Spring Bear Hunting

[Muledeercrazy2]

The coats seem to be much better in the early season before they start rubbing. I usually only shoot the odd one in the spring and as long as it isn’t already feeding on shellfish the meat should be good. I have tasted bears that have been shot in the mountains after feeding on berries and they’ve been very good as well, and more fat, which a lot of people like. Bear hunts are relatively easy and the only thing you can hunt in the spring, lots of fun.

[Arctic Lake]

I have never specifically hunted bears in the spring . I always have a tag on hand when hunting other game in the fall .
Had bear sausages once and whoever made them did a great job .
Now if someone would like to mentor me on a Spring bear hunt well ,hint hint
Arctic Lake

[moosinaround]

I leave fall bears alone. Only because I am looking for ungulates during the fall. Spring bear, on the other hand is my fav time of year to get out, right before the skitters come out! Moosin

[moosinaround]

I leave fall bears alone. Only because I am looking for ungulates during the fall. Spring bear, on the other hand is my fav time of year to get out, right before the skitters come out! Moosin

[180grainer]

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.

I would agree with that. I'm not a big bear meat aficionado but fall bears that have been gorging on berries and grasses are far better than a spring bear that hasn't taken a dump for four months. Spring bear hunting is the best cause you're outside with the smell of spring in the air and hunting after being cooped up for 4 months.

[srupp]

hmmm personally prefer spring bears..mothers day has been particularly good for me....I also stay clear of bears near salmon in fall..ie large lakes streams rivers...with grizzlies I Also pack a tube of VICKS rub for under the nose so I dont hurl.

spring black bears..better hides...no competition with other animals to hunt....I wait for a bit to let the meat clean up .
I have one area that produces 40 percent colored phased bb.
Steven

[MRP]

Never a fall bear but spring and when it use to be open all summer July/August when the huckleberrys were jut finishing up. The best eating in my opinion.

[high horse Hal]

Early spring is our fav, early enough the boars are the ones out roaming
early enough temps are cool so less likely to get a rubbed hide
early enough there is still ~ 50 % snow cover in the woods then the feed areas are more limited

with two tags size is never an issue, first can be the smaller sausage bear then the selective hunting can take time
bears also seem less sketchy too, fewer conflicts in the 'hood maybe

[high horse Hal]

Spring for sure, nothing better than wandering around the mountains looking for the first greens in early season with a leh Grizzly bear tag in hand.........heavy sigh

[ACB]

It seems like the spring bears that have been out for a while that have been feeding on new spring grass and clover don't have a lot of fat make nice sausage and burger but you might have to add some pork. I've had fall bears that have been gorging themselves on berries and sometimes it can be an over powering flavour, but lots of fat to render down. A buddy of mine got a fall bear that had been feeding on rose hips, he said any bear crap they saw was loaded with rose hips, and he gave me a sample of sausage, couldn't eat it it was too strong flavoured. But he got lots of fat, said it was the best boot water proofing he ever had.