Anyone else excited for spring bear?

[scotty30-06]

All these threads about politics....lets hear som spring bear plans....tips tricks....and all th fun stuff

[adriaticum]

I am, damn it.

[warnniklz]

Looks like I'm taking out my brother for G-bearss.... That's really exciting!!

[Moe.JKU]

I'm more excited for turkey's this year, but I will still go for bears 2 times I think.

[guest]

Yup, gotta do my share of predator control ....... Hope too save some deer or maybe even a moose this spring.

Cant wait.

[Carrollizer]

Can't wait, this'll be the first year I'm actually on bear patrol, I figure going up to the Pemberton area around Key Hole Hot Springs might yield a good harvest. Unless anyone says there isn't good hunting up there and hope they could point me to the right area...

[Fella]

Hope to get at least 1 bear this year. Usually go on an extended weekend trip with some buds, hope it happens this year!

[landphil]

Mmmm, slow cooker bear roast in Tomato gravy, mmm, mmmm, mmm. Definetly looking forward to it, I don't think there's a bear roast left in the freezer at the moment.

[russm86]

Yea, spring bear season can't get here soon enough!

[scotty30-06]

Nice glad to see all the excitement boys.....im stoked....i have one bear planned for hope area......and I have had my eye on a huge Chilliwack bear that I'm pretty excited to go after....gonna try my hand at making a bunch of smoked bear bacon....man I can't wait

[scotty30-06]

Good to see so many guys gearing up....all the fawns and calves will be thanking us

[Fella]

Not to mention bear meat is delicious.

[HarryToolips]

Mmmm, slow cooker bear roast in Tomato gravy, mmm, mmmm, mmm. Definetly looking forward to it, I don't think there's a bear roast left in the freezer at the moment.
Sounds awesome, lets hear the recipe!!
For me this spring, I'm most likely just hunting local spots I know, grassy hills, powerlines etc..one plan that excites me though is one area that I haven't hunted much, should be grassing up come april, west facing slope, a back pack hunt close to home, cant wait..other than that come about May a buddy and I have a higher elevation spot that produced just a huge hog of a black bear on his T-cam last spring, I will try to get a pic for you guys soon here..

[Ltbullken]

Always take a blackie on my griz hunt. Typically get them on grass/clover patches. The more clover the better. Young new clover is the best. Smokies of various kinds are the best!

[FortBoy]

Oh yeah! just gotta finish up all the bear meat in the freezer from last spring lol. will prob head up to my usual spot, produces. might take a trip up to RJ's back yard though since i plan to do a bow hunt for mulies there come fall, figure i should go take a pred out of there aswell.

[guest]

Smoked hams are terrific ! Never go wrong with the bear meat sausage fest .

I have aves usually harvested fall bear ....... Are any of you finding them loaded with ticks in late May June ?
Nasty little pricks ........ Don't want no Lymes desease ....... Never seen them on my fall bears but have on my deer and moose

[scotty30-06]

Haven't seen them down here on the coast....atleast none that I have seen....yea wanna have some bear ham for big family BBQ...hoping it turns out awesome

[markomoose]

Did bear summer sausage last year.Was superb.Where is that recipe??

[Fella]

Smoked hams are terrific ! Never go wrong with the bear meat sausage fest .

I have aves usually harvested fall bear ....... Are any of you finding them loaded with ticks in late May June ?
Nasty little pricks ........ Don't want no Lymes desease ....... Never seen them on my fall bears but have on my deer and moose
The last two years we've gotten bears in late May. Not a tick to be found

[Wentrot]

Very excited. Couldn't get an opportunity for a shot out of the few seen last year. Hoping to see far more this spring-really hurt my mojo having such difficulties finding a black bear lol

[scotty30-06]

Ooohhhh God I can't wait for bear sausages.....goddamn I'm getting hungry

[swampthing]

Gots a whole week off work for my hunt. A couple of my best hunt partners comin with. Will be a great week in some awesome country with some great people. A bear would just be icing on the cake!

[300H&H]

I am not excited at all.
Honestly I have the WORST luck when it comes to bears !
BC has a huge population of bears but I can't find them.

