What is the best time for a spring grizzly bear hunt in British Columbia? I am trying to plan a trip the last week in May and outfitter says its 7-10 days too late. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I would say your outfitter is correct, for my corner of the world anyways (northern BC). The best time to go is as soon as the ice comes off the rivers (so you can travel by river boat). The longer you wait the more "green" the hillsides become which makes it way more difficult to spot/stalk. You wouldn't think a week would mean too much but it is a BIG difference, the years that the ice goes out late (say mid May) don't seem to be as productive as the years we are out during the firdt week of May. Also, I think the bears tend to stay closer to the river the first part of the month (looking for winter kills) thus a better chance of seeing one. Where/how will you be hunting?

it depends on the area and what kind of winter
their having some years the snow isn't gone
from the high country until the season is over
around here most years later is better the season ends here may 5

This year there is a tonne of snow. It will be a late bear hunt for me. Most of the backroads I go out on won't be open till probaly early may. Last year we had a hell of a time in mid april and this year there's twice as much snow. Thats not even including the alpine areas.

Thanks for all the replys. The hunting area is up around Mc Cloud Lake around the parsnip.Thanks Royce

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Thanks for all the replys. The hunting area is up around Mc Cloud Lake around the parsnip.Thanks Royce

That is about another 15 to 30 minutes north up the highway from where I am talking about. Who are you planning on hunting with.

I have been talking with a guide that guides for some fella named Harry from Mc Cloud Lake area. I heard that Harry is part of the indian band. Royce

http://www.bearlakeoutfitters.com/

These guys have an excellant area close to where you are thinking of going. I know that they get a couple of 7 footers every year.

Schmaus, Have you ever heard of a guy by the name of Harry Chingee, this is the Harry I was refering to earlier. What is a big grizz for the area? Thanks Royce

Sorry don't know Harry but I can tell you that a really big grizz will go around 8 1/2 feet, lots of black bears will go an easy 7. Are you thinking of going for grizz? I think this spring is going to be really screwed up for accessing most areas because of the high level of snow and the lack of logging in the north of Prince George area.

I am going to bring my 10 year old son up for a black bear hunt this spring. We will be comming up to Prince George the last week of May, our kids get out of school for the summer May 24.The plan is hunt black bear the last week of May till June 1st or 2nd. 1800.00 us for week hunt for the black bear, with option for second bear. Guide is saying that at this late date I should not book a grizz hunt, he thinks the bears will have moved out away from their dens by then. Royce

I think you should have an awesome hunt and you should see a lot of bears

I am thinking of a May Grizzly hunt too (also in B.C.).

One question for those of you who live there:
What is your spring (late May) weather usually like?

I am told the spring is usually fairly dry in BC.
All my hunting there (4 hunts so far) has been in the fall, when it is always wet.
One thing I like about my BC hunts (besides the beauty of the mountains) is that the weather is so consistent....I can plan on what to wear, and what rifle to bring.

Thanks in advance,

Garrett

Garrett, send me pm. Royce

Hello Royce: You will be hunting in my neck of the woods. A hunter from Switzerland got a big one there last year. Good Luck

by any chance would any of you bear hunters coming through Prince George be packing a 4570 ?

I just bought a .450 marlin that I am itchin to try at a blackie with.

schmaus , what are u shootin out of it?

Hey Royce

You gettin excited yet

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schmaus , what are u shootin out of it?

So far I have been shooting the 325 grain leverevolution rounds they have been working fairly good and they seem to hold there own when shot into a big chunk of pine.

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Originally posted by schmaus:
I just bought a .450 marlin that I am itchin to try at a blackie with.

Nice little "popgun"!

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Nice little "popgun"

Should work pretty good as long as I don't fall on it at the range or something silly like that

Yep! That sucks!

Yes, as a matter of fact I am. Went out Friday and applied for a passport for my son. How are things going up in BC, still a lot of snow? Thanks Royce

yup there is still a tonne of snow but it does seem to be going fast now. As long as the temperatures don't get too low it should be gone in time to get out in May.

