Idaho Spring Bear

Heading down to 21 at the end of this week. Called the ranger station, they said the snow line in the area was at around 6500, so will likely be above 7000' by the time I get there on Thursday. I'll post an update in here on Sunday or Monday when we get back. Excited to get out and hunt.
Saw a lot of beautiful country, elk, mule deer, and sheep, but no bears. Hunted and glassed hard. I think that the elevations I was hunting (4k-7k) were just not quite green enough yet. The grass and flowers were really only popping down around 3k. I got the feeling the bears were just not cruising around yet and wasting the energy. Another 2 weeks and the drainages I was in will be perfect. Maybe next year!
 
Last high country report for north Idaho for the season. I am done snowmobiling for the season, time to chase whitewater and mountain bikes.
I was in unit 1 and the snow line is roughly 3800-4000 ft. Still lots of snow up high(which is normal).
Couple pics, Sundance Lookout is the tower. priest lake in the background.
 

Attachments

  • 20230429_114328.jpg
    20230429_114328.jpg
    446.8 KB · Views: 81
  • 20230429_114310.jpg
    20230429_114310.jpg
    521.6 KB · Views: 82
  • 20230429_114636.jpg
    20230429_114636.jpg
    328.2 KB · Views: 86
  • 20230429_114317.jpg
    20230429_114317.jpg
    297.8 KB · Views: 82
Last edited:
Finally got out last weekend after the season had been open nearly a month. Found a decent cinnamon bear and two smaller chocolates. The 6.5 PRC did great work. Recovery/packout were serious work, but all rewarding in the end. Bears were all at 4400. Green up had begun, but not extensive. Deer and elk EVERYWHERE.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4310.jpeg
    IMG_4310.jpeg
    588.9 KB · Views: 153
  • IMG_4302.jpeg
    IMG_4302.jpeg
    524.8 KB · Views: 152
Finally got out last weekend after the season had been open nearly a month. Found a decent cinnamon bear and two smaller chocolates. The 6.5 PRC did great work. Recovery/packout were serious work, but all rewarding in the end. Bears were all at 4400. Green up had begun, but not extensive. Deer and elk EVERYWHERE.
Right on, congrats!
 
Went for an afternoon hike in 33 yesterday afternoon to check out an area I had never been to. Plenty green anywhere 3800 ft and below. It was bone dry and brown at 4800 in the few places I looked. I'd be pretty thrilled for my hunt if it was in the next few weeks. Walleyes back home will always come first for me though. Didn't pay close enough attention to how high the snow was, but it was much higher than I anticipated. Good luck to everyone! Excited to see all the pics.
 
Finally got out last weekend after the season had been open nearly a month. Found a decent cinnamon bear and two smaller chocolates. The 6.5 PRC did great work. Recovery/packout were serious work, but all rewarding in the end. Bears were all at 4400. Green up had begun, but not extensive. Deer and elk EVERYWHERE.
Awesome, congrats! I’m going to try to get out in unit 2 close to home a few more times this spring. Maybe I’ll get lucky.
 
Finally got out last weekend after the season had been open nearly a month. Found a decent cinnamon bear and two smaller chocolates. The 6.5 PRC did great work. Recovery/packout were serious work, but all rewarding in the end. Bears were all at 4400. Green up had begun, but not extensive. Deer and elk EVERYWHERE.

Awesome color phase bear.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Snows coming off fast in the Clearwater Region, especially 10A and 10. Already been a few fires and melt off is a week ahead compared to last year.
 
4 of us went down the last week of April. Hunted around 4000-4400ft elevation. I shot a young one and my dad got a decent boar. My first bear so I wasn’t being too picky. 6.5prc with the 153.5 Berger. My shot was 390yds, my dads was 110yds.

That's awesome, good for you guys!!
 
I had a lot of fun, since WA fish and game environmentalists (commissioners) banned our spring season before I ever drew a tag. I’ll plan on doing it again, something to keep me in shape, get some meat and save a few calves/fawns.
All good reasons. Either bear have fat on them?
 
Back
Top