Lookin back on last year

[drahthaar]

Since I don't keep a journal, I went back and looked at my pictures from bear hunting last year. I didn't see a bear until May 11.

I thought it was so late because of the huge snows last winter. Even with the relatively light snows down low this year, I still haven't seen a bear. Went out again until dark tonight and saw nothing. Starting to think these creatures are pretty habitual regardless of the winter. Its like they are all penned up somewhere waiting for someone to open the gates and let them out!!

Did see 5 bulls, a herd of elk running through the timber, and a pile of deer.

Going to the MT FWP trapping class tomorrow, so no hunting this weekend.

 

[Mato]

I've kept a journal sort of, I kind of have a bit of an idea about bruins. have studied them prettty dang hard since 82. This is just me, but it's been my experience that year in and year out the winters just don't matter. Whether they're tough ones like 2 years ago, or the light kind we had this last winter. I feel that the bruins come out hot and heavy in and around the 13th of May.

Sure we can find bruins earlier on than that, and from time to time a corker is killed earlier. But, year in and year out I'd bet on not much truly getting going till we get in and around the 13th. Many have told me I'm wrong and I sure as heck could be, but for me and my experience I'll stick by that.

Like I said I don't know much about bruins but I can darn sure guarantee that I know absolutely nothing about them in your part of the state!

I think that we're gonna get hit with weather this weekend. My wife and I were out tonight and we could see it coming into the Gallatin valley pretty well. But after we get thru this weekend it looks like some nice weather about mid week. I feel that about that time people will begin to get into them and we'll begin to see some hit the turf.

Earlier than this I feel that most bruins spotted are either juvi's or momma's with young. I know of one big one out right now but he's being rather shy, other than that most of the others are smallish or single family mothers....

Of the big spring bruins I've been around taken (19" plus) one was a April bruin, the others were late May (all 3 were on May 27th if you can imagine that). We've taken some big fall bruins but I'm not counting them here.

Long and the short, I think the best is just around the corner and things will rock big time soon!

Stay the course, watch the weather and roll with it. On a side note, in regards with spring weather if'n it's rocking and a rolling out there I'm staying home and watching MLB and not wasting my gas or time....grin

Best of luck to ya and enjoy your time on the hill!

 

[shoots-straight]

Going to the MT FWP trapping class tomorrow, so no hunting this weekend.

Welcome to the brotherhood!

 

[shoots-straight]

I have seen a lot of bear towards the end of the first week of May. Just over the hill in Idaho, I baited for over decade, and by April 15th the bears were waiting for dinner. They would get into my stash point and steal buckets that I had fun finding.

 

[drahthaar]

I have only started putting any kind of effort into bears about 2 years ago. I just don't understand WHERE they are?

Do they den up high on the mountain where there is still feet of snow and they literally just arent out and about yet? Do they stick near the den and kind of go in and out of slumber? Just don't quite understand it.

That is why it sure seems like they are penned up somewhere and are waiting to get out. Because once I started seeing some, it was crazy.

 

[MTPharmHunter]

Saw my first bears of the year today. 2:00 at about 6400 feet a brown sow and two tiny little cubs.