Bear hunt help!

[duckhunter1488]

Hey people....I know theres already plenty-o-threads on bears here. I am just getting back into hunting over this past year and want to get out for a spring bear. I am heading up to Kamloops area this weekend for a hockey tournament and am going to find time for a day trip out in the bush (3-20). Any tips? Pointers? I am itching HARD for my first spring bear and will take any useful tips and tricks to get myself my bear.
After this trip I am open to hunting anywhere including a weekend island trip if necessary. I live in the GVA if that helps. Also, if there are any members on here who have the same mindset as Kudu who was unreal this past duck season on showing me the ropes....I am keen to get out with someone! Feel free to PM me:mrgreen:

[russm86]

I have been out 1 day of each of the last 3 weekends, only 1 day each weekend because what I have seen so far hasn't made me feel like wasting any more fuel. Any more than about 5kms into the bush in any direction it seems like you start to run out of any real amount of green grass and start getting into snow pretty quick too. I have yet to see even a single pile of bear crap anywhere yet so I'm not getting my hopes up. I thought with the warm February we had we would be ahead of schedule but it really seems to have only made a difference right down low in the valley bottom everywhere else seems to be about on par with previous years, maybe even behind somehow, so I don't expect to see much until probably the second week of May at this point.

[itsy bitsy xj]

Well first off good luck on your hunt. I'm just wondering if you get your bear will you have time to prosess it with the hockey tournament? Your hotel might get up set if you roll your bear into the lobby on a luggage cart (lol) I havn't hunted that area but I have seen bears west of Kamloops toward Cashe Creek. If you leave the tournament early enough you could take the canyon home and do a little hunting on the way

[duckhunter1488]

I am actually heading from Kamloops to Vernon afterwards and if i DO in fact get a bear I have a place in Vernon to properly process it without issue :) Thanks for the heads up russ....I figured that it is still a little early in that area at elevation unfortunately but I figured MAYBE there I would hit a stroke of luck and everything falls into place when I pass through.

[duckhunter1488]

Also...what ammo am I best off using for a bear? I have 180gr and 165gr Federal ammo....

[Moe.JKU]

both 165 and 180 will work fine. I wouldn't use blue box federal though, any federal premium ammo should work, I use partitions or trophy bonded.

[duckhunter1488]

Awesome...both are premium boxes of ammo!

[HarryToolips]

both 165 and 180 will work fine. I wouldn't use blue box federal though, any federal premium ammo should work, I use partitions or trophy bonded.
Exactly...the blue box stuff can fragment a little too quickly..I had a WT buck shoulder meat totally ruined once from that ammo... OP think sunny slopes, greening up, glass glass, and enjoy.. watch for cubs..

[steadly93]

Also been up a couple times in Kamloops and Merritt with absolutely no sign whatsoever.

[itsy bitsy xj]

Hey people.. I live in the GVA if that helps.:mrgreen:

No you don't, you live in the lower mainland

[Rhyno]

Also...what ammo am I best off using for a bear? I have 180gr and 165gr Federal ammo....

Whatever your gun shoots best and is currently sighted in for. Sorry can offer any advice for that area other than wait 3 weeks!

I burned a lot of gas looking for bears to early when I first moved here, now I don't even bother till early to mid May....that said I chase turkey's to take care of the hunting itch till then...good Luck!

[duckhunter1488]

Greater Vancouver Area? GVA? lol :roll: In which case....yes I live in the GVA.

[caddisguy]

I'm thinking of making my Region 2 rounds this weekend. Unfortunately I think it's still too early for my area for much chance of success... looks like it might even snow. That said, I'm sure there's a bear or two roaming around.

[duckhunter1488]

I figured the same...but hey, if you dont get out...you wont get one! haha. I am keen on any learning when it comes to hunting. Regardless, I WILL get my spring bear!

[caddisguy]

Getting out in the bush beats not getting out in the bush. Maybe I'll get some pics or video of something cool, check in on a trailcam or two or set a new one, good workout, fresh air, some backwoods cooking and a well deserved cold beer when the sun goes down. Hiking around with a rifle with a chance of finding some fresh sign and tracking a bear is just a bonus.

[itsy bitsy xj]

Greater Vancouver Area? GVA? lol :roll: In which case....yes I live in the GVA.

not to the locals... its the lower mainland

[duckhunter1488]

LOL :| Semantics.
Lower mainland - overall area including fraser valley.
GVA - Greater VANCOUVER area = where I live.
Does that clear it up?

[cmp88]

LOL :| Semantics.
Lower mainland - overall area including fraser valley.
GVA - Greater VANCOUVER area = where I live.
Does that clear it up?

I think the media is calling it Metro Vancouver now for everything out to the edge of Langley.

[itsy bitsy xj]

GVA=FAIL
This isn't toronto
FIFO





lol

[duckhunter1488]

lol What?
Man o man some peoples' children....

[emerson]

Being out and about in the bush is ALWAYS good. Often you will see out of season animals, which is a bonus. I did see 1 bear running for the trees on Monday night here in PG, so there is always a chance.

[duckhunter1488]

So from what I have learned so far from this is:
A) GVA doesn't exist as well as apparently offends some members on this site hahaha
B) The best tip for any hunting is to get out in the bush and hike with your gun and binoculars.
C) Still a little early in the area I am heading but ya just never know what you'll run into.

[stubby]

Last weekend I went out in region 2. Was planning on doing over night but after the first day decided to head home and do something else. The only sign I saw was two piles of crap and most cut blocks aren't green yet.

[204rug.ftw]

Tagged out already for my spring bear in region 4. Think south facing slopes down in valey bottom. One hour before dark ive seen a few bears already all about an hour before dark

[Good2bCanadian]

Double header last Saturday for us in Region 3.

[duckhunter1488]

I saw...thanks for bragging :P hahaha Jealous. Very jealous. I am itching hard to get my first bear in over 10+ years and got a smokin' deal on a Savage 111 Trophy Hunter in a .308 that needs to put a round through a bear! haha. Unfortunately I am currently figuring it out on my own, hence the questions on here to take all the help I can find!

[itsy bitsy xj]

So from what I have learned so far from this is:
A) GVA doesn't exist as well as apparently offends some members on this site hahaha
B) The best tip for any hunting is to get out in the bush and hike with your gun and binoculars.
C) Still a little early in the area I am heading but ya just never know what you'll run into.


Now you`re getting it
Remember you want to look for south facing slopes and clear cuts

[duckhunter1488]

Lac Dubois area at the top of Tranquille..... 3-29. Anyone tell me if that is a good area to go look during my free day?

[duckhunter1488]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5348&stc=1
Pic 1 from my day of taking all the tips you guys gave me and went out for a day of hiking with the gun! No bears but ran into some sign. All in all a good day.

[duckhunter1488]

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/hphotos-xaf1/t51.2885-15/e15/11189290_685519238225226_660616543_n.jpg

Had trouble uploading this one so here is a link to it....anyways. Good day out in the bush and got the heck out of the city and took my trusty hiking partner with me (my savage .308):wink: