Live Wild with Remi Warren: Episode 174 Summary Episode Title: Bear Necessities Part 2 - Spotting Bears
Release Date: March 13, 2025

In Episode 174 of Live Wild with Remi Warren, host Remi Warren delves into the intricacies of bear spotting, focusing primarily on strategies and gear tailored for spring bear hunting. Building upon the previous episode's discussion on targeting waterways, Remi offers a wealth of practical insights garnered from his extensive experience as a professional guide and hunter.

1. Introduction to Bear Spotting

Remi opens the episode by emphasizing the unique challenges and rewards of bear hunting, especially during the spring season. He contrasts the solitary nature of bears with other game, highlighting the prolonged periods of patience required juxtaposed with the exhilarating moments of spotting a bear.

Remi Warren [02:30]: "Bear hunting is a test of my patience in many ways... there's the long periods of looking and then those short, sheer moments of excitement when you finally spot one."

2. Essential Gear for Bear Spotting

a. Optics Selection

A significant portion of the discussion centers around optics, underscoring their pivotal role in successful bear spotting. Remi categorizes binoculars into "big binos" (15x to 18x magnification) and "chest rig" binoculars (typically around 10x to 12x). He advocates for investing in the highest quality optics within one's budget to enhance viewing comfort and effectiveness.

Remi Warren [07:45]: "Get the best glass that you can kind of get into. If you can see better through it or it's more comfortable... you're going to be able to utilize it more."

He further explains the benefits of larger binoculars for covering extensive areas from a single vantage point, which is particularly advantageous during the long spring days when hunters spend extended periods glassing.

b. Supporting Gear

Beyond binoculars, Remi highlights the importance of additional equipment to enhance comfort and efficiency:

• Tripods: Essential for stabilizing spotting scopes and higher magnification binoculars, especially when shooting across difficult terrains like canyons.

  Remi Warren [20:10]: "Having a tripod that I could shoot off of is super beneficial because you're often... in steep terrain and have to get steady."

• Trekking Poles: Versatile for both hiking and providing stability while glassing without the bulk of a tripod.

• Glassing Pads: For added comfort during long periods of sitting, Remi recommends durable, non-inflatable pads to prevent discomfort and maintain focus.

  Remi Warren [25:50]: "Having a pad to sit on makes a big difference in that comfort level. The longer you're looking, the more comfortable you are, the more likely you are to turn up what you're looking for."

• Stone Glacier Sky Tarps: Multi-purpose tarps serve as makeshift shelters, protect optics from rain, and provide a clean surface for processing game.

3. Glassing Strategies for Spring Bear Hunting

Remi outlines two primary glassing strategies, each suited to different hunting styles and terrains:

a. Sit and Wait

This traditional approach involves securing a prime vantage point and patiently monitoring it for bear activity. It's particularly effective in areas where bears frequently traverse or feed.

Remi Warren [35:20]: "When you sit and wait, you have a lot more likelihood to actually turn up bears. It's a proven strategy for western bear hunting, especially during spring."

Advantages:

• Maximizes the use of high-magnification optics to cover extensive areas.
• Reduces the need for constant movement, conserving energy and maintaining stealth.

Considerations:

• Requires patience and the ability to remain still for extended periods.
• Best suited for hunters comfortable with prolonged observation.

b. Walk and Move

This dynamic method involves continuously moving through productive areas, scanning for bear signs. Remi favors this approach for hunters who prefer staying active and covering more ground.

Remi Warren [40:15]: "The walk and move technique is more just like continually hitting good spots, sitting there, looking at it for the amount of time that you think... and then moving on to the next."

Advantages:

• Covers a broader area, increasing the chances of encountering bears.
• Keeps the hunter engaged and reduces mental fatigue from prolonged sitting.

Considerations:

• Demands more physical energy and stamina.
• May be less effective in terrains where bears are highly territorial or sparse.

4. Spring-Specific Hunting Tactics

Spring bear hunting presents unique challenges and opportunities. Remi emphasizes the importance of focusing on food sources, as bears are particularly active in seeking nutrients to support new growth and upcoming mating seasons.

Remi Warren [45:30]: "Springtime you're looking for those real bright green growths, the new growth, all that stuff that's starting to pop up... that's where the food is, that's where you start to find the bears."

Key Tactics:

• Target Nutrient-Dense Areas: Concentrate glassing efforts around areas with abundant new plant growth, which are prime feeding grounds for bears.
• Utilize Vantage Points: Select locations that offer comprehensive views of potential bear corridors, such as clearings, meadows, and rock slides.
• Adjust Optics as Needed: Switch between different magnifications to cover both broad areas and specific brushy fringes where bears might hide.

Remi Warren [50:10]: "I have to find a piece of a bear moving in the brush... it's about diving into that fringe habitat and looking for movement."

5. Enhancing Efficiency and Comfort

Remi underscores the necessity of maintaining comfort and reducing fatigue to sustain effective glassing over long hunting days:

• Stay Hydrated and Energized: Carry ample water and high-quality snacks to maintain energy levels and focus.

  Remi Warren [55:40]: "Bringing lots of water and good quality snacks is crucial because you're often hiking and stuck looking for hours."

• Use Comfort Enhancements: Utilize glassing pads and tarps to create comfortable, protected viewing stations.

• Manage Eye Fatigue: Employ techniques such as using both eyes while glassing to reduce strain and increase efficiency.

6. Adapting Strategies to Hunter Temperament

Recognizing that individual preferences and temperaments vary, Remi advises hunters to choose strategies that align with their personal styles. Whether one prefers the stillness of the sit and wait method or the active approach of walk and move, adaptability is key to maximizing success.

Remi Warren [1:00:05]: "You kind of have to base your glassing strategy on your temperament for that kind of stuff and how patient you can be."

7. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Remi wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of patience, the right gear, and strategic glassing techniques in successful bear hunting. He encourages hunters to explore various strategies and adapt them based on environmental conditions and personal preferences.

Remi Warren [1:05:30]: "Sitting and waiting, being patient, actively glassing over productive areas... it's just an effective way of covering that usable country and increasing your chances of spotting a bear."

Final Takeaway:
Spring bear hunting demands a blend of strategic glassing, appropriate gear, and enduring patience. By selecting the right optics, employing effective spotting strategies, and maintaining comfort during long observation periods, hunters can significantly enhance their chances of successfully spotting and harvesting bears.