Idaho Spring Bear 2021

[H4L]

I am a Colorado hunter planning on heading to Idaho for a DIY OTC Spring Bear hunt for 10-14 days the last week of April into the first week of May. It will be my first experience bear hunting and first time doing non resident hunting. I plan on spot and stalking because I have no experience with baiting. I usually do long solo backcountry backpacking hunts for 4-5 nights (Army Vet use to carrying a lot on my back for a lot of miles over shitty terrain). I was invited to go on this hunt by an experienced fall bear hunter who wants to start getting into backpack/backcountry hunts.

Does anybody have any suggestions on what OTC unit we should start to focus on? I've been looking at the units south of the Snake River. From everything I've read it seems like the general consensus is the farther north the better. I would like to keep the hunt as far SW as possible just to keep my drive shorter but, if the advantages of a Northern ID hunt are worth it we may make the drive. It's an 11 hour drive to Idaho Falls I'd like to keep the drive under 14 hours.

Any advice or guidance for Spring bear hunting in Idaho is greatly appreciated.

Additionally, I am considering moving to ID so this trip will also be a somewhat of a scouting trip for a house or property.

 

[WC]

I am a Colorado hunter planning on heading to Idaho for a DIY OTC Spring Bear hunt for 10-14 days the last week of April into the first week of May. It will be my first experience bear hunting and first time doing non resident hunting. I plan on spot and stalking because I have no experience with baiting. I usually do long solo backcountry backpacking hunts for 4-5 nights (Army Vet use to carrying a lot on my back for a lot of miles over shitty terrain). I was invited to go on this hunt by an experienced fall bear hunter who wants to start getting into backpack/backcountry hunts.

Does anybody have any suggestions on what OTC unit we should start to focus on? I've been looking at the units south of the Snake River. From everything I've read it seems like the general consensus is the farther north the better. I would like to keep the hunt as far SW as possible just to keep my drive shorter but, if the advantages of a Northern ID hunt are worth it we may make the drive. It's an 11 hour drive to Idaho Falls I'd like to keep the drive under 14 hours.

Any advice or guidance for Spring bear hunting in Idaho is greatly appreciated.

Additionally, I am considering moving to ID so this trip will also be a somewhat of a scouting trip for a house or property.

PM sent

 

[HuckleberryHound]

Youre going too early. Go a month later. And if you want to spot and stalk, stick with units that dont allow bait or hounds.

 

[Elkhunter96]

I agree, April will be too early. At least two weeks later on most years would be better