Fall bear vs Spring bear

[deanerG]

Well really wanted to get my first bear this fall but my contract in Africa just got extended. So I may have to wait till spring. I was wondering if there is a difference in the quality of the coat ? Seems to me there would be.

[HighWildnFree]

Spring coats are definatley better. Lots of fall bears are rubbed up.

[pseelk]

Originally Posted by HighWildnFree

Spring coats are definatley better. Lots of fall bears are rubbed up.

x2,hair can be 5-6 ins long in spring and claws as sharp as needles.

[Lonnie]

spring bear is usualy the best time for hides fall bears are usualy nice and fat great eating but I've never have eaten a spring Bear but alot of people claim there good to.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by HighWildnFree

Spring coats are definatley better. Lots of fall bears are rubbed up.

How so? Fall bears are growing the hair that's going to keep them warm all winter. Might be concerned the first week or so, but after that, there should be no difference.

Grizz

[Lonnie]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

How so? Fall bears are growing the hair that's going to keep them warm all winter. Might be concerned the first week or so, but after that, there should be no difference.

Grizz

well that I think has a lot to do with location down here in the suoth there not that graet for hides in the lower elevations untill late in the season.

[addicted]

Well I would have to say the fall coat on a bear is much nicer. Like it was just posted it is fresh newly grown fur un 6 month napped on lol

My fall bear is supper soft and made a great rug!!!

A guy has to rememb er though that a small bear looks big in the fall but a bi bear looks masssive lol.

[Speckle55]

Originally Posted by HighWildnFree

Spring coats are definatley better. Lots of fall bears are rubbed up.

first two weeks June. occasionally in fall but of the 6 fall bear i have taken none had any rubs Live in Hinton. the two in spring one was thinning in later May

Fall bear the coat is shinner and the guard hair are longer later in fall
and if you are eating they are better in fall .a smoke ham is awesome!!
Food for Thought
David

[Arn?Narn.]

Have taken many of both...

I like very early spring bear....fat is far far less and much less work...the coat is beautiful.

A Fall bear in october will have a lovely coat, be prepared to work the fat....

[KegRiver]

In my experience there is a difference, but I wouldn't say one is better then the other.

I find that fall bears have much shorter fur, but to me it also looks more even then a spring bear.
As some have said, spring bears have longer fur and the fur feels softer because of that.
So it depends on what you like. Deep soft fur or a trim looking fur.

Then there is the fat. Arn and others have pointed that, and I agree with what they say.
Fall if you want the meat also, and spring bears are easier to work on.

[Lonnie]

you guys up north get a lot of cooler weather than we do down here a lot of years we get realy warm at the start of bear season in the spring and lots of times its just starting to get cold the last 2weeks of bear season unless they stay up high its hard to get a realy nice hide because every bear hunter that wants a nice hide is up high and there just is not enough mountain tops down here to support the amount of bears needed with good hides.

[Grizzly Adams]

If you've never shot one, any bear is a good trophy.

Grizz

[SugarCreek]

Both seasonal bears can be beautiful. If you catch a bear just out of hibernation or get a big old boar that hangs out in the cool spots in the spring, their coats are great. The "wool" under their hair gives a real nice loft but once they have the inclination to start rubbing the hide quality goes down from there.

Fall bears, particularly those taken toward the end of September and into October are the nicest coats you will ever see. The hair has a much different look to it, very shinny, thick and luxurious.

Seeing both season bears hanging in my shop, my preference would be a later fall bear hands down.

Marco