MT Spring Bear (First Western Hunt)

Joined
Apr 2, 2019
Messages
21
Location
WI
Hey guys! New to the forum and new to the western pursuit of big game.

My buddy and I will be heading out west to Montana north of Bozeman (Big Belt/Little Belts) for our first Western hunt in May.

What gear can you not live without while spring bear hunting?

Also, if you shoot a bear in the late evening, do you leave it until the next morning to clean or start cleaning right away? I've heard people have concerns about cleaning bears in the dark because of grizzlies. Having no experience in grizzly country, I am unaware of how risky this is.
 

skierhs

WKR
Joined
Jan 23, 2017
Messages
588
Location
Alaska
With the thick of griz country be super careful but even with them I try to clean the animal even after dark if I’m able to safely. Outside of glass/tripod my biggest requirements are a foam pad to sit on while I glass and a tarp to get me out of the elements.
 
OP
stephenk22
Joined
Apr 2, 2019
Messages
21
Location
WI
With the thick of griz country be super careful but even with them I try to clean the animal even after dark if I’m able to safely. Outside of glass/tripod my biggest requirements are a foam pad to sit on while I glass and a tarp to get me out of the elements.

Appreciate the info! Any specific tarps you recommend? That is something I had not thought!
 

bcimport

WKR
Joined
Mar 15, 2013
Messages
500
Location
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Wouldn’t leave a bear overnight with the guts in. Too much hair and if it wintered well maybe a bit of fat keeping the heat in.

Bug headnet is mandatory for spring bears, at least to the north of MT it is.

Once the bear is down just make noise. Most grizzlies don’t come looking for trouble. If they find your meat or guts when you’re gone they’ll claim it and then defend what they think is theirs.
 
Joined
Jan 12, 2017
Messages
812
Location
Idaho Falls,ID
If you're planning to make a rug or full body mount, then get the bear processed ASAP. Bear bodies are extremely well engineered for holding in heat. This heat can spoil meat quickly and also cause the hair to "slip", making a decent mount or rug almost impossible. Have headlamps with fresh batteries in them, and spare batteries on hand. Out of 6 bears that I was in on last year, only one was processed in the daylight. Take your time skinning and boning the meat. Bear meat almost tops my list for favorite table fare, and even the best taxidermist can't fix a shitty skinning job.
 

skierhs

WKR
Joined
Jan 23, 2017
Messages
588
Location
Alaska
Appreciate the info! Any specific tarps you recommend? That is something I had not thought!
I prefer the sheep tarp from kifaru. It runs $109 I think and is the perfect size for me. If I have to I’m able to use it as a shelter at night. I am also able to use it with a few buddies to get out of the rain/snow or direct sunlight. It packs down extremely small and is lightweight so you don’t even notice your carrying it.
 

Turkeygetpwnd38

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
Aug 11, 2017
Messages
2,428
Location
Florida
Since there will be two of you, I wouldn't worry to much about cleaning one after dark, just be smart about it. One person work and one keep an eye on surroundings, and just swap in and out. If you want your pelt/meat to be in the best condition, I wouldn't leave it over night. If possible get him to an open area, or at least out of a thicket if that's where he falls. Being a bit noisy in the process will help. As far as gear, have layers. Last year went mid May and during one day it got up to 70-75 and the next night/day down to low teens and a large snow storm blew in that shut down i90.
 
Joined
Apr 15, 2017
Messages
528
Hey guys! New to the forum and new to the western pursuit of big game.

My buddy and I will be heading out west to Montana north of Bozeman (Big Belt/Little Belts) for our first Western hunt in May.

What gear can you not live without while spring bear hunting?

Also, if you shoot a bear in the late evening, do you leave it until the next morning to clean or start cleaning right away? I've heard people have concerns about cleaning bears in the dark because of grizzlies. Having no experience in grizzly country, I am unaware of how risky this is.
Absolutely get the guts out and prop that cavity open asap. I didnt think the little belts were considered grizz country
 

skierhs

WKR
Joined
Jan 23, 2017
Messages
588
Location
Alaska
Absolutely get the guts out and prop that cavity open asap. I didnt think the little belts were considered grizz country
Most of the entire central to west of the state is now considered griz country. They’ve even started getting into the plains enough to start causing some issues.
 
OP
stephenk22
Joined
Apr 2, 2019
Messages
21
Location
WI
If you're planning to make a rug or full body mount, then get the bear processed ASAP. Bear bodies are extremely well engineered for holding in heat. This heat can spoil meat quickly and also cause the hair to "slip", making a decent mount or rug almost impossible. Have headlamps with fresh batteries in them, and spare batteries on hand. Out of 6 bears that I was in on last year, only one was processed in the daylight. Take your time skinning and boning the meat. Bear meat almost tops my list for favorite table fare, and even the best taxidermist can't fix a shitty skinning job.

