Spring bear hunt in northern Alberta/Saskatchewan

E

eric2381

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
192   0   0
Location
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Hey everybody, I notice there is quite a few threads about bear baiting and bear hunting, but, I have a hunt planned for northern Alberta, and am wondering about the best time of the spring to go? I was gonna go up on the 25th of April, but now with this latest snowfall, that may be delayed 'til the beginning of May or so. I am just looking for a bit of help from people in the know. I want to see as many bears as possible, and I will be baiting alongside creeks and wet areas. Thanks for your time, Eric
 
Not sure how effective baiting will be if you are only going to start the day you arrive. Are you bowhunting? If not I wouldn't waste my time with baiting, just get out and drive around, walk a few cutlines and look for sign. If you need something to do in the morning, go looking for sign, if not, then sleep in and head out around 2 or so. As the shadows get long you will see more bears.

You will see more bears by putting on a few miles and glassing then you will with a half-ass bait set up. If you want to try sitting somewhere, I might try a honey burn or something to draw one in. Otherwise, get moving.

Good luck and let us know how you make out. How much snow did you get in RD? We ended up with about 8"+ here.


Ian
 
Last edited:
Hello, I was planning on going for a week, so I was going to set out a few baits and hunt around as you say for 4 days or so. Even after that, I was thinking of only going to the baits in the evenings and hunt around in the mornings. I'm looking out the window right now, and I'd say there is 12-14" on the ground, and it's still coming down. But, you wouldn't know of the best time to head out would you? Thanks, Eric
 
There's a Taxidermist here that will bait for you (for a small fee) but the catch is that he does the rug/mount. If you're intrested pm me and I'll pass on his details.
Good luck
 
where abouts you thinking of hunting,i live north of bonnyville close as you can get to the air weapons range,,lots of bears here but we just got dumped on with snow probably not going to see any for atleast two weeks,i got four baits to put out yet but waiting till next weekend to do it ..anyway if your thinking this area drop me a pm and will give you the low down on the area,and hook you up with some prime areas for spot and stock maybe even let you use one of my baits if you want,,usually have most of my baits gettin hit at once and i cant be at six places at once,so i dont mind a fellow hunter using one..no costs or nothing in return wanted just trying to help out another hunter...thx dennis
 
Nice offer, Gotrdone. Very gentlemenly.

If I were going this year, I would likely wait towards the end of the season. You want a fair amount of fresh growth on the grass in the open areas, but not so much that the bears can feed everywhere. The later the better, but then you have to be bit more picky, because some bears will have started to shed / rub.
 
Gotrdone, thanks very much for the offer. But, I also have a friend coming with, and don't want to intrude. I do appreciate the offer very much, but will have to decline. I've worked quite a bit in the Bonneville area and up through the range. Real nice area and I'm sure there are lots of bears in the area. Thanks again, Eric
 
As of right now, its snowing, -20 with the wind and baity is froze. Best time would be around May long weekend. Grass will be greener on the cutlines/pipelines, its warmer out. Dont see too many bears before then, and especially now with the change in weather.
 
The 2nd last weekend in May might be best if you are going north.

Still a fair bit of snow in the bush right now.

Bring yer rubber boots. It wont be dry this year for spring bear.
 
Ilike to get out and hunt early before the skitters and ticks emerge, but this spring is ridiculous. I've had my baits out for a couple of weeks now, but it's just too cold. Oh well, heading out to the cabin this morning to fire one more bait up. Hopefully it'll be active by May long.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom