spring bear in Idaho

[Dbax129]

Does anybody have any experince with hunting spring bear in Idaho? I read some old toppics about it while browsing and was curious if it was pretty productive hunting and if they still offer reduced tags for certain areas. So many bears they make it cheeper to hunt? Sounds like a good start for a successful hunt to me.

[BULLBLASTER]

I did it in 2013. killed a nice chocolate. ill be doing it again this year also. this year ill be in an area with reduced tags.
its a ton of fun!

[Dbax129]

Thanks for the reply! I spent several hours looking over the harvest reports and the regs and all that on the IDF website.  Im getting kindof excited. I am thinking of seeing if bearpaw has diy maps for the areas up there, though Im trying to do plenty of internet scouting until then. I am also looking at the reduced tag areas. Good luck! Any tips on how to pick a unit would be awesome. They dont list sucess rates in theor bear stats. Only number harvested and gender. No mention of how many hunters or hunter days.

[BULLBLASTER]

Sorry cant help you much on how to select a unit. I have only done it in units i knew already from hunting other animals. I would think that most units would have good bear populations tho. Will you be running bait sites?

[Machias]

Just remember the reduced areas have limited access and DEEP snow well into the spring season.  Some years you cannot hardly get into an area until nearly the end of the season.  It's not just snow.  One time I had a hound permit for area 10.  From Spokane it took me 14 hours to get within 1 mile of my unit and still could not make it all the way in.  First I ran into deep deep snow, had to drive around to another area.  Hit deep snow there, drove around to another area, and finally made it in only to have several logging roads gone from slides.  Took me three more weeks before I could access the area.  If you have a ATV or snow machine you will be able to access these areas much easier, but remember once you get into these areas you are seriously on your own, so take enough gear to to stay comfortable in case you break down or get stuck and make sure you leave detailed directions on where you will be hunting so help can find you if it gets to that point.  The first year I baited there never had a single bear hit my bait.  The last two times I baited there I had multiple bears on the bait.  Both times it took about a week for the bears to find and start using the bait.

[ribka]

Very good advice Fred. 

Just remember the reduced areas have limited access and DEEP snow well into the spring season.  Some years you cannot hardly get into an area until nearly the end of the season.  It's not just snow.  One time I had a hound permit for area 10.  From Spokane it took me 14 hours to get within 1 mile of my unit and still could not make it all the way in.  First I ran into deep deep snow, had to drive around to another area.  Hit deep snow there, drove around to another area, and finally made it in only to have several logging roads gone from slides.  Took me three more weeks before I could access the area.  If you have a ATV or snow machine you will be able to access these areas much easier, but remember once you get into these areas you are seriously on your own, so take enough gear to to stay comfortable in case you break down or get stuck and make sure you leave detailed directions on where you will be hunting so help can find you if it gets to that point.  The first year I baited there never had a single bear hit my bait.  The last two times I baited there I had multiple bears on the bait.  Both times it took about a week for the bears to find and start using the bait.