Leavenworth

[dawgfatha81]

Hi guys, 
being that this is one of my first posts i dont expect too much information, but a buddy of mine and i are headed to Leavenworth area this weekend to see if we can find some bears.  If you have any little tips you could offer we sure would appreciate it. 
We hunt deer in the area, but have yet to search for bears and just need a few starting places.
thanks so much!

[Heredoggydoggy]

I hear the Lake Wenatchee area is good for bears, especially the White River area.  I don't hunt bears, so you won't be encroaching on my area.

[dawgfatha81]

Great thanks we will try there

[CAMPMEAT]

I went down there last year for bear. It was so thick you couldn't see 2 feet in front of you. I had not luck calling either. Plus, every open area seemed to have a million dollar cabin on it, not good. I'd try maybe Blewitt Pass area myself.

[dawgfatha81]

yeah we were looking up by the Sugar loaf moutain area....

[Blacktail Sniper]

Tagging, going to be there next month, so want to follow thread.

[snowshoes22]

Very thick around lake wenatchee the cuts are getting older now.  A lot of road hunters up there. 

[Heredoggydoggy]

The best tactic I heard was to float the White River.  Bears come down to drink.  Caution:  If you shoot one and it lands in the water, get to it quickly.  In spite of all the fat, they sink like a rock!

[dawgfatha81]

 

[CP]

We hunt deer in the area, but have yet to search for bears and just need a few starting places.
thanks so much!

Where exactly do you find the deer?

[dawgfatha81]

ALL over the unit.... We hunt far away from town.

[CP]

Well there are bears there too.  They are all over the unit, sometimes they are in town as well.

[dawgfatha81]

 
we wont be around town but good to know.

[Kola16]

I have hunted that area hard for the last two years. It isn't the best place, but it is ok. The White River area is very thick with brush.

The best tactic I heard was to float the White River.  Bears come down to drink.  Caution:  If you shoot one and it lands in the water, get to it quickly.  In spite of all the fat, they sink like a rock!

If you try this make sure you stop, or get out of the boat. I think thats what the law is, but I am not sure. Look into it, but I am just quoting waterfowl regs.

[snowshoes22]

You can shoot from watercraft as long as its not under direct power by a motor or still has momentum from the motor. 

[Kola16]

Yay, I do know something 

[xXLojackXx]

Ive seen bears almost everywhere I hunt (in the mountains). They are everywhere. BUT they are more elusive than deer and elk. Its not where to hunt but what to look for when trying to locate them. Research, research, research their habitat and study maps and you will be surprised what you find. Be patient and glass the same areas for hours at a time and dont get discouraged. A lot of times I'll sit in my favorite spots for 3-4 hours and not see anything, then you look back to a spot you just glassed and there will be a bear there. I swear its almost a magic trick. I will say that i find most of my bears towards ridges rather than down in valleys, but thats not to say there arent bears down low.

[dawgfatha81]

 
Thanks guys. I greatly appreciate it. 

[grade-creek-rd]

The current issue of Northwest Sportsman has an article on bears...near Leavenworth in the Mission Unit as well as some other units and general "how to" info.

G-C-R

[dawgfatha81]

Thanks guys! Heading over today.

[muleracks2]

If I were you, I would hunt the berries.  Many of the bear move down to where the huckleberry are ripe.  Definately hike up Rock Creek off the Chiwawa River Road for just a mile or so.  The bear are hard to judge because of the fairly tall bushes.  Any trailhead with berries is a good bet.  Lots of bear up high if you have time to go in 8 plus miles.