% for spring bear harvests

[pjb3]

What are the % of bagging bear in Monroe Unit? Just wondering since I got drawn this year. Only 20 hunters allowed, how many kills?

[D-Rock425]

Probably 5 permits will be filled out of the 20

[oldschooltrucks]

How about the copalis unit? 

[saylean]

Pjb, judging from out weather, I personally think it is going to be a great season for monroe/skagit. That being said, read up on some spring bear threads, put your time in and I am sure you can bag one.

Time, patience, knowledge and a little luck is all you need.
Good luck!

[X-Force]

 

A couple years ago when i drew. It was a cold cold year and i still got into bears.

The percentage depends on how much effort you put into scouting and time spent in the woods and last but not least how picky you are going to be about the bear you harvest.

[bear hunter]

What are the % of bagging bear in Monroe Unit? Just wondering since I got drawn this year. Only 20 hunters allowed, how many kills?

The longer you spead in the field the better the odds.

[CP]

It's all on-line:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2011/reports/bear_hunt_name.php

[chukar hunter]

Looks like only 1 last year....good luck, beat those odds!

[h20hunter]

Picky? That is why we get two tags on this side....im looking to fill the tag....thats it. Ill be picky on bear number two. At the range right now double checking my zero, just waiting fot the barrell to cool.

[oldschooltrucks]

I agree.  Fill the tag first.  I'm going out with my 30-06 and I'm heading to the range early tomorrow to double check the scope as well.  I have a .50 cal muzzleloader for the 2nd bear...but I have to focus on bear #1 lol.

[pjb3]

I am picky so we will see
Can't wait, will be putting alot of time so...

[RadSav]

I agree.  Fill the tag first.  I'm going out with my 30-06 and I'm heading to the range early tomorrow to double check the scope as well.  I have a .50 cal muzzleloader for the 2nd bear...but I have to focus on bear #1 lol.

Just making sure you guys know only one of your two available bear tags can be used in the spring.  I know I talked to a few guys last year that were confused by the way the state worded it.

[oldschooltrucks]

Yes I knew that but I'm not sure about the others.  Thanks 

[bear hunter]

Just remember this. If you think the bear is 200lbs it is more than likely 100lb er. If it looks 400lbs it's a shooter. LOL My buddy called me on the radio and said he killed a 200lb er. I looked at my other buddy and said it's probably a 100lb bear. He was scare to go down there and check. LOL Give him a break it was his first bear. I would of shot it. I called him back and I said. Did you get it? YYYYEEEESSS!!!!! By the said of his voice I knew it was smaller. I skinned it for him and now his wife does not want to waste the money for tanning.  He asked if I wanted it. NO but my other buddy will take it and tan the bear hide.  I would take it but I already have 5 bear.

[D-Rock425]

Only one bear killed in Monroe last year and I spotted it .  Spring tags are kinda a joke really.  Its suppose to be a management tool for damage areas and only 1 bear gets taken seems pointless as a management tool.

[Jerome]

There were more than 1 taken out of Monroe last spring. 

[D-Rock425]

Harvest reports only show 1

[Jerome]

That's for 2011.

[Jerome]

Also I wouldn't rely on those being accurate.

[D-Rock425]

20 out of 25 permits were reported and still only one bear doesn't seem to be doing anything to protect tree loss.  Seems more like a money maker for the state than a management tool.

[h20hunter]

They should let spring bear tag holders bait.

Overall....I think what has already been said is correct. More time in the field will obviously get better results. Also, having some buddies that help is a huge advantage.

[D-Rock425]

Baiting would be cool and a more effective management tool but it will never happen.

[h20hunter]

Agreed

[bobcat]

This is why I don't understand why they don't have spring bear permits in more units, actually in ALL units that have a reasonably good population of bears. Success rates will be low anyway, and more units and more permits available would equal more applications, and therefore more money for the state. And of course, more opportunity for hunters, which isn't that what the WDFW is all about- providing lots of hunting opportunity with little chance for success?

[D-Rock425]

This is why I don't understand why they don't have spring bear permits in more units, actually in ALL units that have a reasonably good population of bears. Success rates will be low anyway, and more units and more permits available would equal more applications, and therefore more money for the state. And of course, more opportunity for hunters, which isn't that what the WDFW is all about- providing lots of hunting opportunity with little chance for success?

I agree with you but those biologist are smarter than us I guess.

[Mr Mykiss]

Yes. The biologists are the ones making all of the decisions... Most of the biologists are guys like most of us. They love the outdoors and therefore they've dedicated their lives to working in and protecting our resources.

[D-Rock425]

I guess I really wasn't trying to take a shot at the biologist.  Maybe it should have been the wdfw as a whole.

