Obviously I have never posted on the Canadian Hunting forum. The few posts I do have are mostly on the African Hunting forum.

However at the recent local SCI live auction, my darling wife bid and won a Black Bear hunt for me with Joe Conroy of Sheep Creek Outfitters out of Cranbrook, BC for 2008. (She has always wanted a Black Bear in the house.)

I have only gotten to speak with Joe briefly as he was heading out the door on a Grizzly Bear hunt. Apparently I have the choice of a week in early May, a week in late May, or one of the last three weeks in June.

Are there any major differences in this timing for weather, game movement, travel, etc.?

I am planning on taking my 338WM that I used for Plains Game in Africa. I have used 250 grain TBBC or 250 grain Nosler partitions. Recommendations?

I am quite confident I will be lurking on this forum more frequently and doing alot of searches for info.

Thanks in advance for your help and expertise.

Fred

Hi Fred,

Welcome to the Canadian forum!

As a local, I'd suggest either the last week of May or early June. Early June is always good, last week of May is uaually good.

Weather in the Kootenays in the spring is always highly variable. 30 deg C one week, cold and rainy the next...even snow. Its usually more good than bad, but each year is different. Last week was cold and rainy, and for the last two days it has hit highs of 29 deg C, with 30's forecast for the weekend.

Earlier in May can be good some years, but most years its a little too early...lots of bears still in the dens, or in country that is inaccessible due to snow, mud, etc.

Travel wise, the timing won't make much difference. As above, it can be a crap shoot with the weather at any time in May/June. My father drove down to visit with me last weekend and had to go through a helluva snowstorm in the Parks and Alberta just to get here. 4 days later its way too hot for our blood. As they say about the Rocky Mts in the spring..."if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes."!!

Your 338 WM is definitely overkill for blackies, but if thats what you like by all means use it...it will do the job with gusto! I am just saying that its not necessary, not being critical...I enjoy packing my 375 for just about everything at times.

Keep checking in here...I'll tease you with some pics of bears taken in the area this year and maybe even some scenery shots from Sheep Ck Outfitters territory.

Cheers,
Canuck

i'd pass on the end of june the hides will be getting ratty losing their winter coat so they
rub them which leaves bare patches. most of the snow in the lower areas is gone you should get the earliest date available

I am a little slow in replying as I have been travelling. Thanks guys - good information.

Canuck, my only other options (unless I need to talk my wife into "I need a new rifle") is my 375HH or 270 win. It sounds like the 270 would be fine and I am very comfortable shooting it. However for the US whitetail I use 130 grain bullet. What should I be considering for black bear?

And I will be looking forward to those teasers. Thanks again, Fred

Fred Gordon, if you shoot your H&H well take it! It's a good excuse to use one.
With good bullets the 270 will work.

Your .338 Weatherby is far too much gun for black bears. Your 130 grain bullets will be just dandy. Black bears are killed with 100 grain .243's all the time.
This'll help some. http://www.sheepcreek.com/
Be advised that you will have to comply with Canadian gun laws too. Mind you, they may change by this time next year, but here's what you need to know as of right now.
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/factsheets/visitin_e.asp