Post by: Longfield1 on March 12, 2024, 08:13:02 AM
Is OTC spring bear in Idaho correct?
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on March 12, 2024, 08:41:18 AM
Post by: Longfield1 on March 12, 2024, 08:46:15 AM
Post by: pashok23 on March 12, 2024, 08:51:40 AM
Post by: Machias on March 12, 2024, 09:44:52 AM
One more question, is the snow up above 4K melted by the April opener? I would think the snow pack would hang around till mid summer.
Depends on what Unit(s) you're going to hunt, but more than likely no. What Unit(s) are you thinking of hitting, maybe I can help you out some.
Post by: Karl Blanchard on March 12, 2024, 10:21:54 AM
I’ve been looking to make a scouting trip over to Idaho for archery elk this year and was looking if I can hunt at all. From what I saw on Idahos fish and game website is bear hunting is OTC and in certain areas the tag is a reduced rate of around 50$. I know I missed the application for controlled hunts but really just looking for OTC.OTC is common but there are limited entry units so you'd need to look at the specific unit you're going to scout to see if it is open for OTC hunting and also if it is a full price tag or a reduced price tag.
Is OTC spring bear in Idaho correct?
Post by: Rob on March 12, 2024, 11:31:15 AM
Post by: Longfield1 on March 12, 2024, 01:50:38 PM
Post by: Rob on March 12, 2024, 05:11:40 PM
Post by: SpicyTacos on March 12, 2024, 08:23:40 PM
Best bear hunting I've had is in Idaho. And it all happened when I least expected it. Have no expectations and you'll get one. Fun.
Post by: Longfield1 on March 12, 2024, 08:51:45 PM
From my experience in unit one Idaho. Plan a couple days to scout while you hunt. Go in May. Look for sign. If you find fresh bear *censored*. Stay put. If you don't. Get out a call and rip on it. Also have bear spray and your prefered flavor of caliber handgun. Large with many rounds. They come in fast when you least expect it. Be prepared for brown bear to rip your ass apart when calling. Other than that have a great time.
Best bear hunting I've had is in Idaho. And it all happened when I least expected it. Have no expectations and you'll get one. Fun.
I plan on bringing my plated Dirt bike and really just exploring the area and enjoying the beautiful country. I'm hoping to have around 6 days mid may to put some miles on the rubber and boots.
Post by: huntnnw on March 12, 2024, 10:45:20 PM
One more question, is the snow up above 4K melted by the April opener? I would think the snow pack would hang around till mid summer.
ID varies drastically from N ID to S ID and everywhere in between
Post by: huntnnw on March 12, 2024, 10:47:53 PM
Gotcha. I am hunting 1 for the first time so I am in a similar boat. I plan to start scouting very soon and hunt hard in Mid May
snow pack has greatly increased in the clearwater and panhandle regions as of late. just 2 weeks ago some areas were hovering around 40% snow pack. Today many are 70%+ you wont be getting around much above 3,500' right now unless tracked
Post by: luvmystang67 on March 13, 2024, 09:50:48 AM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Rob on March 13, 2024, 02:33:35 PM
I will be curious what the snow pack is like at that point. Hoping we can get around - especially with the low snow fall this year. I picked the dates based on my experience with spring bear in NE Washington. I got my '21 spring bear on May 14th in the Kelly Hill unit- activity was really picking up that week compared to prior weeks, and all the roads were open/snow free. My buddy got his on June 12th the same year.
I also hunted Sherman mid-May of 2019 for spring bear and the roads were open and snow free there as well.
So fingers crossed! For now I am just cyber scouting while I wait for the roads to clear a bit.
Post by: Longfield1 on March 13, 2024, 03:25:02 PM
Post by: huntnnw on March 13, 2024, 04:29:55 PM
Thank you all for the tips and comments. Anyone whose hunted Idaho for bear have a better unit suggestion for spot and stalk? I don't mind paying full price for a tag.
4 and 6 have lots of logging and there is gated roads in those units. Hike the gated roads and glass.
Post by: bearpaw on March 13, 2024, 05:43:03 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on March 13, 2024, 06:11:17 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Longfield1 on March 13, 2024, 06:59:07 PM
Without drawing a Unit 32 tag, I think Unit 1 is best place for spot and stalk, bait and dogs are not allowed in the majority of the unit, and its a top 5 harvest unit every year without bait and hounds!
Wow that is something. I’m going to be using my bow so close shots only. I’ll have to look at unit one. Thank you.
Post by: bearpaw on March 14, 2024, 02:25:18 PM