Idaho Spring Bear Hunts

As the temperatures start to rise, and the snow gradually recedes from the mountain peaks, the black bear makes its emergence from its winter home. The spring season is the most active period for the black bear during its yearly cycle.

Our Idaho hunts are in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area.  This is where we do our spring bear hunting over bait.  It is a two bear area with a 50% color phase. 

At this time of the year the black bear favors grass, succulent green plants, grubs, and ants, versus carrion which is their preferred food source later in the year. The bears have a ravenous appetite in the spring after their several months in isolation. You are likely to catch them feeding most any hour of the day. In the spring of the year the days are long here in the mountains of Idaho. Our hunts are over bait.

We offer two camps.  One is a end of the road drive-up camp.  The other is a pack in camp.  Idaho has an increasing bear population that is effecting the elk herds.  The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has offered a reduced license and tag for this area. 

Our season begins May 1^st and continues through the end of the June. During the month of May you can expect cool mornings, warm days, cool evenings, possible rain showers and maybe even a snow flurry or two.

As well as black bear, you can expect to see the many varied species of big game animals and wildlife that inhabit our area such as moose, elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and possibly mountain lion.

The hide of the black bear is in prime condition in the spring. It’s fur will be long, thick, and gleam in the sun. Our average mature bears will be between 150 and 300 pounds and square out anywhere from five to six feet or better. The bears don’t weigh as much in the spring as they will in the fall, because of the loss of their fat layers during their winter hibernation. The colors of our black bears vary from coal black through various shades of brown to a bright cinnamon or red and you might even spot a blonde. As a guest of ours you will be provided with everything you need for an enjoyable hunt, except for your weapon and personal gear.

Idaho Fall Bear Hunts

Our Idaho hunts are in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area.  This is where we do our fall bear hunting over bait.  It is a two bear area with a 50% color phase. 

The camp is an end of the road tent camp in the Bitterroot Selway Wilderness.  Some years we may have pack-in camps.  Idaho has an increasing bear population that is effecting the elk herds.  The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has offered a reduced license and tag for this area. 

Our season begins September 1. During the month of September you can expect cool mornings, warm days, cool evenings, possible rain showers and maybe even a snow flurry or two.

As well as black bear, you can expect to see the many varied species of big game animals and wildlife that inhabit our area such as moose, elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and possibly mountain lion.

The average mature bear will be between 150 and 300 pounds and square out anywhere from five to six feet or better. The bears weigh more in the fall because of the fat layer being put on through the summer months. They are preparing for the long winter months in hibernation. The colors of our black bears vary from coal black through various shades of brown to a bright cinnamon or red and you might even spot a blonde. As a guest of ours you will be provided with everything you need for an enjoyable hunt, except for your weapon and personal gear.

Kill Ratio

Although hunter success varies from place to place in the Rocky Mountains depending on:

• Weather
• The availability of natural food
• The guide's preparation and baiting practices
• The bear population in that area

The overall hunter success in Idaho is about 20%.  This figure is based on licenses sold and bears registered.  It is most likely higher when you consider that not everybody who purchases a license actually goes bear hunting.  So, do not be fooled by those who boast unrealistic success stories.  When asked about our success ratio, I answer as follows:

• Appx. 80 of our hunters see a bear
• 50% of those who see a bear actually kill one
• The other 50% either misses, wound, or do not get a shot

• The 20% of hunters who do not see one usually did not actively participate in the hunt or did things on their stand that alerted the bear, such as; smoking, urinating from the stand, pour scent control , or fidgeting.

You should also consider that nearly 50% of our hunters are bow hunters.  Consequently, there are many times when a bear comes to the bait.  However, it does not afford the bow hunter a killing shot.  The success rate would surely be higher if everyone hunted with a firearm.

Season Dates

 First  two  weeks  of  September

Rate Information

An Idaho non-resident license is $141.50.  Up to 2 bear tags can be purchased for $31.75 each.  Both can be purchased online.