Montana spring bear

[174in]

Hi guys planing to do a spring bearhunt in Montana this year during the last week of May.I was told to have a good pair of binos.I have decided on Leupolds but need an idea of what power and mm you guys think would be good? I was thinking an 8x42 or a 10x42 what are your thoughts?Looking for a new challenge and I think this hunt would fit the bill OYO public land.I have never done any bear hunting of any kind so this will be all new to me.Another reason for doing this hunt is to prospect some hunting spots for future mule deer and elk.Another question I have is if I would have a good chance during this time of year finding some shed antlers or would I be to high in elevation?Thanks for any help you can give me I am certain I will have alot more questions.

 

[Gerald Martin]

It sounds like your asking the right questions. I've got a couple opinions for you. First off go with the 10X42 binos. Your prospecting for mulie and elk is most likely going to be a false scent by the time deer and elk season come around. You will see lots of both while your hunting bears but you have to realize that most of the time they are in their winter/spring range or else transitioning to summer range. It can give you a clue as to how many animals are around but you'll probably need to look a lot higher come hunting season.

About the shed antlers. Depends what time of year you are hunting. Later in the season the bigger bears do tend to be higher but most often where I hunt (season closes May 15) there is still snow up high so the majority of the bears tend to be where the elk are shedding. Around here the majority of elk are shedding April 5-15 so the ranges do overlap. I would keep your eyes open for sheds. Keep in mind this might all change according to the migration/wintering habits of deer and elk. Here they don't migrate long distances, they just drop down lower on the ridges to winter.

Good luck, you'll have a fun hunt. Find the grass and glass till your eyes water.

 

[HUNTMAN]

I would go with 10/42 also. I like logging roads and a bike for me.

 

[Breaks Runner]

A good spotter and tripod are also very important for a spring black bear hunt....dont try to save a few pounds by leaving them in the truck before you climb the mountain. Every time I leave my spotter behind, I always regret it.

Get in shape....start now!

 

[----]

I usually find a lot of sheds during spring bear. In the areas I hunt, the bears feed pretty close to the deer and elk in May, maybe just a little higher in elevation.

Find the freshest grass you can (like half inch, just sprouting), and be absolutely glued to your glass the last two hours of light, this is when most the action happens. The best spots are usually just below snowline, on SE facing slopes. Hike during the day looking for sign on slopes that fit this description, and glass the hell out of them at first light and last light.

I couldn't find anything last spring in my normal spots. An experienced bear hunter on here told me this advice above, and bears started popping up everywhere.

Some other advice- get some permethrine spray and use it. It'll be a lot more enjoyable hunt if you're not constantly checking yourself for ticks.

Out of curiosity, what part of the state are you looking at?

 

[belly-deep]

I usually find a lot of sheds during spring bear. In the areas I hunt, the bears feed pretty close to the deer and elk in May, maybe just a little higher in elevation.

Find the freshest grass you can (like half inch, just sprouting), and be absolutely glued to your glass the last two hours of light, this is when most the action happens. The best spots are usually just below snowline, on SE facing slopes. Hike during the day looking for sign on slopes that fit this description, and glass the hell out of them at first light and last light.

SE facing slopes? Why is that? I would have guessed the SW facing slopes would green up faster. I'm no bear expert though.

 

[----]

My guess - SE slopes stay more humid, which creates higher protein grasses.

I've always hunted SW slopes and done alright, but at the advice of someone else stopped hunting the obvious green grass and started looking at the budding stuff, and it helped me. You've gotta be flexible though. I'm sure every range and unit is different.

And it's not like they don't wander and search out different feed. You find them where you find them. Having a plan on where to start never hurts though.

 

[174in]

I usually find a lot of sheds during spring bear. In the areas I hunt, the bears feed pretty close to the deer and elk in May, maybe just a little higher in elevation.

Find the freshest grass you can (like half inch, just sprouting), and be absolutely glued to your glass the last two hours of light, this is when most the action happens. The best spots are usually just below snowline, on SE facing slopes. Hike during the day looking for sign on slopes that fit this description, and glass the hell out of them at first light and last light.

I couldn't find anything last spring in my normal spots. An experienced bear hunter on here told me this advice above, and bears started popping up everywhere.

Some other advice- get some permethrine spray and use it. It'll be a lot more enjoyable hunt if you're not constantly checking yourself for ticks.


Out of curiosity, what part of the state are you looking at?

