Denali Highway Plowed, Bears are out!

[denalihunter]

The plows reached the lodge yesterday at about noon, from Cantwell. They continued on toward Paxson. Not sure how far they got, but they are continuing East. We drove some of our vehicles in yesterday and it's great driving in a vehicle. On a bear note, two of our guests were able to bag grizzlies in the last two days! I seen two fresh tracks near the highway between Cantwell and the lodge.

They opened the road over a month earlier than last year!

Happy Spring Bear Hunting!
Claude

[Kevin L]

Sure would like to see pictures if you have any.

[Burke]

Claude, What are off road travel / snow conditions like?

[kahahawai]

Claude, What are off road travel / snow conditions like?

Your still gonna need a snowmachine to get off the road. The bear hunters in there are on machines now, there's no other way, unless your man enough to cross country ski your way with your full spike camp on your back and get back several miles.

[BRWNBR]

Roads open, need a sled and the bears are out. Sleds and bears, how can you combine two of the best things and make it even better?!?!
Missing the spring season something fierce this year....

[Burke]

Your still gonna need a snowmachine to get off the road. The bear hunters in there are on machines now, there's no other way, unless your man enough to cross country ski your way with your full spike camp on your back and get back several miles.

I figured snow machines were in order, I should have asked more specifically about the conditions of the snow...depth, consistency, coverage etc.
I haven't been up there since March and wondered how the snow was....

[BRWNBR]

when the snow is crap, the hunting will be good.

[Burke]

when the snow is crap, the hunting will be good.

Well that's a good way to look at it! :-) thanks
As you can probably tell, I am new to the snow machine/spring bear hunt. Been out a bunch w 4wheeler later in the spring, but now have a snowmachine and wondering about all the fun you and others speak about

[BRWNBR]

Well as you can imagine the longer you go the more activity there will be. When snow machining becomes work and your wet and riding in a t shirt things are prime! Not saying you can't find one when the snow conditions are better.
In the mtns around alpine creek glass really high, those bears like the rocks up there. My last hunt out at alpine creek we saw 12 grizzly in seven days if I recal. All were really high and I think three were legal. Lists of tracks crossing low but all were moving at night.

[denalihunter]

Snow is still great off trail. No wheelers can be used yet, but soon if conditions continue. We hit 48 today! Most of the snow is gone off of my property, but early morning riding to get back in the mountains is excellent. Just be near a road or hard packed trail by 2pm or so! Tracks are showing up everywhere, so I'm guessing we have a really early spring bear hunting this year.

Claude