I've been hunting the copalis unit and have recently found tons of fresh peels and scat. Half the scat is black and full or grass while the other half is reddish with seeds. I've been hunting early-mid mornings to afternoons with no luck calling. My first question is, are they still peeling trees if they are eatting berries? My other question is, are evenings the best time to hunt now? Thanks
Yes, they will still peel trees if they can not find a suitable and abundant food source.
Now is a time of transition as more food sources become available and the bears are more active. There are lots of blossoms and berries coming on including Salmon, Elder, Devils Club, Rose, Skunk Cabbage & Salal.
They will be tearing into logs and stumps looking for bugs and grubs. Amphibians and rodents are abundant and fawns/calfs are dropping.
Calling can be deadly on bears this time of year. Light fawn/calf calls scream easy meal to a hungry bear.
While generally flat, the Copalis unit has a lot of place to get an elevated vantage point. I have hunted this unit numerous times from early spring to late fall and have seen bears at all times of the day throughout the years. Bears feed when they want and you should plan on hunting all day.
