2024 New Jersey Bear Hunt

[Dannmann801]

Total bear kill was 392...

@ Fletch What was the state's goal for bears to he harvested?

 

[Fletch]

@ Fletch What was the state's goal for bears to he harvested?

Dan.... The states goal is to remove 30 % of the bears that were handled this year ( trapped and tagged ) once the total reaches 30% they stop the hunt... This year there were 199 bears tagged of which 45 were harvested resulting in 22.6 % harvest rate.... Don't ask me how this figures in biologically, because I haven't a clue....In the past this 30% total has never been reached...

 

[Fletch]

So Dan's bear had a nice white spot on her chest, which is unique... Along with having a nice coat, I told Dan he should get a full body mount done by a reputable taxidermist... What do you guys think???

 

[Hedgelj]

Ehhh I dunno

Does Dan have the coin for it?

Would it look right in his house and with the existing decor?

I personally haven't seen many full body black bear mounts that look realistic in positioning and such. Shoulder mounts....a few look okay. I'm very preferenced towards the pack basket mount that I showed Dan of mine. But then again it was a Maine trappers basket and a maine bear. I also like the "rug" you hang on the wall with just the head mounted but that requires the right decor and large enough wall.

 

[Fletch]

Cost, space and decor are definitely a factor... I have both a full size mount and a shoulder ( half bear ) mount which Dan has seen in person... It's totally up to him...
Here's 2 of my mounts...

 

[xbowguy]

Great stuff fellas! Just caught up on it all and glad it was an awesome time for all.

 

[Sgt Fury]

I’ve got a full body mount and a rug. Both look awesome but as was already said, it depends mainly on if Dan has the room for it and also a full body is much more expensive than a rug. Definitely should do one or the other, especially if it has a white chest patch. Congrats again Dan and thanks again Rich for your hospitality. You know these two guys are going to be telling of their experience over the next TOO Campfire.

 

[GoetsTalon]

Has been a great time following along the last couple years on this bear hunting journey! Congratulations! Rich that is a awesome trophy room. Took me a minute to get to the bears after the deer lol. The full body looks cool. Have you ever done anything with the skulls like a European mount?

 

[Fletch]

Has been a great time following along the last couple years on this bear hunting journey! Congratulations! Rich that is a awesome trophy room. Took me a minute to get to the bears after the deer lol. The full body looks cool. Have you ever done anything with the skulls like a European mount?

Skulls definitely get cleaned as they are a big part of preserving the hunt.. I've had them cleaned by a taxidermist with beetles and have cleaned them myself by soaking them in water over a period of time, changing the water weekly then whitening them with peroxide from a hair salon... Bleach will ruin them..
Thanks for the compliment in the deer, like I told Dan they are ok, a lot of guys have better ..

 

[finelyshedded]

It was awesome following along with you guys! Congratulations to Dan and huge kudos again to you Rich for hosting and guiding them….great stuff

 

[Dannmann801]

So it's hard to believe it's almost 2 weeks since this all went down - after being gone for a week I've had a lot to catch up on here at home and at work. My maple trees are trying to beat my ass but I'm staying ahead with the help of my AgriFab, holy shit. I've got a bunch more pictures and some thoughts to share, and I'll do that a little at a time. But the most important thing I want to put out there is this.....

I joined this group back in 2008 as a new hunter, looking for information and knowledge. Little did I know that this would become my community - my group, my guys, my friends for life. I'll say this to you - if you're able, don't pass on invitations. I was invited to the first group get-together at @CJD3 's and Riverdudes, and those brothers became my brothers. I took up Ben's @Buckmaster invitation to come to his deer camp, and now I'm part of that family and all that comes with it. Rich put out the bear invite, and now I'm, FUCKING HOOKED. I've hunted with John's @Bigcountry40 boys during youth - what an honor to be entrusted with that - and I've hunted with and done get-togethers with so many of you guys I can truly say I while I only got about 10 people I know in Springboro, I've got "my people" all over this state. If someone offers you an opportunity, take it. If someone asks you, step up. You've got nothing to lose, and everything to gain. No harm, no foul, take a chance.

People are my best trophy.

 

[CJD3]

“ People are my best trophy”

What a great closing statement Dan.

 

["J"]

Well put, Daniel…. Well put…..

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

Quite a feel good moment Dano.....

 

[giles]

 

[Dannmann801]

Now, back to the regularly scheduled asshole programming...

Rightly so, Rich was very cautious about anyone bringing ticks into the house, so we changed outside and checked before going in. Our boy says "check me..." and methinks to myself "meh, it'd be more fun to snap a quick photo and post it on the interweb...."

 

[Dustinb80]

That old man just wanted to see yall naked. Yall fell for that one.

 

[Outdoorsfellar]

I bet Brad Paisley was singing in the background ......

 

[Fletch]

Hey Dan... I'm outside washing the house and my dog goes nuts... I'm up on the ladder and look down and here comes a Sow with 2 of last year's cubs... Would have loved to see that happen while you were cutting up your bear.....

 

[Dannmann801]

I'd have filleted her on the hoof and had her join the party!