Spring bear is open here and I spent time with a pair of my nephews who each had yet to kill their 1st Black bear.
We finally got our jobs and schedules lined out and got together.
I cautioned them that it was "spotter's choice", whoever spotted it got to shoot.
Chris spotted the 1st bear and smoked him with a perfect raking shot at 550 yards only 2 hours into our hunt.


We watched the bear for awhile and climbed up to him for the photo's and skinning.He punched his 1st bear tag in 19 seasons...



We completed the skinning and now had 3 "experienced" bear skinners in the ranks.
Still a couple hours of light remaining so returning to our perch we resumed bear hunting.
An hour later I spot a bear at the top of the Mt. and thou the guys made it up the Mt. in record time and had the bear at 400 yards, just as they were setting up for the shot the bear bedded behind a tree and light ran out.

A day later Josh and I returned and spotted his bear with a little more time on the clock.
Josh made his run and smoked his with a 100 yard shot in scattered timber. Josh punched his bear tag after 10 years of trying.


Already a GREAT year!
May have to hang it up for the rest of the season, nothing would top this for me.
Enjoy and safe travels

Congratulations to both of your nephews.
I haven't had a chance to get a bear living in Kansas no bear except at the zoo.

How much meat did they end up with I have heard bear are tasty.

Great trophies...congrats.

Joe "You the man" or guide in this case. Nice goin' corn dick.

Mark

Good shooting, wish I were spring Bear hunting as well.

Nice! Congrats to your nephews and amazing country. I'm concerned, however. How did they even get up into the high country and kill something without technical fiber, cammo pants and jackets that cost $500 each and matching underwear, socks, etc.? I didn't think that was possible anymore.

must now admit I'm a Sitka whore...

Very cool and I want to self identify as your nephew so you have to take me hunting.

I started this post as a PM to ravenr but I thought others would appreciate his vast amount of knowledge.

I really appreciate your informative posts. I am going bear hunting next week over in the Pinedale area. So do you just find a place where one can see a great deal of south facing slides and areas with new green growth and look and look and look and look?

I have gone black bear hunting 3 times all DIY and so far have not punched a tag. They have been some my favorite hunting trips by the way.

Anyway if you could give me one (or two) of your top tips finding bears I would appreciate it greatly.

Oh and congrats on some great trophies and great pics (as always). Thank you for contributing and adding a great deal to this site.

Thanks guys, it makes the evening when you can share it with some family.

Swede44mag
We pulled straps and hinds and they totaled approx 100 Lbs per bear. Good for sausage.

Slim buttes
I was once "the young bear hunter" and spent 11 years chasing MY 1st.
Many miles spent in searching, chasing tracks, chasing sightings, chasing shadows...
What I found is just what you described... When
I started paying attention to "where" it greened up earliest in the spring. Watercourses and the slopes surrounding.Old burns produce and LOTS of glassing from where you can see LOTS of country.
As you can see from the photos, Canyons, rock slides and rough country work for me.
Patience is paramount.. I have spent days coming up empty and then see 3 bears on the same hillside during the same evening. The same hillside I'd been watching for days.
Hope this helps some and best of luck to you in Pinedale. Let us know how you do.

Is that you're STW in the picture?

ted thorn
Yes that's "Wolf killer" aka 7STW
aka "Black Death
aka Ye Ole spray painted jack handle.

Thanks for the reply. Ah, that darn patience thing. I guess it's easier to be patient in the mountains looking at wonderful country than the last week of teaching 2nd graders before summer vacation.

Well done, Joe.
Good times with family, for sure.
Good talking to you this evening.

That's great, I'm tickled for all of you in filling those tags. Fine looking woolies too.

Hunted since the mid 50's and seen ONE bear in the summer and it was running hard the other way at 200yds.

Dad missed the trail elk hunting one evening and walked up on a nice one. Up and busted his shoulder at 30 feet. That was only the 3rd one in the valley in over 60 years at that time, '63.

Thanks for sharing,
George