Backcountry bear hunting (updated with scouting videos of BIG bear)

[shanevg]

Well we made it out this weekend but were unsuccessful.  We had a great day hunting but the bears just wanted to bed down too early in the day due to the heat.  A real bummer since I spotted the bears the week before at 3:30 and they were feeding in the open until near dusk when I headed out.  In total we've seen 4 bears so far this season.  Most of them between 5000 and 6500 feet elevation.  Unfortunately this was the last time I'll get to hunt until August 24-25 at the earliest.  These bears will just have to fatten up for me I guess.   





AlecVG might as well be a Sitka ambassador.   



Preseason footage:

Backcountry Washington bear hunting - preseason scouting - 7/28/12

Saturday's footage:

Backcountry Washington bear hunting - 2 bears spotted - 8/24/12

We also spotted this decent billy mountain goat:

Backcountry Washington bear hunting - lone billy mountain goat - 8/4/12


Update 8/19/12 - videos from spring bear scouting

I posted these farther down in the thread but thought I would push them up to the top so people can find them easier.

Spring black bear boar - Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Spring 2012

Giant spring boar black bear (red color phase) Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - Spring 2012

[carpsniperg2]

I am sure you guys will get into them

[windygorge]

really like what you guys are doin.  like the videoing 

[3nails]

 Nice to be up there I'll bet. How were the bugs?

[shanevg]

Nice to be up there I'll bet. How were the bugs?

Bugs haven't been bad at all this year for me at least.

[skybusterbo]

Looks like you picked the right basin to hunt! Those both look like good bears. Awesome!!! 

[saylean]

Always look forward to your posts Shane.

Its only a matter of time.

[Harborhunter]

Neat pictures and videos, beautiful country!

[fillthefreezer]

i really enjoy all the pics you post

[Houndhunter]

Nice pics, I just had pups so im in the same boat as you. Going to be a while till I can hit my wilderness spots, unless I can find a puppy sitter

[shanevg]

Finally got some video up of some bears I scouted out this spring.  Hopefully I can find one of them this fall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db5sANfrrj4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0OucM3BoH8

[windygorge]

be prepared to start selling your footage.  its amazing

[Timberstalker]

Holy Crap. That big red bear is a toad.  All sorts of big.
How close were you to him?

[shanevg]

Holy Crap. That big red bear is a toad.  All sorts of big.
How close were you to him?

I was about 150 yards away.  He was a monster!!!  I was lucky to get to watch him for about 1.5 hours before he moved into the trees.  If only I could find him during season...

[BOWHUNTER45]

you are getting me excited now ... Lookin more like bear hunting season to me now ...Blueberries are coming on and the smell in air has gotten my attention now too !!! Awesome footage ...can not wait for another week to go by and I am out there !!! That 1st bear was posing way to nicely ...the perfect shoulder shot going forward ... he would of rolled along ways down hill 

[skagitsteel]

that second bear is a tank! He lumbers around like a grizz, going to be huge by fall.  Hopefully you find him!

[3nails]

 That cinnamon is huge! Wait til October to kill that one. Probably won't be any good eating. Relatively small head for his size. (WA genetics jinx) His value is in the sheer square ft of rug! He looks heavily rubbed and I'm guessing he won't fill in until end of September at the earliest. He'd be a great trophy if you've got a wall solely for him.

[shanevg]

That cinnamon is huge! Wait til October to kill that one. Probably won't be any good eating. Relatively small head for his size. (WA genetics jinx) His value is in the sheer square ft of rug! He looks heavily rubbed and I'm guessing he won't fill in until end of September at the earliest. He'd be a great trophy if you've got a wall solely for him.

Your analysis is spot on.  His head is relatively small for his body size but he is a giant!  I have a perfect wall for him in my house though!  Now it's just a matter of finding him during season!!!