For many hunters, fall is king – the season of bugling elk, whitetail rut action, and crisp mornings in the woods. But spring shouldn’t be overlooked. As the snow melts and the forests come alive, new hunting opportunities emerge across the globe, offering everything from close-range encounters with gobbling turkeys to adrenaline-pumping spot-and-stalk black bear hunts.  

Spring opens the door to diverse adventures – high-volume snow goose hunting, red stag in Argentina, stalking a trophy roebuck in the green fields of Europe. In fact, spring can be just as thrilling as the fall. So, if you’re itching to get back in the field, here’s a look at the best hunts you can do this spring – across North America and beyond.

Baiting and Beyond: Black Bear 

Black bear hunting is one of the most exciting and affordable spring hunts in North America, with opportunities starting at just over $1,000. Some hunters cling to the stereotype that black bear hunting is boring – you sit on a stand and stare at a barrel, that’s all there is to it. Nothing could be more wrong. A blind or tree stand offers exciting opportunities to witness nature’s most intimate natural scenes. For an added challenge, consider hunting with a bow. And even aside from that, there’s more to spring black bear hunts than baiting.

Head West for spot-and-stalk hunting on open mountain slopes tests your glassing and stalking skills – a mountain hunt for those who can’t afford sheep and goat, one can say. Hound hunting, available in many states, delivers an adrenaline rush as you follow the baying pack to a bear treed or bayed up on the ground. And it also allows you and your guide to be more selective in the size, sex, and color phase before the shot. 

Speaking of color phase, which can range from blonde to cinnamon to chocolate. If you’ve already taken a black bear, going after a differently colored bruin is an excellent way to diversify your experience and trophy collection.

Chasing bruins can bring you to the wildest backcountry corners of the continent. That includes pristine lakes of Canada, where you can diversify your adventure with fishing for muskie and pike, and in Alaska black bear hunters don’t have to be accompanied by licensed guides, providing a rare chance for a DIY adventure. Get more black bear hunting tips from our blog.

The American Classic: Turkey 

Turkey hunting is one of the most iconic and affordable spring hunts in North America. The thunder of a gobbler responding to your call is enough to shake off any lingering winter blues. 

With six subspecies of wild turkey across the continent, every hunt offers a new challenge. From the classic Eastern, the striking Merriam’s, the swamp-dwelling Osceola, and the prairie-roaming Rio Grande, to the more exotic Gould’s of Mexico and the iridescent Ocellated turkey of Central America, there’s always an opportunity to try something new.  

If you’re used to hunting turkeys in one way, consider switching things up—travel to a new region and hunt a different subspecies, or challenge yourself with a different weapon, like an over/under shotgun or even a bow. In some areas, turkey hunting is almost like spot-and-stalk, while in others, success hinges on calling techniques or evening scouting. If you’ve ever wanted to complete a Grand Slam, this spring might be the perfect time to start!

Wildfowling Unlimited: Light Geese Conservation Order 

The Light Geese Conservation Order offers one of the most exciting wingshooting experiences in North America. With snow geese and Ross’s geese populations booming to the point of damaging fragile Arctic tundra habitat, special spring seasons have been established to help control their numbers. 

For waterfowl hunting enthusiasts, this means high bag limits, extended shooting hours, and relaxed regulations – a rare “anything goes” opportunity in North American hunting. In many ways, these hunts resemble Argentina’s famous high-volume dove and pigeon shoots, where non-stop action keeps shotguns hot and shoulders sore.  

With the right guide, decoy spreads, and calling techniques, you can witness the unforgettable sight of hundreds, even thousands, of geese swarming over the spread, their wings cutting the air as they descend. The fast pace and sheer volume of birds make this one of the most thrilling and underrated spring hunts.

The Southern Hemisphere: Red Stag Rut 

If you can hardly wait for September’s elk rut, remember that while it’s spring in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s fall in the Southern Hemisphere – and that means red stag roaring season is in full swing.  

Countries like Argentina and New Zealand offer world-class red stag hunting, where the deep, resonant calls – “roar”, as the hunters call it – echo through the valleys, much like elk in North America. Whether you prefer free-range, fair-chase hunts in the rugged backcountry or estate hunts where you can pursue truly massive, record-book stags, options abound. Prices are often comparable to a guided elk hunt in North America, making it an exciting alternative.  