[bobcat]

I don't think biologists have much to do with setting seasons and regulations. It seems to be based more on politics than science to me. But I could be wrong.   

[Mr Mykiss]

I don't think biologists have much to do with setting seasons and regulations. It seems to be based more on politics than science to me. But I could be wrong.   

[Mr Mykiss]

I guess I really wasn't trying to take a shot at the biologist.  Maybe it should have been the wdfw as a whole.

Sometimes biologists get overly defensive...

[D-Rock425]

 

[bobcat]

I guess I really wasn't trying to take a shot at the biologist.  Maybe it should have been the wdfw as a whole.

I dont know why you are taking shots on the wdfw on this issue.  They extended the seasons like we asked for with the 2 damage permit areas, its not their fault if permits aren't getting filled or not getting reported properly.  Maybe next time you draw they will give out maps to their dens.

Jerome- go back and read all the posts again. Apparently you missed something. We were talking about why the WDFW doesn't offer spring bear permits in more units. Not the fact that success rates may be low in certain units.

[Mr Mykiss]

I wouldn't mind having a map to a den or two. Even I could probably screw that one up... I don't have the best of luck when it comes to bears.

[D-Rock425]

I guess I really wasn't trying to take a shot at the biologist.  Maybe it should have been the wdfw as a whole.

I dont know why you are taking shots on the wdfw on this issue.  They extended the seasons like we asked for with the 2 damage permit areas, its not their fault if permits aren't getting filled or not getting reported properly.  Maybe next time you draw they will give out maps to their dens.

Jerome- go back and read all the posts again. Apparently you missed something. We were talking about why the WDFW doesn't offer spring bear permits in more units. Not the fact that success rates may be low in certain units.

I hope extending the season work and brings up harvest but with such a low success rate wdfw could give out 50 bear permits for each unit and it wouldn't prevent much damage.

[Ripper]

The DNR told me 4 bear were killed in Monroe during the spring season. 6 in Skagit. Not nearly enough to make a difference.

[sirmissalot]

Not enough people try. They draw a tag then realize they don't have time to hunt it, or realize they know nothing about hunting bears and go out one day don't see anything and give up. People just put in for the tags to put in, I guarantee there is a huge percentage of spring bear tags that barely get hunted. When I drew the Kapowsin I rarely saw any other rigs and there was only a small pile of slips in the little building where you were supposed to check in everyday when you entered the farm. I think a lot of hunters don't realize how time in the field can effect your success when it comes to hunting anything, as simple as it seems. I have a tag for the NE corner so I won't be able to spend as much time as I'd like, but I'll be over there as much as possible and hopefully for at least a couple 4 or 5 day weekends.

[bearpaw]

This is why I don't understand why they don't have spring bear permits in more units, actually in ALL units that have a reasonably good population of bears. Success rates will be low anyway, and more units and more permits available would equal more applications, and therefore more money for the state. And of course, more opportunity for hunters, which isn't that what the WDFW is all about- providing lots of hunting opportunity with little chance for success?

   I agree on all points.

Because bear can be taken without baiting, its not coming back, it's socially unacceptable in this state, our masses voted it out. However, there is no biological reason to not have much more spring hunting. Success runs so low that the impact is minimal on bear populations.

[Ripper]

The spring tag is not a gimme, I can tell you that! At least not in Monroe. I put in more hunting hours last year during the spring hunt than I have ever put in for any general season before that. I rarely ever saw any other hunters either. I agree, alot of people put in not knowing what they are in for. They should do their research ahead of time and not waste a permit!

[h20hunter]

Probably want to edit that........I think you forgot a word right there at the beginning.

[Ripper]

Got it, thanks H2O, I actually forgot 2 words!

[D-Rock425]

Not a gimmie WTF?

[Ripper]

Sorry to break it to you D, but no, you wont be able to shoot one from the highway! You will have to put in some time and effort!

I know that you know that, but some people think the bears will just come to them. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN FOLKS!

[D-Rock425]

But I wear a bacon thing while bear hunting.

[Jerome]

The DNR told me 4 bear were killed in Monroe during the spring season. 6 in Skagit. Not nearly enough to make a difference.

No those numbers arent doing the trees any favors.  Hopefully with the 15 extra days these numbers will double and show the timber companies in these two damage units that the permit holders are getting the job done. 

[h2ofowlr]

The DNR told me 4 bear were killed in Monroe during the spring season. 6 in Skagit. Not nearly enough to make a difference.

I think the number was 9 last year for Skagit.  9 out of 20 tags.  Not a gimme hunt by any means.

[Wea300mag]

I think if the permit holders take the hunt seriously, and that means parking the truck and putting in some boot time, the success rate will increase.