[atfulldraw]

Howdy,

Considering a spot and stalk bear hunt in the Upper Clearwater River area of Idaho. Packing in a few miles to about 3600' and hunting openings that range from 4000' to 5500'. Has anyone had experience in this area? Any insight into equipment choices? I am considering my bow -- is this realistic? or should I take my rifle? Anyone have any interesting spot and stalk stories? Thanks...

 

[BlackBearHunter]

personally id stick with a rifle...id LOVE to shoot a black bear with a bow, but id stick with the artillery personally....quick follow up shots if the animal is either suffering or charging....but thats just MHO

 

[harley]

I've elk hunted all over Idaho and taken a few bears to boot. If I was after bear I would go south and east of Bonners ferry, up in the panhandle ( Kaniksu Nat'l Forest.) Between Bonners and the Canadian border North and west also has a good bear population. I'd also carry a rifle,besides lots of black bear I'd contend that the largest Griz population in the lower 48 is from this area across to Glacier Natl in Montana. Another good bear and cougar area is north out of Priest Lake Id between Hwy 2 and the lake.
Good luck!!

Harley

 

[atfulldraw]

OK, so I have heard both good and bad news regarding the bear population in the Clearwater/Lochsa area. Spoke w/ a Forest Service Biologist that said the area is now crawling with hunters and that the bear populations have dropped significantly in the last few years. Have any of you seen this? Any other thoughts on better places to look in the reduced non-resident tag part of the state? How about Wyoming? Have any of you hunted wyoming bear?