Idaho Spring Bear

[SouthernCharm]

Well, I guess I can’t feel bad. Spent couples days in your mountains with only a medium bear sighting. Your hill’s steepness are way worse that I imagined and I came from western Oregon. Good luck.

 

[HilltopHitman]

Well, I guess I can’t feel bad. Spent couples days in your mountains with only a medium bear sighting. Your hill’s steepness are way worse that I imagined and I came from western Oregon. Good luck.

It ain’t for the faint of heart.

 

[flyfisher117]

How much do bears move this time of year? Found two this weekend but unable to make a move due to terrain/snow and time. Just far enough I couldn’t get as clear a view as I’d like.

One appeared to be laying on a kill. The other was 20 yards away sitting on a branch in a tree watching it. Couldn’t tell but I thought I saw a cub up in the tree with it.

Hoping they’ll be in the general area this weekend.

 

[Jason Snyder]

How much do bears move this time of year?

Typically, not much. The exception is sometimes right out of the den they are looking for a particular spot and may cross a drainage or two. Usually they are pretty predictable as to general area they will be in. Sometimes you’ll see them in almost the identical spot from one day to the next.

 

[David Gough]

Got back yesterday from southern Idaho. Checked a handful of spots, didn't see a damn thing. No bear sign. Nada.

Packed in about five miles and covered some country I'm pretty familiar with. Looked prime. Nothing but piles of elk and deer. Hunted from the truck in a couple spots and same story.

On the plus side I only found eight ticks on me packing in and out.

 

[Customweld]

Got back yesterday from southern Idaho. Checked a handful of spots, didn't see a damn thing. No bear sign. Nada.

Packed in about five miles and covered some country I'm pretty familiar with. Looked prime. Nothing but piles of elk and deer. Hunted from the truck in a couple spots and same story.

On the plus side I only found eight ticks on me packing in and out.

I was wondering how your trip went.

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

Is the weird snow this year causing some inconsistencies? I thought this week was supposed to be prime time. I'm glad I'm not there right now, based on all this feedback.

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

Is the weird snow this year causing some inconsistencies? I thought this week was supposed to be prime time. I'm glad I'm not there right now, based on all this feedback.

I'm going out to try to fill my 2nd tag tomorrow, but the unit I'm required to hunt is mostly higher elevation, I've seen almost all my bears around 2400-3000' the last 3 years. I'm starting to think there's more down low, just bigger ones up high.

 

[Jason Snyder]

I've seen almost all my bears around 2400-3000' the last 3 years. I'm starting to think there's more down low

I’ve seen a lot of bears around this elevation band. Of course, it’s all relative to the valley floor elevation, but across Idaho I think 2500-4000 is a VERY good place to start.

 

[samuela]

I’ve seen a lot of bears around this elevation band. Of course, it’s all relative to the valley floor elevation, but across Idaho I think 2500-4000 is a VERY good place to start.

Could you expand on "relative to the valley floor elevation?"

The few bears I've seen in the past few seasons were lower than I expected as well.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Could you expand on "relative to the valley floor elevation?"

If the valley floor is 4500, then you obviously won’t find bears at 4000 there . I’d probably be looking at 5500-7000 in that case. Most of the rivers where I hunt are 1500-2500.

 

[Decker]

After 6 days of hunting not a single bear to be found. Hunted from 4500-7500ft. Packed in deep few days and stayed mobile. Lots of elk and deer, a moose and one mountain goat. Everything at snow line to about 1k below was dry as can be.
It was green at about 4500-5000 but never could turn one up. I don’t know where everyone else was but where I was there was plenty of ticks pulled off about 10-15 a day

 

[graniteghost]

I just got back on Tuesday from a 6 day hunt in the Salmon area and it was an absolute grinder. Hunted a canyon/basin for 3 days with no bear sign or sightings. Hunted from 4500ish-6500. Decided to pull out and move into another basin which ended up being a smart move. Hiked 3000 feet up and 8 miles in and was able to find a good looking bear 2 miles away. Took the next couple days working my way in, and ended up getting him the last night of the hunt. He was hanging out with a sow, but not actively courting her. I ended up shooting him at almost 7500, which I feel is definitely way high but makes sense with a spring like this. Bear ended up squaring 6’1, and probably in the 250-300lb range. Brother and I are both 6’3 250 and took both of us to drag him up the hill for some pictures. Also saw a wolf but unfortunately did not follow advice in this thread and did not buy a wolf tag prior to the trip. Mistake I won’t make again.

 

[packgoatguy]

Filled my tag last night. Not a huge bear, just 65 inches square, but nice mature boar. Has a great coat on him too! About 7k feet elevation.

 

[Undrgrndprdcts]

Two in a row at 7k. Nice work fellas.

 

[OsoMountain]

Two in a row at 7k. Nice work fellas.

I noticed that as well. May be worth investigating. Damn fine looking bears !!