Lonewolf-Outfitting

-------Spring or Fall Bear Hunts  -------

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The winters in Yukon are long. It is no wonder that we await spring with much anticipation. April, May, June are also the months when the grizzlies and black bears are starting to move about after a long winters’ sleep. They have only one thing on their mind – food. This means that grizzlies are always on the move in the spring. When we say move, we mean it. An old traveling boar can cover distances that you wouldn’t believe, all in search of food and - a new mate. Yes, you are right – this is also the time when bears mate. This increases the bear’s urge to move even further.

This gives us the opportunity to see many different grizzlies and black bears on a spring hunt. Depending on the month, the bears can be seen traveling the first open river gravel bars, or digging for ground squirrels in the first ‘green’ high on a mountain slope. Rivers are where the grizzlies are moving early in the spring before the water levels rise. As the rivers became full, we seem to encounter more bears on the wide-open south-facing hillsides eating new grass growth and last years’ berries. This is where the hunt is adventurous!

We start our spring hunts from comfortable cabin base-camps. We use 4-wheelers to get around, making it easier to get to the moving bears. After the water levels start to rise, we spend most of our time glassing the south-facing slopes for the feeding bears. Daylight is close to 24 hours a day at this time, so hunting time is never an issue. Most afternoons are spent relaxing in the sun as the bears do, while concentrate our intense hunting in the late evenings when the bears are most active.

Shooting distances on spring bears hunts can range from 50-250 yards. Good calibers are minimum .300 WM up to .375 H&H, including all calibers in between. Rain gear is always important on any Yukon hunt, and spring is a time for cool showers and wet hillsides. Good hiking boots are a must, as well as plenty of warm socks. There are comfortable beds in camp with a foam mattress, but bring a warm sleeping bag for these hunts. Please see Hunt Info section for a detailed equipment list.

This spring hunt for both grizzly and black bear can be as physical as you want to make it. You and your guide can decide whether or not to make a stalk depending on daylight, how far away the bear is, and your physical condition. Though 4-wheelers are our main mode of transport, we are limited to where we can drive depending on the amount of snow that is left on the mountains. Be prepared to climb a few hills for the spring grizzlies!

There is also the riverboat hunt, which does not afford as much physical fitness. We emphasize that there are few outdoor activities that can match a riverboat hunt in spring: you smell the fresh green grass, the willows and the new buds on the poplars. Birds returning from southern migrations are filling the air with their calls.

There is an old Indian saying:  “If you have not experienced a Yukon spring, you have not lived!”