Montana Spring Black Bear - 1st Timer!

[mattparliament]

Hey all~

Well, I live in Montana and have picked up a bear tag with my sportsmans tags just in case I ran into one while I was deer/elk hunting.  I think this spring I'll get a tag and focus on just bears.  I've never gotten one before and it will give me something to hunt this spring.  I will be primarily hunting National forest.  Anybody have any tips and tricks for a first timer?  Montana is spot and stalk, no bait or calling.  Where do I start?  Thanks for the tips!

[Dusty Miller]

They say the way to catch a rabbit is to lay down behind a log and make a sound like a carrot!!   Maybe to catch a bear you lay down behind a log and make a sound like a pot of honey? I've never bear hunted before, but from what I've read they are VERY spooky animals and any noise that does not sound like it could be a possible food source will send them scurrying off into the next county.  The human voice is the MOST unfood sound they can hear!!  So, as Al Capone and his friends used to say, "Keepa you moutha shutta"!!

[SDS-GEN]

FOOD, FOOD, FOOD, find what the bears are eating and start looking there.  It may be easier said than done but that is really the best way to tag a bear where hounds aren't used.  Come to think of it I've never seen a black bear (and only damn little sign) that wasn't concentrated on a food source.  Consider that baiting is hunting at a food source and you kind of get the picture.  I'm no expert on bear hunting but this has been my experience, hope it helps.

[mattparliament]

It does help, thanks.  I'll have to do some hiking/scouting and see if I can find any winterkill or berry patches, or even a good watering hole.  I'll let you all know how it turns out.  Thanks again and keep the tips coming if anything comes to mind.

[NONYA]

When our season starts here in Mt the winter kill is gone and no berrys are ripe,get a good pair of boots and get up high,glass open slopes with shale and loose soil,get one located before you get serious.In my area the spring season ends before any of the lower berrys are ripe so its all high country hunting,almost every spring bear i have killed was up high not far from where they den.

[mattparliament]

Nonya~

Thanks for the sound advice, I know a few places like that.  Do what do you look for as far as wooded areas around the clear areas.  I know of a few places that are clear  for several miles but have a bunch of loose ground like you spoke of, or should I stay closer to clear areas next to the wooded areas?  One of these areas up on top is above an area where there is some large berry patches where I have seen a buch of bear scat in the past, might be a good start.

[NONYA]

Watch those open areas from noon till dark,with warmer weather they get real active in the afternoons,any place with some good vegitation(grass,green weeds,ect) will bring in grazing bears.

[mattparliament]

Thanks again for the good advice, I will look for places like that.  BTW nice muley!

[Cottonwood]

Matt

I will be hunting for spring bear around the The Flathead Valley we have real nice areas for them.

[mattparliament]

Heading out on Sunday, wish me luck!

[NONYA]

i saw a sow and cub out on the shale last sat.,im probably waiting till Mon or Tues to go out ,the weather is going to be a big factor, sunshine makes all the difference as to how active they will be,the boars dont need to feed like the sows with cubs do and will lay low unless the weather is real nice.Let me know how you do,where are you headed?

[NONYA]

hunted all day monday,saw one small bear,not a shooter,probably a 3 year old.Didnt get to hunt the evening as the damn 4 wheel drive actuator went out and we had to chain up the rear to get out of the hills.Not much green up top but plenty in the creek bottoms,thats where they will be till the high slopes green up.

[jk3006]

Keep us updated on what you see/shoot and where!  I had planned to be out there this spring, but circumstances have dictated otherwise.  Good luck!!

[NONYA]

WE GOT A BUNCH OF FRESH SNOW,IT WILL SLOW THEM DOWN A BUNCH.

[mattparliament]

I'm headed out today, lots of reports of bear sightings this week.  Time to climb!

[NONYA]

I have seen 3 legal bears,all small,im going to spend the last 3 days at the cabin and see if any shooters can be found,all 3 have been down low,the green grass is sparse on top still.