Idaho spring bear 2025

[Amattern]

Leave Friday for 7 days in Idaho. First time out, camping the Lowman area and day hunting from camp. Have a wolf tag cause why not. Will report back here when the week is over.

 

[Customweld]

Best of luck out there! If you are in the new fire scar, watch for heavy rains.

 

[tuckermica]

Best of luck! I'll be out in Idaho for the first time spring bear hunting this year as well. Looking forward to hearing the feedback!

 

[The Harbor Master]

Good luck! Just left Lowman. Still a lot of snow up around 6000ft and above... those dark pockets will have drifts 6 or 8 feet high. Depending which side of slopes you're on anyway. There are some roads that seem like a good idea until you are a few hundred yards in and you come upon a good sized drift. Be careful, have fun, and post pics! If you want to PM where you'll be I'll try and give some more detailed intel.

 

[Mattkoors]

Ill be up in the Salmon-CHallis area first week of June going after bear. Best of luck

 

[BH2010]

How did it go? Me and a buddy are heading up around Lowman in another week.

 

[The Harbor Master]

For those guys heading towards Lowman, just fyi, there will be bridge work/replacement on highway 17 (Banks/Lowman Highway) this week. Not sure exactly where, but I believe somewhere between Crouch and Garden Valley. My hunting partner is with the company doing the work and says he's being told there will still be a lane open.

 

[jakeohe]

Good luck! Curious to hear if they are moving and at what elevation.

 

[BH2010]

For those guys heading towards Lowman, just fyi, there will be bridge work/replacement on highway 21 this week. Not sure exactly where, but I believe somewhere between Crouch and Garden Valley. My hunting partner is with the company doing the work and says he's being told there will still be a lane open.

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[The Harbor Master]

Thanks for the heads-up.

Sounds like it got pushed back to the week of the 19th. Heading up there today for a 2 day solo trip, hoping to get lucky. Good luck to everyone heading out this weekend!

 

[Amattern]

Bears - 1 , me - 0.


But what an awesome and eye opening experience. Put in some miles on foot and side by side. Got into some areas that were promising. Found fresh scat and prints but couldn’t connect with a bear or wolf. Deep Pockets of snow around 6000 feet in shady areas. Bears were definitely starting to move though. Most higher roads and trails were closed to vehicle traffic.

Talked to a group that got a wolf in bear valley, north of lowman mid week.

From what we saw and heard I believe we were about 1-2 weeks early for more bear traffic.

Ended the trip with 1 coyote down the day before we left.

Can’t wait to give it another go next year!

 

[The Harbor Master]

Bears - 1 , me - 0.


But what an awesome and eye opening experience. Put in some miles on foot and side by side. Got into some areas that were promising. Found fresh scat and prints but couldn’t connect with a bear or wolf. Deep Pockets of snow around 6000 feet in shady areas. Bears were definitely starting to move though. Most higher roads and trails were closed to vehicle traffic.

Talked to a group that got a wolf in bear valley, north of lowman mid week.

From what we saw and heard I believe we were about 1-2 weeks early for more bear traffic.

Ended the trip with 1 coyote down the day before we left.

Can’t wait to give it another go next year!

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Sounds like a good trip.

 

[Eldoradotim]

A bit North of where you were and South of Warm Lake, we usually find them out the 3rd-4th week of May. Went out today to have lunch at camp and let the kids ride quads. Buddy glassed up an elk. Beautiful time of year to be out.

 

[Mtaylor]

Always fun to get out!

 

[packgoatguy]

FYI, Idaho Fish and Game is looking to ban the use of advanced technology and has some new rule language that they are seeking public comments on (until June 20th).

Docket No. 13-0108-2401: Zero-based Regulation Rulemaking: Rules Governing Taking of Big Game Animals
idfg.idaho.gov idfg.idaho.gov

Docket No. 13-0108-2401: Zero-based Regulation Rulemaking: Rules Governing Taking of Big Game Animals

idfg.idaho.gov

P

Thread 'Idaho IDFG rule changes comment period ends June 20th'

Jun 13, 2025

In case this hasn't been discussed elsewhere:

IDFG has put out the draft of the changes to the big game hunting rules, including bans on the use of "advanced technology" like the use of smart optics, transmitting game cameras, thermal imaging, night vision, or aircraft for the purposes of scouting or hunting big game ungulates.

Docket No. 13-0108-2401: Zero-based Regulation Rulemaking: Rules Governing Taking of Big Game Animals

idfg.idaho.gov

The public has until June 20th to provide written comments.

1st Question: Does Idaho even need more rules? (For example, there is already a rule that bans the attachment of electronic devices to firearms...

• packgoatguy
• Replies: 86
• Forum: General Discussion Forum

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