Spring Bear Tactics: Spot & Stalk Success

Spring bear hunting is the perfect cure for cabin fever. The mountains are greening up, elk calves are dropping, and bears are emerging from hibernation hungry. Idaho offers fantastic Over-the-Counter (OTC) opportunities for spot-and-stalk bear hunting.

1. Follow the Green

Bears are essentially biological lawnmowers in the spring. Their digestive systems have been dormant, so they need soft, lush, easily digestible greens to kickstart their metabolism. They aren't looking for meat yet; they are looking for salad.

Where to look:

• Avalanche Chutes: These clearings green up first and offer safety near timber.
• South-Facing Slopes: The sun hits these first, melting snow and promoting early growth.
• Logging Roads: Decommissioned roads (closed to vehicles) often have lush clover and grass in the track.

2. Estimating Size and Sex

Judging a bear's size on the hill is notoriously difficult. "Ground shrinkage" is real. Look for these indicators of a mature boar:

• The Walk: A big boar has a distinct "waddle" or swagger. His shoulders look heavy.
• Ear Position: Small ears set wide apart on the head indicate a large skull. If the ears look like Mickey Mouse on top of the head, it's likely a juvenile or sow.
• Belly Clearance: A mature bear has a low-hanging belly. If he looks "leggy" with lots of daylight under him, pass.

3. The Stalk

Bears have poor eyesight but incredible noses. You can often get away with movement if you are downwind. Plan your approach carefully.

When bears are feeding on a slope, they often graze erratically but generally move uphill or across. Don't stalk to where the bear is; stalk to where he is going. Get above him if possible—bears rarely look up, and the thermal currents usually rise during the day, carrying your scent away.

Gear Essentials

You need quality optics (10x42 or 12x50 binoculars) and a tripod. You will spend 90% of your time behind glass. Your boots need to be waterproof—spring snowmelt means wet feet.