Bear hunting near Maple Valley

[carriz]

Annually I make the long drive East to hunt deer in the Twisp area and always keep an eye out to fill my bear tag while I'm there (which has never happened BTW). This year I would like to do some more day hunts with my son, specifically for bear closer to home before deer opens. I am willing to do all the work to bag one. The problem is that everywhere I look it seems, I need a permit to access timber lands, its private, seems sketchy, or its so thick you cant see 5 feet in front of you. I don't even know where to look anymore. I'm not asking for anyones secret spots of course, but maybe some advice on where to start? A general area from experience?

Thanks and happy hunting!

[hoytem]

I don't think bears care where they do their business.

If I couldn't find fresh scat I would verify the other signs are bear. Look for claw marks in the peelings. Look for hair on the trees or hanging off the the berry branches. Are the berries being eaten? You should be able to find some scat near the food sources. Do you see any tracks? It does sound like most of your sign is old tho. If you decide to move, I would change altitude. It sounds like bear was probably there at one time or another. Either they were killed, or moved away. If there is a food source present they shouldn't move unless pressured to do so. If there are bear in the area, you should see fresh sign.

It could also be that one bear was doing all that damage and was harvested early?

seems like you know what you're doing? hit some gated roads.

[bobcat]

I don't think bears care where they do their business.

If I couldn't find fresh scat I would verify the other signs are bear. Look for claw marks in the peelings. Look for hair on the trees or hanging off the the berry branches. Are the berries being eaten? You should be able to find some scat near the food sources. Do you see any tracks? It does sound like most of your sign is old tho. If you decide to move, I would change altitude. It sounds like bear was probably there at one time or another. Either they were killed, or moved away. If there is a food source present they shouldn't move unless pressured to do so. If there are bear in the area, you should see fresh sign.

It could also be that one bear was doing all that damage and was harvested early?

seems like you know what you're doing? hit some gated roads.

From the sounds of it, he needs advice on where to find those "gated roads."   

I'm not much help because I'm not very familiar with that area. I guess I'd begin by looking for some state land somewhere around the Tiger Mountain area or North Bend.

[pens fan]

Years ago I used to hunt the gated road opposite Tiger Mountain summit (West side of 18), where all the yuppies and tree huggers ride their bikes. There used to be a shooting pit immediately to the left and a road that was also just to the left that would take you to the very top above where that road starts. If you travel that road one mile, that’s where we used to get into a lot of bear. I have not been in there in ten years or more. Back in 87 it was about 6 year growth. You could bait then.

The year I got mine, was the last year for baiting. I pulled out the monster granddaddy that year. Taxidermist at Rainier Taxidermy said he was 12-14 years old.

Anyways, I would check it out. Look for stumps eaten out, logs rolled over. If you find quail, you will find berries, and you may find bear sign. I am a firm believer that they follow the birds for food.

We took three bears, an elk and two deer out of there in 5 years. After it got grown in some mid nineties, it was impossible to see.

Just stay on that road and follow it under the power lines and keep staying left for a mile. About 1 ½ miles in there is a beaver pond. There is an old heli pad above it to the right. Last time I was in there, there was a bear tromping up in that spot. Cross the culvert of the pond on that trail there used to be a quarry or business of some kind. That road had a lot of bear sign and grouse on it.

Don’t block access to the gate and stay well off the highway.

Good luck!

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[grizzlyadams]

It is getting tougher to find land to hunt because all of the timber companies are buying up land then closing it to public access. Write our elected officials. If they are going to sell off our public lands, vote them out. There is a place up HWY 2 at the top of the pass almost, I have hunted for 10 years. I drove up there only to find no tresspassing signs by a timber company that had bought a huge track of land and closed it to public access. Another area I used to hunt was closed 2 years ago because the land is now being leased by some outside ski outfit and being used for heliskiing with no tresspassing signs all over that one too.

Its friggen rediculous   

Get informed, stay informed and vote these people out of office. Its OUR land not theirs to sell!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Grew up huntin that maple valley area. And the maple valley area grew up as well. As stated above hunt tiger mtn area. Its about the only area close to do a short hunt. So much land is locked up and privately owned.  Good Luck

[rasbo]

we used to bait in maple valley,way to much public around now, and private property now..

[asl20bball]

Years ago I used to hunt the gated road opposite Tiger Mountain summit (West side of 18), where all the yuppies and tree huggers ride their bikes. There used to be a shooting pit immediately to the left and a road that was also just to the left that would take you to the very top above where that road starts. If you travel that road one mile, that’s where we used to get into a lot of bear. I have not been in there in ten years or more. Back in 87 it was about 6 year growth. You could bait then.

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It's pretty thick in there now. There is some spots with visibility though. Parking is also an issue b/c there are signs posted that you can't park in front of the gate anymore. I've never seen the shooting pit so that's probably up one of the roads to the left that is very grown-over just past the pond. If so, you can't get up there anymore due to growth.

[carriz]

I sure do appreciate the advise guys. A little sad to learn just what I feared. All that surrounding timber and seemly only a small area to hunt. Makes me really appreciate, and take your advise to heart Grizz. I hope others will as well.

I have driven past those gates on 18 a few times wondering if the area was legal. With all signs posted and greenies riding/hiking right across the Hwy I was just a bit concerned I guess. That's great news however. Its just 15 minutes from my place. Sometime this week I'll take a hike in up past the gates and do some scouting. Id be happy to report back my findings to those that offered the advise. Just PM me if your interested

Again, I really appreciate the help guys.