Countless resources detail how to age and score whitetail bucks in the field, yet guidance on assessing the age of bears is notably scarce. This is unfortunate, as bears pose unique challenges for hunters. Employ the following techniques to determine whether a bear is worth your shot.

This article covers a black bear’s weight, how to measure a bear hide, bear skull measurement, and how to determine the age of a black bear.

Learn to Judge a Bear in the Field

Assessing bears can be challenging for both novice and experienced hunters. When encountering a bear while hunting, categorize it into one of three groups:

• Too young to shoot (1-2 years old)
• A good, average bear (3-4 years)
• A large mature bear (5 years and older) that should not be passed up

As with deer and other game, the guiding principle is that if there is uncertainty about the animal’s size and age, it is advisable not to shoot. Once the decision is made, it cannot be reversed. The only exception may be for first-time bear hunters who would be satisfied with any legal bear harvest.

If inexperienced in bear hunting, watching videos and studying photographs can be beneficial. Observe the differences between an old, heavy boar and a young, lean bear. Memorizing images of trophy bears versus smaller ones will enhance recognition in the field. Ultimately, three primary factors are used to assess bears: weight, squared hide, and skull size.

Extra Tip: “Black Bear Hunting” by Richard Smith is a highly recommended reference for learning to judge bears. This book and instructive DVDs can be obtained from the author.

10 Facts About Black Bears

• Most active shortly before sunrise and after sunset.
• Possess an excellent sense of smell, 100% greater than humans.
• Average lifespan ranges from 20 to 35 years.
• Considered a “big game” animal, hunted in 28 of the 50 U.S. states.
• May lose up to 30% of body weight during torpor.
• A newborn bear cub weighs approximately 1 pound and fits in a hand.
• Can run at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
• Born with blue eyes that gradually turn black.
• Care for their offspring for about 18 months.
• Do not hibernate but enter a state of dormancy in winter known as torpor, emerging on warm days to search for food.

1. How to Judge the Bear’s Weight

Three key factors contribute to the assessment of a bear’s size, with weight being the most obvious. In most regions, a bear weighing between 150 and 250 pounds is considered average. Harvesting a bear lighter than this may lead to disappointment, as some states impose minimum weights of around 100 pounds for legality.

A bear exceeding 250 pounds is above average, while one over 300 pounds is exceptional. Bears weighing over 400 pounds are classified as enormous. The largest bear on record, taken in North Carolina by hunter Coy Parton using hounds, weighed 880 pounds. Numerous bears exceeding 700 pounds have also been documented in that state.

Extra Tip: North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota have all produced bears over 800 pounds. Many Canadian provinces have also yielded bears exceeding 700 pounds.

Extra Tip: Bears have substantial appetites, which is evident in their physique. A large bear’s belly often hangs low, nearly touching the ground. If there is significant daylight between the bear’s midsection and the ground, it is likely a younger bear.

2. Squaring a Bear Hide

The squared measurement of the hide serves as a second method for assessing bears. To calculate the squared size, measure the width and length, divide by two, and obtain the squared size. Black bears measuring 5-6 feet are considered average, while those over 6 feet are excellent. Bears measuring 7 feet are trophy specimens, likely weighing over 400 pounds.

Extra Tip: When searching for a bear that will square over 6 feet, observe the size and position of its ears. Small ears on a bear often indicate a trophy animal. If the ears appear to grow out from the sides of the head, it suggests a large bear. Conversely, if the ears are prominent on top of the head, it likely indicates a younger bear. It is advisable to let such bears mature further.

How to Measure a Bear Hide: Example formula for obtaining a ‘squared’ measurement.

Length (tip of nose to tip of tail) = X

Width (front claw tip to claw tip) = Y

Assuming X=71″ and Y=76″, the calculation would be: X (71″) + Y (76″) / 2 = Z (73.5″), which converts to squared feet: Z (73.5″) / 12 = 6.125′ (FT).

3. How to Determine Skull Measurement of a Bear

The final measurement for assessing a trophy bear is the skull, which is crucial for record-keeping purposes. Measure the width and length of the skull, excluding the lower jaw, and add these two measurements together for the score.

A black bear must measure at least 20 inches to qualify for the Boone & Crockett bear skull score for the current recording period. To make it into the all-time B & C record book, a bear must measure 21 inches. A bear scoring 18 inches qualifies for the Pope & Young record book.

Extra Tip: A bear’s size and age can often be inferred from its head. An older boar typically has a blocky, thick head, which may appear small relative to its large body. In contrast, female bears and younger males tend to have more streamlined and tapered heads that fit their body sizes better.

Extra Tip: Field evaluation for Boone and Crockett score pdf – LINK

4. How to Judge the Age of a Bear

These visible measurements provide insights into a bear’s size. However, many hunters also consider a fourth factor: age. Similar to whitetails, a bear aged five years or older is regarded as mature and a suitable target. Bears can live significantly longer in the wild compared to most deer, with the oldest recorded black bear being a 39-year-old female from Minnesota.

Extra Tip: A bear’s demeanor can also indicate its age. An older bear typically moves with a deliberate, unhurried gait, exhibiting confidence and a lack of fear. If younger bears tend to flee when it approaches, it is likely a mature trophy bear worth pursuing.