Fall Montana Bear hunting experiences

splojo

FNG
Joined
Jul 15, 2019
Messages
16
What have peoples experiences been hunting bears in the fall in Montana? Im thinking I am going to pick a tag up while there this fall for an elk hunt.
 

Gumbo

WKR
Joined
Apr 26, 2015
Messages
1,298
Location
Montana
I seem to see one or two a season and plenty of sign. If you want to shoot one it is a definite possibility and worth having a tag in your pocket.
 

mtwarden

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 18, 2016
Messages
10,626
Location
Montana
if you're primarily hunting elk then there is a high chance you'll be in black bear territory; if bear is something that interests you, then worth having a tag in your pocket imo. depending on where you're hunting, might want to consider a wolf tag as well
 
Joined
Nov 14, 2018
Messages
60
Location
NWMT
I would definitely pick up a bear tag. I see a fair amount of bears during the fall while elk hunting. I’ve had multiple friends have bears walk into calling setups
 

jmez

WKR
Joined
Jun 12, 2012
Messages
7,594
Location
Piedmont, SD
I would get one. We saw a lot of bears hunting in MT. If you get an elk down early in your trip there will likely be a black bear on the carcass before you leave.
 
Joined
Jan 5, 2013
Messages
32
Location
ND
People can't run them with dogs or bait in MT so there's plenty of bears there. The last 3 times I hunted MT I've seen at least 1 bear each time. (And one griz the last time)
 
Joined
Jul 21, 2019
Messages
527
People always say spring bears are predictable, but I've found fall bears to be far more predictable, making them quite easy to find once you learn your plant phenology and quality bear habitat associates. Like others have said, it is worth getting a tag. I've had more than my share of elk hunts out here turn into bear hunts in a half second! Good luck this season!
 

Mi_fiveo

WKR
Joined
Jan 17, 2017
Messages
331
Location
Michigan
Hunted elk in Montana at the beginning of October. Seen more black bears than elk. Should of bought a tag ahead of time.


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Mt Al

WKR
Joined
Dec 16, 2017
Messages
1,267
Location
Montana
I don't see as many as I'd like to, but they're there for sure. I bet most black bears taken in the fall in MT are during elk hunts vs. dedicated bear hunts. I'd buy one if I were you, just my opinion.
 

Call.me.porter

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Oct 5, 2019
Messages
145
Came across this one today, already filled my tag this spring so she got a pass. Would have been a cake shot with my bow at 35 yards. A respectable bear at probably 5 1/2'.
 

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Joined
Apr 18, 2019
Messages
85
Location
Indiana
I was told that the bear in the fall are on a feeding frenzy geting ready for winter I don't care when i hunt them i am just trying to find out from you guys that know what ya''ll think. If i don't come at the right time in the spring when the bear are coming out of there dens i won't see any bear. In the fall they are all still feeding up ?
 
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