Jump to content
Sign in to follow this  
180ls1

Spring vs Fall Bears

Recommended Posts

Why does it seem like everyone talks about how hard spring bear hunting is? Like its harder than fall. Is that true in AZ? Is it just AZ bear hunting is rough no matter how you slice it?

From what I have gathered, in other states, hunters greatly prefer spring hunting when targeting bears. A lot of the fall kills are when a guy bumps into a bear and has a bear tag in his pocket while hunting deer/elk.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

From what I’ve read they move father around in the fall looking for food as they fatten up before winter hibernation, making them more vulnerable/susceptible in easier areas to glass. Springtime they are still waking up, not moving around as much, still skinny from hibernation, still in rough, tough to reach areas. But i really don’t really know I’ve yet to see a bear in AZ. Hoping to change that this year.

also fall you can use dogs and seasons are longer with higher sow quotas than spring

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You are correct, listening to podcasts and watching shows on TV, spring seems to the ideal season for bear hunting across the west. For some reason in AZ the spring is just tough. I have killed a number of AZ bears, all in the fall. I probably see 6 - 10 fall bears to 1 in the spring. Success rates start to increase around mid April each year; by this time the rifle units usually close due to sow quotas or the season ends at the end of April, for most units….not all.

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 4/8/2022 at 8:49 AM, GJMauro12 said:

I’ve killed two spring bears and can say that it’s hard. Haven’t killed a fall bear yet. 

Have you specifically hunted them in both seasons?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
On 4/8/2022 at 9:21 AM, lcyardball said:

You are correct, listening to podcasts and watching shows on TV, spring seems to the ideal season for bear hunting across the west. For some reason in AZ the spring is just tough. I have killed a number of AZ bears, all in the fall. I probably see 6 - 10 fall bears to 1 in the spring. Success rates start to increase around mid April each year; by this time the rifle units usually close due to sow quotas or the season ends at the end of April, for most units….not all.

Interesting, good to know. I like bow hunting so I wonder if that may be a better option for a guy without dogs.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
13 hours ago, 180ls1 said:

Have you specifically hunted them in both seasons?

I’ve missed two in the fall and those pack outs wouldn’t of been any easier than the spring hunts. 

  • Like 2

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

22 and 6b close down tomorrow at sundown. And 27 and 34A have both had one sow shot in each but are still open until they reach their sow quotas. Was really hoping a member on here might post about their success. Sounds like the bears are moving around now

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Spring is tough as the bears don’t move much so you really gotta be in their kitchen. I have got 2 bears both fall. I don’t dog hunt though so not sure about any of those odds. Never successfully called a bear in either just glassing for me. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  

×