Bear Hunting dates

carbonnation

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Just curious what some of you more seasoned bear hunters think about the hunt date changes in Utah. I have been applying for the spring archery baiting hunt and am worried that moving that hunt into June will make it more difficult? Will the bear hides still be thick? Opinions.
 
Should be all right. We hunt bear in Idaho every year. We plan to hunt between the 15 and the 31 and kill bear at the end of may every year and hides are great. Some years not all the bears are even out of their dens. At that time they are still just grazing and OT on baits. We are hundreds of miles north of a lot of the utah units. I believeven baiting should still be great during them dates. Separating the baiting and hounds should be great
 
Been baiting and hunting bears since the 80's. Overwhelmingly, our best success is from May 20 until June 10th. The hides are usually still good then. The problem you do have is as it gets further into June the sows come into heat, and the boars will start to roam. Having him on bait and trail cams one day, and a whole drainage away the next. They will usually cycle by every 3-5 days tho, so patience and staying in the stand are key for big bruins.
 
Carb

The June hunt should be good. I had the boulder tag last year. I didn't see any action on my baits until the last week in May. It was cold and wet all spring so the baiting was tough. I killed on June first. The hunt ended on June second! My bear had good hair still. In my opinion they made the right move by moving the dates. But I also think it depends on the year too. Get a couple good baits going and kill early. Just don't shoot a cub;) best of luck to you!
 
I am considering applying for a fall tag. If any of you have any information on pelt quality in August-September, I would like to hear your thoughts. Will the hair be growing back good by then?
I have killed two big boars the third week of May in the past, and both had rubbed areas. The hide is important to me, and I am hoping to get one in good shape.

thanks
 
Fall bears should have good uniform hair. Shorter than spring bears, but softer.

I killed a big ole brute a year ago in the fall, and he had rubbed spots on both rear flanks. I think he had a bad rubbing habit. To some degree, it depends on the bear.
 

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