Our bear season came in the 15th but it doesn't start getting good till about a week into March.Most bears aren't awake yet as there literally isn't anything for them to eat at this point but the big boars do stir a little,before everybody else gets up.

They aren't really ready to eat yet but they come out a little and do drink water.It was overcast and windy yesterday and I wasn't expecting to see any bears or necessarily bear sign but wanted to get out and shake my legs,shoot a little,try out a new camera and do some general reconnoitering.

I found this fresh bear track coming down the bank to a water trough.

Up the trail aways,a red squirrel jumped up on this fence post and I choked.At least I found out that the aluminum footings did their job.That was a solid hit and it took a good bit of tugging to get the Judo out of that post.

Nice pictures and Good Luck on the Bears.


   Wish we had a spring season  

Farther up the trail I hit this patch of snow and the bear or bears had come down through it.I didn't step in that snow,I just reache over from the right to plant the bow for scale.

It has been mild here the last few days and snow is melting fast.These tracks had no detail but you could tell by the width of the gait,it was a good sized bear.

I know Tater,Spring season is my favorite time to be out.

Bears have been rubbing on this curved cedar for years.They pass that big tree to rub on the little curved one,everytime.I guess it has the right shape.It had quite a few blonde hairs in it,probably from last year.I hadn't been here for some time and I usually remove the hairs when I pass through so I can tell if it has been hit.

That's about it.Nothing much eventful after that.It was too windy for much squirrel activity.I did see some moose sign.

On the way out I passed these antelope.The bulk of the herd was way to far for a picture.These were close to 200 yds.Not too bad for a pocket camera.

Thats why I want to move to Montana,squirrels to antelope you are truly blessed to live in a land like that.Thanks for the pics and the fantasy.

Always love the pics Jim. I get to start putting in for spring bear again next year. Can't wait. Good luck!

Beautiful Jim, thanx for sharing    

Jim
What type of camera is that you have?
The picture of the fence could be a post card.
Very nice quality for a pocket. I need one.
Thanks for sharing
Tim

Looks like a nice stroll through the land. Thanks for sharing

Thanks guys.It was fun.I look forward to getting back out.

Deathmaster,I thought I better not turn this into a photography thread so I poste a little about the camera in the Photography forum:Panasonic DMC-ZS5

Great photos from Montana Jim!

Thank you for sharin' your outing with us!

Shoot straight, Shinken