It's almost as if they are mocking me....

http://thetango.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/14-UCZb0Zb-620x465.jpg

[leadpillproductions]

Yup 4 draws for g bears , time to go learn some new spots

[emerson]

Hell yes. Can't be here soon enough.

[two-feet]

It will be me, 2 buddies and 7 kids below 6 years old. Not a fan of road hunting but its a pretty tough stalk with all those kids! Hoping to bring out a new hunter or two bear hunting as well.

When the season starts there are always multiple threads from newer hunter about not being able to find bears in the lower mainland; head north folks! We have lots of bears to share. Not uncommon to see 10 a day. Anybody that is willing to come anywhere close to Smithers I will tell you areas that hold lots.

Smoked bear hams, breakfast sausages, pepperoni......

[two-feet]

Looks like I'm taking out my brother for G-bearss.... That's really exciting!!
Terrace area or?

[Wentrot]

I am not excited at all.
Honestly I have the WORST luck when it comes to bears !
BC has a huge population of bears but I can't find them.

It's almost as if they are mocking me....

http://thetango.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/14-UCZb0Zb-620x465.jpg

X2 buddy....x2

[chris]

Always take one in may. Sometimes 2. With bears I see lots by the beginning of may but seldom earlier. OK

[carson]

It'll be the first year for me! I'd like to head up Pitt Lake. Any one who wants to help point a newbie in the right direction - please come with! I've got a boat and I'm eager to learn. Good luck to all!

[Ride Red]

Bear pepperoni, gotta love it!!!

[moosinaround]

I never got a spring grizz, and my freezer is still full of last years critters, so no bear hunting for me this spring................NOT!!! I'll be pretty particular in the bear I take this spring! Nice color phase 7' is what I'm looking for!! Moosin

[scoutlt1]

Never had the time to get out for the spring bear hunt.
This year I'm making the time though....no matter what!!

I'm thinking/hoping I'll be looking for some recipes... :)

[300H&H]

Bear pepperoni, gotta love it!!!

You are 100% right...it is the best !

[scotty30-06]

Hey Carson...pm me if you haven't found somebody yet....i would be happy to take you out.....havnt hunted Pitt Lake much but I know of some other areas....maybe explore Pitt lake together

[tuner]

Very excited, just found out I'm drawn a grizzly in region 4/19.

[scotty30-06]

Nice...I would live to do a grizz hunt one day...but for now I'm happy going after B bears

[Wagonmaster]

Never hunted bears, but would love to get out hunting in the spring and not have to wait until September...just can't get past the possibility of TRICHINOSIS. Just wouldn't be able to enjoy the meat wondering if it is infected. Needlessly paranoid maybe, but it is what it is. Who knows, a couple of round worms in the cerebellum and one might decide to vote Liberal. Just not worth the risk. Will set up camp and go fishing.

[nap]

Gots a whole week off work for my hunt. A couple of my best hunt partners comin with. Will be a great week in some awesome country with some great people. A bear would just be icing on the cake!

Thinking the same!!!

[Gateholio]

Considering the huge predation on deer and moose that black bears inflict, I think it's incumbent upon BC hunters to hunt bears when they can. Those that complain about cow/doe seasons but refuse to hunt bears are actually hypocrites, as you will save more moose/deer by hunting bears than you will just declining a cow/doe hunt.

Political statement aside, there are a number of us in Pemberton that will be happy to help you kill a bear. No, you can't camp in our driveways and no we aren't signing up to "guide" you, but we can point you in the right direction, maybe go out with you if time allows, and maybe get you into bow only agricultural areas. No slam dunk, but if you want to try hunting in Pemberton for bears, we way be able to help you. :)

[scotty30-06]

I will definitely be keeping that in mind Gatehouse.....you bet I will be....after I get my boar I have been chasing for 3 years now

[Rackmastr]

Considering the huge predation on deer and moose that black bears inflict, I think it's incumbent upon BC hunters to hunt bears when they can. Those that complain about cow/doe seasons but refuse to hunt bears are actually hypocrites, as you will save more moose/deer by hunting bears than you will just declining a cow/doe hunt.

