Newbie to out of state hunts

[skyler_2010]

Can anyone help this new guy out with a first out of state hunts. I just read an article muley freak put out about diy spring bear hunts and the wife and I are now talking about possibly going to Idaho next spring for a beat hunt. My question is on the muley freak article they say that Idaho is OTC for spring bear but the idaho website says that they are a draw. Is the draw such good odds that you will get a tag or did I miss read somewhere? The second question I have is I have no idea where to even begin to look. Is there a block of units that have a target rich environment? I'm not looking for a giant bear I just want a bear. I'm also not looking for a drainage or anything like that. I know south facing slopes will give me more success and I will want to wait till the snow melts but I will have to put in for time off well before hand. I will also be bringing the bow. Also any questions that you guys have asked the biologists that they have given you helpful advice would be great. I want to call them and ask the questions but am an introvert and asking the "right" questions is hard for me

 

[idahohikker]

Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana all have decent OTC spring bear hunting. Montana doesn't allow dogs so that's a benefit assuming you're looking at spot and stalk. It's really challenging to figure out where you would have road access because anything over 6,000 feet is likely to have snow into June. You basically need good optics and lots of patience. The field isn't packed like fall deer and elk season in OTC units. Fun times.

 

[3sdad]

There are a handful of units that are draw only, and I believe the deadline for that was middle of February. The majority of the state is OTC for spring bear. This will be my first year bear hunting. Worse case scenario, I learn some new country and get into shape, so I'm looking forward to it. Best of luck

 

[crossone]

Hood is correct. The drawing is only for a few units. Most of the state is over the counter. Spring spot and stalk bear hunts can be tons of fun if you hit the timing right. I would opt for the 1st or 2nd week of May at the earliest. For most of Idaho, the thicker the timber the higher the bear population. The trick is to find little patches of open country (old logging roads and clearcuts are great) in all that timber. They seem to come out in the afternoons, for some strange reason, and then they might stay out in the open until dark if nothing bothers them. Another trick is to be able to glass as many of these little openings as possible in the afternoon and evening. I wouldn’t pick any particular openings and pin my hopes on it.

Cross

 

[mooster]

Where’d you go? How’d you do?

 

[skyler_2010]

Ended up putting out of state on the back burner for another year. Wife is going back to school for her rn. After that we will be able to put money away so it will be easier to plan.

 

[Glass]

I am also interested in a fall bear tag for WY. I have some friends up by Gillette who said the big horns have decent bear hunting. Anyone ever hunt around there for bear?