MONTANA SPRING BEAR HUNTING TIPS MAY 8, 2026

Linehan Outfitting guest with chocolate colored phase black bear

The Montana spring bear season is open and here at Linehan Outfitting we’re having great success.

We like to hunt hard. And we use the quads on our legs and not the motorized ones. Days are long and guides are working hard to get clients into the back country.

Yesterday, Linehan Outfitting guide Nate P. and guest Scott H. left the truck at 2:00 pm. They hiked six miles to the top of a mountain and descended through open glades and glassy hillsides.

Late in the evening Nate spotted this trophy chocolate phase boar laid up against an old log. He and Scott had the wind to their advantage and could smell ponderosa pine and green grass as they closed the distance. The hillside was covered in arrowleaf balsamroot, it’s thick leaves and bright yellow flowers bright in the sunshine.

We often remind guests that while hunting the back country the work really starts when you have an animal on the ground.

After several hours of caping and quartering, Nate and Scott headed back to the truck with heavy loads on their backs. It was after midnight when they finally unloaded at the truck.

Spring bear hunting days are long and filled with hiking and glassing some of the most spectacular country in the Rocky Mountains.

If you’re looking for an authentic black bear hunt and like to hunt hard and earn your success, this is the hunt for you.

Give us a call anytime at 406-295-4872. And check out our online shop for all Linehan Outfitting and Orvis gear. https://linehan-outfitting.myshopify.com/