Spring Bear and Snow

[X-Force]

Looking at how much snow is on the hills this year I was wondering what your experiences have been with snow pack and spring bear season?

I've only hunted the west side spring bear permits and have found that with a deep snow pack many areas are inaccessible to vehicles until the last week or 2 of season and that bears seem to stay put a little longer than years with little snow pack.

[92xj]

The bears won't be out until late June with so this snow. Everyone should go in and change their submission to points only for this year.

[Machias]

Up until 3 weeks ago we were having a really nice winter, snow a few inches, melt off.  The mountains were getting plenty of snow.  This is all in the Panhandle of Idaho.  The last three weeks we have just been pounded with snow.  Record snowfall for the month of Feb in Couer d'Alene and we are due to get several inches more tonight.  I was thinking of an early spring over here this year, but unless we have one heck of a warmup and soon, there will be no rush to get any baits out this year!  Monday, 4th of March, the low is supposed to be 7 degrees here.

[trophyhunt]

In my experience it will just be more of a pain getting around on the roads to get to your hunting area, those north facing shaded corners or stretches of road may not be passible for well into June. I don't see a major change as far as the hunting goes, But you may just be walking in a little farther to that secret spot!!

[cbond3318]

Up until 3 weeks ago we were having a really nice winter, snow a few inches, melt off.  The mountains were getting plenty of snow.  This is all in the Panhandle of Idaho.  The last three weeks we have just been pounded with snow.  Record snowfall for the month of Feb in Couer d'Alene and we are due to get several inches more tonight.  I was thinking of an early spring over here this year, but unless we have one heck of a warmup and soon, there will be no rush to get any baits out this year!  Monday, 4rd of March, the low is supposed to be 7 degrees here.

  I was a high fiving white guy in December/January, hiking around, scoping trees to hang some cameras on, scooping sheds then bam, 2 ft or more where I was on bare gorund a month ago!

[Machias]

 

[nwhunter]

There will be alot of frustrated people with wenaha tags this spring if there isn't a crazy warm up and melt off. One access point puts fifty tagholders in the same general area until very end of the season..

[idaho guy]

I think the bears come out at same time of year regardless but wont move around very much. Getting in the woods without snowmobile or tracks will be a real challenge in North Idaho for sure unless we get a big thaw. I was out cat hunting yesterday and it is deep!! super light snow too so not much base to grab on too. Plus side I saw a wolf and he was not able to move very fast in this snow either. Couldn't get my gun out fast enough for a shot so I guess he was still moving too fast for me . My prediction 1- 2 more weeks of snow and cold and then we get a big thaw out.     

[dmoua]

End of May to last few days of season in June are the best days to hunt. Just wait for the snow to melt.

[idaho guy]

End of May to last few days of season in June are the best days to hunt. Just wait for the snow to melt.

  unless your baiting (Idaho)then most guys want to get them at least placed early.

[Machias]

I like to get my baits out at least by the end of April, but most of the time I do not get much action for the first few days of May.

Too bad on the wolf!! 

[idaho guy]

I like to get my baits out at least by the end of April, but most of the time I do not get much action for the first few days of May.

Too bad on the wolf!! 

Me either rarely see action till first of May. One time I got hit opening day placed it in the morning and went back next day with another load and the bear was already on it! So it can happen! I must have put it right next to his bedroom    On wolf It was the dream scenario right on old road I just needed 10 more seconds before he jumped in the thick nasty. Moving way slower than normal in the deep snow. Has me rethinking my gun rack system

[X-Force]

End of May to last few days of season in June are the best days to hunt. Just wait for the snow to melt.

Thats true for seeing bears but hides are better in late April and earl may.

[Buzz2401]

There isn't really very much snow pack right now.  Got good bump a couple weeks ago but pretty sure we are below average for the year.

[bearpaw]

I was snowmobiling on 5 feet of snow last week, it has snowed another foot since I left, access is going to be later this year unless we get heavy spring rains. I think daily temps determine if bear come out much or not, if it's still colder than normal there won't be much bear activity until warmer days arrive.

On the plus side there hasn't been a lot of talk about global warming lately!