6 Best Bear Hunting Books 2024: Stories From the Bear Woods

Bears are wild animals, and it’s important to understand their behavior before you go hunting them. A good book on bear hunting will teach you about bear habits, such as where they live, what they eat, and how they interact with other animals. This knowledge will help you stay safe and make sure you have a successful hunt.

Best Bear Hunting Books

There are many different ways to hunt bears, and each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Bear hunting requires specialized equipment and gear. A good book on bear hunting will help you to understand everything you need for a successful hunt.

Overview of 6 Best Bear Hunting Books

1. The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting

Best Overall

The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 232 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4.7 out of 5
  • Author:- Douglas Boze
  • Published:- 2016

2. Black Bear Hunting Book

Well-Respected Author

Black Bear Hunting Book

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 384 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4.6 out of 5
  • Author:- Richard P. Smith
  • Published:- 2007

3. Black Bear Hunting: Expert Strategies for Success

Best Budget

Black Bear Hunting Expert Strategies for Success

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 202 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4.5 out of 5
  • Author:- Gary Lewis & Lee Van Tassel
  • Published:- 2007

4. Black Bear Hunting: The Ultimate Reference

Best For Bear Habitats

Black Bear Hunting The Ultimate Reference

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 374 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4.6 out of 5
  • Author:- Richard P. Smith
  • Published:- 2014

5. Hunting Bears: The Ultimate Guide to Hunting Bears

All Type of Bear

Hunting Bears The Ultimate Guide to Hunting Black, Brown, Grizzly, and Polar Bears

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 191 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4 out of 5
  • Author:- Kathy Etling
  • Published:- 2013

6. Backcountry Bear Basics

Best For Bear Encounters

Backcountry Bear Basics

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 191 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4 out of 5
  • Author:- Kathy Etling
  • Published:- 2013

1. The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting

Best Overall

The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 232 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4.7 out of 5
  • Author:- Douglas Boze
  • Published:- 2016

Why You Read This Book

  • It is a valuable resource for both beginner and experienced hunters
  • Douglas Boze is a lifelong hunter and outdoorsman with over 30 years of experience hunting black bears.
  • The book is full of helpful information, but it’s not written in a dry or academic style. 
  • The book covers all aspects of black bear hunting, from choosing the right equipment to field dressing your trophy.

Douglas Boze’s book, The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting, is a comprehensive and informative resource for hunters of all levels of experience. He covers everything from the basics of bear behavior to calling techniques that lure them in, and everything in between. Whether you’re hunting in dense hardwoods or the more open terrain common in the West, this book is a great educational tool that will help you become a more successful hunter.

Boze is a down-to-earth and relatable author who writes in a conversational tone. He doesn’t come across as arrogant or self-important, which is refreshing in a genre that can sometimes be full of those qualities. I’ve read this book multiple times and I’m always learning something new. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in black bear hunting.

Overall, I think The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting is an excellent resource for anyone who is interested in black bear hunting. It’s a comprehensive, informative, and enjoyable book that I highly recommend.

2. Black Bear Hunting Book

Well-Respected Author

Black Bear Hunting Book

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 384 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4.6 out of 5
  • Author:- Richard P. Smith
  • Published:- 2007

Why You Read This Book

  • The book covers everything from finding bears to shooting them ethically.
  • Smith is a well-respected author and outdoorsman with over 50 years of experience hunting black bears.
  • Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, you will find something useful in this book.
  • The book covers all aspects of black bear hunting, from choosing the right equipment to field dressing your trophy.

I bought this book to learn more about black bear hunting in the Northeast United States. The book is well-made, with heavy paper and vivid color photos. It provides a lot of detail about the habits and mindset of black bears.

However, I found some parts of the book to be less useful. For example, there are large sections on hunting over bait and with hounds. These practices are illegal in my state, so I did not find them helpful. I would have preferred to see more information on spot-and-stalk hunting and hunting from a ground blind.

The book also does not discuss preferred bullet construction for black bears. This is a potentially dangerous game species, so it is important to use the right ammunition.

Overall, the book is informative and helpful. However, it has some shortcomings that may make it less useful for some hunters.

3. Black Bear Hunting: Expert Strategies for Success

Best Budget

Black Bear Hunting Expert Strategies for Success

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 202 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4.5 out of 5
  • Author:- Gary Lewis & Lee Van Tassel
  • Published:- 2007

Why You Read This Book

  • Provides tips on how to find and identify black bear signs, as well as how to plan your hunts.
  • It covers the different techniques that you can use to approach and harvest black bears.
  • Their information accessible to the reader
  • Helpful illustrations and photographs

The book is written by 2 experienced bear hunters who know what they’re talking about. They provide clear and concise instructions, and they also include helpful illustrations and photographs. Black Bear Hunting: Expert Strategies for Success is an essential resource for any hunter who wants to increase their chances of success on a bear hunt.

In addition to the information on black bear hunting, the book also includes chapters on bear biology, conservation, and ethics. This makes it a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about black bears.

Overall, Black Bear Hunting: Expert Strategies for Success is an excellent resource for any hunter who wants to learn more about hunting black bears. It is a comprehensive and informative book that is sure to help you increase your chances of success on your next bear hunt.

4. Black Bear Hunting: The Ultimate Reference

Best For Bear Habitats

Black Bear Hunting The Ultimate Reference

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 374 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4.6 out of 5
  • Author:- Richard P. Smith
  • Published:- 2014

Why You Read This Book

  • In-depth coverage of the most popular methods of baiting and dogging bears
  • Written in a clear and concise style that is easy to follow.
  • The book is full of practical advice from black bear hunting expert Richard P. Smith.
  • The book mainly showcases photographs of hunters posing alongside bears they have hunted and killed.

