Bear Season 2026 is coming

[stayzeroed]

We are less than 2 months out from the start of Bear season in some Western states. With that said, here are some questions for the group:


1) Do you think the unseasonable winter (so far) in Western states will have an impact on bear hunting? The caveat is that Snowtel seems to indicate higher elevation snow fall is near average. I also know that some areas can get hammered with snow in April.

2) What new piece of gear did you acquire over the fall/winter specifically for spring bear? Why?

3) Were you able to maintain your mountain-ready level of fitness over the last few months? If not, are you getting back into it?

 

[WoodlandCritter]

1. This will only be my second bear season, but it has been incredibly mild in my area and I'm anticipating bears up and moving a lot earlier.

2. Nothin' just for bears. Got a new general purpose hunting rifle because I like guns.

3. Nope. Been focused on bulking all winter with all my exercise being heavy lifting, no cardio. Giving myself 'till the end of February then I'm throttling back to ~2600kcal a day and re-introducing cardio to my routine. Hopefully that'll be in time to make getting up the mountain a little easier.

 

[Cal67]

1. I’m hoping so, but not expecting a lot of movement away from the den until green up. Sometimes an early spring can be more challenging in that green up is not as gradual, causing bears to disperse rather than be concentrated on green patches (in the areas I hunt in Alberta anyway).

2. Nothing yet. May pick up a solid coloured mid layer for spotting ticks easier…

3. Been hitting the spin bike and leg strength exercises (lunges, split-squats, etc.) a few days a week but I’m sure I’ll still be wheezing my way up the first hill in April