By Grant Nelson
Spring bear season is one of my favorite times of year in Montana. The mountains are waking up after a long winter, rivers are running cold and clear, and every ridge seems to hold the promise of adventure. This year, we packed up camp, loaded the dual-sport motorcycles, and headed into some of the most remote country Montana has to offer for a week-long bear hunt.
Our camp was set along one of the most beautiful rivers in the state. Surrounded by towering pines and rugged mountains, it was the perfect place to spend a week disconnected from the noise of everyday life. Every morning started before daylight as we fired up the bikes and headed toward another trailhead, covering countless miles of forest roads and mountain terrain in search of black bears.
The weather, however, had other plans.
Cold temperatures, rain, and inconsistent conditions made hunting tough throughout the week. While we didn’t turn up many black bears, we did spot several grizzlies roaming the hillsides. Seeing grizzlies in such wild country was a reminder that we were truly deep in bear country, even if the black bears weren’t cooperating.
Fortunately, a successful trip isn’t always measured by what’s punched on a tag.
When we weren’t glassing mountainsides, we explored nearby creeks with fly rods in hand. The fishing turned out to be outstanding, with several beautiful cutthroat trout coming to hand throughout the week. Between the hunting, riding, and fishing, every day brought a new adventure.
Evenings were spent gathered around the campfire, cooking incredible meals and sharing stories from the day’s travels. Some nights it was steaks over the fire, other nights it was whatever sounded good after a long day in the mountains. Either way, the food always seemed to taste better in camp.
One thing that became part of the daily routine was enjoying a Lone Chill pouch with a morning cup of coffee while glassing distant mountainsides. Throughout the trip I alternated between the Chill and Wintergreen flavors, both in the 6mg strength. The flavor lasted noticeably longer than many comparable pouches I’ve used, and the 6mg strength was right where I like it—strong enough without needing to double up.
As the sun disappeared behind the mountains each evening, there wasn’t much better than sitting around the fire after dinner with good friends, a glass of whiskey, and reflecting on another day spent in Montana’s backcountry.
We may not have seen the number of black bears we hoped for, but that’s hunting. The miles traveled on motorcycles, the trout caught in cold mountain streams, the campfire conversations, and the wild country we explored made the trip a success regardless.
Some trips are remembered for the animals harvested. Others are remembered for the adventure itself. This one was definitely the latter.