Memo to Self: Bears aren’t Huge Fans of Snow
by: Tom Sorenson
This past weekend marked my first journey into the hills in search of my first black bear. This is a rather difficult tag to draw – despite the fact that my brother drew it two years in a row – and anticipation always runs high for this hunt. One small factor, however, was throwing a damper on my anticipation as the weekend drew near – the weather forecast. The nearest town to my hunting grounds was calling for 2-4 inches of snow on Friday night, while Saturday was supposed to be partly cloudy. My hope was 2 inches of wet snow followed by partly cloudy skies that melted the snow of by mid-morning.
Reality was: 4-6 inches of snow that had flurries on top of it throughout the day Saturday. My brother and I spent 9 hours on the mountain hiking, glassing, calling, and grumbling. No bear sign anywhere, as far as that goes, there wasn’t hardly sign of any critters up there. It was sort of a slap in the face – nature’s way of telling us in plain writing (or lack of) that only we were dumb enough to venture up the snow covered mountain in search of a bear. There was little comfort in knowing that my mom – also with a tag – was up there trying to find the same species. Sure it was better than sitting at home all day, but really it was one of the few hunts that I just don’t really care to remember.
Here’s to hoping that next weekend holds more sunshine and that the grass (the grass was thick under the snow) is the mountain’s clothing of choice.
11 Responses to “Memo to Self: Bears aren’t Huge Fans of Snow”
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Tom,
You’re not alone with snow in the mountains. We had about 3 feet over the past week and that has put a big damper on my Spring bear hunt. I am now waiting for the warmer temps to melt the snow and then the green up. I doubt the bears were to pleased either. Here’s to warmer days ahead!
Well hopefully the snow melts soon, and you are able to get back after a nice, big bruin. Good luck when you head out again….and good luck to your mom too.
I don’t fully understand why spring bear hunts are permitted. I know not too many states allow them — maybe for the same reasons people like me object. Cubs are born early in the year which must lead to numerous orphans if a mother is killed. It seems the height of ‘inhumane’ to slaughter adult/parental animals during a season when there’s a high likelihood that baby animals are orphaned in the process, condemning them to starvation. That seems to defy fairness in a sport that, to the outside world, prides itself on being fair and humane. Just curious if that ever figures into your process when you decide upon your quarry.
Mr. F – To clarify your concern of shooting sows with cubs in the spring. This is not legal in Idaho and I doubt in any other state. I have spent some time in the spring watching sows and cubs, very enjoyable. I’m sure its the first time that some of those cubs have seen daylight and they are having a blast. Now wolves don’t have that limitation on not killing cubs and they do take a toll on them as well as fawn and elk calves.
Thanks for the comments – To Mr. F:
As Dad (Gary) said, shooting a sow with cubs is illegal in Idaho – and I would assume every other state. So, spring bear is a bit unique. Where most hunts you’re looking for antlers, or some other verification, bear hunting is different because you’re looking to make sure your target doesn’t have cubs with it. I’m fairly confident in assuming that not many cubs are orphaned during spring bear hunts as each bear harvested has to be checked in to Fish and Game checkpoints – thus, a sow with cubs would be identified at that point. Anyways, hope that clears it up for you??
Right you are Tom and Gary. It is illegal to take a sow with cubs here in Oregon too. Glad you clarified this.
Tom, good luck this weekend and tell your mom the same. Hopefully the weather dumped all of the snow needed to get the bears ready to chow down and search for some grub. I am looking forward to another recap!
Thanks for the clarification. I think it is illegal in most states for spring bear hunts.
I realize that (about shooting sows with cubs). But it’s impossible to know for certain if a sow has cubs. At a distance, how many hunters can really tell if a sow is lactating, particular with their winter coat? Sows aren’t always with their cubs, which complicates the issue. You must have seen and know that they will leave cubs in safe areas, up in trees,etc. while they forage and so forth. You know as well as I do that there’s no way to know just how many are left and never found, owing to these protective measures the mothers take.
You mention check points. I’d actually like to get a count on how many lactating bears are, in fact, shot each year by mistake. And if it’s discovered that a lactating female has been shot, are genuine efforts made to retrieve the cubs — if it’s even possible at that poitn?
You mention predation by wolves and I’m sure you know that when cubs do lose their mother, they are much more vulnerable to other predators. When in the presence of a parent, cubs do not face the same dangers from top-level predators as they do in the face of humans. A mother bear can fend off predators like wolves and get her cubs to seek shelter in areas like trees where wolves can’t climb. So it’s not an equivalency argument in the least.
Frankly, I just don’t think spring hunts on bears, wolves or any nesting animal should be legal. For me, there is no viable rationale. I’ve seen enough orphaned animals across species, it’s a genuine shame to add to those numbers through a human action that’s simply not necessary (spring hunting).
In that case, I’ve made my argument, you’ve made yours. I see where you’re coming from, and I think you see where I’m coming from – I still don’t feel convicted that spring hunting is unethical in any way, so I reckon we’re at a stand still. Thanks for reading anyways.
Mr. F – To clarify your concern of shooting sows with cubs in the spring. This is not legal in Idaho and I doubt in any other state. I have spent some time in the spring watching sows and cubs, very enjoyable. I’m sure its the first time that some of those cubs have seen daylight and they are having a blast. Now wolves don’t have that limitation on not killing cubs and they do take a toll on them as well as fawn and elk calves.
Tom, good luck this weekend and tell your mom the same. Hopefully the weather dumped all of the snow needed to get the bears ready to chow down and search for some grub. I am looking forward to another recap!
Thanks for the clarification. I think it is illegal in most states for spring bear hunts.