bear hunt in 349?
 

Hi guys,

Due to the forest fires out west we decided last minute last weekend to head NE (Lac La Biche) area to try for spring bears. Hunted 3 full days and didn't see any bears or even signs of bears. The area seemed to be a heavily baited by guides and whatnot as we saw 4 different bait sites. The camp next to ours was a guide camp with a semi trailer full of totes and bait. They also had like 30 bear hides stacked up in a pile. I'm thinking this weekend I'd like to try our original plan in WMU 349 where baiting is not allowed.

Does anyone have any updates on road and fire conditions in that area between North of Whitecourt and South of Swan Hills? I was told some of the oil and gas roads were closed due to the fire but I'm not sure if that applied to 349. It's a bit of a drive for us that way and the last thing I want is to drive all the way just to be turned around or to be hunting in an area where firefighters are doing their jobs...

Thank you.

I haven't been out there for over a week, but so far no issues.

Wildlife Officers are patrolling to ensure the ATV ban is being followed, checking tags etc. and generally keeping an eye on things, so that's good.

The only bears I am seeing in 349 are Grizzlies.

Norm

Have to wonder how the fires affected the bears and other wildlife ? Helicopter pilot on the news spoke of seeing animals running in all directions, without any idea which way to go.

Grizz

I find an area that has grizzlies ,has very few black bears .

I work in 349 and our field ops are seeing normal amounts of black bears and grizzlies.

So that means lots of each.

But it's also getting later in the season, about where there's enough food that they're moving away from roadside feeding.

How are the hides looking now