Spring Bear Hunting

[Fapotu]

Hey what's your guys opinions on spring bear hunting vs fall?


Is the meat much different? Are they generally a lot skinnier?
How about the pelts? I hear spring bear fur is longer but is it any denser?

[savage10]

Spring bear hunting in BC is probably the “easiest” and most fun/laid back hunt you can do. I find I see way more bears in the spring than I do in the fall. And the meat is delicious!

[marcus44]

For meat spring bears are nicer to eat, less fat
For rugs fall bears have a nicer coat

[IronNoggin]

For meat spring bears are nicer to eat, less fat

Some of us actually want that fat!
Renders down into the BEST lard EVER!

https://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showt...ering-Bear-Fat

Cheers

[Iron Glove]

Personally I don't hunt bear, don't like the meat but our Son goes out every year and gets his Spring Bears, doesn't bother with Fall. As some have said, less fat tho that sometimes means he has to add fat to the sausages.
Each to their own.

[ACB]

For meat spring bears are nicer to eat, less fat
For rugs fall bears have a nicer coat

All the hides I've had from spring bears before they rub are the better hides... I've never got one in late fall though.

[Ron.C]

Ive hunted and killed both spring and fall bears. Never found any difference in table quality. That said, I also dont hunt where bears feed off fish streams.

I agree with ACB, seen some beautiful coats on spring bears taken early April to Early May.

[vincentcui]

From my experience 2013-2024:

Fur quality:
April > October > May > September > June

Colour-phased rarity by region:
8 > 3 > 5 > 4 > 7 > 6 > 2 > 1

Meat quality:
Fall inland > Spring inland > coastal bear spring and fall

[Gr8 white hunter]

I don't hunt bears anymore but it would be nice to donate my 2 tags to a bear hunter.

[elker]

Months of May is the best for bear hunting. I cannot see as many bears after early September , unless we are hunting salmon river