Who's getting fired up for spring bear?
 

This time of year when the days get a little longer I'm ready to get back out in the woods with a weapon!

I'm a spot and stalk SW hunter and this year I'm thinking about focusing my efforts in 402. 400 would be my first choice, but the season ends May 15th and that's way too early, especially with the snow we've seen this year.

Also, recently I was told the rolling hills way down in WMU 300 holds black bears. No shortage of grizz's too. It would be a great excuse to get boots on the ground in that country.

Anyone else getting the itch to chase spring bears?

Loads are being developed, trail cams might go up tomorrow, and knives are being sharpened, new pack purchased. My favourite time of the year is upon us.

https://i.imgur.com/RBbo2Pg.jpg

I will likely go out a bit spot & stalk because I prefer it

I tried baiting for the first time last spring and it’s not for me. Anyone who wants 2 bait barrels send me a PM and come pick them up

Baiting isn't an option in my part of the province, so that's out.
Baiting in grizzly country seems like a very bad idea.

Personally I found baiting a lot of work/time gambling on a chance of a quality bear. I much prefer to have the ability to search out a quality bear and being mobile to seek out sign of quality bears that comes with spot & stalk

I know guys in my area have had grizzly hit their baits because honestly grizzly country in Alberta is far bigger then people realize

I totally agree about what's considered grizzly county. One turned up in SW Calgary last year, and won't be the last.
The boys in Cardston tell me they go pretty far east from there, using the river valley.

Yes and no for me; I love spot-and-stalking them in the Spring, and the conservation aspect of hunting them is important to me. The kids always look forward to our outings each year. But we aren't crazy about the meat, and one needs only so many bear hides...

I can’t wait for May to come every year. Such a beautiful month. We usually get out for two extended trips for bear. Since I started making bear jerky no bear is safe lol.

I guess I've been lucky with bear meat, my family we all love it. I'd rate it better that muley meat in terms of gamey taste.

My next bear will be colour phase....

Sorry, but this is too funny not to post now. Lol.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/Ca01zZL...dium=copy_link

End of May I’ll be in Alaska looking for a grizzly.

So what do you do with the hide?
Can a guy sell them any where ?

Too funny!

Never was a bear hunter as dad got a nice rug 40 yrs back and it is on my wall. But have always thought I wanted to get one for myself and my son does too.

Got back into an atv last year and in the fall, checked out an old spot, a road that goes quite a few k behind a gate to a decommissioned site. One of those no vehicles past but you can atv/hunt behind it.

The amount of bear poop I seen on, in and around this old road makes me think a spot and stalk area has been found.

There are very few of us who spend the time in the bush, that are not aware of this.....it's the biologists sitting behind their desks who don't know squat, and they are the ones who propose the do"s and don'ts to the mental midgets who implement them... there....now I've said it and can now go back to hibernating.....(Covid made me do it...lol )

For me, rug/tanning.

Would love to know if someone takes them! Taxidermists etc.

If I was technologically useful in any way I’d have the top banner read. For Those Who Think Bear Meat is Better Than Venison. :-)

Definitely prefer venison but there is some really tasty ways to cook bear. It’s a less versatile meat but is still good

If you treat it like venison or beef you are likely going to be disappointed

I hope you get another big sucker too

I hope you are going for a "Brownie". Your experience can be ten days of boredom followed by one minute of off the top adrenalin!! It is one of my most favorite hints...but I always say that about most of them LOL!!

I’d like to do that one day
Not sure if the peninsula or an island bear would be a better hunt

I went for an Island bear. But that is quite a while ago. Current research would be advisable. Lots of hunts available on the Global Hunting's pimp website. Some not too bad for price. Not sure about the quality....like I said research, research, research. If you miss the prime window which can change radically from year to year it will amount to a wet/cold camping trip. It took me two trips.

It would definitely help complete your bear montage!!!

I’ll be in the Brooks range for an arctic grizzly. Might try for brown bear on the peninsula in a few years.

Lol, that's a good one.

A guy can get the hide tanned without getting a rug done. Much less expensive.

The biggest thing for me is the low success rates and the stories of horrible Alaskan outfitter experiences. I don’t know if I’d go back to Kamchatka for a brown bear or do one in alaska?

This is what I do.

I have done every bear this way and very happy with the results, planning on doing the tanning myself this spring
Will be my first attempt, but looking forward to it .

Beautiful thread
 

Sorry I did not see this excellent thread. Hope people post a lot of stuff on here. My fav time of year.

If you haven't already, watch some of Billy Molls videos on youtube. He takes some VERY large bears. You could probably book something with him guiding and his reputation is stellar.