Spring Bear Hunting

[IdahoPredator]

Any of you hunt-addicts out there ever hunted bear in unit 32 & 32a in Idaho? My son and I drew tags in that area for this spring. The hunt actually opened yesterday but after driving around that area last weekend, there looks to be way too much snow still. We live in eastern Idaho so we would like a good idea of where exactly to go and maybe when to go before making the arrangements to head over there. I'm thinking of heading up near Ola and then up to Sage Hen Reservoir but...
Appreciate any tips, fellas.
-IdahoPredator

 

[thump&dump]

I have never hunted there, but I must say you guys are lucky suckers! I have been applying there for 7 years and still can't pull the tag. I hope you post some pics after you fill your tags

 

[MT.MAN]

Predator- I live in Emmett and know 32 & 32A like the back of my hand as I have hunted it for 30 years. [email protected] is my e-mail if you need to chat. I have a couple ranches in Ola that we see a few good bears on every year when Turkey hunting. I will be out this weekend with a few kids Turkey hunting and will keep my eyes open for you. Just an FYI I have drawn that tag 3 times over the years and had great success. Congrats on drawing. If the things I learned this week end up passing I see the drawing odds in those units jumping thru the roof. There is some dandy bears in this area too.

 

[IdahoPredator]

Hey MT. MAN. I just sent you an email.
-IdahoPredator

 

[MT.MAN]

I just sent you an E-mail. Sorry having a hard time keeping eyes open here at my desk today. 4:30AM was way to early this morning. But it was good to see my neice nail her biggest Turkey yet. A 3-bearded bird!

 

[IdahoPredator]

I seen that turkey pic on the other thread. That is awesome! I've never even seen a 3-bearded tom and for your niece to bag one...impressive. Tell her congrats.
I read your email. Thank you. I programmed your number in my phone incase I need to text you when I'm up bear hunting. Hopefully I'm texting you to tell you we bagged a big boar. We'll see...

 

[hoochiemama]

I hunt directly East of 32, in unit 33 just above Banks. last year we could see accross the highway into both units, and spotted alot of good bears, We tried to access our spot on april 6th and there is still to much snow. If you can get up to High Valley and drop over the East side I think you may have some luck. Check the "access yes" program for property in that area as well. I think there may be some on the list...

 

[IdahoPredator]

Thanks for the tip hootchiemama. We'll be up there next weekend and hopefully we can get up in some of those places. The forecast says its supposed to rain or snow all week. I will let you know if we see anything in your area across the highway. Good luck!

 

[rcrosby]

IdahoPredator I drew the same tag and luckily have a little shorter drive to check out the areas than you do. I have been out a few times and most of the areas I am wanting to check still have a lot of snow. I drew a turkey tag too so next week will be splitting time between bear and turkey.

Good luck on your hunt!

 

[IdahoPredator]

Thanks rcrosby. Good luck to you too. Hopefully we get some decent weather soon so we can get up in there.

 

[MT.MAN]

Good luck to both of you. I know now that both of you are looking in good area's.

 

[rcrosby]

We had a pretty frustrating 2 days. Seems like everytime it felt we were getting close we came to a washout or a 3' feet bank of snow in our way. We put some miles on the boots glassing spots that really looked good without seeing a bear yet.

We were supposed to go to Mackay tomorrow for a turkey hunt but my buddies there are getting pounded by the weather and have only seen 2 toms so far.

Its always great to be in the field in the spring but I am dissapointed with the lack of bears and sign I have seen thus far.

 

[wolftalonID]

I went out yesterday myself. Not much to see. A few deer tracks, an abandoned camp,(not sure why it was not occupied on a wet rainy friday..but).. A few boot prints and a few more I left next to the ones I saw.
I noticed its been a bit cold to get the grasses growing yet, and the wetlands are still pretty wintered.

Might have to give it a rest for a few weeks and hit it up in May.

 

[IdahoPredator]

We just got home after a couple days up there and we didn't have any luck either. Spent most of our time trying to walk through or around snow drifts. Friday afternoon we sat in the pickup up on the mountain glassing in a steady rain. A little demoralizing, but we'll give it some time and then go hit again.

 

[T43]

I haven't even been out yet I have a good view out my living room window of the mountains and have a little tell tail snow drift that I keep an eye on. When it's gone I can usually make it in to where I want to go.

 

[MT.MAN]

Don't give up guys and don't be afraid to try down lower. We did see a small bear just wandering thru the sage just out of Sweet on Friday afternoon. He was a little one, but was out and about at 2:30pm when the sun was poking thru for a bit. Try that area off the Little Weiser that I told you guys about in the e-mails. I had a friend up there Turkey hunting on Private ground and said he saw 2 bears I believe in King Hill Cr.

 

[rcrosby]

Scott- Darn I was right up there for most of Friday and Saturday. King Hill is right there on the little Weiser right? We glassed up and down those canyons from the end of the private all the way up to the snowline. Glassed plenty of deer and elk but no bears.

I am sure it is just a matter of time. I've got to get caught up on work and then I am planning spending another week or so the first of May.

 

[T43]

If we keep getting snow like this they will sleep until June!

 

[thump&dump]

boy! lets get an update here on this thread. I am interested on how you are doing

 

[rcrosby]

Well I hit it this weekend. I have glassed more flipping elk and deer than I believed existed but no bears. I am going to spend a couple of.afternoons this week just getting in a few hours and trying to get on something. Then all weekend. If i am not onto something by then I am going to be very worried.