- The moment you were waiting for “The Hunt”. You will find a plethora of tips on bear hunting strategy for both rifle and bow hunting black bears. Through graphs and charts you will see detailed black bear anatomy information and shot placement advice. Licensing information is also given in order to guide you.

Baiting black bears- For those who live in legal baiting areas such as Alaska, Alberta, and Saskatchewan you will appreciate all the tree stand hunting bear baiting content in the book and DVD. Tips on finding a bait location, setting up bait stations, setting up a tree stand, and bear bait recipes are all shown in great educational detail. Trail cameras and timing are also brought into the discussion in an attempt to heighten your chances of success.

Hunting with hounds- People interested in pursuing the black bear with a pack of hounds will find basic information on this topic in the book. What to expect, how the hunt starts, dog breeds, the chase, and pursuit are covered to introduce people thinking of this style of bear hunting.

Trophy photo tips- Making a picture to enjoy for a lifetime requires a little time and effort starts after the kill and before the field care begins. This chapter in the book, and bonus feature on the DVD will equip you with some tips to make a tasteful memory so you can display it on the mantel for generations. You will be surprised with what some hunters forget to do before pointing and aiming the camera.

Bear field care- After the kill, the real work begins. The book shows detailed picture instruction on how to properly gut and skin a black bear for a rug. The DVD shows step by step procedure on field dressing and the proper steps on skinning for a bear rug. This chapter alone will make you a more accomplished and well rounded hunter. This information might end up saving you thousands over the years.

Meat selection- I personally like bear meat and hope that you will appreciate the meat of black bears as well. In the book you will find multiple recipes to try on your next bear. You will also find my personal choices of what to do with the bear meat. The DVD has discussion on choice cuts, and different sausages you might like to try.

Taxidermy- In the book and DVD I discuss the criteria to help you find the best taxidermist for the job as well as giving you some money saving tips. Those of you wanting to make bear rugs or shoulder mounts, you will find the information in the book and DVD more than helpful as it will give you the essentials to get the best possible mount.

Choosing a Guide- Investing money into a guided trip is a special occasion and in saying that, there is a special chapter in the book discussing the criteria to find the right guide outfitter in order to have a successful bear hunting trip that will meet your expectations and budget.

Making a European mount- Some hunters like to do crafts with antlers and skulls. This chapter in the book and bonus feature on the DVD will show you detailed step by step picture and video instruction to successfully create your very own European style bear skull. Another treat that you can place on the mantel to remember your hunt. It is a fairly straightforward task and the instruction in the book and DVD will ensure you have the proper tools, materials, and knowledge to undertake this task.

Bear hunting stories- I have had a lot of interest in bear hunting stories from the past and decided to share those memories with you through pictures and writing in the book. In the DVD bonus features, you will be able to find these special bear hunting memories with you. The DVD displays pictures, hides, and weapons used in the past bear hunts in an animated fashion, along with me telling the full story.

Here in New Brunswick baiting of black bears is allowed. Follow a few pointers about black bear baiting and you will have a much more productive black bear hunt.

I personally prefer to stalk my prey the ole fashion way but not all hunters have the time or patience to be trekking here and there looking for their trophy. A bear baiting site draws the bear to the hunter who is most likely sitting up in a tree stand waiting and watching for just the right black bear.

For me personally baiting is more like going to a stocked fish pond to fish for trout. It’s just not as memorable. That is my personal feeling but I do understand that when black bear hunters are taking and paying for a trip to another country they want to be certain they bag a black bear and don’t go home empty handed.

Bear baiting is a great way to get the bear close enough for beginners to have a great opportunity to bag their first black bear. They can do the stalking thing another year. One great experience at a time. Although baiting is no guarantee that you will get your bear.

If you think that baiting is easy that’s only because you have experience or someone else set up the bait site. If a bait site is not setup correctly the black bear will not only NOT show up they will sit on the sidelines and actually laugh at you behind your back.

So here is a short list of what you need to know to setup a black bear bait site for an effective hunt.

It makes sense to know something about black bears and the places they call home.

1. Black bears may need glasses but they more than compensate for their poor vision by having an awesome sniffer. This may have you thinking that it will all the easier because they will smell the bait site and come running but the truth is if they detect any odors, like you, they will not come near your bait site.

Keeping the entire bait site area and surrounding area clear of non-natural smells will increase your chances of seeing and bagging a nice black bear. The longer your bait site is around and kept free of human odor the more bears you will likely encounter, from a distance of course.

2. Maybe this should have been first, location is so important. Logically you wouldn’t put a bear bait site in a place bears don’t travel. So you need to take the time to learn where the paths are the black bear in your neck of the woods take to find food.

Know what a black bear eats, follow their trails and see which paths take you to the food bears like.

I do a lot of fishing in New Brunswick, especially for Atlantic salmon. I see a lot of black bears which I take note of and mark the locations in my journal for future reference.

3. Black bear hunting season opens in mid May so it’s wise to start baiting a couple of weeks before the season opens so you or your clients aren’t waiting for the bears to find it.

4. What to entice your black bears with.

To start with black bears will eat just about anything to survive but they do tend to have a sweet tooth so get out to your local donut shop and get some of those day old donuts, but save them for the bears eh. Talking with other black bear hunting guides I can say that most agree that the stronger smelling the bait the better.

My wife makes cookies that no one can eat so I stock up on those because the bears aren’t quite so picky as I am about my cookies. Okay I made that part up but they do like cookies. I used to know a farmer that would get waffer cookies by the 45 gallon drum, all the broken ones from a factory that was not far from his farm. He was always willing to give a burlap bag or two each spring. His pigs didn’t seem to mind.

You can also use meat so if you have any spare carcasses lying around give them a try.

4a. Be sure to eliminate your odor and don’t forget your boots, even your foot prints have an odor. Ever walked in the house with dog do-do on your boots. Okay then.

5. Actually setting up your bait site.

Something I had not even thought about until I saw something wasn’t working and that was the direction the bears would approach the bait station. If it’s not right you won’t get the best view for your shot. To fix this it was a simple as putting logs and branches around the three sides I didn’t want the bears approaching from.

Most bait sites or stations I have seen in New Brunswick use a 45 gallon barrel they cut in half and dock to a tree to keep it there. Otherwise the bears are dragging it all over the area.

Here are a couple of short videos showing a black bear bait site, one using a bait barrel, the other is not using a barrel.

Here is video that shows you just how long a black bear will stay at a bait site if you’re quiet and don’t stink like a human.