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Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Machias on February 25, 2015, 08:08:59 AM

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Title: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on February 25, 2015, 08:08:59 AM

I know it's still WAY early to predict timing, but you guys on the eastside of the state, (Considering current snow levels) if you were going to run a couple of baits south of Wallace, would you start at the end of April, beginning of May or the second week in May?  And I realize things could change very quickly.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: quadrafire on February 25, 2015, 08:12:48 AM

Fred considering snow levels. There is none. Well the top of Mt Spokane and a bit at the tip of Mica is about it. Haven't been over to the Wallace area, but can't imagine there is much around there.
Don't know anything about bear timing, just giving the snow info.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Timberstalker on February 25, 2015, 08:25:19 AM

A ton can still happen with snow as I am sure you are aware.  If it was me, I would wait it out!  Just my thoughts.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: BULLBLASTER on February 25, 2015, 08:40:30 AM

Im plqnning on waiting till later in april or may first to start my baits up.
Ill probly make a run over mid april to check snow levels

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on February 25, 2015, 08:59:11 AM

Quote from: BULLBLASTER on February 25, 2015, 08:40:30 AM

Im plqnning on waiting till later in april or may first to start my baits up.
Ill probly make a run over mid april to check snow levels

Can you let me know what you find?  I would really appreciate it and maybe I can get you a beaver carcass.  :)  Luckily my leave is very flexible so I'll adjust my trip out closer to the time! 

Thanks guys!!!

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: BULLBLASTER on February 25, 2015, 09:38:26 AM

Quote from: Machias on February 25, 2015, 08:59:11 AM

Quote from: BULLBLASTER on February 25, 2015, 08:40:30 AM

Im plqnning on waiting till later in april or may first to start my baits up.
Ill probly make a run over mid april to check snow levels

Can you let me know what you find?  I would really appreciate it and maybe I can get you a beaver carcass.  :)  Luckily my leave is very flexible so I'll adjust my trip out closer to the time! 

Thanks guys!!!

will do!

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: idaho guy on February 25, 2015, 10:56:01 AM

There is basically no snow to speak of.I am predicting we get hit with snow in March just because when we have a weak winter it always seems to work that way. My baits start getting hit good almost always middle of may-anytime there or later-You should be unit 6 or 7 sounds like south of wallace if you go south enough will be open through june 30th. I am sure you already have all that figured out but I mention it because a little later could be better. Gives them more time to hit the grass and clean out before they feel like having the buffet table I am sure you will be putting out!

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on February 25, 2015, 11:28:06 AM

Thanks Idaho guy!!

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: idaho guy on February 25, 2015, 12:41:34 PM

No problem and good luck. I forgot that unit 7 is open till july 31! it almost never closes but I would hate to hunt bears in july anyways 

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: MHWASH on March 01, 2015, 05:54:08 PM

I don't think snow levels have any thing to do with bear activity. Some of the places we hunt  bears are snow free by the first week of May every year. Just place your baits when you usually do. I Don't think bear activity picks up much earlier on warmer, less snowy years. Although I'm sure the coyotes and coons would appreciate the handouts.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on March 02, 2015, 07:30:13 PM

I'm not concerned as much about activity as I am with access.  If I can't get to the areas I want/need to hunt doesn't much matter how much activity there is or isn't.  :)

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: mulehunter on March 03, 2015, 11:46:33 AM

Dont forget to bring Camera to take Pics.  :drool:

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on March 03, 2015, 04:47:16 PM

 :tup:

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: MHWASH on March 03, 2015, 06:35:45 PM

We were in the Idaho mountains just east of here a couple of weekends ago, and although there was snow, it was not very deep. We've had some pretty cold weather here the last couple of days, so the melting has slowed down for a while.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on March 04, 2015, 05:55:06 AM

Thanks for the update!!

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: huntnnw on March 04, 2015, 06:16:06 AM

I can see the mts south of wallace latour etc and they are pretty white!

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on March 04, 2015, 10:06:59 AM

Anyone know if you can go over Moon Pass from Wallace to Avery? I would imagine not yet....

