Montana Spring Bear 2016 questions....??

[SillyBilly]

I'm going to be in Montana the first week of May in 2016 and would love to go bear hunting. I'm a whitetail hunter from NY and have never hunted any bear anywhere therefore I'm leaning towards a guided trip. That said i have a couple questions. Outfitter suggestions being 1st? Second i've read on some forums and from one outfitter that the first week of May is really hit or miss depending on the snow pack. I'd hate to spend thousands of dollars and not see any bear. Are there area's better for the first week of May? I know the simple answer is to hunt later in the month but due to work and travel plans I have to be driving back home by May 7th. Any help in being pointed in the right direction is greatly appreciated. Thank You to all and best of luck on your next hunt.

 

[Montana]

It's all hit and miss to be honest... the later you go the less snow there is which means the bears are more spread out. More snow the more condensed they are. We used to shoot bears every year but we just went when the time was right. If you and the outfitter can have a couple weeks of flexibility it will help a ton. If not, don't sweat it. Just enjoy yourself. A guide will definitely help and the last tip I have would be to look in western part of the state. Mid to northwestern. My wife works with someone who's family are outfitters. At Christmas parties I sit and look at all their pictures from the previous year, I know they kill bears. I have her get the name of the business for a place to start.

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[SillyBilly]

Montana, Thanks for the insight. I wish I could be more flexible but being grown up sucks I think I'll take your advice and just enjoy the experience and hope to see some action. Is north/west better then south/west? I thought i'd look in the south/west just because I figured the snow would melt a little sooner? Like I said completely new to all this and Montana's geography and climate. I'm probably completely wrong with the mountains and all. Anyway thank you for your help.

 

[joens]

A good friend of mine went with Rick Wemple http://www.montana-hunting-outfitter.com/html/bearhunts.html He did not get a bear ,(had multiple opportunities)but had nothing but good to say about Rick

 

[Montana]

Montana, Thanks for the insight. I wish I could be more flexible but being grown up sucks I think I'll take your advice and just enjoy the experience and hope to see some action. Is north/west better then south/west? I thought i'd look in the south/west just because I figured the snow would melt a little sooner? Like I said completely new to all this and Montana's geography and climate. I'm probably completely wrong with the mountains and all. Anyway thank you for your help.

You want northwest unfortunately [emoji16]

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