3 tips to judge black bear size before your hunt this fall

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 13, 2026

One of the biggest challenges new bear hunters face is estimating the size of a black bear as it slips into view during the waning hours of daylight. Here are the top three proven tips I have given my hunting clients. If the bear has ears that pop up and appear wide and rounded, that’s a small bear. Big ears, little bear. Little ears, big bear. If it appears the bear is dragging its belly on the ground, you may have a bear of a lifetime in front of you. Long legs on a bear typically indicate an immature bear. ~ John Floyd