[Justin251]

Originally Posted by Flowmaster

.30-06. use it to hunt any big game on the continent.

9mm. You can get it everywhere, its cheap, and its effective.

22LR because its cheap.

12 gauge because its cheap and everywhere.

I'd swap that 30-06 for a 7mm rem mag or 300 win mag and be able to kill those same game 300 yards further away. I refuse to own a long action thats not a belted magnum. lol

[duster066]

For survival 22lr, 22mag, and 357mag in that order. Shot gun and rifle ammo is to heavy to carry on my back in the quantities I want to carry. For range fun 38/357mag, 44mag, 22mag, 22lr, and 30-30 no real order, it just depends.

[xXChromeGhostXx]

I have to say the 44 magnum rifle has a very nice punch and range too it, i've taken down bear from 75 yards plus, also deer at 100 yards. But would not really hunt with it on the open plains personally.

[duster066]

Originally Posted by xXChromeGhostXx

I have to say the 44 magnum rifle has a very nice punch and range too it, i've taken down bear from 75 yards plus, also deer at 100 yards. But would not really hunt with it on the open plains personally.

Ah nice, how many bears have you shot? I've been trying to get one for two years with 357, but haven't even seen one. Got any tips?lol This year I'll have 357 in a rifle and and 44mag in a 7.5" revolver, gonna try with a bow too.

[xXChromeGhostXx]

Well I have Black bear here. I have shot two myself in about 4 years of serious bear hunting. I use Honey and brown sugar, i get two jars/cans of each and dig a hole about 2 foot wide and 2 foot deep. After that I layer it with some honey and brown sugar then put some dirt overtop and repeat. usually do a couple different spots. Peanut butter works wonders along with dogfood. never personally tried dog food but i know a group of hunters who swear by it, and they get atleast one good size bear a year so know can't be wrong about something lol. I'd be very carefull with a bow I say your a good shot but sometimes that fat is tougher than you think. One my bears I killed had two broadheads on the same side, just huge knot of muscle grew up around them, i'd use a good heavy draw. and bears also like the uhm squealing or distress calls is word was thinking of. But they will come to those a lot, as well your coyotes too so have watch for that as may run the bear off if they are around.

[xXChromeGhostXx]

Also, sorry for a double post, but the brown sugar and honey should be done well before your bear season opens, atleast 3-4 months, just check it every so often and add if needs it, you should see them digging and clawing at it along with smaller game. But this can be considered baiting if you do it during Bear season. I'm in Tennessee and have been told by the TWRA that as long as its placed well before bear season - 3 weeks is what they said - but i play it safe cause it will attract them all year long.

[duster066]

Hmm, yup baiting is illegal here too. I can find sign all over where I've been hunting. The bears are there, but they see and smell me long before I get close. Calling is the method most used here. I've been reluctant to try it because I usually hunt alone, and don't want one coming up from behind without me knowing it. I stalk to high slopes that gives a good view and use the glass. I've learned to not get lost in the thick forest here and have stalked through that. I doubt that is going to work though because no matter how quite I think I am I know it makes a racket the bear can hear. My son wants to go this year, and we are planning on scouting the eastern slopes of the Cascades. There are more bear there than any other place in WA and the forest isn't nearly as thick so sight lines are much farther.

[Flyboy]

I demand they make a civilian rifle in 30mm.
Then they will now have my favorite ever caliber.

[xXChromeGhostXx]

Originally Posted by duster066

Hmm, yup baiting is illegal here too. I can find sign all over where I've been hunting. The bears are there, but they see and smell me long before I get close. Calling is the method most used here. I've been reluctant to try it because I usually hunt alone, and don't want one coming up from behind without me knowing it. I stalk to high slopes that gives a good view and use the glass. I've learned to not get lost in the thick forest here and have stalked through that. I doubt that is going to work though because no matter how quite I think I am I know it makes a racket the bear can hear. My son wants to go this year, and we are planning on scouting the eastern slopes of the Cascades. There are more bear there than any other place in WA and the forest isn't nearly as thick so sight lines are much farther.

I use a scent away earth scent, and apply before i leave and once i get to where i am hunting at, but yeah I hardly like hunting a bear alone, but some day i will daniel boone a bear lol.

[Coffee 4064]

I like my 338-06. Almost magnum power, common brass, easy to form.