2024 Spring Bear Thread

[Oregonhuntrboi]

First bear for me.

 

[IDVortex]

First bear for me.

Congrats, how long have you been trying?

 

[Oregonhuntrboi]

Congrats, how long have you been trying?

Thank you! Second season trying.

 

[Hunt4life]

archery spot an stock also good to have beasts for buddies lol

 

[wildwilderness]

Still a foot of snow at my bait site

 

[Taudisio]

First big game animal with the suppressor. Definitely a game changer. Taken 4/26, the meat is back from the butcher, it is fantastic.

 

[Akmoosabou]

Still a foot of snow at my bait site

Same same

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Searched diligently in northwest MT for a week. Finally found the area on the next to last day and saw a beautiful cinnamon on the last night, but couldn’t get in position for a shot in time. That was the only one we saw all week. Had a blast. Saw about every other big game animal. Plan to try again next year. Bear hunting is fun. Congrats to all y’all who got/get one.

 

[bluesulphur]

Same same

I'm hoping to get closer to mine by the end of this week. Last week's storm dropped two feet of fresh stuff, but it warmed up pretty quick.

 

[Ron.C]

Just returned from my spring bear hunt. I live on Vancouver Island and it's only about a 2 hour drive from home to my bear hunting area on the west coast side of the Island.

On the drive in (Friday Afternoon) saw 3 bears, nothing big but still good to see. I got camp setup, which is high on an old spur, about 200m from my glassing spot. Can see several prime south west facing slopes from here and right away spotted a bear. Within half out I was looking a 4 bears feeding in the same area withing about 300 yards of each other. The highest bear was definitly a big one. I was content to sit and watch as it was the first of 5 available days.

First morning was a beauty. No need to rush when hunting bears here. I had a a couple cups of coffee and some breakfast.

Headed out to the glassing spot. Surprisingly, saw only one small bear. After a couple hours headed down to a lower spot thinking maybe with the hot weather I'd see one in down lower.

Didn't take long. Snapped a pic. as I watched he stood and gave me a great broadside. I shoot a 7mm-08 and usually shoot 140gr barnes but switched it up this year to 139gr Hornady Interlocks. Bears don't go far when double lunged with a ttsx but have never had one drop. Well, luckily for me, this was the first one to do just that.

He was a decent bear (we are allowed 2) so I thought I'd take him. Not much of a pic post shot. Was a nasty spot and was worried he would roll off into the "jungle" so snapped a quick pic and got to work as the forecast had it for 28 deg C.

Got back to camp mid afternoon, cleaned up and spent the rest of daylight at the glassing spot. Saw 11 bears that evening, but all were smaller.

The next morning, hit a different glassing spot overlooking the pacific ocean. Saw a few more bears but none were large. Headed back to another glassing spot across the valley from camp (where I could see the same hillside as night 1) but from different angle and right off saw a big bear, near the spot I saw the high one on night one (most likely the same bear). He was working his way across a big washout that I had crossed in previous years. I headed over and saw him from just over 400 yards so I started to pick my way across the washout. A couple times sent large rocks cascading down, figure I'd let everything withing 500m know I'm there. Anyhow, kept at it and finally made it across. Glassed what I could see but nothing. I slowly make my way further and see a log pile about 100m ahead on a outside corner. I head to that and I can see another 100 m across and no bear. At this point I'm sure I spooked him and step out from behind the log. $%^& There he (what I later paced at 17 steps) facing me in a dip, I was right ontop of him and had no idea. Up with the rifle, bang. I am not an advocate of head shots, but it seemed fitting at the time(not like I really thought about it).

Anyhow, heart was racing to say the least. Tood me 3 trips to pack him out across that wash which was bruital on one the knees.
Got him back to camp and on ice. Enjoyed the rest of the evening over a fire and ice cold beer.

 

[BowMan86]

Just got back from a hunt here in Alaska. We went 3/3 on 3 nice boars. Had a great time and had some okay views from camp.

 

[IDVortex]

Just got back from a hunt here in Alaska. We went 3/3 on 3 nice boars. Had a great time and had some okay views from camp.

Always wish I had a few buddies who wanted to do something like this. Hunting the inlets off of boats I've always thought would be enjoyable.

 

[Jmort1754]

Speaking of the Alaska hunt, can this done DIY or did you need a guide to do that?

 

[MQQSE]

 

[MQQSE]

Son and I just spent a week on Kuiu searching for a big one. This one more than fit the bill. It was an amazing week with great memories.

 

[SLDMTN]

Just out of the field, sitting in Chignik Lagoon. Great clients, mother/daughter combo (daughter’s tag). Four seasons of weather almost every day. Amazing adventure guiding for Vast Alaska.

 

[BowMan86]

Speaking of the Alaska hunt, can this done DIY or did you need a guide to do that?

DIY

 

[Moose8]

I'm flying out this weekend heading to Alberta for a black bear hunt. It's a company trip that one of our West coast reps couldn't make so I was "called up from the minors" haha. It'll be my first bear hunt but super pumped! I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can in the next few days so share/pm any important info. you think I need. Thanks everyone!

 

[TCUHunter34]

I'm flying out this weekend heading to Alberta for a black bear hunt. It's a company trip that one of our West coast reps couldn't make so I was "called up from the minors" haha. It'll be my first bear hunt but super pumped! I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can in the next few days so share/pm any important info. you think I need. Thanks everyone!

I just need to know what company you work for! Have fun, good luck!

 

[Moose8]

Just got back from a hunt here in Alaska. We went 3/3 on 3 nice boars. Had a great time and had some okay views from camp.

That looks incredible man. It's on the bucket list to hunt in Alaska for sure