Spring bears Easier?

[Open-sights]

I've never hunted bear, but am considering trying it with my muzzleloader.  I know that one has to be drawn for the Spring hunt.  Is that because it is a more desirable hunt because the bears are more easily spotted and are on the move more looking for forage and trying to fatten up after Winter?  I know here in W. Washington we have a lot of black bears, but I never see the damn things during hunting season (well, occassionally I see them, but not more than a glimpse of a hind end). 

Thanks for the info.  Jeff

[saylean]

Hey Jeff,

I never really hunted bears, until about 3 years ago, I happened on one in Twisp, while deer hunting, which I took. It was the first one I had seen.

Since then, I have seen several and have really had lots of fun hunting them. Head out in spring time and look toward meadows. You will often find bears grazing on grass...since that is one of the main food sources at that time of year.

I have never hunted for bear in spring, but I think they mostly offer it to hunters to help with damage control (they eat the tops of baby fir trees, and their bark), as well as a revenue generator.

Look for meadows in the spring, berries in the summer, and you will find bears.

Good luck.

[Gutpile]

I'm definately no bear expert but I say it's way easier. At least the areas I know. I see tons of bear prior to about mid June then very rarely even see one at all. They seem very curious in the spring too. The ones I run across might check you out for a bit before bolting so you can get a look at them but in the fall they are gone as soon as they see you.

I'm sure it's all about where you hunt but where I hunt the spring the definately easiest time to kill a bear.

 

[Jerome]

Access is easier in some units.  On some draws you will get access to the keys.

[billythekidrock]

I agree with parts of the above posts, but it really depends on what side of the mountains you hunt and the amount of access you have. On the westside I have not found it any easier in the last 4 springs compared to the fall seasons.

[rasbo]

I like the spring,access can be tough where I hunt.First thing they go for is grass,and will start girdling,which is a good way to locate,The big males will run long ridges.the urge to breed comes on fast.the hides are awesome.Follow the snow lines.jackrabbit or fawn distress works good.dam I hope I get drawn

[Ghost Hunter]

I agree with parts of the above posts, but it really depends on what side of the mountains you hunt and the amount of access you have. On the westside I have not found it any easier in the last 4 springs compared to the fall seasons.

  Gave it a good effort last 4 years.  Seen a few but no shooting opportunity.  Gonna take a break from spring hunting this year.

[Gobble]

I've never put in for spring bear and honestly have never really targeted bears. My 15 yr old son and I will be putting in this year though an I'm looking forward to the opportunity.
My son doesn't turn 16 until mid april, I wonder if I can apply him for any youth tags as the cuttoff for the application is before he turns 16? I'll have to check on that

[BONE COLLECTOR]

sping bear is what brought be the this site. i drew the north skagit last year and a friend of mine who was already a member to this site told me about some footage that was being shown on the bear forum so i signed up so i could check it out. the guys in the video were doing it right, it looked like they were just walking gated roads and finding many bears eating the fresh shoots of grass growning on the side. if i had learned that earlier i probally would have got my spring bear. but as it was i was trying to hunt them like it was fall. didn't work.  there were plenty of bears around judging by the amount of peeled trees. i hope i get another chance at spring bear so i can use my new found knowledge. so my vote would be that is the same difficulty but just tougher to get the chance to do it.