Dr. Ken Nordberg's do-it-yourself Black Bear Baiting & Hunting

Do-It-Yourself Black Bear Baiting & Hunting, Original 1990 Edition: a guide to hunting trophy-class black bears. Dr. Nordberg's original bear book published in 1990. Awarded a five-star rating by Amazon, it is used by state hunter education instructors, professional guides, experienced bear hunters and first-time bear hunters throughout North America. It has enabled countless hunters to take trophy-class black bears weighing 300-600 pounds or more..

John Nordberg -- Look carefully at the cover illustration. Notice the angle of the hunter to the bear. That is one of the keys to this book. Dr. Nordberg doesn't just get you out in the woods to hunt black bears, he shows you exactly how to plan for and get that perfect shot. The only other thing that I can add is, look at that table of contents! Every step, every detail, from start to finish is explained in a logical order. Can't beat it! For that matter, you can't get it either. This edition is no longer in print -- which doesn't really matter unless your a collector. You can get his revised 2001 Edition.

Table of Contents:

Foreward

Introduction
Ken's First Bear

Chapter 1: Things Hunters Should Know About Black Bears
Sizes and Weights
Sex Characteristics
Longevity
Coloration
Speed
Paws
Breeding
Gestation
Cubs, Yearlings and Subadults
Denning
Home Ranges
Feeding Cycles
Some Factors That Influence the Timing of Feeding Cycles
Winds
Precipitation
Human Activities
Are Black Bears Dangerous?
The Bear on the Knoll
The Bear That Came to Breakfast
Antidote for Danger

Chapter 2: Locating Productive Bait/Stand Sites
"Scattergun" Approach
"Let the Bears Do the Walking" Approach
"Go to the Bears" Approach
Where to Look for Bear Signs
Where Dogs Are Used to Hunt Black Bears
Recognizing and Interpreting Bear Signs
Bear Tracks
Bear Droppings
Signs of Feeding
Bear (Scratch) Trees
Dens
Mapping Bear Signs
Prerequisites of Productive Bait/Bear Sites
Adequate Bear Cover
Adequate Stand Cover
Minimal Change
Undisturbed Bears
Quick Transport of Carcass
Multiple Bait/Stand Sites and Distances Between Stands

Chapter 3: Bait/Stand Site Preparation
Black-Bear-Effective Stands
Dave's Trembling Balsam
Essential Bait/Stand Site Elements
When to Prepare a Bait/Stand Site
Stand Site Preparation
Stand Positioning
Stand Height
Stand Camouflage
Stand Comfort and Silence
Stand Safety
Bait Site Preparation
Dave's First Bear
Shooting Lane Preparation
Stand Trail Preparation
Bait Storage

Chapter 4: Baits and Baiting Tactics
Elements of Effectiveness
Competitive
Holding Power
Latent Attraction
Mask Human Odors
Long-Range Attraction
Recommended Baits
Meats
Vegetables and Grain
Fruits
Sweets
Cooking Oils and Greases
Baiting Tactics
How to Provide Baits
Time of Day to Provide Baits
The Rule of Six
Bait Amounts and Frequency of Baiting

Chapter 5: Preparing to Hunt Black Bears
Effective Weaponry
Points to Consider
Exit Wound Capability
The Myth of Firepower
Risky Head and Neck Shots
String Trackers
Recommended Weaponry
Developing "Perfect Bear Shot" Marksmanship
Develop a Shooting Groove
Become an Expert Marksman
Recognize Effective Heart Shot Angles
Concentrate on Making the Shot
Hunting Gear
Personal Scent Management
Bear Camp
John's Surprise
Pre-Hunt Planning
Length of Hunt
Hunting Hours
Meals
Baiting Hours
Bear Carcass Preservation
Ready at Last

Chapter 6: Hunting Black Bears over Bait
From Camper/Baiter to Black Bear Hunter
Body and Clothing
Boots
Headwear
Standpack Gear
Applying Camo to Exposed Skin
Cover Scent
Preparing Your Weapon
From Camp to Stand
The Direct Approach
The Noisy, Two-Man Approach
The Silent Approach
The Beginning Trail
The Middle Trail
The End Trail
Sounds That Identify Humans
A Bear at the Pit
From Stand Trail to Stand Platform
Using a Bear Lure
Honey Burn
Preparing a Weapon for Hauling up to a Stand
Climbing to Stand Platform
Buckling Up
Hauling Up a Weapon
Preparing for a Long Vigil
Preparing a Firearm for the Shot
Preparing Archery Gear for the Shot
Preparing Other Gear
Rain
Cooling Temperatures
Direct Sunlight
Biting Insects
Detecting Approaching Black Bears
How Black Bears Approach Bait Pits
Kevin's Lost Arrow
Avoiding a Black Bear's Sixth Sense
The Shot
Responses of Black Bears to Hits
Heart/Lung Hits
Other Hits
After the Shot
When to Begin Tracking
Recovering a Shot Black Bear
Three Rules for Safe and Effective Tracking
Trail Signs of Wounded Bears
Blood
Hair
Bone
Other Bodily Substances
Other Trail Signs
200-Plus-Yard Trails
Lost Trail
When All Else Fails
Night Tracking
Approaching a Downed Black Bear
Finishing Shots -- Down Black Bears
Finishing Shots -- Moving Bears
The Almost Mythical Charge
Kill Site Photos

Chapter 7: Black Bear Harvest
Field Dressing
Transporting Your Bear to Camp
A Bear Too Big to Handle
Dragging
Field and Camo Care of a Bear Carcass
Emergency Measures for Saving Bear Hide and Meat
Transporting Your Bear in a Vehicle
Skinning
Bear Rug Skinning
Shoulder Mount Skinning
Full Mount Skinning
Mounts with Snarling Lips
Butchering
Loins
Round Steaks
Shoulders
Everything Else
Trophy Bear Measurements
Bear Meat Magic
Eyebrow-Raising Bear Steaks
Mother Nature's Finest Stew
Black Bear Roast
Ground Bear

Epilogue: It Doesn't Get Any Better

Bibliography

do-it-yourself Black Bear Baiting & Hunting (copyright 1990)