Spring bear 2018

[gerry]

I know a number of you guys hunt for bears in the spring and would love to hear how things are progressing for you. Pictures are welcome



My tag came in the mail yesterday so I'm good to go now. The 270 Win and 35 Whelen are sighted in but I may use a different bullet in the Whelen, a 225 gr Sierra BT this time which looks like it hits in the same spot as the 200 gr AccuBond load.

Going to finalise the load on the Browning BLR in 358 Win, it's sighted in right now with a good load featuring the 225 gr Woodleigh RN but I'm trying a different powder to see how it works. The winner will get loaded up. My cousin's boy might end up using the BLR too, but he is getting his own gun when his firearms license comes in and will want to use it

Two other friends also bought rifles this last winter (a 270 Win for the dad and a 7mm Rem Mag for the son) and are wanting to bag a bear each in the coming month or two.

 

[ShadeTree]

Nice Gerry. My vote is for the 358 Win, a 225 RN in a bonded bullet should be bad bear medicine. But that cartridge has been on my wish list for a while now so I'm probably biased and also a little jealous.

 

[gerry]

Nice Gerry. My vote is for the 358 Win, a 225 RN in a bonded bullet should be bad bear medicine. But that cartridge has been on my wish list for a while now so I'm probably biased and also a little jealous.

That 348 of yours is no slouch

I'm really curious about how the 225 gr Woodleigh RN performs, sure it will be great. For black bear a standard cup and core bullet like the 225 gr Sierra BTSP in the Whelen will be great too.

 

[salmonchaser]

I was hoping to draw the blue mountain tag this year, but no joy for me.
Good luck to you


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[Anonymous]

I'm going to head out this year provided the boss decides to not work me like a rented mule.

I've done a fair bit of load development over the winter... my .300 with the 180AB and my son using his .270 with the 145 ELD-X bullet.

My partner is going to use the 33 Nosler with the 250gr AB and hopes to score a griz.

 

[DrMike]

Still a lot of snow down low (and fresh snow the past couple of days). However, temperatures are growing mild quickly. Tags should be here any day. I'll definitely be taking a drive into the bush to find some of those early boars that should be looking for some greenery.

The 225 grain Woodleigh should be just great in that 358, Gerry. Not certain what I'll be toting this spring, but I will have something in my hand other than an alder switch.

 

[truck driver]

Hmmmm chasing a Bear with an Alder switch might make a great U-tube to watch and be very entertaining DrMike.
I'm sure it would outrage the Animal rights people along with the Humane society. >)

 

[gerry]

Temperatures are warmer here and the snow in the yard is almost gone but in the bush there is lots of snow still and no bears out yet. It's amazing to see how fast it has been melting. Doesn't stop me from wanting to go out :lol: it will be a while yet before we see anything.

 

[salmonchaser]

I haven't seen any yet, just evidence of their passing. Still quite a bit of snow higher up, be interesting to see how the boys that drew a tag do.


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[Blkram]

Rodger,

That alder switch is for the good Drs' shanks mare to get those old bones moving, not for the bear! LOL

 

[sask boy]

Gil, I think you might have been reading a few of our minds on who really needed the Elder switch :lol:.
Anyways not sure if I am going to make it out for bear this year but after trying Bear sausage brats I might take a run up to our Elk hunting territory and see if I can knock down a black bear for a little sausage .
I am not sure if the 225gr ABs still work in my Whelen as it has be 2 years since she last has taken any game :shock:.
Gerry, DrMike and Gil, I am sure that you will have ample opportunity to take down a bear.

PS. Gil I was wondering when you and Donna are leaving for your African hunt :wink:?

Blessings,
Dan

 

[hunternyny]

Dan, I was wondering the same thing. When do you and your wife head to Africa Gil ?

Gerry, the wife and I are trying to figure out a way ( time and money ) to hunt Grizzly in Alaska and if we are lucky black bear is usually possible for us.

Gerry ( or any of our Canada members ) do any of you hunt the Polar Bear ? Since you are Canadian citizens, is it easy and cheap, if you had the time to travel a little further North ?

 

[gerry]

Dan, I was wondering the same thing. When do you and your wife head to Africa Gil ?

Gerry, the wife and I are trying to figure out a way ( time and money ) to hunt Grizzly in Alaska and if we are lucky black bear is usually possible for us.

Gerry ( or any of our Canada members ) do any of you hunt the Polar Bear ? Since you are Canadian citizens, is it easy and cheap, if you had the time to travel a little further North ?

I think Gil's wife might not like this "Donna" going on a trip instead of her :lol: (sorry Dan :shock: )

If you can swing it an AK grizzly hunt would awesome. For black bear hunting it is hard to beat the interior of B.C. when it comes to both price and experience. You get a 2 bear each limit and in May a guide would have to try awfully hard for you to NOT see a bunch of bears.

I don't think too many Canadians hunt for polar bear unless they live in the area. Would be an amazing hunt though. Pretty sure the 270 Win with 160 gr Partition's or either of the 358 or 35 Whelen would suffice.

 

[1100 Remington Man]

Temperatures are warmer here and the snow in the yard is almost gone but in the bush there is lots of snow still and no bears out yet. It's amazing to see how fast it has been melting. Doesn't stop me from wanting to go out :lol: it will be a while yet before we see anything.

For a Spring Bear Stalk and Spot hunt what Temps are you looking for ? I want to do a DIY hunt in Montana maybe next spring just never did it before. Wonder what I am looking at for timing in the spring. Thanks.

 

[sask boy]

Ooops, Sorry Gil my kids are advising me that I am getting Old Timers Syndrome .
It should be Gil and Susan!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[gerry]

Temperatures are warmer here and the snow in the yard is almost gone but in the bush there is lots of snow still and no bears out yet. It's amazing to see how fast it has been melting. Doesn't stop me from wanting to go out :lol: it will be a while yet before we see anything.

For a Spring Bear Stalk and Spot hunt what Temps are you looking for ? I want to do a DIY hunt in Montana maybe next spring just never did it before. Wonder what I am looking at for timing in the spring. Thanks.

The guys in Montana will have to give you the best times to hunt there but here it is May. This year with all the snow out there prime time will be mid May and even into June, other years it is a bit earlier. It's not the temperatures you need to think about but how the fresh grass is coming up. Some years when there isn't a lot of snow there will be a lot of grass and the bears will be spread out. Other years like this one the bears will be concentrated on the available fresh grass which is good for hunting. It's that simple in the spring, find the best available grassy areas and you will find bears.

 

[Guy Miner]

Spring bear in Washington is a draw-only hunt, but I do have a couple of points... Perhaps one of these days I'll put in for it again.

My springs always seem jam-packed with stuff to do! Perhaps someday I'll get out for spring bear. Sure seems like a great idea.

Best of luck to all you spring bear hunters!

 

[6mm Remington]

I saw a bear last week coming home from a friends place in Thompson Falls. Still a lot of snow in the hills but next Monday I'm heading back up to try and find a bear for two or three days. Maybe a turkey at the same time. He's got a bunch by his house usually but they weren't there when I was just recently.

 

[DrMike]

A few big boars are beginning to be reported in this area. There are some pussy willows and a few buds on the trees. I have no doubt that big boars are about, just waiting to be shot, skinned and eaten.

 

[Guy Miner]

LOL! :mrgreen: I'm sure that's exactly what they're waiting for Mike!