By Jana Waller

     Proper introductions are always a good place to start when meeting someone new. Consider this first piece a proverbial firm handshake and a smile since I am the new western bear hunting contributor. It’s nice to meet you and great to be here. My name is Jana Waller and I’m a passionate bear enthusiast, admirer, and hunter. I come from a hunting family rooted in the Midwest but I’ve been a Montana resident for the past thirteen years. I notched my first bear tag after a couple weeks of spot and stalk style hunting in the Bitterroot Mountains years back and have been bitten by the bear bug ever since. I love watching bears in the wild as much as hunting them, and I think most bear hunters would agree. Every time I see one I consider it a gift, and notching my tag is always done with reverence.

    While I grew up cutting my teeth on pheasants and whitetails in Wisconsin, I’ve been blessed to pursue other big game species from antelope and elk to moose and bighorns. However I hunt ursus americanus more than any other species and have become passionate about all methods and means of hunting bears. I enjoy the physical exertion and vast scenery that comes with spot and stalk hunting, but I’ve also grown to love running my own bear baits every year in Idaho with my business partner Heath. 

     I’ve learned over the years that bear hunting is often very misunderstood by not only the general public but also by many hunters. That’s another reason why I was excited to tackle this bimonthly column in Bear Hunting Magazine. Too often I’ve seen comments on social media such as, “I’m a deer hunter but I’d never shoot a bear.” I’m hoping to shed some light on not only the how and when, but the bigger topic of why bear hunting is not only exciting but necessary. Predator hunting is a vital part of the wildlife management puzzle and black bears play an important role in the health of the herds and other wildlife across the country. 

     I’ve hunted bears over the years with a variety of weapons from compound bows to long range rifles, and even a .429 desert eagle pistol. I’ve hunted from treestands, ground blinds, with hounds, and, my personal favorite, the adrenaline filled method of sitting among them on the ground without any blind. There’s nothing more exciting than being at their level, watching in all directions, and catching movement through the thick woods. All styles of bear hunting have their unique characteristics and I look forward to dissecting different methods in future issues. 

     Baiting bears is another passion of mine and I feel quite lucky to have had the opportunity to bait in Idaho, Alaska, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. It’s always fun deciding what’s on the menu and we’ve found success over the years with a plethora of tips and tricks that I’m happy to share. Baiting is often misunderstood and frequently conjures up negativity on social media, but more often than not it's from those who’ve never actually baited themselves. The preparation alone is a lot of work, but like most things, when it’s a passion it’s a labor of love. From hiking in the barrels and tree stands to checking trail cameras and maneuvering the unpredictable mountain weather, I love every aspect of bear baiting. I hope to help banish some of the misconceptions and encourage others to be supportive of the process.

      I look forward to diving into deep conversations with people, learning about their challenges and success stories, and to open the dialogue with hunters and non hunters alike. I’m aware that if you are reading Bear Hunting Magazine you are most likely already a seasoned hunter, but I’d like to encourage you to pass along your magazine. Maybe the neighbor would find it interesting or leave it in the break room at work. Better yet, gather up all of your magazines and send them to military bases or overseas to our troops who love to escape into the pages of hunting magazines and know they’re appreciated for their service.

     From delicious bear meat recipes and unique taxidermy ideas to sharing detailed stories from the hunt, my hope is to pass along my passion for bears, their important role on the landscape, and a strong understanding for protecting the hunt. My love of bear hunting has been an evolutionary process over the years but there’s always more to learn. I’m honored to be a contributor, to stand tall behind predator hunting, and to strengthen our community of bear hunters.

 

Jana Waller is the Executive Producer and Host of Skull Bound Chronicles, a hunting and conservation series on CarbonTV. Previously she produced and hosted Skull Bound TV for nine years on The Sportsman Channel. She’s been a lifelong hunter and ardent conservationist, belonging to numerous conservation organizations for which she raises money with her painted and beaded skull artwork. Jana was appointed to the Federal Hunting And Shooting Sports Conservation Council in 2019 and served a term as a Montana Wildlife Commissioner. She resides in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana and is a member of the Mule Deer Foundation, Safari Club International, Wild Sheep Foundation, National Turkey Federation, NRA, Sportsman Alliance, Sportsmen For Fish & Wildlife, and the Western Bear Foundation.