I know of a couple old boars that would come out in early April but most bears here don't.In my area,things pick up dramatically by about May 10th.It can vary year to year but most years,starting before May 1 is just a waste,at least where I'm at.
First new tracks of the year,a big boar in mid-April.
As stated,they will be looking for new green grass.If the grass isn't up yet in your area,bears won't be active.Toward mid and late May,you will see more and more rocks turned and logs pried open as they start to add protein to their diets but they still dine on grass as well.
They will also have to drink daily so isolated springs in otherwise dry country can be a good place to set up.Large water sources don't help much as that doesn't narrow them down.They love to mess around beaver dams and workings.In hot weather,like 80+,they need to soak to cool off.This could be a pond,water trough-it just has to be deep enough to wallow in at least.
They do like cover and often won't venture far out in the open,at least where I hunt.They prefer smaller meadows with cover near or at least to feed on the edge of larger ones.They may have a favorite side of a meadow to graze on.This may be a side that is in shade longer and the grass may be less dry.
You just need to pick an area and find the grassy meadows and water sources.When the grass is up and thick enough for some grazing,start hunting.
You can't fool a bear's nose-ever,so learn the wind currents and thermals where you hunt and have a plan of how to move around without having the wing at your back.
As you learn your area,look for trails to and from the meadows or skirting them.Also trails to and from water.Sometimes bears have their own trails through thick cover.These may have overhanging limbs that would keep deer and elk from using them and you won't see any hoof marks.
That curved tree that the bow leans against is a favorite bear rubbing tree.It hasn't been chewed on or rubbed in years but it is a preferred tree for rubbing.It is at a prominent spot on a prominent trail.Every time through,I check it for fresh hair and remove any I find so I know the next time if anybody has been back.
Another bear rub tree on a bear only trail in thick cover.
This marking tree was used for sure by a big boar.I don't know if others use them as well.It is clawed and chewed almost as high as I can reach and new hair shows up pretty frequently.
In the area I hunt,these trees are mostly cedars.The tree always is at the side of a trail and if it leans toward the trail,so much the better.I don't know if bears in all areas mark the same as they do here but I'd be looking.
I've seen these trees hit in early April and activity seems to step up toward the rut-May 25th to late June,here.
Bear hunting just gets better with each passing week.A couple units stay open till June 15th and those couple weeks of June can be dynamite,especially if you have located an old sow with yearling cubs.She will kick them off and come into heat during that time.
Bears hate high winds and heavy storms and will lay up during those times.A clear day after one of these fronts can be super.
Bears may not have great eyesight but they will recognize an upright figure from a long ways of so be aware of that.
Pay close attention on trails,you often may not have ideal snow or mud for clear tracks but if you look very close,sometimes you find press marks in the dirt.No clear,detailed track but just pressed looking places as if someone walked the trail in moccasins.Sometimes new,seeding grass shoots will be mashed into the dirt.The sign is there but it might be subtle.
Sometimes in the mornings,I can see clearly where a bear just walked through a lush meadow.
An old,mother bear getting relief from the heat in July.
Topic: The Penultimate Thread Concerning Bears! (Read 252 times)
