Bear hunting pressure in the sapphires/pintlers Montana

[That7MagDude]

Planning our first Montana spring bear hunt from the other side of the state and narrowed it into the Sapphire/Pintler ranges. Was looking to see if anyone has first hand knowledge on how much pressure the Sapphires and Pintlers get. Like everyone else I prefer to see more animals than other hunters while I'm out. Any info on what we can expect would be great. We're headed to Anaconda next week for the Montana Trappers Association banquet and I plan to atleast get eyes on the range while we're there. Welcome to PMs with any info

 

[Hamms12oz]

Sapphires are easier to access and glass so consequently you'll see/run into a lot more people.
Pintlers are more remote with thick vegetation so glassing can be difficult but that comes with a lot less pressure.

Bears in both ranges so pick your poison.

 

[That7MagDude]

Sapphires are easier to access and glass so consequently you'll see/run into a lot more people.
Pintlers are more remote with thick vegetation so glassing can be difficult but that comes with a lot less pressure.

Bears in both ranges so pick your poison.

I assume the further from Missoula a guy gets the less pressure he sees?

 

[Hamms12oz]

I assume the further from Missoula a guy gets the less pressure he sees?

Ehhhhh to an extent haha bear hunting is becoming quite popular.
Get off the main roads/trails and you'll escape the pressure anywhere. Not many guys putting too much physical effort in for bears.

 

[Straight Arrow]

“The world is full of bastards, the number increasing rapidly the further one gets from Missoula, Montana.”
― Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It

 

[GHOXP]

There have been a few reports of grizzlies in the Pintlers, but nothing like the Bob or GYE. The Pintlers would be an awesome spot to spring bear hunt! Good luck!

 

[Beignet]

There have been a few reports of grizzlies in the Pintlers, but nothing like the Bob or GYE. The Pintlers would be an awesome spot to spring bear hunt! Good luck!

There’s a few grizzlies poking around in the Sapphires as well.

 

[rjthehunter]

We cut some grizzly tracks in the pintlers when moose hunting a couple of years ago. Lots of black bear sign too. I wouldn't hesitate to hunt it for black bears!

 

[mtmuley]

There’s a few grizzlies poking around in the Sapphires as well.

You see one?. mtmuley

 

[Bulldog0156]

I'd imagine you would want to go as late as possible in the pintlers.

 

[Beignet]

You see one?. mtmuley

I have not. The area might not be crawling with them at this very moment, but it’s a place that I believe that they’re beginning to use with more frequency.

You and I have discussed a legislature approved FWP release site in ______ Creek via PM in the past.

Here’s a snippet from Jamie Jonkel’s Missoula Bears website, dated April 8, 2024:

“BITTERROOT (EAST SIDE)

Grizzly Bear: FWP has received verified reports of grizzly bear tracks in the area. Please contact Jamie Jonkel with any reports of grizzly bear activity in the area. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.”

I didn’t offer a ton of context in my previous comment and can see how it’d be misinterpreted as “the place is lousy with them.” Thats not the case. But, I think it’d be disingenuous of me to tell someone that’s there’s zero likelihood that there’s grizzly bears in the area.

 

[That7MagDude]

I was working under the mindset that if I'm hunting for bear I expect to see bear, meaning either flavor. Somewhat surprised to hear it's not crawling with them given it's location between yellowstone and the 100 units

 

[INMT]

They can lurk anywhere close to their range. I hunt a small range near glacier and have found tracks, never seen one in person or on a cam.

Where I elk hunt is a different story. Multiple sightings a season.

 

[Beignet]

I was working under the mindset that if I'm hunting for bear I expect to see bear, meaning either flavor.

Anymore that’s a good mindset to have in Western MT. They're increasingly showing up in a lot of places where they haven’t been for a bit.

 

[That7MagDude]

Anymore that’s a good mindset to have in Western MT. They're increasingly showing up in a lot of places where they haven’t been for a bit.

When I lived in choteau they were in town once in a while and a mom and Cubs ended up in a grain bin on the edge of town. Now they're in the bear paws. Won't be surprised if they make it to peck in the next decade

 

[Beignet]

When I lived in choteau they were in town once in a while and a mom and Cubs ended up in a grain bin on the edge of town. Now they're in the bear paws. Won't be surprised if they make it to peck in the next decade

Their expansion east out of the front has really been something else. Must be a trip to walk home from the bar late at night in Choteau or Augusta anymore.

 

[INMT]

Their expansion east out of the front has really been something else. Must be a trip to walk home from the bar late at night in Choteau or Augusta anymore.

Dog at you or your kids side.

 

[Pagosa]

I haven't been in the area mentioned but we hunted last fall north of 90 and seen several tracks of grizzlies in Region 2. And I seen two sub adult grizzlies by Helmville off hwy 279 about 2 summers ago. So I couldn't imagine they wouldn't cross I 90 and move south. There are quite a few along the Blackfoot River and adjacent mountains. I would just make sure its a black bear before shooting.

 

[CallmePorter]

I assume the further from Missoula a guy gets the less pressure he sees?

My best bears have been closer to Missoula... seems a lot of folks don't like hunting where the mountain bikes and golden retrievers also roam.