Idaho Spring Bear

[eli425]

If you weren't seeing bears in idaho last spring... it wasn't the weather or snow to blame. It's the influx of hunters. The bears are seeing too many people, so they just aren't moving around during daylight hours like they used to.

Between the beginning of April and the end of June, I hit over a half dozen major trailheads, and a dozen more non-trailhead locations. Every one had more rigs than any year prior. A few had as many as 30 vehicles in locations that just a few years ago would have only had 2 or 3 rigs. And don't think that just going in deeper is the fix... I found hunters back in the knarliest places, many miles from the trailhead, and everywhere in between.

Best bet if you are going to do it anyway, is go where there aren't any rigs parked... and do your best to deduce whether other guys were there a day or week earlier. If they were, then move on. Pick spots between major roads and major trailheads... don't go all the way to the trailhead.

Man, I think you are right. I was out there at various times throughout the season, hitting spots where I've seen them before, and absolutely nothing. Couldn't quite pin down what was causing it. Tried to rationalize the weather/season etc, but this makes the most sense.

I'm thinking this year to try really getting in deeper into 39 using my dirt bike. Has anyone been down those trails east of the river coming out of Arrowrock? Not sure how serious/technical those trails would be for an average dirt bike rider.

 

[IDnativeHNTR]

Is 39 doable or should I focus on another unit? Sounds like the snow will be melted in most the unit? Am I going to be hunting a needle in a hay stack? Is the pressure going to make them more nocturnal?

The snow won’t even be close to off in most of unit 39 in late April. Considering the amount of snow pack this year so far the snow will be around in to June.

 

[packgoatguy]

Is 39 doable or should I focus on another unit? Sounds like the snow will be melted in most the unit? Am I going to be hunting a needle in a hay stack? Is the pressure going to make them more nocturnal?

This was 39 in mid May last year. If you would like to compare snow data.

 

[Idahobugler]

For the guys potentially planning to come out this spring, pay attention to the snow. Short of getting into higher temps in March, I wouldn’t plan on coming out until May unless you like playing in the snow.

 

[stayzeroed]

This was 39 in mid May last year. If you would like to compare snow data.

I can see why people like that unit...

 

[IDnativeHNTR]

This was 39 in mid May last year. If you would like to compare snow data.

Do you happen to know what the elevation spectrum is in that picture? Amazing looking country!

 

[packgoatguy]

Do you happen to know what the elevation spectrum is in that picture? Amazing looking country!

About 4500-8500.

 

[Jason Snyder]

It’s pretty impossible to predict this stuff. Highest probability is a later snowmelt, but I’ve seen upper 90s in late April and early May. One big rain event can take a lot of snow off, really fast.

 

[ORJoe]

I'm thinking this year to try really getting in deeper into 39 using my dirt bike. Has anyone been down those trails east of the river coming out of Arrowrock? Not sure how serious/technical those trails would be for an average dirt bike rider.

A few years ago I did a big camping dirt biking loop ride that started and ended at Pine.
This post has pictures from the area:
2019 ride report, Day 5
The trails there weren't too insane compared to the rest of the Sawtooth Mountains, but that might not be saying much depending on what you're used to.
I wasn't really into bear hunting back then and maybe didn't pay much scouting attention, but the place is called Bear Gulch, so probably worth checking out.

 

[eli425]

A few years ago I did a big camping dirt biking loop ride that started and ended at Pine.
This post has pictures from the area:
2019 ride report, Day 5
The trails there weren't too insane compared to the rest of the Sawtooth Mountains, but that might not be saying much depending on what you're used to.
I wasn't really into bear hunting back then and maybe didn't pay much scouting attention, but the place is called Bear Gulch, so probably worth checking out.

Dude thank you so much! That post is money. Looks like you guys had a great trip! Yeah that's exactly one of the spots I was hoping to hit assuming the snow melt allows it.

Sent from my moto g power 5G - 2023 using Tapatalk

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

Even in the units I hunt, which are not that high of elevation compared to what you’re looking at, I can’t access my bait spot until early May typically. Even then sometimes, it can be real sketchy on some of those corners on the road in the dark timber where the snow doesn’t want to melt.