Idaho Spring Bear

[Augustus46]

Has anyone checked out Unit 33 lately? Going to go up above Garden Valley.

 

[David Gough]

COVID-19 Information

In response to updated guidance from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for public events, Idaho Fish and Game has adjusted events and access to facilities. Cancellations are limited to specific events and traditional hunting and fishing seasons remain unaffected. Stages of Reopening...

idfg.idaho.gov

Non-resident tags are back on sale as of the 16th.

 

[back country]

Anyone familiar with the Jackson peak area in 39? Many bears around there? Too many people? PM is great if anyone has any general info to share.

 

[idahohikker]

Anyone familiar with the Jackson peak area in 39? Many bears around there? Too many people? PM is great if anyone has any general info to share.

Feel free to PM.

 

[idahohikker]

Hi all, I got one measly rainy day to hunt this year because of work. I did see a gorgeous chocolate sow with cubs. I love bears.

I've helped a couple new bear hunters this year and they've seen good numbers of bears.

A tech glitch is preventing me from posting the picture--it says "file is too large" and it's just a regular PNG from my phone.

 

[back country]

Feel free to PM.

PM sent.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[idahohikker]

 

[KineKilla]

Done.

Sent from my SM-N976U using Tapatalk

 

[JohnnyB]

Congrats on the bear!

 

[hooker]

Oh hell yes! Thank u man?

 

[RB3]

Some other portions of the state where around 80-90% based on the snotel report recently.

Hey IdahoHiker. I just relocated down to Rigby from Lewiston. Trying to figure out these southern bears as it's quite a bit different than back home. You mind shooting me a PM bc I can't figure out how to do it yet? Thanks.

 

[idahohikker]

We've seen lots of bears spotted this spring at one of my spots. A good guy on here who I've chatted with took down his first bear late last week, a pretty chocolate. I'm not going to call him out individually but it'd be cool if he posted as a first time bear hunter.

 

[Pulv]

Here's a pic of the chocolate. Coming from a first-time bear hunter, it's a truly humbling experience. Learning lots of little tricks to mountain hunting. @idahohikker

 

[Rock-o]

Here's a pic of the chocolate. Coming from a first-time bear hunter, it's a truly humbling experience. Learning lots of little tricks to mountain hunting. @idahohikker

@Pulv, congratulations, great bear!

 

[bdg848]

So, comparing for example, unit 39 and 43, 39 has over 4 times as many bears harvested yet the units are bordering each other. Is there some topographical, habitat, or species population reason for this? Or do you think it has more to do with 39 being closer to Boise and seeing more hunters. More hunters=more bears harvested?

 

[Rock-o]

@bdg848:

43 = 701 square miles
39 = 2445 square miles

So 39 is over three times the size of 43. Though there is the private-public factor.

43 = 96.8% public
39 = 77.1% public

Elevations are higher in 43.

You mentioned 39 being closer to Boise which will absolutely be a factor.

 

[bdg848]

@bdg848:

43 = 701 square miles
39 = 2445 square miles

So 39 is over three times the size of 43. Though there is the private-public factor.

43 = 96.8% public
39 = 77.1% public

Elevations are higher in 43.

You mentioned 39 being closer to Boise which will absolutely be a factor.

Are the lower elevations more beneficial for spring bear?

 

[Rock-o]

Are the lower elevations more beneficial for spring bear?

The higher the elevation the higher the possibility that snow could be a factor in hunter access.

Another angle to think about this is that snow-covered areas do not support feeding bears whereas snow-free areas where the green-up is occurring is where bears will be [eating].

 

[t-tacker]

very good thank you!

 

[Riflehuntr19]

39 isn’t just a random bear nirvana. 33, 43, 48 nearby and other units have pretty strong bear numbers also. And none of these units compare to Northern Idaho for bear numbers and quality. 39 just gets way more pressure because it’s close to Boise and it’s a bigger unit as stated.

If I was doing an out of state hunt, I’d consider Central Idaho where you can avoid people and have more of a backcountry experience. I mean 4,000 quads in 39 may be your thing.