Spring Bear 2023

[Animalmother]

He’s already called for ! Love it View attachment 267901View attachment 267902View attachment 267903
He is getting made into a bear rug. I wonder who will take over his spot at the bait

 

[westbranch]

Planning to actually hunt spring bear for the first time this year after being in ID 6+ years. Always had work or other family obligations get in the way. Will be spending 5-6 days hunting starting May 28 in a 2 bear area. There will be hounds and bait hunters out there but should still be a good time.

 

[choc dogs]

Never been serious about bears, but it’s a great time to be in the woods.

I’ll take a rifle for a walk or two with no intention of killing anything, but… if I see a big bear, in a cool color that’s easy to get out. Maybe.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I used to run them with my hounds, but it is far enough away from my house that it is too big of a time commitment with my kids getting older.

Fun animal to chase with dogs, bait, or spot and stalk.

I can do turkey close to the house so I'll likely get out a little for those, but that's not exactly as exciting as walking into a bayed up bruin.

 

[Red Fox]

I will get out early but really don't think i will see anything until May.

 

[Redside]

 

[David Gough]

Heading back to central Idaho this year for spring bear. Without giving away the unit, the snotel map SWE for the area is 102-128% above the median and significantly above last year. We hiked in May 8th last year and felt it was a little early. With the additional snowpack I'm trying to time this year's hunt. Thinking about leaving during the 3rd to 4th week of May.

What are people seeing on the ground in central Idaho for snow levels and access?

 

[brymoore]

I was planning my weekends into April/May and I’m contemplating bear hunting April 15th weekend. I put a nice boar to bed in his den in late October. We still have a lot of snow and I have my doubts about access until sometime in May.

 

[Elkmagnet]

Me sitting on my fat butt waiting for bear season to start.

 

[Pagosa]

I’m going out on the opening day with one Leopard hound and try to get a track going, taking a camera and a Turkey shotgun, don’t ever really want to shoot a black bear. Did tree this one last year. The area I’m going to has a lot of turkeys and I’ve seen bear tracks in there. Good luck out there.

 

[Elkguy1967]

Picked up my bait yesterday!

 

[Sask hunter]

Picked up my bait yesterday!
View attachment 268901

What did you get

 

[Elkguy1967]

1000 lbs of cookies and trail mix.

 

[CMF]

Should be heading for Idaho the first week of June for a couple of weeks. First spring bear hunt. We've had tags while elk hunting the last few years, but only ran across a sow with cubs.

 

[R*and*Y]

Spring bear hunting is a great time of year.

Just get after it.

 

[Sdbeaupr]

To early?

The first bear has been spotted in Yellowstone, so it’s about time for the annual Spring Bear thread.

Who’s ready for it? My plans are hunt an area close to home for late April, and try for turkey at the same time. May will put me in prime time for my unit, and then might make a weekend trip up north in June to a 2 tag unit.

Sound like a great plan! This is my first year in Idaho so I wanna use spring bear as practice for the fall. See some country, maybe even kill a bear. I’m north of you, up in Moscow, so we will see where I go.

 

[Trap]

I was just talking to my son about it. We are ready. (Not prepared ready just excited ready)Spring bear is a tradition and favorite hunt for both of us. Bait, hounds, spot and stalk we like it all.

 

[jeffpg]

I'll be finishing up a work project on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska just in time to grab an OTC tag and get in the mountains after a blackie.

 

[TheTone]

Me sitting on my fat butt waiting for bear season to start.


View attachment 268372

Recent?!? I’m so jealous of that open hillside

 

[Elkmagnet]

Recent?!? I’m so jealous of that open hillside

No that was a sow last season. We have some good openings but no green up yet.