Bearpaw Season - Spring 2019

[bearpaw]

Driving back from turkey scouting this morning I was thinking how amazingly unpredictable weather can be. If anyone would have ask me how I thought the spring hunts would go on March first I would have suggested that spring movements will be two weeks late. WOW, how weather can change, we went from hard cold winter to full blown spring in a few weeks, two feet of snow on March 1 in my yard to green grass growing on April 1.  

It's a new and exciting season, birds are already breaking up good and hard into breeding, I have even seen lone hens moving around already. A month ago I was worried about our early bear hunts being too early, now I'm wondering if I should have booked more hunters early? So goes the weather guessing game! 

Daniel has the youth turkey contest winner out right now, they are after some birds they roosted last night. I checked some other roosts this morning so they have backup plans if needed.

We've been busy as heck, we have three new log sided cabins in one of our Idaho areas that are about half built now, Brian and Anthony are working long days between rainstorms and I am hauling building materials at all hours of the day and night to keep them busy in hopes that they are completed before spring bear season.

Tara has the cabins here in WA ready for the spring hunters and I'll start planting deer food plots this week, this is a week earlier than last year and the weather has been really warm, spring is such a pleasant time of the year, I can hardly wait for the general turkey opener.

We have a fairly busy spring season planned with hunters coming from most corners of the country, although I recently had some opening day cancellations I'm trying to get filled, got one of them filled, still looking for 4 more opening day turkey hunters.

[Brushcrawler]

I enjoy following this thread each year - thanks for taking us along on the adventures!

[bearpaw]

The bird flipped Daniel the middle feather this morning and went the other way, they are out in the rain this afternoon hoping for better luck, I'll run and check some other roosts tonight for a backup plan if needed tomorrow morning.

[TheStovePipeKid]

I've gotten the middle feather more times than I can remember. Hunting in the rain builds character and propagates the outdoor gear industry. I'm anxiously awaiting the success story. It's great to hear about all the young up and coming hunters enjoying this wonderful sport.

[bearpaw]

My Idaho spring bear was fully booked but I've had three hunts open up due to cancellations today, one hunt is already filled, the other two hunts still available are May 13-17. These won't last long. We get spring tags over the counter in Idaho, the hunt is $2950 plus 6% sales tax and $206.50 license/tag fees. Lodging and meals are included, this hunt is done with hounds, baits, and sometimes stalking. Normally 90-100% opportunity. A few photos from last year.

[bearpaw]

I've gotten the middle feather more times than I can remember. Hunting in the rain builds character and propagates the outdoor gear industry. I'm anxiously awaiting the success story. It's great to hear about all the young up and coming hunters enjoying this wonderful sport.

The afternoon hunt was a bust, they just sent a text they are going to set up at a different property for the evening hunt. I'll go check some additional roosts this evening for a backup plan for morning.

[bearpaw]

Had a busy week since the youth hunt, we have three new cabins close to completion for the Idaho spring bear hunts. We have about 8 acres of food plots tilled up, and we have turkeys scouted up and birds roosted for the turkey general season opener tomorrow. Hoping to have a few long beards hanging by the end of the day tomorrow.

[TheStovePipeKid]

Good luck! Remember, pics or it didn't happen.

[bearpaw]

Pete was one of the first to tag out, here he is with his first bird. At age 80 I think Pete will also be our oldest hunter this turkey season. Congrats Pete!

[bearpaw]

Mike has had great luck through the years hunting brids with us, he had already nailed one nice tom, this morning this tom and another loud mouth gobbler were traveling together, guide Ray called them in and Mike smoked the quiet one which leaves the loud mouth gobbler for another day. Great shooting as usual Mike! 

[bearpaw]

Marci and husband Greg came for the opener to try their hand at turkey hunting, Greg nailed two nice birds early in the hunt and marci dropped two big toms this morning. These spurs are the best for the season so far, about 1 1/4 inch long. I'll try to round up other photos of the birds, here are those long spurs:

[bearpaw]

Brian nailed a dandy gobbler, good shooting! 

[bearpaw]

We've seen bear three times this last week, they are out early, I've only got two spring bear hunters this year and they can't come till late may. Wished I had some bear hunters coming sooner!

[bearpaw]

Natalie dropped two birds with us again this year, she is becoming quite the turkey hunter! Congrats!!

[bearpaw]

This is Natalia and Brooke with two birds, they each got one that morning. Great shooting!