Who are the Montana biologists to contact about Black Bears

[MooseCaboose]

I freed up some time to come home at the beginning of May and do a couple weeks of bear hunting. I've been out before but never taken it very seriously. My hunting opportunities are going to be limited the next few years by school so I want to make this one count.

I'm in the process of trying to narrow in on areas, I'll be hunting either Region 2, 3, or 4.

Does anyone know which biologist(s) in each regional office particuarly handle black bear populations in their respective regions?

I'm trying to avoid bogging down the system via indiscrimately calling until I find the right person but I'll resort to this if no one is sure who I should talk to. But I figured someone on here would know.

 

[Randy11]

Jamie Jonkel likely knows more about bears in Montana than anyone alive.

Not sure what you'll expect to hear from a biologist though. Knowing there's bears in the area is only a tenth of the battle.

 

[MooseCaboose]

Knowing there's bears in the area is only a tenth of the battle.

Thanks! IMO successful hunting is all about piecing it together 1/10 at a time. I've been reading some of your old posts about bears, and I know you have got it down. Maybe you can help me with some of the other 9/10?

 

[Gerald Martin]

Security and grass. Glass and glass. Find a bear. Shoot. The later it gets in the season the more picky the bears are about the nutrition in the grass they like to eat. This usually means they will leave lush stands of coarser grass at lower elevations and be steadily higher as the season progresses. A decent rule of thumb is to concentrate on the areas within 300 yards of the snow line. Another strategy that I like is to walk gated logging roads. Even in the timber the sides of the roads often have good grass. You'll see less bears hunting this way, but the ones you do see are usually kill-able.
I would rather find one good open area with lots of black timber around it than hunt where all the ridges are open and grassy. Lack of grass in the heavy timber, concentrates the bears on the grasses in the open area, be it a clear cut or a natural opening.

 

[MooseCaboose]

Security and grass. Glass and glass. Find a bear. Shoot. The later it gets in the season the more picky the bears are about the nutrition in the grass they like to eat. This usually means they will leave lush stands of coarser grass at lower elevations and be steadily higher as the season progresses. A decent rule of thumb is to concentrate on the areas within 300 yards of the snow line. Another strategy that I like is to walk gated logging roads. Even in the timber the sides of the roads often have good grass. You'll see less bears hunting this way, but the ones you do see are usually kill-able.
I would rather find one good open area with lots of black timber around it than hunt where all the ridges are open and grassy. Lack of grass in the heavy timber, concentrates the bears on the grasses in the open area, be it a clear cut or a natural opening.

Thanks for info! When you say later in the season, is that more weather dependent? Like if it gets unseasonably warm they will go higher sooner?

 

[Gerald Martin]

Thanks for info! When you say later in the season, is that more weather dependent? Like if it gets unseasonably warm they will go higher sooner?

Yes.