Idaho Spring Bear opportunity

[BackCountryJunki]

Hey folks, Going to be hauling a boat into Idaho for a friend this spring and decided to turn it into a 2-3 day, spring bear hunt. Will be there sometime between mid April and the first week of May. Looks like Unit 33 is the closest unit to jump into. I will be hunting with a rifle and calling. I have never hunted in Idaho and any input will be greatly appreciated. I have been pouring over the IDFG website, google earth and the net, and believe I have a general area picked out. My biggest question at this point is when the state labels a trail as a jeep trail, what does that really entail? Will a full size 4X4 fit with out redecorating the sides? 2 of the walk in trails I have looked at have several miles of "Jeep trail" to get in to the trail head. My time there will be short, so I am hoping to make the most of it. Any tips on accessing this area or hunting Idaho spring bear would be awesome. Thanks

 

[Terrapin]

I'm not familiar with that unit, so take everything with a grain of salt.

Go as late as you can. It always seems to get better towards the end of May (up north). April is usually rotten snow and rain.

Get a travel map from the forest service. It is usually accurate with which roads are open or gated. If they are legal to drive on, they are usually pretty passable... road hunters keep them open. I strongly prefer areas with gated roads. Between the road hunters and the hound hunters with strike boxes, the bears give those roads a wide berth.

I don't want to discourage you from calling, but unless you are limited to a short range weapon, I would concentrate on glassing the new green up areas. You'll see them out grazing.

With that short of an amount of time, I would consider using an outfitter with dogs or active baits. I sometimes go 2-3 days without seeing a bear, then see 5 the next day. I hunt hardest on days that I consider "hoody days". Those spring days where a light sweatshirt is the perfect temperature for sitting on a hillside in the sun glassing.

 

[BackCountryJunki]

Thanks Terrapin, that helps a lot. Do you know of any reputable outfitters that work that area?

 

[littlebrotherC]

Subscribed

 

[Terrapin]

Thanks Terrapin, that helps a lot. Do you know of any reputable outfitters that work that area?

I don't know anyone, but if you contact Marc Warnke at gothunts.com he can line you out. He's out of southern Idaho and knows who the best guides are in that area.

 

[BackCountryJunki]

Thanks for the help Terrapin.

 

[jpolson]

Yeah...we go up to the Lolo area each year. We are usually there right when they are coming out...Memorial Day.

If up north...I would wait a little while.

Little bear a friend shot up there last year...

 

[BackCountryJunki]

Thanks for the tips. Looks like the boat isn't moving till the Bears start

 

[Idahogobbler]

Idk where y'all hunt that are saying bears aren't out until mid to late May???

this way 4/30 of last year and I usually have multiple bears on my site by 1st of May and that's units 10/12... I grew up near 33 the Bears will be out watch the south facing slopes and don't trust early morning frozen snowy roads lol

 

[JeremiahH]

I believe it all to base off of snow fall and area. If you are interested, check out the book. Shadows in the Forest. Written by biologists in Idaho with 20 some years of black bear data collection. I enjoyed it.


Spot n stalk may 12th hells canyon.