For those looking to maximize their trip, many outfitters offer combination hunts. You could also pursue fallow deer, wild boar, or take on the challenging Himalayan tahr in the mountains of New Zealand. And if you’re a wingshooter, Argentina’s famous high-volume dove hunting is the perfect way to test your endurance – if your shoulder is up for it (click here for tips). 

The Green Hills and Dales of Africa

While it’s spring in the Northern Hemisphere, March through May marks the tail end of the rainy season or the beginning of the dry season in many of Africa’s top hunting destinations. 

In South Africa & Namibia, animals are in prime condition, with great shiny coats, and the landscapes are lovely with green grass and trees everywhere. On the other hand, animals have better access to water and thick undergrowth makes them harder to spot. If you prefer bowhunting from the blind, you should perhaps consider booking later in the dry season, but for a rifle hunter spring promises an exciting hunt in the true safari spirit. On the plus side, with fewer hunters around, prices are often more flexible, and you can take advantage of early-season specials. 

In Zimbabwe & Mozambique, this period sees lush vegetation, making it a bit harder for tracking but excellent for those who love a classic safari experience. March and April are prime months for Cape buffalo and plains game in both countries.  

If you’re after the elusive Lord Derby eland, this is the time to go. March and April are peak months for tracking these giants in Cameroon’s savannas, as well as for other West African species like roan, western buffalo, and hartebeest. This is also one of the best times to hunt in Ethiopia, especially for mountain nyala, as the cooler post-rainy season weather keeps animals active throughout the day. 

Back to the Old World: Europe 

Springtime in Europe offers a variety of hunting opportunities for enthusiasts seeking diverse experiences. While a journey to the traditional hotspot for capercaillie, black grouse, and brown bear, Russia, should perhaps wait for more peaceful times, opportunities for these classic species may also exist in states like Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria, to name just a few – and that’s only the beginning of what the Old World can offer to a hunter.

Roebuck hunting is the most accessible and popular choice during this period – the European hunters treat it with the same honour as the Americans the white-tail rut. Poland, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Hungary are the top destinations, although good “spring buck” hunts can be found elsewhere around Europe as well. 

In addition to roebuck, pigeon shooting in the British Isles reaches its peak during spring. Hunters can experience dynamic shoots over newly sown fields, where wood pigeons arrive in concentrated flocks, providing both periods of anticipation and bursts of action.

Where wild boars are seen as pests, hunting is open all year, and spring offers unique opportunities in regions like Romania. Stalking a mature boar in the field under the full moon can be especially thrilling, and as an added benefit, trophy fees are typically lower in the spring compared to the autumn. 

Not to Look down on: Feral and Exotic 

Overpopulated invasive species are often in season year round. A prime example are feral hogs in the United States – a spring hog hunt isn’t just an exciting challenge, but also a great way to fill your freezer with lean, flavorful meat that’s healthier than store-bought pork. Texas is the first state that comes to mind, but hog hunting is also excellent in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and California. Whether hunting over bait, using dogs, or going fully spot-and-stalk, the sheer numbers of feral hogs make for fast-paced, action-packed hunts.  

But Texas isn’t just about hogs – it’s also home to free-ranging exotic game like nilgai, blackbuck, and axis deer. Unlike other deer species, axis deer don’t have a fixed rut, meaning at any time of year, you can find stags in velvet, hard antler, or even engaging in rutting behavior. Once a prized target of Indian shikar hunts, the axis deer is available to North American hunters.

For hunters seeking a spring predator challenge, in the U.S., predators such as coyotes and bobcats are open to year-round hunting in many states. Spring is ideal for predator calling, as animals are more responsive while establishing territories and protecting dens. 

Don’t Let Spring Slip Away—Plan Your Next Hunt Now!  

Spring isn’t just a time of renewal for nature—it’s also a perfect season for hunters to explore new opportunities, challenge themselves in different environments, and experience the thrill of the chase before fall arrives. Whether you’re after a thundering gobbler, a stalking black bear, a roaring red stag, or a trophy roebuck, there’s an adventure waiting for you.

Planning a hunt? Make sure you’ve got all the right gear! Check out our North American Director James Reed’s gear list, and if there’s something missing, see if you can get it in our shop!

BookYourHunt.com Gear List: 1. Mountain Hunt in North America

“What should I pack for my hunt?” This question may challenge even experienced hunters who are planning to break into new territories, to say nothing of those who are only making their first steps afield. To help answer it, here is a generic list of hunting gear for a North American mountain hunt, composed by James Reed. CONTINUE READING