Schamaus, Do you know what the rules are about minors and guns up in Canada. Do I have to put 2 guns on my permit or can a non resident alien minor get a gun permit of his own for the hunt. Thanks Royce

Nobody under 19 can legally have/own a firearm unless they are supervised. Just save the hassle and put the guns in your name and it will all be ok.

Thanks for the reply. How about this question, from what I read in the regs a 10 year old who is not core certified (assume hunter safety course) has to hunt under a junior license and cannot purchase big game tags. Does the junior license allow the purchase of bear tags. The outfitter has never hunted a 10 year old hunter and does not know the answer, but is checking it out.Thanks Royce

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Originally posted by N. Garrett:
I am thinking of a May Grizzly hunt too (also in B.C.).

One question for those of you who live there:
What is your spring (late May) weather usually like?

I am told the spring is usually fairly dry in BC.
All my hunting there (4 hunts so far) has been in the fall, when it is always wet.
One thing I like about my BC hunts (besides the beauty of the mountains) is that the weather is so consistent....I can plan on what to wear, and what rifle to bring.

Thanks in advance,

Garrett

It's the other way around as far as the weather goes.

Spring is full of storms. Rain and snow at any given time right into June in the interrior and rain rain rain on the coast.

The fall is typically pretty stable except at the higher elevations. You usuall start getting more of the wet in Oct which turns to snow later on but the weather is far more predictable and you still have many nice days.

Sept is an extension of summer often.

I've seen snow in late June and early July here even.

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Posted 23 March 2007 15:12 Hide Post
Thanks for the reply. How about this question, from what I read in the regs a 10 year old who is not core certified (assume hunter safety course) has to hunt under a junior license and cannot purchase big game tags. Does the junior license allow the purchase of bear tags. The outfitter has never hunted a 10 year old hunter and does not know the answer, but is checking it out.Thanks Royce

You can buy a junior license for a 10-14 year old and that will allow them to hunt. They cannot buy there own tags but they can hunt off of your tags, which you are in luck because you can buy two black bear tags.

Schmaus, What is the weather doing up there, still winter or has spring arrived? Thanks Royce

Hello: It is finally melting.It has been a long winter but will getting my bear tag tommorrow. Good Luck

Gunbug, Good luck on your quest. Are things starting to green up yet? Is this an early spring or late? I will be up in the Mackenzie area May 28. Please keep me updated on the weather and animal movements. Thanks Royce

I am hoping that in two weeks or so I will be able to ride my quad through the snow to my hunting grounds north of PG. There is still quite a bit of snow around but it has been warm and it is melting fast. I think about three weeks should be primetime for shooting a bear.

So, sounds like the last week in May might be a little late this year.

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So, sounds like the last week in May might be a little late this year.

I think that last year you might have been a little late. This year I think that will be a rockin time to hunt. The bears don't really slow down as june approaches it just gets harder to see them with all the leaves and underbrush starting to come back in full force. I wouldn't worry you are going to see a lot of bears.

Schmaus, any suggestions on where to rent a 4x4 crew cab around Prince. Last time I was up there the outfitter had some vehicle problems and I do not know if they have been resolved to my satisfaction. I have been looking around on the internet and for some reason just cannot get there. Anyone else have any suggestions on vehicle rentals please feel free to comment.Thanks royce

The only one I can think of off the top of my head would be BowMac Truck Rentals they are down on 1st avenue Prince George, should be in the phone book let me know if you need more info. Might be a tough time to rent a crew cab as lots of tree planting companies should be starting to take off at that time.

Schmaus, Just heard that you received another 2 feet of snow yesterday, is that true? Royce

Nope no new snow around here, maybe at elevation it was raining today and sunny yesterday. The snow has been melting pretty fast lately. People are starting to see bears around on the highway now.