Idaho Spring Bear (Spot and Stalk Hunt)

[Silas_Norris]

Hello everyone!
I have posted and been a member on here for a while but this is my first post in the "black bear forum".

My buddy and my are planning for a 2025 Spring Spot and Stalk Black Bear hunt.

I am NOT looking for anyones coordinates or spots or anything like that. As we have started the planning process there is just a TON of options and I am curious if anyone has thoughts or advice on our current plans.

We will be flying into Boise and thinking sometime around the middle of May (but we are flexible if that is too early or late based on your opinions).

We are in great shape and in our 30s so hiking hard is not a issue. We plan to hike in several miles to avoid other hunters, hounds etc.

This is where my questions start for you all with more experience!
1. We were considering the "hells canyon" area. Its only a few hour drive from Boise and seems to be some really cool country.
2. We do not mind "paying to play" if hiring a jet boat is a wise choice that may get us into some better country. i have found a couple of jet boat services that can offer drop offs and pick ups etc. Anyone else ever do this? The hard part is determining where a good drop point or pick up might be. Ideally, just far away from other hunters. This would also allow us to potentially NOT hike in too far from the main river.
3. What time of year would be the best where we can avoid heavy snow? Mid May normally in the clear?
4. Any other advice worth considering?

Any and all help would be GREATLY appreciated! Feel free to PM me.

I am sure I will think if more questions as the trip nears but that is all I have for now

 

[3sport.tri]

@Silas_Norris , my son and I are also heading out there for 7-8days (From Georgia) around May 21st to the Hells Canyon area. This week looks to be the best option for the moon and our schedule. I’m going to follow this thread, but there are a lot of good threads that have some good insight as to locations, etc.

 

[3sport.tri]

specifically this thread: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/idaho-spring-bear.151552/

 

[Silas_Norris]

@Silas_Norris , my son and I are also heading out there for 7-8days (From Georgia) around May 21st to the Hells Canyon area. This week looks to be the best option for the moon and our schedule. I’m going to follow this thread, but there are a lot of good threads that have some good insight as to locations, etc.

We will likely go first week of May! I will be happy to send you a message after my hunt on anything we learn or any other info that may help you out!

 

[gtriple]

I've done this hunt. Just understand that hiring a jet boat doesn't guarantee you'll be away from people. There will be people in every drop off location either before or after you.

Hells Canyon is brutal country. I'm not sure the bear density is what you think it is.

 

[Mojave]

I would Frank Church it.

 

[Silas_Norris]

I've done this hunt. Just understand that hiring a jet boat doesn't guarantee you'll be away from people. There will be people in every drop off location either before or after you.

Hells Canyon is brutal country. I'm not sure the bear density is what you think it is.

I have bear hunted before and I have hunted Alaska a couple of times. Alaska has the lowest big game animal population per square mile than any of the lower 48 states. i realize that is not bears on every south facing green slope.

Success is not measured on this hunt by the harvesting of big bears.

We just want to challenge ourselves and get back in deep and put some glass on some slopes. The main goal is just to be in a area where we are not overrun with other hunters and where there MIGHT be some bears if we get lucky.

With 4 of us on this hunt (all in good shape and great hard hunters) I would be thrilled if we just saw a bear or two and maybe harvested one.

even then, if we dont see or get any at all I think we will still have a good time. I have learned way more about hunting and life from my failures than the hunts where I shot something on the first day. I prefer to have a good hunt and be challenged!

 

[Silas_Norris]

I would Frank Church it.

Can i ask why you would go there rather than hells canyon? Any reason? have you been to either?

 

[gtriple]

I have bear hunted before and I have hunted Alaska a couple of times. Alaska has the lowest big game animal population per square mile than any of the lower 48 states. i realize that is not bears on every south facing green slope.

Success is not measured on this hunt by the harvesting of big bears.

We just want to challenge ourselves and get back in deep and put some glass on some slopes. The main goal is just to be in a area where we are not overrun with other hunters and where there MIGHT be some bears if we get lucky.

With 4 of us on this hunt (all in good shape and great hard hunters) I would be thrilled if we just saw a bear or two and maybe harvested one.

even then, if we dont see or get any at all I think we will still have a good time. I have learned way more about hunting and life from my failures than the hunts where I shot something on the first day. I prefer to have a good hunt and be challenged!

Then this hunt might be exactly what you are looking for. I'll give the advice to get away from the trails. If a bear can be seen from the trail, it is already dead.