Idaho Bear Hunt

**Clark Kent** · July 29th, 2012, 12:15 AM

I'm invited on a trip to Idaho to hunt bear. Right now my largest caliber rifle is a 308 and I'm wondering if I should pick up a larger cal rifle for this trip. Guide says it's baited hunt from a stand (yeah yeah), so short distances. Has anyone been out there, in the mountains and how large do these bears get? I'm thinking the 308 is fine for a nice broad shot with the shoulder blade forward.

**GrumpyBear** · July 29th, 2012, 06:51 AM

Black Bear weights from an Idaho Fish & Game Article.

Mature females
120-140 pounds (54-63 kg)
51-54 inches (127.5-135 cm)

Mature males
240-280 pounds (108-126 kg)
56-61 inches (140-152.5 cm)

People use .308 for bear hunting in Pa.all the time.So IMO you should be good to go.

Interesting side note is that you mighy run into a different color phase of the black bear in Idaho.

**Clark Kent** · July 29th, 2012, 06:58 AM

Thanks, I was finding similar weights posted on random Idaho hunting forums. I'm thinking 308 is perfectly fine then.

**XD40coyote** · July 30th, 2012, 01:40 AM

Yes there are color phase bear there, some I have seen are really cool, like bicolored.

**Clark Kent** · July 30th, 2012, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by XD40coyote

Yes there are color phase bear there, some I have seen are really cool, like bicolored.

We haven't scheduled the date yet so maybe I should look into what time I could get an interesting pelt.

**Qtrborecrazy** · August 3rd, 2012, 08:34 PM

Hey Superman oops sorry if I let the cat out of the bag 308 winchester is plenty of gun for black bear in Idaho. Get a good bullet Grand Slam, Partition ,Accubond and Barnes. Do your job and the bullet will do its job. Have fun and stay safe Idaho is a beautiful place to be.