Idaho Bear Hunting rules

[bobcat]

I'm looking at the seasons and regulations, thinking about trying some spring bear hunting in Idaho, and just one thing I'm not clear on- are electronic calls only legal in the units for which the reg's say "electronic calls may be used."??  I'm assuming that's the case but just want to be sure. Of course I would prefer to set up a bait site, but just don't think I'll have the time to do that. So I'm hoping to get some use out of the Foxpro.

Oh, and if you have any advice to share, send me a PM, please. I don't have the location narrowed down yet. But somewhere in the range of unit 8 to unit 20. Will hopefully be able to find an area without too many baiters and/or hound hunters.

[huntnnw]

I wouldn't hunt till late may and early to mid june

[bobcat]

Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking. Other than I may try to go over for a long weekend in late April if the weather cooperates just to learn the country a bit.

[bobcat]

So what it's looking like to me is that electronic calls are mainly allowed in the units that are mostly wilderness?

If so I guess the electronic predator call idea is out.

[Brushbuster]

I checked the regs & I think you can only use e-calls if it is noted in the unit you plan to hunt.

You could try bacon or honey burn.

The area I hunted in 2015 would probably still be snow covered in April & early May.

[bobcat]

Thanks. Yeah I originally was thinking Idaho had no restrictions on electronic calls for bears. Now I find out it's not legal in any of the units I might hunt.

Bacon or honey burn? Okay, thanks. I need to educate myself.

One of the units that I'm looking pretty hard at has a pretty late season- it's open until June 30th.

[Brushbuster]

You may want to reconsider the bait plan. It took about an hour for this one to come in. Note to self don't fall asleep with the door unlocked.  (The dates on pic are accurate)

[Brushbuster]

Another at bait:

[bobcat]

You may want to reconsider the bait plan. It took about an hour for this one to come in. Note to self don't fall asleep with the door unlocked.  (The dates on pic are accurate)

So am I looking at the picture correctly, the bear got in the bed of your truck while you were in the cab sleeping? 

It was after the bait in your truck? Yeah I guess baiting in that area works pretty well if you can get the bears to load themselves up before you shoot them! Maybe just set your tree stand directly over your truck.   

[bobcat]

I just realized that I forget to mention when I started this thread- I AM looking for your honey holes.   

Also, what is the reasoning for no bait in 8a and 10a? Are those units kind of set aside for the hound hunters?

[lord grizzly]

i wouldnt bother with bait or calls (bait espeacialy if you dont have time to establish it) come in may and bring glass. get in a good vantage and just glass them up. its a long season with lots of opertunity.

i suppose you can call if you want but your times better spent behind the spotter

[boneaddict]

In those units, bring a wolf tag. 

[bobcat]

In those units, bring a wolf tag.

Looks like wolf season wouldn't be open in any of the units I might hunt, at the times that I would be there.

Lord grizzly- thanks for the advice.

[boneaddict]

Figures.   

[dan11011]

Can a nonresident buy two otc idaho spring bear tags?

[Brushbuster]

Can a nonresident buy two otc idaho spring bear tags?

Yes but the 2nd tag is only good for specific units.

... Nonresidents may purchase two (2) reduced-price black bear tags for Units 4, 4A, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 16A, 17, 19, 20, 20A, 26, 27, that portion of Unit 16 north of the Selway River, and those portions of Units 21 and 28 within designated wilderness at the discounted price of $41.75; or may purchase one (1) full priced bear tag ($186.00) to hunt black bear anywhere outside the areas listed above and one (1) reduced priced bear tag valid in areas listed above. Nonresident Deer or Elk tags: A nonresident deer or elk tag, excluding Nonresident Junior Mentored/DAV deer and elk tags, may be used to tag a black bear, mountain lion or gray wolf. See page 110 for details.

[Eric M]

tagging along

[Machias]

You don't need electronic calls for bears in the spring.  In fact when I have the option I almost always use the hand call for several reasons.  In my opinion it carries farther, I can impart way more emotion into my calling,  it's much lighter to carry, the batteries never die in the back country and I believe it is more effective!!

[Machias]

P.S.  I would be happy to share a few good spots.  Some of them have a lot of bears in there, but you would hate yourself for killing one in there.    Most of the units that don't allow baiting are due to the presence of grizz.

[Huntin Hounds]

Have you considered unit 1? It probably has the highest bear density in Idaho and can be very good spring spot and stalk hunting. There is no bait allowed and the only hound hunting is in the fall in specific areas of the unit. If you are going to hunt an area open to bait I would not worry about anyone baiting near you. It can actually help bring bears into yours if people get lazy on their baits. As far as hounds I would look for drainage's that have little to no road access. Houndsmen like myself usually avoid hunting areas with little access to stay on top of our dogs. I prefer areas with at least one road down low and one up high but you can't always pick where the dogs will strike one. One piece of advice is if hunting in the early spring look for green grass on a south slope. They like to sit in open clear cuts in the mornings and get some sun. Let us know where you decide to go.

[millerwheeler]

Tagging along

[Romulous]

Spent a lot of time scouting in 12-2 during my moose hunt. Lots of good bears in the area. I have lots of inside information from other bear hunters/baiters that i met in the unit who gave me advice on moose hunting. I had a bear push his nose up against the side of my truck during my first scouting trip. Another one on camera behind the lake. I have two trail cameras out on the moose i put down on vererans day. Really nice thing about 12-2 is the ease of finding a pull off the rock road campsite, gated rock roads for walking, and proximity to supplies via lolo hot springs to the north or the lochsa lodge to the south. Open wifi available at lolo pass visitors center. 8hr 15min from Oly to campsite. PM for other details.


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