Great info, we will make sure to clean them right away.

Since there will be two of you, I wouldn't worry to much about cleaning one after dark, just be smart about it. One person work and one keep an eye on surroundings, and just swap in and out. If you want your pelt/meat to be in the best condition, I wouldn't leave it over night. If possible get him to an open area, or at least out of a thicket if that's where he falls. Being a bit noisy in the process will help. As far as gear, have layers. Last year went mid May and during one day it got up to 70-75 and the next night/day down to low teens and a large snow storm blew in that shut down i90.

Sounds good, I'm assuming any curious bears would be coming from the downwind side correct?
I've watched a couple of Randy Newburg's spring bear episodes, the temperature swings are crazy!
 
Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Messages
60
Location
SE Michigan
This won't be a popular opinion but if you are looking to go cheaper for a lightweight tarp, I ordered a 5'x7' tarp from the GEEK app for $10 that weighs 10oz after I added a few extra grommets. Walmart sells a similar tarp but it's blue, in case that matters to you.

I'm not about to use a $100 tarp for the things I've used this tarp for. I've sat on it when the ground was wet, laid it out when I noticed there were ticks all over the grass, used it to lay out elk quarters and break them down, wrapped up in it to wait out a thunderstorm.
 

Wrench

WKR
Joined
Aug 23, 2018
Messages
5,594
Location
WA
Have an extra knife or blades. I am not sure how, but bears seem to be pure hell on knives.

Decide well ahead of time what you want to do with the hide....and be deliberate with your hide cuts.

Expect bugs and to be wet....I like a 3/4 length Ridgerest to sit on or lean against trees.

Big binos are made for spring bears. The bears NEVER stop moving and eat all day. Key in on the stumps that move.

Snow will potentially be in shady spots and I've had some SCARY times when coming around a corner to find water on ice coming down the road. It's not a bad idea to have chains and a shovel.

Take a ton of pics.
 
OP
stephenk22
Joined
Apr 2, 2019
Messages
21
Location
WI
Have an extra knife or blades. I am not sure how, but bears seem to be pure hell on knives.

Decide well ahead of time what you want to do with the hide....and be deliberate with your hide cuts.

Expect bugs and to be wet....I like a 3/4 length Ridgerest to sit on or lean against trees.

Big binos are made for spring bears. The bears NEVER stop moving and eat all day. Key in on the stumps that move.

Snow will potentially be in shady spots and I've had some SCARY times when coming around a corner to find water on ice coming down the road. It's not a bad idea to have chains and a shovel.

Take a ton of pics.

Thanks man! When you say "big" binos, what do you define that as? 15x56's?

I appreciate that tip on chains and a shovel! I haven't received that piece of advice yet
 
Joined
Mar 10, 2012
Messages
796
Location
NW MT
There area grizzlies in the belts
Have you seen grizzlies in the belts? Or is it anecdotal evidence?

The LBs are attractive for out-of-state hunters as there haven't been any griz or wolves there. Bugle magazine had a write up several years ago touting that fact. It was crazy how many out-of-state hunters there were after that article came out.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
OP
stephenk22
Joined
Apr 2, 2019
Messages
21
Location
WI
Have you seen grizzlies in the belts? Or is it anecdotal evidence?

The LBs are attractive for out-of-state hunters as there haven't been any griz or wolves there. Bugle magazine had a write up several years ago touting that fact. It was crazy how many out-of-state hunters there were after that article came out.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Even if there are Grizzlies there (which we fully expected). It seems that people are over-the-top afraid of grizzlies. Maybe we are naive mid-westerners, but bear attacks seem to be few and far between, and statistically have higher incident rates in the fall during archery seasons
 

Okhotnik

WKR
Joined
Dec 8, 2018
Messages
2,192
Location
N ID
Have you seen grizzlies in the belts? Or is it anecdotal evidence?

The LBs are attractive for out-of-state hunters as there haven't been any griz or wolves there. Bugle magazine had a write up several years ago touting that fact. It was crazy how many out-of-state hunters there were after that article came out.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Yes I have

I have a friend who ranches near belts and does see grizzlies and wolves have moved into area the past few years

I have run into grizzlies bird hunting on the prairies too
 

Mosby

WKR
Joined
Jan 1, 2015
Messages
1,910
My son got a spring bear in MT a few years ago. We were further up north. We brought his bear out in the dark and had a cat follow us over a mile down the trail to the truck. A game cart proved invaluable. Really bright headlamps, bear spray and a 10 mm are things I would not hunt without in grizzly country.
 
Top