Political statement aside, there are a number of us in Pemberton that will be happy to help you kill a bear. No, you can't camp in our driveways and no we aren't signing up to "guide" you, but we can point you in the right direction, maybe go out with you if time allows, and maybe get you into bow only agricultural areas. No slam dunk, but if you want to try hunting in Pemberton for bears, we way be able to help you. :)

x2...great post. We need to get more people out there shooting some bears!!

I love it, and will be using at least one tag this spring!

[nelsonob1]

Very excited, just found out I'm drawn a grizzly in region 4/19.

x2 - see you out there. we saw eight grizzlies in 4;19 last year. one was a bus.

[jtred]

My hunting partner and I will be backpacking up into a really nice southern exposure road closure for the third spring running. We've got a really nice camp set up with an incredible view of Kootenay lake. Great hiking and lots of bears makes for a memorable hunt. The first year up there we were coming back from an afternoon glassing session and surprised a nice bear right in camp, unfortunately we were doing more chatting then looking and the bear saw us before we saw him. I stalked to within 30-40m and shot a bear last spring on our way out, my first bear.

[tuner]

x2 - see you out there. we saw eight grizzlies in 4;19 last year. one was a bus.
Great to hear Nelsonob1, I'll be giving my buddy Jason who lives in Nelson a call with an invite, this will be first time grizzly hunting,have put in for many years and this is first draw.

[TysonVM]

thanks to sum-hunter i got me a black bear late last year, so no bears this year unless one comes at me! i am excited to do turkey and maybe a pig hunt.

[nelsonob1]

Great to hear Nelsonob1, I'll be giving my buddy Jason who lives in Nelson a call with an invite, this will be first time grizzly hunting,have put in for many years and this is first draw.

Send me a PM closer to the time you are hunting and I will give you what intel with have. Last year we found that they were concentrated in few drainages. I will be scouting starting beginning of April, then doing the main hunt beginning of May.

[LYKTOHUNT]

I am usually excited to get out bear hunting but hope like hell we never see any (dont want to get all hot and dirty ) its just an excuse to get out and do some camping scouting and whatever but this year I think myself and the other guys will try to actually get some bears, for the sole reason of predator control, I know they are the biggest threat to fawns and calves. I also like bear pepperoni so its a win win.
Even got me a new close in fightin bear buster a new to me Husky 9.3x57, not that I really needed it but seemed like a good excuse to get another rifle.

[caddisguy]

Never hunted bears, but would love to get out hunting in the spring and not have to wait until September...just can't get past the possibility of TRICHINOSIS. Just wouldn't be able to enjoy the meat wondering if it is infected. Needlessly paranoid maybe, but it is what it is. Who knows, a couple of round worms in the cerebellum and one might decide to vote Liberal. Just not worth the risk. Will set up camp and go fishing.

Needlessly paranoid IMHO :) Think about it this way. Yes, a large percentage of bears are carrying trichinosis and often worse. If you take a close look at bear scat, you will often see little white chunks about the size of a tooth. These are tapeworm segments. Not helping so far am I? lol ... but what I am getting at, is that all of these things go away by cooking it through. Internal temperature of 165F is instant death for trich. Even an internal temperature of 145F for a couple minutes kills trich.

Consider the grocery store. The majority of ground beef has e. coli. A large percentage of chicken has salmonella. There are a number of parasites in seafood that can put a hurt on you too. These things can mess you up just as bad. Cooking makes it all safe.

Now lets talk about worst case scenario. You under-cooked your bear and get infected with trich. The majority of trich infections are so benign, they actually asymptomatic. The severity of a trich infection usually depends on how many cysts you ingested. Unless, you are eating bear sushi or blue steaks, the odds are you will not get a severe infection, perhaps some abdominal discomfort and soreness for a few weeks and the symptoms subside. I consider the odds too... 30% chance bear has trich, 1% chance I'll undercook some, 50% chance that would lead to an infection, 1% chance it's actually going to mess me up bad or kill me. Not a math guru, I think Vegas odds of those events all coinciding for the perfect storm means somewhere around 1/3000000 of round worms in the cerebellum.

But back to the grocery store... tapeworms, salmonella, e. coli. All of those things can put an equal amount of hurt on you or even kill you. I do not see an increased risk in bear (even one with trich) versus ground beef, chicken or seafood.

