To find big fall black bears, look for their favourite foods. Here’s how

Hunters often overlook fall black bears in favour of ungulates, but bear meat and hides are at their best late in the year. Since they’ll be in a feeding frenzy of sorts and fattening up for winter, bears near agricultural lands will feed heavily on grains, especially oats, as well as fruits where available. Forest bears, meanwhile, will focus on berries and nuts.

Find where they’re feeding—scat is good evidence—then set up with a favourable wind, wait and let them come to you. When hunting in big country, glass for bears in burns and clearcuts with nearby heavy timber, or on the north-facing slopes of drainages where you have good sight lines.

Throughout early fall, daytime temperatures can be warm, so hunt the shoulder hours. As temperatures cool, however, bears will become more active throughout the day. Since these predators are opportunistic feeders, calling can also produce in the fall.