spring bear hunt

[minky]

Anyone have a spring bear hunt planned?

If so, where too?

What weapon will you be using, rifle, bow or muzzleloader?

[00rowe]

Yep, northern Manitoba, bow. This will be my 4th time up and my wifes 3rd time. She shot a nice blackie 19 3/4" our first time up with her rifle. I've been waiting on a big bear, and she's pretty much looking for color. It's a great time, and a nice way get the summer started.

Mike

[frogtosser]

Are you going through an outfitter? I've never gone bear hunting and it looks like fun. I'd go with a bow when I do.

[00rowe]

You have to go through an outfitter in Canada, Manitoba you must be guided. I think you can do an "outfitted" hunt in Ontario. The activity at bait sites is awesome, great entertainment. We are going through Wildwoods outfitter, I believe he's pretty much booked up for this spring.

I never hunted bear in MN just because of the fall season. I think if more bear hunters experienced spring hunting we could get our season changed to spring.

[minky]

Sounds like a fun trip!

[mntatonka]

You have to go through an outfitter in Canada, Manitoba you must be guided. I think you can do an "outfitted" hunt in Ontario. The activity at bait sites is awesome, great entertainment. We are going through Wildwoods outfitter, I believe he's pretty much booked up for this spring.

I never hunted bear in MN just because of the fall season. I think if more bear hunters experienced spring hunting we could get our season changed to spring.

What's the benefit of spring hunting for bear as opposed to fall hunting? Seems like you'd end up shooting a bear that's a lot smaller than what he would be in the fall.

[frogtosser]

I have talked to guys that have hunted in the spring and I guess their coats are very nice.

[DonBo]

What's the benefit of spring hunting for bear as opposed to fall hunting?

You get to hunt in the spring. Other than turkey, there aren't any other options for scratching our itch. And, like already said, their hides are usually very nice.

[mntatonka]

That's not much of an argument to hunt in the spring. Does the meat taste better in the spring?

[DonBo]

That's not much of an argument to hunt in the spring.

It's the only game in town isn't much of an argument? To each his own I guess.

[Powerstroke]

If you need an argument to hunt in the spring then its probably not your cup of tea.

[00rowe]

1. Weather is typically a little nicer, not as hot as early Sept.

2. Cubs are easier to identify.

3. The "rut". Minnesotan's feel it's the only time we can kill a buck, so it should be the same for bears.

4. Much nicer hides, long hair makes a much better rug or mount

5. Bears are more responsive to baiting and more likely to feed during hunting hours.

[92GSteve]

Shot my first bear in Manitoba on June 1st at 10:30 at night which was about half hour before last light. Hide was in awesome shape and meat tasted great too. Shot it with the .30-06 as it was my first bear hunt but would bring the bow out next time. Yeah it may have lost weight over the winter but it was still a blast and my wife and kids are really impressed with the mount!

[mntatonka]

It's the only game in town isn't much of an argument? To each his own I guess.

It's the only game available the first half of September too. And there's turkey hunting available all spring.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it, I'm genuinely curious why spring hunting would be better than fall. The arguments I see say two things: the hide is better, and it's easier.

While I can certainly understand those points, my thought is still that the bears in the spring must be considerably smaller than they would be in the fall, given that they haven't gained their weight back from hibernation.

[92GSteve]

Read somewhere that black bear lose about 15% of their body weight over winter. Can't say that I was bothered by the 50 pounds of fat that was missing. Spring bear are looking for a meal after a long winter and fall bear are looking to pack on the pounds before winter so baiting is still the name of the game. Wouldn't say one is better than the other but most of us simply enjoy hunting. And the fishing was great too.