Any serious bear hunter will ask himself this question: Brown bear hunt: bait or driven? In this article I want to give details and explanations for every hunter.
In Romania, brown bear can be hunted in 2 ways: over the bait and driven hunt with beaters and dogs.
Over the year, many hunters have been asking me if stalking is an option. The short answer is NO! Why? Because the bears in Romania are active during the evening and night and they sleep during the day.
Now let me describe how a bait hunt it is and how is conducted.
The hunter and his guide/outfitter will sit in a blind and in front of the blind it is a baiting point. The usual distance from the blind to the baiting point can range from 20 to 60 meters usually.
The blind is a little bit different from what a deer or a wild boar hunter are use to. Is more like a little house, with door and walls and window. The hunt is done very late in the afternoon, in the evening sometimes you will stay in the blind until midnight.
The guide will open the window when the right bear is feeding on the bait and let the hunter to make the fire shot. Contrary to what most of the hunters think, bears have relatively thin skin and any caliber starting with 30.06 can do the job. On the other hand, when they are already wounded and full of adrenaline the only shot that can stop a bear is the head shot. An experienced guide/outfitter will tell you to be quiet after the fire shot. The bait location is most of the time set in an opening, a meadow in a forest and even with a good shot the bear can run into the forest. In the moment of the death the bear will ALWAYS make a roar. That is the sound that guide will want to hear. That means the bear is death and the guide will go in depth of the forest the night without hesitation. If the guide will not hear that sound, that means problems, the bear is wounded. Next morning a team of guides, rangers and dogs will follow the wounded bear… dangerous job!
Few words about bait now. In the past the outfitters use death horses or cows to bait the bears. Nowadays the most efficient bait is…chocolate. Yes, chocolate. We buy expired chocolate from the chocolate factories.
If you want to set a new baiting point or you want to attract bears from a long distance you bait with rotten fish.
To be honest now, with the high number of bears that we have in Romania, corn bait will be more that enough, but I prefer chocolate because chocolate create addiction and I am sure the big bears will hit the bait every night.
As I said the other option to hunt bears in Romania is driven hunt for brown bears.
For those how are familiar with wild boar driven hunt it is the same procedure. A line of hunters will wait for the beaters and dogs to push the bears against them. The difference from the wild boars driven hunts is that we put a guide with a rifle or a shot gun with every hunter for security reasons, or this is the way I like to do it!
A good outfitter will organize the drives in a way that the bears will be pushed from a long distance and they will come in the range of shooting in slow speed, because they will be tired. More than this when a bear is running and tired , he will make a special sound like a whistling that hunter can hear from a decent distance and get ready for the shot.
Good dogs are important is this type of hunt, because they chase the bear and after the first shot they will attack the wounded bear(if the bear is wounded) and give a chance for the hunter to make an easy clean shot!
But the title of the article is: Brown bear hunt: bait or driven? details and explanations for every hunter.
So, bait is for hunters that wants 100% guarantee that they will shot a big male. Driven hunt is for hunters who love the adrenaline pump, the experience and the thrill of the hunt.
Whatever is your choice or if you want to find more about bear hunting in Romania or anything about hunting in Romania, please do not hesitate to send us an email to contact@romaniahuntingoutfitters.com
Comments (7)
I’m very interested. What are the prices and conditions? I hope to come there soon.
pls send your bear offers
I had the incredible opportunity to go brown bear hunting in Romania with Romania Hunting Outfitters back in 2010, and it was an experience of a lifetime. From start to finish, the entire trip was meticulously organized, ensuring both safety and excitement.
Romania’s Carpathian Mountains provided a breathtaking backdrop, making the hunt not just thrilling but also visually stunning. The guides were exceptionally knowledgeable, sharing insights about the local wildlife and terrain, which enriched the entire experience. Their expertise ensured we were in the best spots, increasing our chances of a successful hunt while respecting the natural habitat.
The accommodations were comfortable and welcoming, offering a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern amenities. After long days in the wilderness, it was wonderful to relax in such a cozy environment, enjoying delicious local cuisine and sharing stories by the fire.
What truly set this trip apart was the professionalism and passion of the Romania Hunting Outfitters team. They were dedicated to providing a memorable and ethical hunting experience, adhering to all regulations and ensuring the sustainability of the local bear population.
Overall, my brown bear hunting adventure in Romania with Romania Hunting Outfitters was unforgettable. It was well-organized, exhilarating, and deeply respectful of nature. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an exceptional hunting experience in one of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes
Great article! Answered all my questions. Would love the opportunity to hunt a Romania brown bear! Sounds like a once in a life time hunt and would be a great addition to my other Romanian hunts.
Hey people!!!!!
Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!
Prlease make me
an offer,incl. everything
Thanks
Can you send me offer bear hunting