Idaho bear hunt

[champ38]

Im scheduled to go on the bear hunt/bow build with Ted Fry and some TG'ers the 3rd week of May. Never been to this part of the country( or bear hunting for that matter) and was wondering if there would be a bug/insect problem this time of the year. If so, would the Thermacell be a wise investment ? Any tips or info on the bugs, wheather, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks Shane

[Rick Wiltshire]

champ38,

I have hunted with Gary three different times and I would suggest you get a Thermacell.  You may not need it, but you will wish you had it if you do get into the skeeters.  Gary uses ALOT of ground blinds and the bugs can get bad depending on your location.  

If you hit it right you will find some of the best tasting mushrooms you have ever had.

On another note, be careful if you get into a shooting contest with Gary - he is quite a shot with his recurve bow.

You will enjoy your trip.

Rick

[elknut1]

Not sure where in ID you are going but I've never seen a single mosquito here in May, but I guess you never know! (grin) I personally wouldn't be too concerned. Did you ask the Outfitter about them?

  ElkNut1

[wollelybugger]

They usually have their winter coat on that time of year and are a little slower. I think the gnats are the first out.

[Ted Fry]

Mosquito's can and have been a problem in the right weather conditions, but fortunately that has been rare rather than the norm. I do bring and have used a Thermacell.
Weather , well thats another cookie, there will be weather.
It will be cold , wet , hot , mild , sunny, windy, calm, snowing and all in the same days sometimes,right Rick, Charlie, Shaun and Curtis?
Best to have good boots, rain gear ,wool and a good pair of long johns. Good socks are a must , I prefer the Smart wool. A good hat and a pair of gloves is not a bad idea either.
The 17th -24th of May is my favorite week, weather should ( I hope the weather is listening)
be pretty nice by then and as Rick said , we will have an incredible supply of mushrooms as well as bears.
On another note the bear hunt/bowbuild is full this year but we do have a couple of slots open for bear hunting weeks so contact me if you are interested for a last minute spring bear hunt in an incredible spot.
For those of you signed up in the bow class/bearhunt , boy do I have a surprise for you!
Dont want to spoil the anticipation so see you in May.

[Ted Fry]

Well , looks as though one of the guys cant make it this year for the Bow build/bear hunt, last minute stuff came up and he , much to his dismay had to do the right thing( I hate it when you have to do the right thing), usually that means giving up hunting somewhere.
So in a nutshell , it looks as though we have one spot open for May 17th -24th , this is a great opening for someone out there, I know its short notice but hey you only live once. If you havent been paying attention to the Bow build / bearhunt thread this is the same week as Curtis Keller and Krister  are going to be on .
541-386-4503

[oldway]

Bugs can be a real problem later in the season(Mid May- June)But mid April to early May the bugs aren't so bad.I totally recomend a thero-Cell they really work.

[Plumber]

A thermacell is always a wise investment

[champ38]

Thanks everyone, ill pick up a thermacell just in case. I would rather have it and not need it, than the other way around. Thanks again, Shane

[Brian Krebs]

Where I hunt here in Idaho; if there is a mosquito; it will show up when the bear does (following the bear?) but for certain: it will find where the sweat rolled off your nose; and land right there for a meal    :eek:  

If its still wet on the ground; count on a mosquito or two; and really with the timing they have its all that is necessary.

I have not tried a thermacell - I don't get how they don't give off an odor that the bears associate with humans... but I am getting one also.

[Clay Hayes]

What part of the state are you gonna be in?

[Ted Fry]

Clay we guide in unit 10 east of Pierce in the Weitas drainage. Mosquito's are a very real thing out there but not a big deal like good old Quebec or Alaska.
Thermacell is the only way to go if there is even a chance of getting eaten.
Human odor is not an issue as the therma cell emits a copy of a natural bug repellent , heck one year we took an old used insert for the therma cell and soaked it in bacon scent, the bears loved that as it warmed up.