Spring Bear around Bozeman/Gallatin

[cbond3318]

I just moved to Bozeman while constructing the Bozeman WTP, am still a resident in eastern washington but am looking at purchasing an OTC spring bear tag. Hoping to get some input from members that may be familar with this area as to start my goal of hunting here off on the right foot. I've only been here a few weeks but have done a couple short walks up sourdough and Hyalite. I must say as a newbie to the area, it is going to be difficult to ever move back! What an amazing area.

[deerslyr]

Definitely good areas around bozeman to hunt. I havent hunted there myself but here its good. Not a whole to it besides glassing open hill sides full of green grass in the afternoons. Just takes some patience until you get the hang of it and then you start seeing bears all over the place. The last two weeks of the season are usually the best. I stick to the bear tooths around red lodge and have done well. 

[cbond3318]

That is what I am hearing from some of the guys I work with. I figure a good idea would be to swing into the region 3 FWP office here in town and ask some questions. The oppurtinity to be able to even hike through some Montana country, with the ability to hunt gets me JACKED! NR costs don't seem to bad, if I end up staying a while for work I may purchase the D/E combo.

[JLS]

Be darned good at your bear ID.  Don't over look the Bridgers either.  Hunt the south facing slopes on the avalanche chutes, and as deerslyr said make sure you are hunting the afternoons and evenings.

Look twice, shoot once.

[cbond3318]

Right on guys, much appreciated! I must say, knowing I have a reasonable chance of seeing a grizzly, I will study as much as possible before a trigger is ever pulled. You mean the bear ID test I passed doesn't make me a bonified bear biologist?
I can't wait to give it a go. Where would be the best information  to find gated logging areas?

[JLS]

Forest Service

[longrange7mm]

PM Sent

[deerslyr]

Ive found the biologists here to be extremely helpful when it comes to deer and elk. Havent needed to really contact them when its come to bears but I can imagine itd be the same. Spring bear has become one of my favorite hunts and im sure ull enjoy it. Its absolutely gorgeous that time of year. Fly fish the early mornings and bear hunt the afternoons and evenings. Not a whole lot of bear action early in the mornings so I stick to fishing that time of the day. 
I here gated logging roads that are overgrown with grass are the ticket as well. Unfortunately we dont have many of those in my neck of the woods. Heres a pic of a hill side where we saw alot of bears this year, both black and griz. Its the kind of area I like to focus on to give you an idea of what your looking for.

[longrange7mm]

Here is the top of Hyalite ALOT of people up there but seen a good bear and alot of goats  2nd & 3rd is of blackmore Im going to go in there this spring but thats a ball buster

[cbond3318]

That looks like awesome country!
Longrange7mm...PM sent
I guess learning how to tangle up in a fly rod would be kinda cool too!
Will a feeding boar cruise quickly through large areas or if its substantial will he sit tight long enough to put a stalk on?
If he is cruising do you try and anticipate where he may head and stalk to there?

[JLS]

That looks like awesome country!
Longrange7mm...PM sent
I guess learning how to tangle up in a fly rod would be kinda cool too!
Will a feeding boar cruise quickly through large areas or if its substantial will he sit tight long enough to put a stalk on?
If he is cruising do you try and anticipate where he may head and stalk to there?

Usually when they are feeding in the avalanche chutes they stay in a general area long enough for a stalk.  If you are hunting some of the hillsides like those pictured above, they may tend to roam more because the food source is not as concentrated.  If he is cruising, yes you want to try and intercept him.

The lower Gallatin can be some pretty decent spring fishing, so can the lower Boulder over by Big Timber.

[deerslyr]

 so can the lower Boulder over by Big Timber.

May even find some bear over there 

[6x6in6]

Montana only requires you to have established residency for 180 days before you can obtain a resident hunting license. 
Something to ponder if you are there long enough for the D/E season. 
There's stipulations tied to that 180 days though.
Again, just something to consider.

Link........  http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca/87/2/87-2-102.htm

[cbond3318]

@6x6in6...
I would love to become a resident here, there is the oppurtunity for a couple years of projects here. Without talking to the FWP direct I am a bit confused as to the stipulations around becoming a resident and being able to hunt here this coming season. I want to make sure I have all facts straight in order to not screw up hunting in Washington this year if I am not able to here, that would suck. Do you know if I  purchase a NR Spring Bear Tag, am I comitted to being a NR for the entire 2013 season? I guess talking to the field office here is in order sooner than later.

[JLS]

Do you know if I  purchase a NR Spring Bear Tag, am I comitted to being a NR for the entire 2013 season? I guess talking to the field office here is in order sooner than later.

No, it does not commit you.