Montana vs. Idaho Spring Bear

[Sharpspur]

So I know there is a lot of hype on Idaho for spring bear, and it is probably well deserved. If you were choosing between Idaho and Montana, what are the pros and cons to each?

 

[CMcCormick1805]

I wouldn’t know where to start with Idaho.

I can say the pros of Montana are defined snow lines and varied landscape. I’ve now seen bears in sage and on mountain tops. There is minimal hunting pressure and opportunities to see other wildlife in places they will not be in general season.

The cons are long glassing days to see maybe 3 bears. Which could be error on my part. The weather depending on the year can change rapidly and leave you with 2 feet of snow in May.

 

[Team4LongGun]

I hunt both. I can find much more remote, less pressured areas in Idaho by a large margin. The downside is getting around-some of it is a long way in, and doesn't connect to the next area. Snow access is another. You have to time it right for sure.

 

[GoatPackr]

Hunt the one you can spend the most days hunting. They are both great and boots on the ground is going to make the most difference.

 

[Sharpspur]

Driving from WI so Montana will get us there quicker. Was looking at unit 28 in Idaho west of Salmon

 

[EdP]

Hunted a northeast Idaho unit in 2019. Mt was adjacent and the same terrain and weather. Some of those northern units in Idaho have "reduced" tags and you can get 2 for about $84 total. Don't know anything about Mt tags.

 

[GoatPackr]

Hunted a northeast Idaho unit in 2019. Mt was adjacent and the same terrain and weather. Some of those northern units in Idaho have "reduced" tags and you can get 2 for about $84 total. Don't know anything about Mt tags.

MT Non-resident is about $350 and you only get 1 tag.

 

[Soj51hopeful]

Idaho season opens 2 weeks earlier and you can bait if interested.
Montana is closer to you, but has a lot of G bears to keep in mind.

 

[IDVortex]

Bring chains for your rig. It'll be muddy this spring.

 

[NJ-Hunting]

When I hunted ID for bears a few years ago, ran into a lot of locals that were baiting. I cam to think that with them baiting low, it took some bears away from the open areas. I haven't bear hunted MT but I'm going to try there next time instead of going back to ID. See if I have a better results haha

 

[JohnnyB]

Having hunted both Idaho and Montana extensively for spring bear, I would not drive past Montana for Idaho. There are areas in both states that have grizzly. Montana certainly has less pressure if you are hunting the n/w area. Unlikely you will need a second tag for your first trip.

 

[suda0402]

I haven't hunted Idaho, but spend a lot of time every spring hunting in Montana. I agree with

CMcCormick1805, you will spend a lot of time glassing hoping to find a bear. Some years, we find them quickly, other years have been a grind. Last year was a grind to find them, the previous year, I saw them every time I was out. ​

 

[MTHunt’r]

I wouldn’t know where to start with Idaho.

I can say the pros of Montana are defined snow lines and varied landscape. I’ve now seen bears in sage and on mountain tops. There is minimal hunting pressure and opportunities to see other wildlife in places they will not be in general season.

The cons are long glassing days to see maybe 3 bears. Which could be error on my part. The weather depending on the year can change rapidly and leave you with 2 feet of snow in May.

I think “minimal” hunting pressure is a very subjective statement. Depending on where you are in the state, it can be a challenge finding country without other hunters.


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[CMcCormick1805]

I think “minimal” hunting pressure is a very subjective statement. Depending on where you are in the state, it can be a challenge finding country without other hunters.


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That’s a fair statement. I guess I gauge minimal to OTC rifle elk units.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I think “minimal” hunting pressure is a very subjective statement. Depending on where you are in the state, it can be a challenge finding country without other hunters.


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Agreed. NW Montana is the highest pressure bear area I’ve experienced. So much so that if I was a betting man, I’d guess 5 years from now it’s a draw, at least for NR.

 

[MTHunt’r]

That’s a fair statement. I guess I gauge minimal to OTC rifle elk units.

There’s certainly not the pressure you find during elk season, and many hunters aren’t going deep so that helps. That said, with this winter, there may be no snow line to key in on. We are getting 2-3’ in some areas this weekend, but it has otherwise been unseasonably warm. Concerns with how this will impact opportunities in MT.


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[MTHunt’r]

Agreed. NW Montana is the highest pressure bear area I’ve experienced. So much so that if I was a betting man, I’d guess 5 years from now it’s a draw, at least for NR.

Absolutely. They keep touting high bear density, but the hunter density is even higher. Nothing like running into another hunter on a logging trail when you thought you were alone.


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[CMcCormick1805]

There’s certainly not the pressure you find during elk season, and many hunters aren’t going deep so that helps. That said, with this winter, there may be no snow line to key in on. We are getting 2-3’ in some areas this weekend, but it has otherwise been unseasonably warm. Concerns with how this will impact opportunities in MT.


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My personal opinion is this season may be the best yet for my area.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Absolutely. They keep touting high bear density, but the hunter density is even higher. Nothing like running into another hunter on a logging trail when you thought you were alone.


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Yea, I haven’t looked at harvest statistics to see how much they’ve changed if any but I have hunted up there for over a decade. There has definitely been a shift in resident tolerance that’s noticeable. I can’t say I blame them, used to feel like it was just me up there. Now I’m racing to glassing points and a lot of times heading to my 2nd-3rd spot because people are already there.

 

[MTHunt’r]

My personal opinion is this season may be the best yet for my area.

I hope it will be. The warm weather will create a lot more food opportunities. The areas I hunt are not very open so I typically key in on known areas. I may consider exploring some new spots where I can actually glass.


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