Bear Meat Spring vs. Fall

[salish]

I've never hunted bear before, but I ate some bear stew this past Christmas and it was delicious. I'm now thinking about hunting them. Is there any major differences between spring and late summer bears as far as table quality goes? It would seem like bears coming out of hibernation would have much less weight on them, whereas bears taken in August would have put on some weight from berries, etc. Just curious as to other's thoughts. Thanks.

[Bango skank]

If you draw spring bear then kill a spring bear and a fall bear, decide for yourself which is better.  No need to choose, you can buy 2 bear tags.

[Jonathan_S]

Springtime very good to incredible. Falltime it is occasionally terrible but sometimes the best.

Only terrible bear I've eaten had been hitting some carcasses. Even my big sage country boar was phenomenal eating.

[7mmfan]

I have no personal experience with spring other than buddies that have killed a couple. Everyone of them said their spring bears were delicious. I know my fall bear last year as phenomenal. I'd gladly kill one in the spring and then again in the fall and do a side by side taste test.

[CaNINE]

black bear meat is my families favorite

[salish]

Thanks all, I appreciate the fast answers. Ok, I've got some planning to do. I've been dedicating spring to turkey hunting but I may think about combining them. Thanks.

[Ricochet]

My experience has been its totally dependent on what they're feeding on.  A spring bear feeding on skunk cabbage or carrion will likely be nasty, a fall bear eating berries is usually excellent, if he's eating mushrooms or gut piles, not so much.

[jrebel]

Springtime very good to incredible. Falltime it is occasionally terrible but sometimes the best.

Only terrible bear I've eaten had been hitting some carcasses. Even my big sage country boar was phenomenal eating.

Exactly my experience.  Both are very good unless you find one that has been eating garbage or other carcasses.  You will know immediatly upon gutting and skinning.  If the meat smells like a carcass....don't eat it.   Darn sure don't take it home and try and butcher it in your wifes kitchen.....    

[tgomez]

Fall bear by leaps and bounds.

[dmoua]

Fall bear are very good if they have been eating berries all summer.

[D-Rock425]

I've had some spring bear burger that was a little funky compaired to the August berry eating bears I've had.  The spring bear I shot last year was made into hams, pepperoni and summer sausage all gave been great.

[salish]

Thanks again everyone.