Seeking info for bear hunt in Bosque Del Oso

[jaeger63]

I'm Tony Cleveland from Colorado Springs. I applied this year for a bear tag in the Bosque Del Oso but did not initially draw. I was just informed yesterday via email that someone who did draw turned in their tag. I was next in line and I now have the tag. So I'm two weeks out from my hunt starting and Ive never been to the Bosque. I'd appreciate any info that anyone is willing to share that has hunted in the Bosque. Since this is a 20 point tag it is a once and life time hunt for me and will be for most people due to point creep. An immediate question that comes to mind. Since its a walk in area do most people elect to backpack/spike camp instead of walking in and out everyday. Are there any areas that hold more bears than others such as where the most scrub oaks are concentrated? Thanks in advance for anyone willing to help.

 

[steinernm]

Hey my guy, I haven’t hunted it but spent 3 months out there working on the gas wells and this was 16 years ago. I saw bear every day. Look for water holes and maybe chat with the pumpers that are driving around and ask where they’ve seen bear. Our company had built ponds and the bear loved swimming in them. Also, you can call Bob Holder with CPW. I think I still have his number somewhere. He should be able to help too.

 

[Robbyt60]

I would take it, my friends son has a buck tag and he just talked to the biologist/ warden and lots of acorns this year due to the moisture.

 

[ColoradoBob]

There is a guy over at 24 hourcampfire that has the same tag. MAC is his site name. Maybe give him a shout.

 

[hoopscoach]

Shoot me a pm with your number. I have hunted it 3 out of the last 5 years (1 rifle and 2 muzzy) for bear and have had some success.
Hoopscoach

 

[jaeger63]

Hoopscoach, I clicked on your handle and sent you my phone number. I assume thats a private message?

 

[CCity65]

Whatever you do Jaeger, consider keeping us posted on your hunt.. I, for one, am interested in how this goes for you.

 

[jaeger63]

Ccity65,
I certainly will report on how my hunt goes

 

[The_Coloradoboy]

Honestly won’t be too difficult. Walk the roads and use your glass. Apache canyon was full of bears the last time I was in there.

 

[ColoradoBob]

Any luck with that bear?

 

[jaeger63]

I did kill a bear on the 6th day of hunting with barely any bears seen up until then. He was a respectable 250 boar with a decent noggin. Id consider him a medium sized bear. Just after I shot him we saw a legit 300 pounder very close to where I just had shot mine. It was very dismal hunting until the last day. I would highly recommend not burning the amount of points required for a rifle tag in that unit. I think there are better units that require way less points. That being said, if you hit the second season instead of the 1st one and it was cooler and some of the leaves had started to drop from all the scrub oak that could be a game changer. It's very tough spotting bears with as much scrub oak cover as they have. Just my two cents after 6 days of burning a lot of boot leather

 

[CCity65]

Nice Jaeger, glad you filled! As far as burning boot leather, did you walk gas roads or were you going cross country?? Also did you motel it somewhere or can near the Oso?? Black bear or color phase? Just curious, bears fascinate be…congrats again, glad you punched your tag. No w you get to enjoy sausage all winter?

 

[jaeger63]

I mostly hunted the road system but did some cross country walking. I killed a chocolate but we did see a few black ones the last couple of days.

 

[ColoradoBob]

Glad you tagged one. I'm headed over there for a spring gobbler if I draw.

 

[COtransplant]

I’ve got the late bear tag on the Bosque! Love to compare notes and share results

 

[Colofishhunt]

I’ve got the late bear tag on the Bosque! Love to compare notes and share results

I’ve got the late bear tag on the Bosque! Love to compare notes and share results

I hunted the first season and stayed at the campground but did not harvest a bear. Did get a nice chocolate brown bear during second season.