2025 Spring Bear in the Idaho Backcountry: A Two-Part Hunt
There’s something about chasing black bears in the spring that just hits different. Maybe it’s the way the mountains come alive after a long winter. Maybe it’s the solitude. Or maybe it’s the glutting for punishment after being cooped up all winter without a pack on the back. A chance to observe and pursue the majestic American black bear. For me, it’s all of it.
Spring of 2025 took us into the mountains of Idaho on a two part hunt that reminded me exactly why I do this, not just for the harvest and meat in the freezer but for the experience, the people, and the wild places that shape who we are and mend our souls.
Part 1: One Week Deep in the Backcountry
The first trip was everything a backcountry hunt should be. A week long., packs loaded heavy. Miles, mountains, side hills, river crossings and more. Just me, my good buddy Derek, and a stretch of country that I have been looking at on maps for far too long.
We covered ground the hard way, climbing ridge after ridge, glassing cliffy faces, and learning the terrain as we went. Spring bear hunting isn’t easy, it’s a grind. Long days behind the glass, steep country, unpredictable weather and really your first true test of the new year. We saw bears, quite a few, actually. Sows with cubs mostly which at this time of year does not bode well to find a boar in the same zone.
Even without punching a tag, it was a successful trip in every way that matters. Time spent in wild country, good conversations & shared effort. The kind of week that sticks with you long after it’s over and reinvigorates your being.
Part 2: Back Again, This Time with Shelby
Two weeks later, I found myself headed right back into the mountains but this time, with my wife Shelby. We had four nights, that was it. A short window to find a boar. This trip was different from the start. Less time meant more urgency, not a pressure pure say but not days to allow the hunt to slow play and unravel. We had to make it happen. We stayed mobile, moving camp multiple times, adapting as we went, chasing sign and fresh opportunities.
There’s something powerful about sharing a hunt like this with your wife, pushing together, problem solving together, and experiencing the highs and lows side by side. I say it all the time but my wife is my number one hunting partner, I truly love spending time in the backcountry with her at my side.
The Final Evening
It all came together on the last night. We moved in a glassing position I have hunted years past, and after sitting down as the sun was rising my wife picked up a solo black bear feeding into the timber to bed across the river.
After days of grinding, adjusting, and staying persistent, we spotted the bear we’d been waiting for, a solo boar. We decided to take the patient approach and cross the river, stay across canyon and find a good shooting hide / perch in the cliffs that would have us close enough to see him when we arose, but not in a position to wind him.
Finally, after sitting in our sniper hide for 8 hours, it finally happened, it wasn’t just about success, it was about everything that led up to it. These days make you question many things about your decisions in the moment and when it comes together, it’s awesome feeling. Like clockwork, as soon as the sun crested the opposite canyon and the shade filled the basin, out came our boar…
Why Black Bear Hunting Matters
My respect for black bears runs deep. They’re intelligent, resilient, adaptable, and downright fun to observe and witness their unique personal characteristics… A true symbol of wild country in North America. But like all wildlife, they require management.
Responsible hunting plays a critical role in maintaining balance, supporting healthy populations, protecting habitat, and ensuring that these animals continue to thrive for generations to come.
Whether you punch a tag or not, if you walk away with a deeper appreciation for the land, the wildlife, and the experience, I believe you have already won.
