Three Phases of the Spring

Understanding the Pros & Cons in the Timing of Spring Bear Hunting

- Clay Newcomb

Timing is everything in hunting. The best destinations in the world can be highly productive for a certain species at a given time, and at other times year can be only average. Oftentimes spring bear hunting is lumped into one broad category covering the months of May and June. Hunters booking hunts in remote destinations would do well to understand the general phases of the spring hunt and the related bear activity during that time period. Knowing what to expect and what questions to ask your outfitter are critical for choosing the right time hunt. For the do-it-yourselfer, this information will be invaluable as you plan your hunting, too.

The springtime for black bears is dominated by two biological realties and a third external factor. The need for bears to find food and build up their fat reserve after months of denning is the first reality. Black bears emerge from their dens between March and April in most parts of the bear range. They den from 90 to 150 days, depending on their northern latitude and food availability. When they emerge, they are looking for green vegetation, carrion, and basically anything with digestible calories. Spring hunting, whether spot-and-stalk or bait hunting, capitalizes on a bear’s need to eat.

The second springtime reality is the bear rut. Bears can basically breed anytime they aren’t denning, but the peak breeding period is in a 60-day time period between late May, June, and early July. Most spring bear hunting seasons only go through mid-to-late June. The rut has played a part in many successful spring hunts ending with giant-headed boars in the backs of UTV’s and on pack frame backpacks. Understanding the timing of the rut combined with a knowledge of what bears are doing in terms of feeding will help you decide when to go hunting.