Idaho

[Ridgerunner]

Thinking of going to Idaho for spring bear.  Does anyone on here do that on a regular basis?  It looks like there are a couple permit only units?  Has anyone hunted those?

[Machias]

I hunted there the spring of 2011 and 2012.  Lots of fun!  I just bought a statewide permit.

[cougarbart]

machias, he don't need a statewide permit if not hunting with dogs!lol you just buy an otc bear tag!

[BULLBLASTER]

I've done it a few years. Most likely will continue to. Its a blast! Bait and otc spring bears.

[Coasthunterjay]

Idaho bear in idaho would be a blast. I hunt elk in the weiser unit which unfortunately has no non-res tags. Bummer! Guys in that area and everyone in our camp always see good sized bears during hunting. Bait and good season and a lil time should show productive! I have a friend that owns just under 100acres in Lewiston and has been wanting me to check it out for elk, I probably will next year and see if there are bears also.

I think this spring and a scouting trip should let us know what we have for animals. Maybe throw a bucket pile down, camera and wait for something good.

Good luck man! Hope if you do go you connect. Let us all know what yah plan. 

[Machias]

machias, he don't need a statewide permit if not hunting with dogs!lol you just buy an otc bear tag!

I wasn't talking about the hound permit.  They have some areas you can buy reduced tags, like the Lolo Unit and such, I was referring to buying the otc statewide bear tag. 

[actionshooter]

I have done it, went over blind to more or less scout for elk. Wasn't successful but it was fun. 

[Machias]

Two years ago I did all of my scouting from Google.  Looking at the terrain I figured out where I wanted to put my bait site without ever going there.  Went in and went to my spot and found piles of bear poop.  Put the bait in and it took about 6 days for them to hit and then my buddy was able to shoot a really nice red cinnamon and had 5 other bears hitting the bait, one while he was trying to gut his bear that would not leave.  I also ran a bait on my 20 acres near St Maries, the entire fall not a single bear hit my bait, but I did get a lion, bobcat and two moose on the trail camera. 

[actionshooter]

Two years ago I did all of my scouting from Google.  Looking at the terrain I figured out where I wanted to put my bait site without ever going there.  Went in and went to my spot and found piles of bear poop.  Put the bait in and it took about 6 days for them to hit and then my buddy was able to shoot a really nice red cinnamon and had 5 other bears hitting the bait, one while he was trying to gut his bear that would not leave.  I also ran a bait on my 20 acres near St Maries, the entire fall not a single bear hit my bait, but I did get a lion, bobcat and two moose on the trail camera. 

What were you using for bait?

[Machias]

Started it with a beaver carcass, then used sweet COB.

[huntnnw]

can be spotty in May for baiting...June is much better