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: idaho guy on March 04, 2015, 01:28:24 PM

Im pretty sure you cant get over moon pass. I might go over with the razor this weekend I will let you know.     

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on March 04, 2015, 02:15:31 PM

 :tup:

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Huntin Hounds on March 12, 2015, 01:45:27 PM

I was up the CDA river 2 weeks ago and the only places down low with any snow had shade all day. I would be surprised if you could get over moon pass before April though. I didn't see any green grass then and don't see any in the hills around town yet. If I were you I would put baits out first week of May. Bears should be moving good and looking for food by then. Put your bait near a clearcut on the south facing slopes and it should get hit pretty fast.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on March 12, 2015, 04:42:57 PM

Thanks, I already have a couple spots I have used in the past with success. Thanks for the update on conditions.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Todd_ID on March 12, 2015, 04:53:42 PM

I'd look hard at setting a bait site on about May 5 and hunting the next 10 days. Once the elk calves start dropping at the end of May, the bait simply won't work. You'll be able to get anywhere then, and you'd be assured all the bears are out of hibernation.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on March 12, 2015, 06:48:18 PM

Sounds good, I have a friend going to set one of the baits around the 1st of May.  Then I'll set the second bait out on the 10th.  If the baits go cold, we'll switch to calling.  :)

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: trophyhunt on March 12, 2015, 07:07:28 PM

So, if a guy was boot hunting bear, do you guys think a spring bear tag holder should start hunting opening day (April 15th), or wait like I usually do until late May-early June?  Thanks.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on March 12, 2015, 07:10:50 PM

If I lived there I would hunt the very first day I could get into my area.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: trophyhunt on March 12, 2015, 07:37:28 PM

Quote from: Machias on March 12, 2015, 07:10:50 PM

If I lived there I would hunt the very first day I could get into my area.

Even if you had killed bears before and were just looking for a Big boar?  I was under the impression that the bear look for mates later may or June? Is it just the feed that brings the sow's into estrus?  Thanks

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: jasnt on March 12, 2015, 07:50:41 PM

Quote from: Machias on March 12, 2015, 07:10:50 PM

If I lived there I would hunt the very first day I could get into my area.

:yeah:

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on March 13, 2015, 05:24:00 AM

Quote from: trophyhunt on March 12, 2015, 07:37:28 PM

Quote from: Machias on March 12, 2015, 07:10:50 PM

If I lived there I would hunt the very first day I could get into my area.

Even if you had killed bears before and were just looking for a Big boar?  I was under the impression that the bear look for mates later may or June? Is it just the feed that brings the sow's into estrus?  Thanks

Yep, the big boys gotta eat and their coats will be in prime shape.  If you wait until the rut you run the risk of having to pass on a lot of bears that are rubbed.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on April 01, 2015, 06:08:15 AM

Any updates on snow conditions south of Wallace?  :)

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: BULLBLASTER on April 01, 2015, 08:17:43 AM

Pm sent. Not that far east but some info.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on April 01, 2015, 08:58:33 AM

Thanks!!

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: idaho guy on April 06, 2015, 12:05:18 PM

My driveway this morning I knew we would get some late snow

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on April 06, 2015, 04:06:44 PM

:)

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: coop2424 on April 06, 2015, 04:15:36 PM

Got about 3" of snow today also but on Saturday I got to areas that I usually can't get to tell the end of May. 

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: longwalker on April 06, 2015, 04:30:50 PM

Pretty much a good rule of thumb when spring bear hunting is start getting serious in May . It's not like the hunting is going to get worse and if your coming from out of state it's really the safest bet. If your spring bear hunting in your back yard then yeah hit hard opening day cuz you never know what you'll bump in to

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on April 09, 2015, 08:24:32 AM

One month to go.....getting so excited!!

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on May 01, 2015, 09:27:24 AM

One week to go, getting so anxious!!

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: idaho guy on May 04, 2015, 01:01:01 PM

Bear action is getting good-my son shot one yesterday and we had a pretty good bear race on Saturday with the dogs but the bear won saturday.

Title: Re: This year's timing
Post by: Machias on May 04, 2015, 05:29:00 PM

Thanks for the update!!