Spring bear season change

[CBintheNorth]

Hello all,
I'm already thinking about the next baiting season and have been wondering what others think of the season dates.

Over the last several springs we've found that being able to bait as early as the middle of March is useless as there is still 3 feet of snow in the bush. We've also found that most of the mature boars don't seem to show up until the last few days of the season and the week after it closes. I am refering to the zones that close on May 31.

My partners and I would like to see these zones coincide with the northern zones which stay open till June 15.

I was going to write an email to the appropriate people but was just curious as to what others thought.

[Ultimate Predator]

I would love to see the season open till june 15 big boars start to move just as the season closes were i hunt there was still snow in the low creeks till 3rd week in may its time for a change

[CBintheNorth]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Predator

I would love to see the season open till june 15 big boars start to move just as the season closes were i hunt there was still snow in the low creeks till 3rd week in may its time for a change

This is what I've experienced since I've started.

For those that have voted to leave everything as is, what is your main reason?

Thanks to everyone that has voted so far! I'm surprised by the percentages.

[pseelk]

There is a lot to be said for leaving some good breeding stock.Perhaps this was the reason for the may 31 closing date.Not sure though.

[CBintheNorth]

I've thought about that angle but by the same token then, deer season should close on the 15th of November instead of the 30th.

I thought it might be due to hide conditions but the bigger bears we've gotten pictures of after the season don't appear to be rubbed at all.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by CBintheNorth

I've thought about that angle but by the same token then, deer season should close on the 15th of November instead of the 30th.

I thought it might be due to hide conditions but the bigger bears we've gotten pictures of after the season don't appear to be rubbed at all.

I always thought the reason was due to the general public useing these areas in June?
Same thought process as not being able to hunt on portions of the Bow river till later. (Birds)

Jamie

[Olthreelegs]

Originally Posted by CBintheNorth

I've thought about that angle but by the same token then, deer season should close on the 15th of November instead of the 30th.

I thought it might be due to hide conditions but the bigger bears we've gotten pictures of after the season don't appear to be rubbed at all.

you lost me there with your deer closing on the 15th comment.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by pseelk

There is a lot to be said for leaving some good breeding stock.Perhaps this was the reason for the may 31 closing date.Not sure though.

Hides, the main reason most of us hunt bears, can get pretty sketchy late in the season.

Grizz

[beaver hunter]

I see a 10 year study in the works with no changes as a result.

[CBintheNorth]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Hides, the main reason most of us hunt bears, can get pretty sketchy late in the season.

Grizz

While I would love to agree with you, my personal experience tells me this statement is only partially true.

What I've seen is that if a bear is going to rub bad, he's already done so before the end of May. If they're not rubbed bad by then they're not going to.

I have thousands of pictures of young bears completely bald down the sides at the beginning of May, but not one of a big, mature boar with a single bald spot in any month of the year.
Depends what you're after I guess.
If someone doesn't want a bald bear don't shoot one. Simple as that. They're not all rubbed.
No different then being selective with any other animal.

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Hides, the main reason most of us hunt bears, can get pretty sketchy late in the season.

Grizz

As more hunters use the meat, the less important the hides become.

I would rather hunt bears in the summer when they are prime for eating.

The government advocates consuming bears as part of maintaining the legitimacy of the hunt in reference to those opposed to hunting. The gov. should let hunters harvest our food when it at it's best.

I feel the same way about ungulates. They are better eating in the summer than late fall or winter. With simple management protocols, there is no biological reason to not allow hunting of this food source when the meat is the best for consumption.