When would be the best dates to book a spring bear hunt? I've booked the 30th of May-June 5th, of 2009. Is that a little late? Or should I try to move up my date a week or so?

I've hunted that week before.... one year I wouldn't wanted to be any later, the bears were just beginning to thin.

The next year was fine, as a matter of fact, 2 weeks previous the hunters had to stay in town because the ice wasn't out yet.

Where you going? I hunted just north of Leaf Rapids, half way between there and Lynn Lake.

Also, I see you're from Missouri.

Where? I'm from Jeff City.

We'll be hunting around the Lynn Lake area.

We booked with Grey Owl Outfitters. Lynn Lake

You definietly don't want to book earlier. I guided for bear in northern Manitoba last year, and the bears were not actively hitting baits till the first week of June. We can still get snow storms in May, and snow and cold will shut the bear movement down completely. I've seen it happen many times.

I don't know about northern MB, and Lynn Lake is near Acrtic Circle it's that far north. But here in Vermont there is still several feet of snow on the ground, bears will be sleeping in this year.

I am trying to remember the week I went up there, it was still pretty cold and the ice had just come off the lakes. I do think it was more mid to late June. Few people got bears the week I was there, not much moving. Good area though.

Just for everyones info we have just experienced the first couple days of melting conditions in northern Manitoba. One of the local outfitters was hauling oats across the lake to his bear camps last week. If it stays warm the first bears should start to show up in a couple weeks.

Yes, the forecast is favorable over the next little while with the northern part of Manitoba, they're expected to see double digits in Lynn Lake (celsius) tomorrow, and above 0 for most of the week, so I expect a slow, steady thaw (which is already starting). It may change at a moment's notice though, such is the price we pay for good bear hunting!

Even though my hunt isn't until 09', I'm already pumped. Keep me posted on how the bear activity is, and of course the hunting. I'm booked with Grey Owl Outfitters.

Mike It originally sounded like you were worried you had booked too early. I think you are just about right. Its the 14th of April today and the weather is just warming up.We still have some pretty cool weather ahead of us yet. To come earlier I would be more worried about a cold late spring and very few bears active when you get here. Will try to keep you informed. Good Luck next spring.

Mike First sign of bears a couple days ago. Also this morning southern Manitoba got hit with 4 inches of snow

thanks snowman for the respose. What kind of temps would it take too shut down bear activity? Would much snow slow them down much? Keep me posted. Good hunting.

Mike you get below freezing temps and snow ,that will slow most bear activity right down. When they first come out of hibernation they haven't had a crap for 5-6 months. they need a drink of water and they need a feed of grass or bullrush roots etc. This loosens up the plumbing. They haven't eaten in that time either so their stomachs have shrunk down as well. They will start to eat and their diet will increase. Thats why baits often get hit every few days to start them almost daily after the bears get more active. Add more cold weather things slow down. More warm weather things speed up.

I was with Grey Owl in 2004. Had a great time on their first week of hunting and got a nice cinammin boar, about 6 1/2 feet. The ice was still 4-foot thick on the lakes, so it busted the fishing, but the bears were hungry. The weather is so variable in that part of the world, you just can't tell.

Tell Lyle and Linda that Walter from St. Louis said "Hi". Work commitments, or lack of work, has kept me away since I got a moose the following year.

I'll be sure to tell them hi for ya. Thanks for the info.