Bear Hunting Pisgah Bear Management Areas

freshtracks27

Button Buck
Hi All,

I'm fairly new to WNC hunting/fishing and have been using this forum for the past year or so to build knowledge, appreciate all the answers and insight everyone has submitted. I'm having real trouble trying to understand how the "Bear Management Areas" work in terms of bear hunting (appears they were previously Bear Sanctuary areas??). I'm seeing in the regs book that specific to Pisgah NF, bear hunting on Daniel Boone and Mt. Mitchell Designated Bear Management Areas is by permit only. What about the "Pisgah Bear Management area"? I see no permits at all listed on the gooutdoorsnc website (maybe just time of year) and would really appreciate any insight on if it is possible to bear hunt this management area and how to apply if needed. Archery or rifle, no dogs. Thank you all in advance.
 

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freshtracks27 said:
Hi All,

I'm fairly new to WNC hunting/fishing and have been using this forum for the past year or so to build knowledge, appreciate all the answers and insight everyone has submitted. I'm having real trouble trying to understand how the "Bear Management Areas" work in terms of bear hunting (appears they were previously Bear Sanctuary areas??). I'm seeing in the regs book that specific to Pisgah NF, bear hunting on Daniel Boone and Mt. Mitchell Designated Bear Management Areas is by permit only. What about the "Pisgah Bear Management area"? I see no permits at all listed on the gooutdoorsnc website (maybe just time of year) and would really appreciate any insight on if it is possible to bear hunt this management area and how to apply if needed. Archery or rifle, no dogs. Thank you all in advance.
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No permits on the Pisgah area in Buncombe and Henderson.

The greenies went nuts about it.

Maybe next year. I know where some nice ones are.
 
appmtnhntr said:
No permits on the Pisgah area in Buncombe and Henderson.

The greenies went nuts about it.

Maybe next year. I know where some nice ones are.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the quick reply. Does next year mean there is still a chance for permits in fall of 2025 or have they already stated none for the upcoming season?
 
Acorns are heavy this year. Go for a walk with the wind in your face.

I’ve seen a couple in daylight so far scouting for deer.

Just hunt like you would deer hunt and you’ll see bears.
 
appmtnhntr said:
Acorns are heavy this year. Go for a walk with the wind in your face.

I’ve seen a couple in daylight so far scouting for deer.

Just hunt like you would deer hunt and you’ll see bears.
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I will cedtainly scout for acorns and keep wind in mind. The permit specifies “still hunting only”… which is a pretty gray area when having to walk “the long way” in and out. In your experience, do the bear stay in denser areas or should I strive to find an opening/cut with diverse vegetation and water (even if less acorns)?
 
AES said:
The permit specifies “still hunting only”…which is a pretty gray area when having to walk “the long way” in and out.
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still hunting just means sans dogs,,,,

classic still hunting is not sitting in a stand,,, it's slowly easing through the habitat, sometimes stopping for a long while, sometimes a short while,,, it's moving through the woods like a ghost, attempting to see the quarry before they see / smell / hear you,,,,

my favorite way to hunt,,, in fact, never owned a "tree stand" until 1995,,,,,,and I started hunting in 1972
 
Great news! I was hoping that I misunderstood the distinction. A couple other permit areas I have drawn for deer were genuinely “blind” only. Great to hear I will have some latitude to observe multiple areas.
 
AES said:
Great news! I was hoping that I misunderstood the distinction. A couple other permit areas I have drawn for deer were genuinely “blind” only. Great to hear I will have some latitude to observe multiple areas.
Click to expand...

depends on the county/gamelands rules - they can supersede what is "traditional",,,,,,
 
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