MT spring bear hunt

[Wapiti Warrior]

Hi,

I have never hunted black bear and am thinking about trying it this spring. I have seen several bears in the little belts and was thinking about hunting that area, but I don't ever hear any talk about bear harvests in the little belts? I am not looking for spots, just if I might be better off trying somewhere else? I do understand bears are where you find them, just like any animal :hump:

Thanks for any information or suggestions.

(I know I am early on this but am pretty excited to give it a try)

John

 

[mdunc8]

I have a buddy who works in the Little Belts and they saw quite a few this year. I don't have any experience hunting up there, but there are bears.

 

[Wapiti Warrior]

That's good to know thanks!

John

 

[Wapiti Warrior]

I am also wondering how many of you cape your own bear out or do you let the taxidermist do it? I know IF I shoot a bear I will skin it down to the head and feet but I don't want to ruin it.

I am still researching where to hunt.

John

 

[CabinFever]

A friend from of mine from Great Falls kills a bear there every spring, and sees plenty it seems like.

I skin mine to the head and feet and leave the rest for the taxidermist.

 

[whiskeydog]

i always see a ton of sign in the area that i archery hunt. been thinking about trying spring bear there also... little belts are pretty rugged with a TON of cover. i've never seen one during archery, but in the spring, when the meadows green up, i would imagine it could be a decent spot.

 

[huntRme]

I am also wondering how many of you cape your own bear out or do you let the taxidermist do it? I know IF I shoot a bear I will skin it down to the head and feet but I don't want to ruin it.



John

I've skinned a few deer heads and never messed one up. Don't know if bears are the same, but you can't get lazy around the eyes. Skin into the mouth so you get all the lips. I leave the ears for the taxidermist. Never done feet.

 

[JLS]

I would look closer to Billings.

I skin mine all the way out except for the feet. Don't salt the head, otherwise it'll be a nightmare for your taxi when he is trying to do the lips and ears after they've dried out. Get the hide on ice or in the freezer.

 

[earlybird]

Little Belts have a ton of bears and quite a bit of public land. Drive loggin roads and glass green clearings. Be ready to move when you see one. Monarch, is a good place to start.

 

[Mato]

If I were you I'd be checking out the mountains closest to you. Pryors would be a good hint...

 

[Art Vandeley]

Be ready to move when you see one is a good tip. Most of the spring bears that I have seen are feeding pretty heavily and they move a lot at the same time so if you decide you want to take one, make your move and keep the wind in your face.

 

[JLS]

If I were you I'd be checking out the mountains closest to you. Pryors would be a good hint...

Kind of what I was thinking.

 

[Wapiti Warrior]

Thanks, I have looked into the pryors. They have lots of bears but the quota gets met pretty fast and it gets hunted pretty hard from everyone in the south east part of the state. I bow/rifle hunt the belts a little each year and see bears in the fall. I like to get away from other hunters.

I appreciate all the info...
John

 

[Mato]

Keep in mind John that the areas you see bruins in the fall may not neccessarily be the areas you see bruins in the spring and vice versa...just a thunk