Hope that helps man. Bear burgers are amazing. Probably the best patties I have ever had and absolutely and absolutely no way anyone would suspect it was not some awesome beef if you didn't tell them. We harvested one last May and ate 2-4 meals every week for the entire year, everything from burgers and tacos to steakbites, stir-fry and roasts, We are down to about 10lbs and can't wake to get back out there for another one. Definitely looking forward to bear season... just hope my hands don't shake when I put my sights on what is to me a delicious walking burger factory!! :)

The only thing I dislike about bear season which can also be a health hazard is ticks. In the area I hunt, they are absolutely horrible. Probably a dozen or so bites last year and caught a few dozen crawling on me... learned my lesson about how I hunt bears in my area; I avoid the brush best I can and sit/wait in semi-open areas with sign... let them come to me instead of hiking around too much to find them.

[scallywag]

I excite to pull out the predator calls. Called a few bears in last year really close o

[RackStar]

Excited for hunting!! Nahh.. No way... I'd rather read hbc and watch tv.. Ha-ha
Doing my usual weekend spring hunts and a 5 day grizzly hunt end of May. Hell ya I'm stoked

[epicZERO74]

Nice to see a thread that relates to hunting on Hunting BC! That's not something you see everyday!

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Smoked hams are terrific ! Never go wrong with the bear meat sausage fest .

I have aves usually harvested fall bear ....... Are any of you finding them loaded with ticks in late May June ?
Nasty little pricks ........ Don't want no Lymes desease ....... Never seen them on my fall bears but have on my deer and moose

My daughter's late April bear from two years ago was loaded with ticks.

[Brambles]

I aim on taking a couple bears, maybe it's time for my wife to buy a hunting license again and shoot something too.

my wife just said if I learn to knit a dishcloth, she'll shoot a bear.....looks like I'm gonna learn to knit.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

I absolutely love spring bear hunting. It's a great way to get rid of cabin fever.

Spring in in the mountains of BC is a great time and place to be!!

[tigrr]

I would like to put some bear meat in the freezer. My hunting area had 30 black bears in it in the fall of 2014. 2015 and very few black bears and now 7 grizzly's.

Last springs black bear made 23, 4 -7 lb roasts. 95 pounds of just lean meat. Over half gone and 3 months till I can restock.

[KBC]

Anyone in the bridge lake area need an apprentice?

[luger]

I'm absolutely stoked for spring bear. I only have 20 smokes and a few pounds of hamburger left from last year's spring bear. This is going to be a great year of hunting!

[Vladimir Poutine]

Local sighting yesterday. Already?

[Drillbit]

Good to see so many guys gearing up....all the fawns and calves will be thanking us

Absolutely!!

[Bigd74]

This is my first year hunting, and hope to get a spring bear. Hope I can find one b

[Drillbit]

Local sighting yesterday. Already?

My brother saw one in Trail on Feb 17th. Early spring this year

[landphil]

Sounds awesome, lets hear the recipe!!


It is pretty awesome - onions and carrots together with the tomato gravy go really well, and you can cut the meat with the side of your fork - "the Wife" is in charge of that department and I couldn't find the recipe - I'll post it when I can get my grubby paws on it.

I think I'm going to test the effects of a 210 grain .338 TTSX on a BB this spring since my .338WM still hasn't drawn blood, a problem that urgently need rectifying.

[landphil]

My daughter's late April bear from two years ago was loaded with ticks.

Ditto - mine was later May at high elevation, lots of 'em creepy buggers. Same with the one's my brother has taken in May recent years


I absolutely love spring bear hunting. It's a great way to get rid of cabin fever.


Spring in in the mountains of BC is a great time and place to be!!


And ditto again, getting out it them there hills, busting through snowdrifts and clearing blowdowns from the road to open it up for the first time that year, the fresh spring air, warm sun and cool breezes... Love it.

[hardnocks]

hack i am goose hunting so no cabin fever .i am going for turkeys and look for a bear at the same time . we were talking in the goose blind today about heading into tum tum lake for bear .

[Alienation]

I'm definitely excited for some spring bear, haven't been hunting for them but would love some bear pepperoni and sausage

[Camp Cook]

My brother saw one in Trail on Feb 17th. Early spring this year

This is the info I am looking for.

