Idaho Spring Bear

[Customweld]

Due to the winds Idaho received, you'll be having to wait later to get into areas due to down trees.

Or spend a substantial amount of time clearing trail. Bring a saw and file!

 

[packgoatguy]

Getting ready for the 2026 bear season... 2025 was a good one. For anyone who cares... a 108eld seems to be more than enough bullet for our idaho black bears. Here is a short clip of the bear my son shot last spring (108eld, 6mmCM). He got a nice chocolate the year before with the same bullet (420 yards)

 

[Aginor]

Getting ready for the 2026 bear season... 2025 was a good one. For anyone who cares... a 108eld seems to be more than enough bullet for our idaho black bears. Here is a short clip of the bear my son shot last spring (108eld, 6mmCM). He got a nice chocolate the year before with the same bullet (420 yards)

Fantastic shot placement

 

[jinglejangle]

Getting ready for the 2026 bear season... 2025 was a good one. For anyone who cares... a 108eld seems to be more than enough bullet for our idaho black bears. Here is a short clip of the bear my son shot last spring (108eld, 6mmCM). He got a nice chocolate the year before with the same bullet (420 yards)

What an awesome shot

 

[wabowski]

there, but still options for s&s.

Totally. I’d say that’s true for most of the panhandle units. They’re hard to hunt without bait or hounds. Not impossible though, I’ve ran into a f

@North Idaho Stickbow what units would you recommend as best for spot and stalk?

 

[.204smokechaser]

I was out working in the sunshine yesterday and saw my first bear of the year. Some of them are probably confused with the lack of snow and above average temps.

 

[Matt5266]

I was out working in the sunshine yesterday and saw my first bear of the year. Some of them are probably confused with the lack of snow and above average temps.

What area of Idaho?

 

[.204smokechaser]

What area of Idaho?

Clearwater Region

 

[HilltopHitman]

Getting excited

 

[Jason Snyder]

Where all did this hit?

Across the entire inland NW. NE Oregon. The Salmon and Clearwater. The ID panhandle.

 

[HilltopHitman]

Moved from N. ID to Idaho Falls. I know the Palisades deer numbers are way down due to the 21' winter kill but also hear lots of predators. Looking to try and do my part on a black bear. Will be hunting a few weekends and taking some time off work. If anybody wants to help the predator population and knows that area well, PM's are welcome.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I was out working in the sunshine yesterday and saw my first bear of the year. Some of them are probably confused with the lack of snow and above average temps.

I’m about 90% certain I saw a bear track in the mud on Saturday, Hells Canyon region.

 

[packgoatguy]

Moved from N. ID to Idaho Falls. I know the Palisades deer numbers are way down due to the 21' winter kill but also hear lots of predators. Looking to try and do my part on a black bear. Will be hunting a few weekends and taking some time off work. If anybody wants to help the predator population and knows that area well, PM's are welcome.

PM sent

 

[Coopsdaddy]

In general Idaho back roads during bear season .
Curious about getting around in the spring.
Wanting to possably fly in and rent a car.
Is 4x4 truck necessary or can a 2wd or small suv handle the roads.

 

[OneGunTex]

In general Idaho back roads during bear season .
Curious about getting around in the spring.
Wanting to possably fly in and rent a car.
Is 4x4 truck necessary or can a 2wd or small suv handle the roads.

I can only speak from 1 trip's experience, but we encountered substantial snow and downed trees. With a rental jeep and a silky saw in your checked bag, maybe you'd be okay. Area dependent

 

[Spoonbill]

In general Idaho back roads during bear season .
Curious about getting around in the spring.
Wanting to possably fly in and rent a car.
Is 4x4 truck necessary or can a 2wd or small suv handle the roads.

There isn’t a lot of snow right now so, depending on where you want to go, you may be fine in an all wheel drive suv.

 

[Jason Snyder]

In general Idaho back roads during bear season .
Curious about getting around in the spring.
Wanting to possably fly in and rent a car.
Is 4x4 truck necessary or can a 2wd or small suv handle the roads.

It seems like I always get really stuck at least once during spring bear season.

I couldn’t imagine being limited to a 2wd but that’s me.

 

[solostalker]

I think an AWD SUV would okay as long as you don't push it. 2WD is not something I would risk especially be so far from home. Depends on elevation and how much snow the area you plan on hunting will have while your there. Thus far it has been a light snow year.

I'm not sure how much area was affected but there was a pretty significant wind event that blew a TON of trees over, many across roads. I suspect there won't be many tree removal efforts until spring so be prepared for that. Hope the guy who came before you had a chainsaw lol.