Was kicking around the idea of a Spring bear hunt. Anyone been on one? If so, any suggestions? Thanks.
I do, for about the last 6-7 years or so, but with rifle or muzzleloader. I do a bait barrel and start sitting on it as I have time after my camera shows that there is: a. A bear I want to shoot b. It is showing up in shooting light. c. It is showing up consistently around the same time. It's been my experience that I have to consistently feed them for about two weeks before the bigger ones will start showing up during shooting light. DO NOT let the bait run out of food, or else they sometimes will abandon it pretty quickly and it's like starting over. If you can't bait, then another decent spring time method is to find open hillsides where the sun hits it most of the day, they will be out feeding on the first vegetation starting to come up. Not the easiest if bow hunting, but they can be stalked in the open. They catch movement pretty fast, but if you aren't moving when they look your way you normally are ok.
Used to go to Saskatchewan for years. Was always a great time. Never have done a spring hunt in the USA.
Bear hunting with a guide over bait, it is all set up. Secret is to get in early in the season but weather is a gamble.
Not true at all Sota! To the OP, there are variables but I'd say the " best" week year to year will be the last week of May. Hides may be better Abit earlier but bigger boars may be better a week or two later.
Yes 1991 the year I got married. I applied for a bear license that year because the area I wanted to hunt was a 2 year wait, fate had it I got drawn the first time. I was a self taught hunter that had never even shot a deer at that point. I bought a book on bear hunting by Dr Ken Nordberg. I did some scouting in the Superior National Forest, built a stand and started baiting. Took me a couple weeks to shoot a bear, I would come up on the weekends to empty bait pits so I rotated the schedule and first sit shot a bear. a 15 year old sow as aged by the DNR. So either I am that damn good or bear hunting over bait is not that hard. Granted you want to shoot a trophy bear it is another game but shooting a bear over bait is about as hard as sitting by a dumpster watching bears come in.
You ARE the answer man. Go back to the water cooler thread where your sarcasm is " liked" I really don't think you're much of a hunter! And yeah...., I've been around a bear or 2
I have been guiding for bear hunters almost 30 years in Ontario We finally have a spring bear hunt after being close sense 1999 Spring hunt is far better than the fall If you need any help I’ll be more than happy to help you on anything you need
Skull. Why do you say spring is way better then fall? Every year can vary HUGELY from year to year here in northern MN. One year bout 15 years ago, I sat 18 Eve's. Never seen a bear. Next year, same spots/ baits I seen about 40. To the OP', Hudson Bay area of saschatewan has been good over the years. Several outfitters in the area.
Fur is prime time very thick. Bears just came out of hibernation compared to the fall hunt when their fur is very thin and full of rubbings. Meat is very lean no fat. No other food to compete like the fall with so much berries out there will have a hard time bringing bears on the bait And the best is breeding season start the end may boar travelling long-distance looking for sow and more often going to the bait see if is any sow No leaves on the trees so you can see farther No other hunters around Like the fall Really easy to bait bears on the spring You’re bait is the only food available for them to eat
Was that a question? If so, Mr perfect forgot to use a ?? At the end. As to the OP', there are states that have spring seasons but I think Canada would have better odds. Gotta pay to play though.
