Utah Black Bear: Spring, Summer, Fall?

[danroecker]

All. I'm looking for advice on what you think is the better hunting season for black bear in Utah. It looks like there are three seasons for the unit I want to hunt: spring (apr-jun), summer (jun-jul), and fall (aug/sept).

Initially, I've had my mind set on the spring hunt as I assume it may be easier because the animals are just coming out of hibernation and will be hungry looking for food, the foliage will be less dense so the animals will be easier to spot, and the weather will be cooler in the event of success. These are all theories of mine, I have no idea if there's any shred of truth here...

The fall hunt is somewhat interesting in that I could combine it with my annual deer archery hunt in Utah because the dates overlap.

I've never hunted black bear so any thoughts, opinions, facts, or wisdom you are willing to send my way is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[gonhunting247]

Dan,
I've never hunted bear in UT, but if you are just looking to hunt a bear somewhere, I'd say get your UT tag to coincide with your annual trip back to UT. Then get you a spring and/or fall tag in OR. Lots of bears to hunt with long seasons for flexibility to work around other hunts, work etc.

 

[danroecker]

Dan,
I've never hunted bear in UT, but if you are just looking to hunt a bear somewhere, I'd say get your UT tag to coincide with your annual trip back to UT. Then get you a spring and/or fall tag in OR. Lots of bears to hunt with long seasons for flexibility to work around other hunts, work etc.

That's an interesting idea for sure. Much of the appeal for hunting bear specifically in Utah is 1) we ALWAYS see bear in the unit we hunt for deer in August so I know where to find them 2) Utah is where the vast majority of my hunting 'crew' reside - which is of course fun to hunt with them.

I really should consider the option to hunt bear in Oregon though, it would certainly be much cheaper! The main drawbacks are simply not knowing where to get started in Oregon and not knowing too many fellow hunters here... neither are major showstoppers.

 

[Silentstalker]

I think it all depends on the type of hunt you want. The spring hunt is either spot and stalk (which can be very difficult) or hounds, the summer hunt is either spot and stalk or bait, I think the fall hunt is by any of the three methods but you must say if your going to bait or not.
All three hunts can be very effective. Me, I prefer the spring or summer. I like to hunt deer/elk in the fall. Good luck in whichever you choose!

 

[gonhunting247]

That's an interesting idea for sure. Much of the appeal for hunting bear specifically in Utah is 1) we ALWAYS see bear in the unit we hunt for deer in August so I know where to find them 2) Utah is where the vast majority of my hunting 'crew' reside - which is of course fun to hunt with them.

I really should consider the option to hunt bear in Oregon though, it would certainly be much cheaper! The main drawbacks are simply not knowing where to get started in Oregon and not knowing too many fellow hunters here... neither are major showstoppers.

Sounds perfect, you can go back and hunt deer and bear with your buddies and get out and start learning parts of OR too! I hunt spring over on the East Side mostly, but have killed a few on the wet side on the off years too. Fall bear is fun because you can start in the berry fields in August and just follow the food sources clear through November as time allows. Good way to get out!

 

[danroecker]

I think it all depends on the type of hunt you want. The spring hunt is either spot and stalk (which can be very difficult) or hounds, the summer hunt is either spot and stalk or bait, I think the fall hunt is by any of the three methods but you must say if your going to bait or not.
All three hunts can be very effective. Me, I prefer the spring or summer. I like to hunt deer/elk in the fall. Good luck in whichever you choose!

My current thinking is to try without bait or dogs and do it all via spot/stalk. I do like the idea of hunting in the spring to spice up the year a bit....the fall gets pretty busy with deer and elk. I think I could work in the bear hunt in the fall too, for convenience-sake, but it could get a bit hectic trying to fill all those tags.

Silentstalker & gonhunting247, thanks for your insight - much appreciated. If you or anyone else has more to add, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

 

[Silentstalker]

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan. Be advised tho that Utah has a pretty low success rate for spot and stalk bear. Not saying it cant be done, but our bear population is not as dense as many other western states. Either way you choose, I wish you luck! Bears are sure fun to hunt!

 

[danroecker]

Silentstalker. I'm a total rookie at bear hunting so ignorance is bliss at this stage.

We typically see 6 or so bears during our week long archery hunt in August. So, I agree, they aren't terribly dense...but they are certainly in there. Thinking back, we've seen them all times of the day just sort of roaming around, I don't recall ever noticing any specific patterns....they are just 'around'.

Of course actual field experience is the mother of all teachers but might you be able to recommend any ways for me to further educate myself about bear hunting? Any particular tips or tricks you know of? Any books or mags that could help? Thanks!

 

[gonhunting247]

Dan,
I'd say seeing 6 or so bears indicates your in a pretty decent spot. Like I said in the above post "I haven't hunted bears in UT", but I'd be willing to bet that they are not that much different form here in most respects and I'd also say if your seeing that many out at all times of day, there is probably a preferred food source there, or real close (Food is the key). Not sure what terrain you are hunting, but are there Acorns, Manzinita, Snow Berry etc.? Sounds like with a little investigating you'll find out what they are after, or traveling to and from. I shoot most of my bears spot and stalk; it is a blast! If you keep the wind in your favor a bear is not to bad to stalk, especially if he is foraging, which keeps his attention. Anyway good luck and be careful, bear hunting gets addictive Give me a holler with any specific questions, I'd be glad to try to help.

 

[Silentstalker]

I think if your seeing that many bears a day you are in a perfect location. Keep the wind in your face. They have an amazing sense of smell.
I am no expert either. I have been a part of 4-5 bear hunts here in Utah. All bait hunts. I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for them. They are amazing animals and a blast to hunt!

 

[danroecker]

Thanks guys.

Silentstalker: just to clarify, we typically see around 6 bears during the whole week...not per day. If we saw that many per day, I might not get out of my truck for fear of being eaten during the deer/elk hunt. That's would be a lot of bears.

gonhunting247: not real sure what food they are after. We've seen several occasions over the years where the bears are camped out around some type of carcass (cattle or other). Othertimes, we see them in the grassy fields and have seem them munching on the grass itself. The terrain we hunt is primarily a mix of pines & aspens higher up with scrub oak and grasses down lower. Elevation is approximately 9000ft.

 

[Silentstalker]

Right on, 6 in a week is still quite a few! If you find them on a kill or even a waterhole they like to drink and wallow in you will be in good shape. Sounds like your in the right area at the right time! I wish you luck!