Colorado Black Bear Acorns

[silver15tacoma]

Hello, I am thinking of heading to west/southwestern Colorado hopping to fill a rifle Black Bear tag.

My plan was to hunt in acorn rich areas and hopefully stumble upon a bear. I have heard from a few sources that the acorn crop is really bad this year due to how dry it’s been. Can anyone confirm or deny that? Worth giving it a shot or waiting until a better acorn year? I’ve done extensive e-scouting on areas I’d like to hunt just can’t tell how the acorns are doing on a computer screen haha. Thank you in advance.

 

[Poser]

Can confirm: There are very limited acorns in the Southwest this year. All of my usual spots except for one are devoid of acorns. The area that has some is spotty at best with many underdeveloped in size. You can find some acorns right next to roads where there is more water seepage. If you can find some concentration of acorns, you will find bears, but what mast is there is going to go quick. If you're going to to do it, I'd get out there asap.

 

[JohnnyB]

Not Colorado specific but I have had success in the past by finding the limited resource. In heavy years there is too much ground to cover. One thing is certain; the bears will be eating something.

 

[stalkingwolf]

My daughter got this one this morning. It was the ninth bear we saw. If you can find the pockets that produced acorns this year the bears will be thick. CPW estimated he is a 5-6 year old boar. Not her biggest but a decent bear