Black Bear Season opens Dec. 1 Harlan, Letcher and Pike counties.

[Carter1]

I am going. I went the first season and we got a ton of heavy wet snow. All I did the first day was cut trees blocking the road in Pike County where I was supposed to hunt. The second day I saw one print and nothing more. They all denned up.
Last year I was planning to go but half my friend's family had some sort of stomach bug and I didn't want to catch it. I was going to stay with them. And of course it was supposed to snow...again. I figured it would be a repeat of the first season so I did not go. And of course two bears were killed. I hope to get one this season or at least see one.

[Tim_T]

Good luck Carter. I would love to go and try to get one on foot with my longbow, but I expect all the public land is going to be crowded.

[Carter1]

Thanks Tim. Last time I was there the bears decimated the Autumn Olives down in the hollow. From what I hear the crop is not as good this year and not a lot of sign around the area we plan to hunt. Anyway, if I get one I will try to post some pictures. I just hope we don't to use a chainsaw this year.

[gregsmith]

Good luck Carter Hope you have some luck. You also should see plenty of elk

[Carter1]

Thanks Greg. I don't know if I will see any elk although that would be cool. I will be in Elkhorn City. My buddy hasn't seen any elk there yet and I never saw any sign of them last time there either. But I would love to see them.

[Carter1]

Well, I never even got a whiff of a bear this weekend. As far as I know there was one killed in Harlan County on Saturday. I don't know about today yet. It was tough with opening of deer muzzleloading opening, rabbit hunters, fox and coon hunters all night. But at least the weather was cooperative this weekend.

[Tim_T]

Looks like there were four taken according to telecheck. One sow and three boars. two were killed in Harlan County and two in Letcher.

[Carter1]

I saw the same results Tim. I think Fish and Wildlife should do a survey of everyone that went bear hunting before setting the season date next year. I understand setting it at this time of year to keep the kill numbers of sows down but it would be nice to at least see some sign and maybe a bear or two.