IABoilermaker
Member
Over the last few years I have caught the western hunting bug bad, mostly for elk and most of my research and prep has been centered around fall seasons. I am looking to expand my opportunities to get out west and when watching an episode of OYOA on YouTube the OTC bear seasons in Montana came up. After watching that episode my curiosity has gotten the best of me and I am hoping to try my luck in Montana next spring. I haven't done a lot of research but it seems the population of bears is centered on the western half of the state which I am assuming means it is also grizzly country. I am currently in China on a work assignment so my access to all my normal research avenues is more limited than normal, so I was hoping I could get some help from those more experienced bear hunters here. I have a few questions and am open for suggestions any help would be appreciated.
My general plan would be to dedicate a week of vacation so with the drive to and from Iowa it would probably give me 4-5 days to hunt. For dates I was thinking early may but may have to go early in the season due to work commitments. I would plan to be rifle hunting, and have a good set of gear as far optics and general hunting equipment. The questions I have are:
1. Is there a better time of season to be in the woods or is that variable year to year dependent on weather?
2. What should I be expecting for weather that time of year or is it even less stable than fall hunting?
3. Could I reasonably expect to find success if I was staying in a hotel and driving to a trail head, or am i better off getting in and camping in the back country? ( i have never camped in grizzly country, so maybe i am over concerned here)
4. Anything special I should be thinking about relative to bear hunting that I wouldn't be prepared for from elk hunting?
5. Hunting strategy, for bear should I be racing to beat sunrise or glassing in afternoons, very little research done thus far so looking for suggestions.
6. Any advice that you feel would be relevant.
Lastly, as with all trips my sole concern is not bagging a bear that would just be a big bonus. So my real goal is to just be prepared and have properly set expectations. Thanks in advance for any advice.
My general plan would be to dedicate a week of vacation so with the drive to and from Iowa it would probably give me 4-5 days to hunt. For dates I was thinking early may but may have to go early in the season due to work commitments. I would plan to be rifle hunting, and have a good set of gear as far optics and general hunting equipment. The questions I have are:
1. Is there a better time of season to be in the woods or is that variable year to year dependent on weather?
2. What should I be expecting for weather that time of year or is it even less stable than fall hunting?
3. Could I reasonably expect to find success if I was staying in a hotel and driving to a trail head, or am i better off getting in and camping in the back country? ( i have never camped in grizzly country, so maybe i am over concerned here)
4. Anything special I should be thinking about relative to bear hunting that I wouldn't be prepared for from elk hunting?
5. Hunting strategy, for bear should I be racing to beat sunrise or glassing in afternoons, very little research done thus far so looking for suggestions.
6. Any advice that you feel would be relevant.
Lastly, as with all trips my sole concern is not bagging a bear that would just be a big bonus. So my real goal is to just be prepared and have properly set expectations. Thanks in advance for any advice.