Idaho Spring Bear

[SpyRock]

I might stay in southern Idaho this year where I hunt elk and deer and let you guys hunt the steep central Idaho shit

They switched non resident DAV tags to a draw! I understand it, but god it hurts.

 

[IDVortex]

I might stay in southern Idaho this year where I hunt elk and deer and let you guys hunt the steep central Idaho shit

Thats fine, ill go hate my life in the Frank. Might actually make it into the spot im wanting to get to due to the terrible snow year... and not owning a atv...

 

[David Gough]

Thats fine, ill go hate my life in the Frank. Might actually make it into the spot im wanting to get to due to the terrible snow year... and not owning a atv...

I’ll probably end up somewhere hating my life too, but a man can dream about feeling his lower extremities after a spring bear hunt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gooden123]

I might stay in southern Idaho this year where I hunt elk and deer and let you guys hunt the steep central Idaho shit

Can I have your steep central Idaho shit coordinates?

 

[Mtbhikernv]

Any thoughts on how central Idaho will look in early June? I was looking at making a couple day trip to the 30s with a reduced or two, but I’ve never hunted bear and I’m not sure about Idaho weather. It seems like that’s a long time for things to dry out, especially with how this winter has been. I can’t believe how busy my spring is with things I don’t care about as much as hunting…

 

[Matt5266]

Any thoughts on how central Idaho will look in early June? I was looking at making a couple day trip to the 30s with a reduced or two, but I’ve never hunted bear and I’m not sure about Idaho weather. It seems like that’s a long time for things to dry out, especially with how this winter has been. I can’t believe how busy my spring is with things I don’t care about as much as hunting…

June? Warm, lots of ticks, no snow, and pretty dry. That should about cover it

 

[David Gough]

Can I have your steep central Idaho shit coordinates?

Yup, it's between Stanley and Grangeville.

 

[MHWASH]

I was out last weekend. Comparing pics from last year, snow levels in my area were not much different than last year.
0 bears
50 ticks Friday
20 on Saturday

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

I was out last weekend. Comparing pics from last year, snow levels in my area were not much different than last year.
0 bears
50 ticks Friday
20 on Saturday

Reasons why I think I’ll do house projects in the spring.

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

Reasons why I think I’ll do house projects in the spring.

Missin out! Bear hunting might be the most fun critter to chase around in the lower 48.
I have not had a single tick on me since I started using Permethrin

 

[ShootOkHuntWorse]

Missin out! Bear hunting might be the most fun critter to chase around in the lower 48.
I have not had a single tick on me since I started using Permethrin

I gotta get all the projects done around the house to earn the days off in the fall!

 

[.204smokechaser]

One less one in Unit 10. Not the target bear tonight but a meaningful one as I had one goal of killing a bear spot and stalk this weekend.

 

[Eldoradotim]

Any thoughts on how central Idaho will look in early June? I was looking at making a couple day trip to the 30s with a reduced or two, but I’ve never hunted bear and I’m not sure about Idaho weather. It seems like that’s a long time for things to dry out, especially with how this winter has been. I can’t believe how busy my spring is with things I don’t care about as much as hunting…

Snow level right now is probably getting close to 7k feet, maybe a bit under. But we've got rain/snow/whatever coming in the forecast.

But yeah, June? Most likely zero snow and dry.

 

[Mtbhikernv]

Snow level right now is probably getting close to 7k feet, maybe a bit under. But we've got rain/snow/whatever coming in the forecast.

But yeah, June? Most likely zero snow and dry.

are they still pretty active and predictable at that point?

 

[Gooden123]

are they still pretty active and predictable at that point?

You'll likely be hunting the rut and calving season in June, but in my experience bears aren't really predictable anyway outside of maybe stomp paths leading to bait or a really small food source or the snowline narrowing down their useable turf. Otherwise they seem to go wherever they feel like, when they want and are slaves to their stomachs. They also need water to digest their food. An often underlooked fact.

Maybe get a fawn in distress call and focus on sows which should be doing their usual thing (eating what's in season), potentially even avoiding boars. Bears will be looking for love and some calves and any other food along the way. Probably don't use a distress call in grizzly country unless you want to meet one. And be prepared for the possibility of ending up with a black bear up close and personal.

 

[IDLassie]

How is central Idaho? It's already very warm and the ticks are extremely thick!

 

[Amos Moses]

One less one in Unit 10. Not the target bear tonight but a meaningful one as I had one goal of killing a bear spot and stalk this weekend.

Looks like it’s time to start the 2026 Bear Success thread!