Idaho Spring Bear

[Customweld]

I am a new hunter; last fall was my first season hunting. I was able to harvest a deer in Wyoming and Idaho and am now looking to get out on some bear trips this spring. How can you confirm snow line with SNOTEL data? I scouted an area first week of April and the snow line was at about 6,000ft. Currently, the data shows the SWE is 18.8", however, the interactive map shows a photo at 6,500ft without an ounce of snow. This unit may be a little too high elevation wise, but I am a bit hesitant to try something closer like 39 or 43 as I will be backpacking and looking to get a bit further from roads.

If you are looking at the stock photos that are on some of the snotel sites, those aren’t current photos. There is a line in the graph that shows inches in snow.

 

[Ztm91]

Thank you, much appreciated. I do see that now under the data reports tab and 30 day daily table.

 

[JM151]

@Ztm91 They recently got some snow in that area last week. Went to a spot last weekend and it had about 18” of snow.

 

[Ztm91]

@JM151 thank you for the insights there! Guess I will shoot for a spot a bit more south for the weekend.

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

Don't be afraid to stay low. I've seen the majority of bears down low, including the one I shot Monday afternoon, although I will say they've all been smaller bears.
The few I have seen near the show line though have been bigguns.

 

[David Gough]

Don't be afraid to stay low. I've seen the majority of bears down low, including the one I shot Monday afternoon, although I will say they've all been smaller bears.
The few I have seen near the show line though have been bigguns.

Leaving Friday for a more southern unit that I'm familiar with. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

Leaving Friday for a more southern unit that I'm familiar with. Thanks for the insight.

Goodluck dude! Stay safe out there

 

[Schoolhousegrizz]

Just hunted 39 for 4 days, didn't see a single bear. Was back in about 7 miles. Oh well that's bear hunting. Il keep at it and hopefully turn something up.

 

[PST9]

Just hunted 39 for 4 days, didn't see a single bear. Was back in about 7 miles. Oh well that's bear hunting. Il keep at it and hopefully turn something up.

Same story for us. Hunted the 24th - 28th, glassing 4,000 - 7,000 feet +. Too high maybe for the colder temps during that time?

 

[Matt5266]

Cold temps dont matter this time of year. Bears are out. Your just not where the bears are.

 

[Dsterk]

Same story as well, spent a whole week in unit 28 in the Frank. Glassed multiple drainages in the 4,000-7,000 range, and a lot of time in the middle. Found fresh bear scat, but no bears. On the positive side though, we didn’t find any ticks either…

 

[Decker]

Flying out for a week as I send this. Hoping my week better then what I’m reading

 

[HilltopHitman]

just got back from a quick 2 day a few hours from the house. Central Idaho. No bears, lots of elk and deer. Snow drifts and banks anything higher than 7200’ ish feet were unpassable by wheeler with winch. Got stuck a few times. Multiple groups of guys hunting, nobody had seen a bear yet. Was really nice yesterday. Dandelions and greenery hasn’t “popped” yet. Give it another two weeks.

 

[Schoolhousegrizz]

Same story as well, spent a whole week in unit 28 in the Frank. Glassed multiple drainages in the 4,000-7,000 range, and a lot of time in the middle. Found fresh bear scat, but no bears. On the positive side though, we didn’t find any ticks either…

Same, no ticks it was too cold

 

[KelsoBrowny]

Saturday Central Idaho glassed up a big sow with cubs feeding right at 6,000 feet.

Newer to getting after spring bears hard - Am I going to find boars on the same elevation bands as sows and cubs, or if I'm seeing them do I need to change elevations?

 

[Matt5266]

Nope bears are where bears are. If your seeing any bears keep looking