Bear Size In SoCal
California
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I've been using a trail cam in my deer hunting area and have found out I have a heavily used trail by a variety of animals. No Mountain Lion yet, but it has only been out for four months so far.
Anyway, I have not seriously thought about going for bear, but I got a nice photo of this cinnamon color bear. Now I might consider it. It looks small to me, but I do not know what the average bear size in SoCal is. I do not know how to judge a young bear, old bear, male or female. I've read the bear forum and look at ear size and or crease in the forehead etc... But since this is SoCal, I am thinking the bears do not get very big.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Do you see how pronounced the neck is and the "thin" shape of the head...? Good indications of a smaller bear. Having said that, in SoCal a lot of hunters would still try to take it (DIY on public land in SoCAl is quite the challenge). My guess is it weighs about 100lbs.
Thank You!
Yes this is a DIY hunt on public land.
I do not believe this area has any hunting pressure, so depending on the bear's range and how much trouble he gets himself into with houses within a few miles, I could probably give him plenty of time to grow up.
So we'll see.
Thanks again for the info.
I'll be hunting bear in conjunction with my A20. Bears average a tad more in size in this area.
That's a beautiful colored bear.....but definitely immature. Southern California has some absolute huge bears....so they are around.
22" bears have been taken in so cal... I suspect the overall size will get bigger now that hound hunting is gone. Bears are difficult to judge. That bear does look small by the photo. Good luck. Ed F
I've seen some pictures of brutes that hang around where avocados are grown.
Here's a big ol' bear my hunting partner arrowed in the Southern California Mountains of LA County.
Here's another giant bear that I measured for the records books (CBH-P&Y-B&C). It was arrowed in the San Bernardino Mountains.
I'm not Ed.....I'm Roy (the original BOHNTR)....and much younger looking! :)
Roy, pretty nice bears ! And I knew that , just a Brain fart !
That's funny.... I consider it an honor to be confused with someone as famous as the original BOHNTR... Ed F
I seen big bears around avocado orchards. In Southern Cal. Mostly on Private land. But damn those bruins are big!! They sure do like their avocados!!! Lol