Lemme see if I understand the black bear rules

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

In essense, it's...

1. Archery or ML only, in their special short seasons.
2. Like all species, must buy the tag up front of course.
3. It's $101 for residents, for archery
4. The season may be called short if the quota is reached, and you have to call in each night to find out if the quota is reached or not
5. Must be in Push, McCurtain, LeFlore, or Latimer Counties only.


But other than that, it's open on ALL public lands during those seasons, in those 4 counties, in addition to private lands? I did notice that archery equipment specifies "same as deer", which will now mean X-bows.

 

[Weatherby]

That sounds right, except I belive you need to call in the morning rather than at night.

 

[woolworh]

How many can be harvested?

 

[Weatherby]

Only one for the individual, 20 total for the state. You have to check each morning with the game warden to make sure there are still bears left to harvest.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Is the game warden taking calls at 5:00 am before you go out, or do you have to skip hunting during 'prime time' to accomodate them sleeping in, I wonder....

Seems like calling in the evening would make more sense...Just tell the hunters that you have to call by 6:30pm if you want to hunt the next morning, so that the warden can have a home life in the evening. And if you don't, then you have to wait until 8am or whenever the warden takes your call the next morning - that way, you don't miss prime time if you're diligent enough to call in on time the prior evening. Or maybe they let you call super-early - that wouldn't surprise me either, given their normal working hours during hunting season anyway.

 

[Weatherby]

Is the game warden taking calls at 5:00 am before you go out, or do you have to skip hunting during 'prime time' to accomodate them sleeping in, I wonder....

Seems like calling in the evening would make more sense...Just tell the hunters that you have to call by 6:30pm if you want to hunt the next morning, so that the warden can have a home life in the evening. And if you don't, then you have to wait until 8am or whenever the warden takes your call the next morning - that way, you don't miss prime time if you're diligent enough to call in on time the prior evening. Or maybe they let you call super-early - that wouldn't surprise me either, given their normal working hours during hunting season anyway.

A bear with an arrow wound might not be found until after you go to bed. I have checked deer at 11 PM before. In order to cover yourself, I would risk calling the game warden before I went into the woods. You might wake him up, but at least you know for sure that there are still bears to be shot. It sure beats the alternative.

 

[kdlong]

last year it was a recording that would say if the limit had been reached.it is better to call the morning of the hunt.

 

[Oklahomabassin]

The harvest quota phone number is listed in the hunting regulations. You can also check online at www.wildlifedepartment.com. The harvest quota has been set at 20 bears for the 2010 season. The number will give you a recording that will say if the harvest quota has been reached. The number is 888 901 3256.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Ahh, ok, thanks guys - that makes sense. Yeah, it certainly wouldn't be too uncommon to not find your game until the next day, if tracking is tough on a late shot. And the recording lets them sleep in.