Spring Bear Hunting on Lackluster Snow Fall Years

[OnGlass]

With reports already coming out of bears moving in Yellowstone, it’s got us talking a lot here at the shop about how low snow years really change things.

In heavier snow years, it feels like bears are more predictable — they’re pinned to lower elevations and limited feed. But in low snow years, they can disperse faster.

How much does a low snow year actually change your approach?

 

[WoodlandCritter]

Following

 

[BAKPAKR]

When I lived where I could spring bear hunt, I would be out after bears as soon as the season opened, regardless of the snow. Assuming there is snow at some level, I would still follow the snow line up in a low snow year.

 

[JohnnyB]

Bears move all year, regardless of snow. It still ultimately comes down to finding the food source.

 

[Sharpspur]

If it is low snow, should a guy look at moving his trip up on the calender? I was looking at being in Idaho or montana, still need to finalize, around May 8th. This is my first trip hunting spring bear.

 

[Oregonhuntrboi]

I’ve gone in the past and had success the last week of April/first week of may. But I’m debating going earlier this year due to the low snow as well…

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Bears move all year, regardless of snow. It still ultimately comes down to finding the food source.

Maybe in CA. I can assure you they do not in MT.

 

[longrangelead]

I seem to find bears in the same places, it's just a matter of when.
year to year, snow and weather determine when green up happens on a given hillside. Elevation is a big part of that in part with temp.

When the frost line hovers around the same elevation for a week or two, a couple hundred feet in elevation can be the difference in 6" grass and nothing green anywhere.
Bottom line is food, find food, find bears.

 

[OnGlass]

If it is low snow, should a guy look at moving his trip up on the calender? I was looking at being in Idaho or montana, still need to finalize, around May 8th. This is my first trip hunting spring bear.

We think that the first two weeks of season are going to be really good. This is a year when opening weekend should produce more bears than normal here in Idaho with the warm temps.

 

[OnGlass]

I seem to find bears in the same places, it's just a matter of when.
year to year, snow and weather determine when green up happens on a given hillside. Elevation is a big part of that in part with temp.

When the frost line hovers around the same elevation for a week or two, a couple hundred feet in elevation can be the difference in 6" grass and nothing green anywhere.
Bottom line is food, find food, find bears.

Makes sense. Food is definitely the ticket to finding them.