Glacier Creek Rd (Baker)

[furiouzgeorge]

Hey guys (and girls),

  I friend of mine has asked me to come along with him to hunt black-bear up Glacier Creek Rd in Whatcom. I'm checking the area he wants to hunt out on my map and it looks like it's pretty cool country. Anyone have experience up there? This isn't an over-nighter but if we're lucky we'll be pulling black-bear our of them hills in the dark so I kind of want to get a feel for what you guys think. I generally shy away from hauling off into an area I haven't spent some time researching and memorizing maps and landmarks. This will be the shortest prep time I've had to hit a new place.
  Mainly I'm curious about a lot of the wolf sightings folks have had around Baker Lake area. How concerned should we be? Also I've heard Grizzley's are making their way over from the North East...how concerned should we be? Any advice or tips would be great and might keep us young bucks alive. I can tell on the map that the road turns into a logging road but I haven't been able to make out a gate on the satellite images (if they're open they wouldn't show up). Are there gates on the way up there? If so how far's the hike past the gate to get up to relatively clear country where we can set in and glass the slopes (i.e. more Alpine country). Thanks for any input!

James

[DaleVR]

 Go have fun, there are bears around there. Wolves not saying they're not there but I have spent a lot of time up there and haven't run into them yet don't not go for that reason. Depends where you go up there, there is some gates lots of ground. Have fun! Oh yea BRING BUG SPRAY!!!

[grizzlyadams]

Very nice area. havent been in there for a looong time though. Used to live up that way. i spent alot of time in that area hiking into backcountry with mules to camp for days in remote areas. I still have contacts who live and hunt up there. I havent heard anything about wolves from them but they swear the grizzlies have moved in. Carry bear spray or a 44 mag. for the very, very slim chance of even seeing a grizzly bear. If you run across wolves just remeber the 3 S's... Bring a gold pan for some mid-day fun. There's lots of gold in those parts.

[jgoetz]

The paved section of Glacier Creek Rd. is actually worse than the dirt portion.  Watch out for potholes in the paved stuff going up. 

[deadwoodbuck]

ive hunted hiked and hauled bear out of that area...never seen a wolf...but several dogs and hikers.  no sign of griz...not saying they are there not saying their not.  just keep yer wits and hunt the early morn and evening.  ditto on the bug spray...take lots of water.

[furiouzgeorge]

Thanks for the tips and PM's guys! Very excited about this weekend. MIGHT get a bear this weekend. Here's a question I've been thinking about for a while. When a few guys go out for an overnight and one gets a bear in the morning...how do you guys manage from there? Just curious if you guys have any methods of holding meat over while the second guy tries for his bear.

[xXLojackXx]

In this heat, you dont. Get it out of there and come back for the other guys bear another time.

[furiouzgeorge]

That's the only way that males any sense to me. Raises the incentive to hunt alone

[CAMPMEAT]

Put it in a cold creek.

[deadwoodbuck]

In this heat, you dont. Get it out of there and come back for the other guys bear another time.
thats the only smart thing to do...care for the meat in hand now...especially with this heat...then return for the one in the bush.  nothings guarrenteed except the meat will spoil if you stay hopeing for another.

[h20hunter]

When hunting with others I've always considered the hunt on hold once an animal hits the ground. First priority is to take care of the one you have. Once that is done the hunt can resume then or another time.

[baker5150]

Lots of hikers and traffic up to the trail heads.

[Sideswipe]

Sorry, not familiar w/that road. 1 1/2 wks ago I was a little further up the road towards Mt BAker & branched off on another road north that leads to the trailhead & twin lakes.  Nada but it was hot.  Got up to 6000' & while standing in a patch of frozen snow, it was still 80 deg!  Nothing but hikers & Border Patrol OPs.

On the way up I saw a big reddish/brown splotch in a meadow about 1/4 mile away.  The size & color made me think Griz....after 15 min thru field glasses & it not moving I realized it was a very old, rotten log.

Few sightings (2) of decent sized bear spotted in the last couple of wks that I know of were up high 5000', I'm sure there are many lower than that.  One of the two I just mentioned got a round between the eyes & died in place.  Hunter was walking up to a downed log when the boar stood up on his hind feet to see what was going on....bang!

Go get em.

[xXLojackXx]

Put it in a cold creek.

Make sure you put the meat in game bags and then double bag it in water tight garbage bags. Cold water is a guaranteed way to spoil meat if it gets wet. Did that in Alaska in garbage bags and it worked out fine. Just make sure the meat stays dry.

[MatthewHunter98]

i wouldn't be to concerned about the grizzles, or the wolfs, you have a gun with you so no need to be concerned. i would want to plan the area out more than one day.