Montana Spring Bear 26

[TxYoteHunter]

Howdy Rokslide, me and a buddy are planning a trip up to Montana the first full week of May to try our hand at a spring bear hunt. This will be both our first time bear hunting.

Done our fair share of E-Scouting but coming from Texas obviously it’s difficult to put boots on the ground prior to the hunt and see the snowpack/green up first hand. Got a couple areas picked out as to what we think could be productive. I’m aware there’s been a mild winter and so snow pack isn’t great or super defined.

NOT LOOKING FOR SPOTS OR TO SPOT BURN. Just looking to see if anyone could provide advice or opinions regarding hunting the Kootenai/Cabinet Mountains vs LoLo/Coeur d’Alene Range or with the mild winter would we possibly be better off going further north to the GNP/Flathead area?

 

[shayes11]

I live and hunt on the Idaho side of the line. Spend most of my time in the Cabinets and CDA's. The snow doesn't seem to be a problem this year(there isn't any to speak of really), what I'm running into is a lot of downed trees and blown out roads. We had some major wind events and a rain on snow event that did some damage this winter.

I'm not saying its all doom and gloom, they're out and about for sure, but its been a real challenge figuring out how to get into basins or ridge systems with those unknowns. MT was hit by the same weather patterns.

How late in May are you coming up?

 

[TxYoteHunter]

I live and hunt on the Idaho side of the line. Spend most of my time in the Cabinets and CDA's. The snow doesn't seem to be a problem this year(there isn't any to speak of really), what I'm running into is a lot of downed trees and blown out roads. We had some major wind events and a rain on snow event that did some damage this winter.

I'm not saying its all doom and gloom, they're out and about for sure, but its been a real challenge figuring out how to get into basins or ridge systems with those unknowns. MT was hit by the same weather patterns.

How late in May are you coming up?

I gotcha, going to assume lots of road closures and lots of miles on foot to get up into the better hunting grounds? And we’re headed up on the 2nd. Will be hunting 2nd-9th.

 

[WoodlandCritter]

I agree with what Shayes said. I live in the Kootenai/Cabinet region in MT and I was pretty beat last weekend just from hunting ~6 miles of logging road with all the trees I was having to duck under and climb over.

I don't think the Bitteroot area was hit quite as hard, but I'm not sure if its enough difference to make a difference.

 

[TxYoteHunter]

I agree with what Shayes said. I live in the Kootenai/Cabinet region in MT and I was pretty beat last weekend just from hunting ~6 miles of logging road with all the trees I was having to duck under and climb over.

I don't think the Bitteroot area was hit quite as hard, but I'm not sure if it’s enough difference to make a difference.

I gotcha, definitely appreciate the insight. Any knowledge of if GNP/Flathead area was hit with those same windstorms? I would assume yes but weather is weird and you never know

 

[WoodlandCritter]

I gotcha, definitely appreciate the insight. Any knowledge of if GNP/Flathead area was hit with those same windstorms? I would assume yes but weather is weird and you never know

Flathead got some weather but not as extreme as here. Libby and Troy lost several bridges and you couldn't drink the city water in Libby for weeks. AFAIK Flathead mostly just lost some power lines. That being said, I only drive to the Flathead for Costco, not hunting. No clue what the state of the FS and logging roads are down there.

 

[TxYoteHunter]

Flathead got some weather but not as extreme as here. Libby and Troy lost several bridges and you couldn't drink the city water in Libby for weeks. AFAIK Flathead mostly just lost some power lines. That being said, I only drive to the Flathead for Costco, not hunting. No clue what the state of the FS and logging roads are down there.

Good to know thank you sir.