© Copyright John Trout, Jr.

It was truly a Rocky Mountain moment to remember.  The thick stand of Douglas firs surrounding me supplied the perfect remote setting for a black bear to appear, and the bait 16 feet below my treestand was all the reason a bruin needed to show before dusk.  Still, I was very shocked when I spotted the bear, cautiously circling the bait.  If he was anything like other Idaho bruins I had observed over the years, the outcome could go either way.  He might arrive in shooting range within moments, or he might disappear into the thick forest, never to be seen by me again.  But not one to ponder, I wasted no time grabbing my bow to prepare for the moment.

That incident occurred a couple of years ago in early September.  My wife Vikki and I were enjoying a fall bear hunt in the mountains while most other hunters were pursuing elk.  That’s the common autumn scenario in the Idaho Rockies.

Pursuing a black bear one-on-one in the vast mountain ranges of Idaho is a challenge worth considering.  Of course, any bowhunter will quickly discover that there are no guarantees.  On the contrary, I’ve accepted this great challenge since the early 1990s and have enjoyed success less than 50 percent of the time. 

Two Options

There are two ways to earn an Idaho bear rug.  You can stalk a bear, or you can bait one.  Either will offer an exciting challenge.  The final option is to do both.  For instance, I always set baits, yet often end up stalking, too.

Fall hunting over bait differs considerably from spring hunting.  Spring bears come out of hibernation and feed upon vegetation until their stomachs are conditioned for other foods.  Once this occurs, they go on a feeding binge.  In autumn though, bears are seldom as hungry, thanks to numerous berries.  In fact, huckleberries, mountain ash, service berries and others will usually satisfy the bear and prepare him for hibernation.

Because berries are numerous, baits are seldom as productive as they are in spring.  A hot bait strategically placed might do the job, but there’s more to the story, such as getting a bruin to come in often and getting him to show up before dusk.  For this reason, stalking is an option.

Southern Slopes

Regardless of whether you spot and stalk, bait or do both, I would suggest you stick to southern slopes.  These are where most of the berries are found and where you can count on finding most bears in the fall.  However, elevation is often important.  Early freezes might rid slopes of berries in upper elevations sooner than it will in lower elevations.  Some years I find the bears in the high country.   Some years I find them in the valleys.  Nevertheless, southern slopes also are the thickest and most inviting to a black bear.

Packing It In

Although bears like the open slopes when searching for berries, baits tend to do better in the dense cover bordering the open areas.  Dense cover is not hard to find in Idaho.  A bait placed there is more likely to attract a bear in daylight hours than a bait in an open area that could cause a bear to feel vulnerable.  Mountain bruins are typically secretive.

Thus, packing bait into the timber and away from the roads is your best bet.  Remote bait sites usually attract more bears than do those close to roads.  I prefer to pack in bait one-half mile or more. 

The Necessities

Binoculars are essential if you stalk.  I prefer a 10x50 pair, primarily because I’m looking over large areas from a considerable distance.  You will need all the help you get when watching open and distant slopes.

When baiting, start with several pounds of meat scraps.  Butcher trimmings are best, and many grocers will not mind supplying you with a box or two.  Although sweets will attract bears, meat scraps are best for keeping autumn bears coming back for more.  Grease can also be supplemented, although some fall bears find rich grease not as appetizing as do spring bears.

I would also suggest you use scents near a bait site.  The licorice smell of anise oil might attract a bear, as well as cover your human scent.  You might also try Ultimate Bear Lure, a sweet smelling scent made by Wildlife Research Center.  Since I started using this scent a few years ago, I’ve discovered quick hit baits more often.  A bear’s nose is second to nothing.  Keep in mind, too, it’s smell that brings him to a bait.

As for the bear mentioned at the beginning of this story, he did disappear into the thick Idaho spruces and firs.  Thank goodness, though, he reappeared one hour later.  Within one minute it was over.  My arrow zipped cleanly through the bruin and he ran less than 40 yards before piling up!

Idaho Info

There is no shortage of public land in Idaho.  There are 52 game units that offer autumn bear hunting opportunities in the state’s numerous national forests.  However, interested individuals should read regulations carefully.  For more information, contact Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707, or call 208-334-3700.

John Trout, Jr.