I've been thinking bears are going to start coming out early this year.

I'm planning on hunting along the banks of the Fraser River this spring my buddy and his family have a 2500 acre ranch I have almost exclusive hunting rights on in the down time I am going to do some sturgeon fishing from the bank.

I'm not excited about bear hunting yet still in coyote hunting mode... :)

[smallfry14]

Got my first bow in the off season so I'm looking to get an archery black bear this spring. Never hunted spring bear before and never got a bow kill before, should be fun. If anyone has honey holes for black bears in the Clearwater area feel free to pm me ;)

[ACE]

Have been out looking throughout the week ... (retired)
The places where they show up early.
Nothing yet .... Ladysmith and surrounding area.

[Weatherby Fan]

Have been out looking throughout the week ... (retired)
The places where they show up early.
Nothing yet .... Ladysmith and surrounding area.

Seen a sow and a cub a cpl days back out towards Mission, so there up and about already.

[scotty30-06]

Saw a small female in Chilliwack Valley on the way up.....and sow and cub on the way out right on the Chilliwack river

[scotty30-06]

And that was Saturday this past weekend

[MichelD]

I am excited even though my Mrs. is complaining about what the heck are gonna do with all that deer meat in the freezer.

Have a young buddy who's eager to shoo this first bear so I'm up for that.

But I know from experience and a lot of burned gas for nothing that there's no point in going off half-cocked , so I probably won't even go for a first trip until around May 10.

Unless you guys start posing pics of dead bears starting April 15. Some of my spots will still be under snow though.

[scotty30-06]

Yea...gonna be a bit early but who knows...may is a safe bet

[Xenomorph]

Considering the huge predation on deer and moose that black bears inflict, I think it's incumbent upon BC hunters to hunt bears when they can. Those that complain about cow/doe seasons but refuse to hunt bears are actually hypocrites, as you will save more moose/deer by hunting bears than you will just declining a cow/doe hunt.

Political statement aside, there are a number of us in Pemberton that will be happy to help you kill a bear. No, you can't camp in our driveways and no we aren't signing up to "guide" you, but we can point you in the right direction, maybe go out with you if time allows, and maybe get you into bow only agricultural areas. No slam dunk, but if you want to try hunting in Pemberton for bears, we way be able to help you. :)

Completely agree with you there bud. Our hunting group got 3 black bears last year. I missed on another opportunity on #2, but in the words of my buddy that would've been a full horseshoe up my you-know-what.

Already geared up for the bears, will try to take at least one.

[scotty30-06]

I wonder on average how many fawns and calves your average bear eats a year....not as bad on wolves but would be interesting to see the info (if there is any)

[Drillbit]

I wonder on average how many fawns and calves your average bear eats a year....not as bad on wolves but would be interesting to see the info (if there is any)

I've read several reports that say %50 of moose calves go to bears.

Lots of bears on region 5. Not uncommon to drive around and see 20-30 a day. It's all about timing though.

I think this spring will be tough bear hunting because there is so much green already in the bush they won't be on the sides of all the roads

[scotty30-06]

Wow that's a lot of moose calves...couldnt imagine the deer numbers

[ACE]

Do any of you look for 'book bears' only ... ?

[Gnarly]

I passed up a nice Haida Gwaii hog with a great big melon of a head in the fall because I had a .270 with cheap hornady spire points in it hunting deer and just wasn't confident in the shot. Gonna go look for him this spring for a week with the .375 and do some exploring on the atv at the same time.

[sawmill]

I passed up a nice Haida Gwaii hog with a great big melon of a head in the fall because I had a .270 with cheap hornady spire points in it hunting deer and just wasn't confident in the shot. Gonna go look for him this spring for a week with the .375 and do some exploring on the atv at the same time.

Chicken. 28 blacks and 2 Grizz with my .270 ,130 grn. core loks. And only 3 follow up shots .It`s all about placement.

[Gnarly]

quartering front shoulder on with an interlock, pass was the best option. If I had a chance to stick it in his armpit I would have.

[wideopenthrottle]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bears-hibernating-spring-2016-1.3470138

the wait may be shorter than normal

[scotty30-06]

That's a good read....glad they are waking up earlier....could be good for April bear hunt