Re: Best time for spring bear?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rob Chipman
K, so, if I want to introduce some newer hunters to bear hunting within a few hours of the LML for a May Long Weekend hunt, who's got a good suggestion of where to go?
I usually go a little further afield myself, but I need something closer for that weekend that hopefully will give new guys a chance at some success.
Ideas?
I have some spots, but it’s all unceded land, you wouldn’t like it.
Re: Best time for spring bear?
Timing all depends on conditions which vary from one area to another and one year to the next.
Usually starts in valley bottoms and south facing slopes.
I like the early season when you have every bear from the valley and mountains on either side consolidated into the first few pockets of grass showing up. When you're patrolling the only 2-3 pockets of good grass in 20km, you're going to be walking up on bears feeding regularly even if you're pressuring it. When there's food growing everywhere and they have options, they'll spread out and be more discreet.
I find in my areas in Region 2 that by May long weekend the bears are pretty spread out and seasonal campers are occupying every spur, pull-off, bridge or whatever.
April is my favorite month in Region 2 and probably the month I see the most bears, but if I was in PG, Quesnel, Smithers or even the Cariboo I probably wouldn't think of bear hunting until mid to late May.
Region 2 will see bears dropping the next couple weeks. We already saw one little guy hanging around the spot we camped over Easter weekend. He popped out about 40 yards away while caddisgirl was making a grilled cheese lol
Find the first grass, check for nipped grass, find that (or ideally 2-3 little pockets like that within 1km and just keep walking back and forth checking them) ... if it's getting nipped, they'll keep coming back hitting the same patches again and again... they're essentially manufacturing sugar on those tips.
Re: Best time for spring bear?
Sow and 2 Cubs revealed themselves to some folks hiking 3 days ago in the UBC Malcom Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge , it’s on FaceTube .
Arctic Lake
Re: Best time for spring bear?
I see what you’re doing lol. Pretty good chirp lol.
Re: Best time for spring bear?
If you want a big boar go last weeks of May ,early June,go as high up as you can go in elevation and still have green up. close proximity to slide chutes and alpine basins .If you don't care about rub marks on the hide hunt lower down valley bottoms.
Re: Best time for spring bear?
Mid May for the cariboo until the last day of season. (Still lots of snow in the bush and 2” fresh overnight)
early season you can hunt the great wave. Later in the season you’ve got to catch them on the move.
Re: Best time for spring bear?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
PrecariousPhoto
I have some spots, but it’s all unceded land, you wouldn’t like it.
I got it solved. I'm doing 23andMe. Sending in an extra $20 to get the right results :-)
Re: Best time for spring bear?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
caddisguy
Timing all depends on conditions which vary from one area to another and one year to the next.
Usually starts in valley bottoms and south facing slopes.
I like the early season when you have every bear from the valley and mountains on either side consolidated into the first few pockets of grass showing up. When you're patrolling the only 2-3 pockets of good grass in 20km, you're going to be walking up on bears feeding regularly even if you're pressuring it. When there's food growing everywhere and they have options, they'll spread out and be more discreet.
I find in my areas in Region 2 that by May long weekend the bears are pretty spread out and seasonal campers are occupying every spur, pull-off, bridge or whatever.
April is my favorite month in Region 2 and probably the month I see the most bears, but if I was in PG, Quesnel, Smithers or even the Cariboo I probably wouldn't think of bear hunting until mid to late May.
Region 2 will see bears dropping the next couple weeks. We already saw one little guy hanging around the spot we camped over Easter weekend. He popped out about 40 yards away while caddisgirl was making a grilled cheese lol
Find the first grass, check for nipped grass, find that (or ideally 2-3 little pockets like that within 1km and just keep walking back and forth checking them) ... if it's getting nipped, they'll keep coming back hitting the same patches again and again... they're essentially manufacturing sugar on those tips.
This is sound advice provided by CaddisGuy - aka "The Serial Black Bear Assassin". I always heed his advice because he consistently gets it done every year. Try his simple yet effective tactics and see for yourselves
Re: Best time for spring bear?
Re: Best time for spring bear?
When the skunk cabbage blooms in the valley.