I am looking into hunting 103 or 106.I dont have a clue on bear hunting but you guys seem to be helping me learn the basics.I will be hunting may 22nd till the 28th do you think there will still be a snow pack at this time of year?If not should I just go as high as possible?

 

[174in]

Man am I exited about this hunt and I dont even think the odds of me getting a bear are that great.I still got alot of planning to do.I took the bear ID test this summer and passed also took it again the other night.Cant wait to hunt Montana as I have never been there.Hunting around here is getting less and less satisfying each year all we have is deer just whitetail deer and not many of them anymore.Sitting in a treestand is getting harder for me I need to stretch my legs and hunt some other big game animals.I was pronghorn hunting in wyoming this fall and loved the change.I told the wife its going to be 1 or 2 hunting trips a year out west from here on out.I am trying to learn some things other than midwest hunting so when my boy is old enough to hunt I can take him.All I ever wanted do since I was old enough to hunt is to travel the country hunting different game,now I am 32 and just getting started.

 

[belly-deep]

I am looking into hunting 103 or 106.I dont have a clue on bear hunting but you guys seem to be helping me learn the basics.I will be hunting may 22nd till the 28th do you think there will still be a snow pack at this time of year?If not should I just go as high as possible?

Hard to say what the snow will be like then, it all depends on the weather

There will definately be snow somewhere up high though.

If you want to scout out a place to return to for elk and deer, 103 and 106 are probably not great choices to come and hunt in.

 

[thecrittergitter]

Here is an awesome bear and a nice 6 point elk shed from the same day. Don't find a lot of sheds typically while bear hunting but have found a few.

The week you will be here is good. Up in that country you are going to, really glass up the old and new clearcuts. Also any snowchutes that have new grass will be a great spot. Lots of bears and some big ones in that country.

 

[drahthaar]

Belly-deep is right, while you will surely see bears in 103 and 106, you will probably be something less than thrilled about the deer and elk you see. I think you are doing it right by choosing those districts if you want to hunt this part of the state as the season goes to May 31.
There are other parts of the state where the season dates go until June 15, with the snow pack we are getting this year that is something you may consider. But for 103 and 106, you should be good. Why they won't put the season dates to June 15 up here is beyond me, kind of irritating.

 

[drahthaar]

Here are some 103 and 106 bears. Lots of color phase bears in 103, blondes, "reds", or cinnamon, browns.

And absolutely no shortage of

 

[Gerald Martin]

My advice would be to forget about the deer and elk potential and sheds, and just hunt for bears. You picked a great area for bears and you won't be bored. Don't downgrade your expectations for success. I'd say you have an excellant chance of killing a bear. IMO spring bear hunting offers about the best guarrentee for success to the hunter who spends enough time and puts his hiking shoes on.

Your dates are perfect. There will be snow some places but there will be a lot more places that the bears will be out and feeding. You're in for a fun hunt.
My favorite places to glass are clearcuts and gated logging roads. Keep in mind that grass is the key to spring bears . It doesn't have to be tall grass but if you keep that one thing in mind it will help you narrow your focus down. I've found that when bears find a place they like they will often feed there for several days. If you find bear scat in a certain grassy area you can be sure he is likely to be there again that night. Make sure you keep the wind in your favor. That is a bear's number one defense and a big boar won't come into the open if he can smell you or where you've been lately.

 

[Horn Seeker]

Drath... I'm thinking you might need some sort of a special permit to harvest one of them last 4 "color phase" bears (last 3 pics)....

 

[drahthaar]

Wouldn't that be a trip!

 

[174in]

This is some great info,thanks to everyone that responded.This info really helps.As far as the deer and elk I guess I will look else where another time for a spot to hunt them.I wish I would have done this hunt years ago.Like anything else I figure I will be able to do this hunt for a 3rd of the price than what an outfitter would charge me.The one thing about the tag that I question is if I will still be able to get a non res ta for $350.00 or if they are going to raise the price.I know the deer and elk tags are going up in price this year.

 

[drahthaar]

I would contact the Flathead and Kootenai National Forest offices and buy the big colored travel maps. You will see what land is what, NF, State, Private, etc. What you will see with those two maps is TONS of national forest, much of it gated off. Get on Google earth, look at the roads and the clearcuts and the avalanche chutes. And plan on bringing your mtn bike to peddle in behind some gates.

 

[Gerald Martin]

As far as I know bear tags will stay $350.

 

[174in]

sounds good I should be able to do this trip for less than$1000.00 with everything