The book “Black Bear Hunting” by Richard P. Smith is a comprehensive guide to hunting black bears. The author has a wealth of experience hunting bears, and the book covers a total of 37 chapters, including hunting hard mast, apple trees, bears and corn, hound hunting, and bait hunting. The book is well-written and easy to follow.

However, there are a few shortcomings in the book. First, the book is oriented toward hunting northern black bears and does not cover southeast swamp bear hunting. Second, the section on calling black bears is short and could be more in-depth. Third, the author lists skull size and weight over and over again, which can be tiresome. Fourth, Chapter 30, “What To Hunt With,” is somewhat alarming if it is in the hands of a novice.

In Chapter 30, the author states that the 30-30 is a “good choice” for bear hunting. However, I would classify it as “marginally acceptable.” I would recommend a larger caliber, such as the .30-06 or .308 Winchester, for novice hunters. The author also states that slugs out of a 12 gauge shotgun are effective on black bears, but they should not be used for shots beyond 100 yards. I agree with the author on this point. I would not recommend using a rifle caliber such as the 243 or 260 for bear hunting. These calibers are too small and light to provide a humane kill on a large bear.

Overall, I like the book “Black Bear Hunting” and recommend it to hunters who are looking for information on black bear hunting. However, I would caution novice hunters to be careful when reading Chapter 30 and to consult with an experienced hunter before choosing a firearm for bear hunting.

5. Hunting Bears: The Ultimate Guide to Hunting Bears

All Type of Bear

Hunting Bears The Ultimate Guide to Hunting Black, Brown, Grizzly, and Polar Bears

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 191 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4 out of 5
  • Author:- Kathy Etling
  • Published:- 2013

Why You Read This Book

  • It covers all aspects of bear hunting, from species identification to field dressing.
  • Etling has over 20 years of experience hunting bears in North America.
  • She is a member of the Boone and Crockett Club and the Pope and Young Club
  • The book covers all aspects of black bear hunting, from choosing the right equipment to field dressing your trophy.

For many hunters, taking a bear is incidental to hunting deer. However, for some, challenging a big bear on its own turf is the purpose of their hunt and may become an obsession. Hunting bears can involve a variety of methods and challenges, from hunting the wary black bear in Maine over bait to hunting the great white polar bear in inhospitable conditions.

In her book Hunting Bears, Kathy Etling covers all aspects of bear hunting and all species of bears to hunt—black, grizzly, brown, and polar. She omits no tactic, strategy, or bear behavior and includes interviews with many of the nation’s most successful bear hunters. Between the covers of this book is information that most bear hunters would take a lifetime to amass.

If hunting any of the bears found in North America or the world is your dream, you’ll want to add Hunting Bears to your outdoor library. It will provide you with hours of first-rate reading and will inspire you to bag your trophy bruin.

6. Backcountry Bear Basics

Best For Bear Encounters

Backcountry Bear Basics

 Main Specifications

  • Paperback:- 191 pages
  • Amazon Rating:- 4 out of 5
  • Author:- Kathy Etling
  • Published:- 2013

Why You Read This Book

  • Written by a bear expert with over 20 years of experience in the field.
  • Covering all aspects of bear behavior, biology, and safety.
  • A valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about bears and how to stay safe around them.
  • This an essential resource that can help you stay safe and have a positive experience

As a wilderness guide, I have read many books, brochures, and articles about traveling and camping in bear country. However, none of them are as relevant, practical, and current as Backcountry Bear Basics by Dave Smith.

Smith backs up his sometimes unconventional assertions with cogent arguments and scientific references. He also debunks the myths that have plagued bear literature for decades.

I found the book to be engaging, entertaining, and informative. I don’t know what the reviewers who called it “dry” were expecting. Perhaps they were hoping for juicy blood and guts anecdotes like those found in Alaskan Bear Tales. However, Backcountry Bear Basics are not about scaring people. It is about educating them about bears and how to avoid problems for both people and bears.

If you are planning on hiking or camping in Bear Country without a guide, I highly recommend that you read Backcountry Bear Basics and carry it with you. And most importantly, follow its advice about securing your food!

Frequently Ask Questions:-

1. What are the different types of bear hunting?

There are 3main types of bear hunting: still-hunting, spot-and-stalk, and baiting. Still-hunting involves sitting or standing in a blind or stand and waiting for a bear to come by. Spot-and-stalk involves finding a bear and then following it quietly until you are in a good position to shoot. Baiting involves using food to attract bears to a specific location.

2. What are the different types of bear weapons?

The most common type of bear weapon is a rifle. Rifles are powerful enough to take down a bear, and they offer good accuracy at long ranges. Shotguns can also be used for bear hunting, but they are not as effective as rifles at long ranges. Bows and arrows can also be used for bear hunting, but they require a lot of skill and practice.

3. What are the best times of year to hunt bears?

Bears are most active in the fall when they are preparing for hibernation. This is the best time to hunt bears, as they are easier to find and more likely to be in good condition.

4. What are the best places to hunt bears?

Bears can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, mountains, and swamps. The best places to hunt bears are those that offer a mix of food sources and cover.

5. What are the most important safety considerations when hunting bears?

Bears are large and powerful animals, and they can be dangerous if they feel threatened. It is important to be aware of your surroundings and to take precautions to avoid encounters with bears. Always wear bright clothing so that bears can see you, and make noise as you walk so that bears know you are coming. Never approach a bear, and if you see a bear, back away slowly and quietly.

6. What are the legal requirements for bear hunting?

The legal requirements for bear hunting vary from state to state. It is important to check with the local wildlife agency to find out what the specific requirements are in the area where you plan to hunt.


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