Fall mountain bear hunt, worth it?

[Bobbyboe]

Long and short, I struck out on a deer tag I thought was a guarantee. Now I have set vacation in early October and don’t have a tag. Has anyone done a fall bear specific hunt? I know many states have OTC tags, so I’d have choices. I’m worried they may be nocturnal or in the thick brush were they’d be difficult to hunt. Thoughts?

Thanks guys.

 

[jpkoepse]

I went to Idaho two falls in a row. Bear sign was all low in thickest of crap. Never saw any bears. But others who live there say they see them, just not as often

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[NTBUTCHER]

Depending on where you are planning to go they come out when hyperphagia hits later in the season when it's a mad dash to eat as many berries as they can. But thats on huge berry patches in the alpine for us. YMMV

 

[slick]

In October? Think that’s a bit late for berries in most parts.

I would say your best bet at that time would be western OR or northern CA.

 

[Mojave]

New Mexico is OTC, but they will have the season closed within a couple weeks of the opener.

 

[kickemall]

October in Ca is a great month to hunt bears. They’re just starting to put on fat but still moving a lot and Ca has a large bear population.

 

[TheGreek]

I've done a bear specific trip in CO in Sept before and will be doing another one this Sept.

 

[Weldor]

Arizona has a decent fall bear hunt, but there s a quota.

 

[Mojave]

California is probably the best

 

[Rockin'A]

Saw this guy while mule deer hunting…

 

[WILLMCC]

As far as eating goes, is there a big difference in the taste of a spring mountain bear and a fall mountain bear? Which is the better table fare?