DIY Idaho Spring Black Bear...questions??

[jballeau1689]

After 4 years in the USMC I'm getting out and heading home. Ive missed every hunting season since '09 due to being deployed overseas or training exercises and now I finally have a chance to do what Ive missed most. Ill be driving through Idaho mid-late April and want to do a spring black bear hunt. Im looking at Units 10 & 12 due to the amount of bears harvested year after year. I talked to a game warden who's pointing me towards those two units as well, plus everything I've read on forums. Today i ordered maps from Idaho fish and game and the bureau of land management, and U.S. Forest Service for those two units. According to what Ive read, this time may be a little early but this is the time I have available and am going to make the best of it. I want to do a spot and stalk while I'm here, I don't mind hiking all day and covering ground, maybe a little calling for fun; already preparing for weather, snow conditions and such. I'm interested in camping and working from there, or continuously moving camp. Im looking for anyone that can give me any hints, information, or what to expect. Seeing that all I have are maps and unit numbers, if theres anyone that could help narrow down the massive amount of land to a more precise location would be a huge help. Any little bit of help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

Justin

 

[Idaho1]

Justin-
Thank you for your service!
I live near (couple of hours) from unit 10. I has a lot of bears and also has a lot of cover for them to stay out of plain sight. The higher altitude areas are where thing open up a lot for spotting a feeding bear. Most years those higher altitude areas will still be under snow and inaccessible, in early to mid april. Clear cuts are also good for glassing and finding bears and they can be found at all altitude... early season, I would think southern exposure clear-cuts at mid level to low level altitude for the area.... The little town of Avery, up the St. Joe River could be a good place to base a camp. From their you can go up towards Moon Pass. A lot of the side roads, many of which are gated for foot traffic only offer some good open southern hillside glassing areas. There a lot of old logging roads in any direction, all of which have the potential to spot a bear. early season, they dont get to far from their dens and feed on new growth grass. Have a set of chains for all four wheels. You will get suckered into deep snow or break through crust and be screwed. It might be possible to rent a four wheeler in Wallace or Pinehurst... get chains for them too!! You might call the forest service to point you towards some 3-5 year old clear cuts, prescribed burns or forest fire areas.

Good luck!

 

[jballeau1689]

Thats the most help I've had yet! Thank you, I'm already looking into some of what you said. I'm definitely going to get in touch with the forest service about those clear cuts and burn areas. Thanks again, I really appreciate it

Justin

 

[idelkslayer]

Get on google earth and look for areas with a lot of clear cuts or natural open areas. There are a lot of bears but there is a lot of cover in most of those areas. I agree that there will still be snow in the higher country so plan for low to mid elevations. Even just getting out and walking the logging roads you have a good chance of walking right into a bear on the same road or in a nearby clearcut.