Spot and stalk bear

[dadams41]

Hoping to do a spot and stalk bear hunt early May of next year. Plan on going to unit 10/12 to hunt. Just hoping for some info on the area. If willing to share. What is the easiest way into the unit and where would be a good place to focus my attention on google earth?


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[kidoggy]

welcome to the forum.
don't know that area, so couldn't help ya that way but would suggest you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about you.
when folks ask for help on their very first post they generally don't get much response . however jump in and interact for a while, let folks get to know you a bit and many here will go out of their way to try and help

 

[dadams41]

Thanks kidoggy! i am based out Salt Lake and have really only hunted in Utah. I am just starting to venture out to other places. I love it all, from fishing, waterfowl, small game, to big game. I think it is just as fun to get a shot on something as it is to watch someone else take a shot on something. I just enjoy being out doing it.

Most of my time hunting here in Utah is spent either on the Manti, Wasatch and Kamas units. I'm currently hunting the extended on the Wasatch and hoping to land a deer this week. Last year i killed a decent 3x4 Thanksgiving morning.

When i am not hunting i am still spending a lot of time in these units, hiking and riding atv trails. The wasatch unit is essentially my backyard so i am constantly up there doing something. I work for Peterbilt, and manage a store in Utah County.

i spend some time on some other forums but had not jumped on here until about a week ago. I'm glad to help anyone where i can and look forward to getting to know some of you.

 

[IDELKFVR]

welcome welcome !!! I cant help with those two units either never have hunted that far north.

 

[hoshour]

I haven't hunted bear in ID but in MT the best thing to concentrate on is closed logging roads where bears love to eat the spring grass.

Start by asking the Forest Service for a map that shows what logging roads have been closed. You generally want a southern exposure, so look for those roads that have that, at least for a portion of the road. Ask the FS for any areas they see bears and for help on hillsides that might have new grass. Ask the local Fish and Game biologist the same questions.

When you hunt, slowly walk those roads during the late morning and midday when the bears are generally not out and find a road with fresh droppings, then stake it out for a late afternoon hunt, paying attention to the wind. Bears have great ears and noses.

Bears can also walk roads that are not closed of course and they can be on hillsides feeding. They should be pretty active because they are so hungry and not hard to spot. I would also pick the brain of the local taxidermist.

 

[tim]

Depending on the snow year,dictates if you can get around or not. Look for green grass, that is what they will be eating this time of year. Not to far from units 10 and 12 I have not been able to get aound to the higher elevations until july, which is very usual.

 

[dadams41]

Thanks for the response. I will definitely contact the forest service.

 

[Birdman]

Are areas 10 and 12 good for a 5 day backpack bear hunt?

 

[meathunter]

Area 12 is good for bait, somewhat tough for a spot and stalk just due to the thick cover. IMO Lots of bears, mostly smaller ones I've seen. Because most of the area is thick, once a bear is spotted, hard to be quiet, stalk and find the bear. You can backpack, lots of wolves, so be careful and keep foodstuff high and away. 1st two weeks of June is best or fall, looks like it's going to have a lot of snow up there this year. I'm going to bait again in Unit 12.

First part of May is probably to early hunt. Access could be difficult due to snow. Most outfitters up there say June is best. Lots of area to hunt, so hunt pressure is minimal.

 

[lang]

I have some history in 10, it's been a few years ago, I guided there a little in the 90's. There use to be a pot load in there and some good sized ones. I think your biggest issue will be access, so stay in touch with local forest service and fish and game as you get closer to know just what you can access. I'm not sure how easy it would be to access in the spring, but were on the North Fork of the Clearwater between Weitas Creek and Kelly Creek. I would think any of that country would be great if you can get around. We started hunting back in 7 miles, but I would think you could find bears in most of that country closer than that. One thing you might consider is taking a small raft, or canoe and use it to cross the river and access tons of ground with minimal work that most others pass without a second thought. I've had aspirations of going back to try it, but with a young family it just hasn't happened yet (and I see bears 15 minutes from my house). It can also be thick so finding clearings on south facing hills just below snow line will be your ticket.