Author Topic: Bear Hunting Regs (Read 9703 times)

acnewman55 · « **on:** July 10, 2013, 10:46:03 AM »

Don't see anything in the big game regs about restrictions for taking a bear, other than that WDFW asks that you don't take a sow with cubs.

Are there no minimum size/age requirements for bear hunting?

h20hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2013, 10:47:04 AM »

Nope.....you can shoot a huge boar or brand new cub.....legally that is.

fastdam · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2013, 10:48:00 AM »

Is it illegal to take a sow with cubs or is it just a suggestion from them. I take it that its only a suggestion

h20hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2013, 10:49:44 AM »

A suggestion.

However, keep in mind. Most, if not all, would agree. If you shoot a sow and it turnes out she has unweened cubs you are going to have to kill them. If you let them live they will die a very nasty death.

Legally....any black bear is fair game.

Quick note on the cubs....if you ever were presented with the decision to do it I would do what you think is right and not ever tell a soul.......

jay.sharkbait · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2013, 11:14:08 AM »

Also

Take a look at pictures of cubs vs adult bear and note the differences. The ears are key.

washelkhunter · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2013, 11:38:36 AM »

Only 35 days to go!

bmccalister · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2013, 05:22:56 PM »

The book urges hunters not to shoot a sow with cubs and recommends a hunter observe and be patient before shooting. Personally I would have a hard time taking a sow with cubs - the cubs are the future to bear hunting.

X-Force · « **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2013, 05:27:35 PM »

Quote from: washelkhunter on July 10, 2013, 11:38:36 AM

Only 35 days to go!

Until Nov 15! best season we have.

skagitsteel · « **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2013, 05:52:21 PM »

Quote from: bmccalister on July 10, 2013, 05:22:56 PM

The book urges hunters not to shoot a sow with cubs and recommends a hunter observe and be patient before shooting. Personally I would have a hard time taking a sow with cubs - the cubs are the future to bear hunting.

sirmissalot · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2013, 05:58:42 PM »

Here is what a last years cub looks like about 10 yards away.

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2013, 06:24:51 PM »

Nice ...

Now to the issue ...It is always good to watch bears for awhile before shooting ..especially if you hunt brush and berry patches ...You will be surprised how many times you will see a bear and no cubs and then bam ..there they are ...I ran into a couple guys once and even heard them shoot ..when I got to my truck and drove up the road they were jumping all over the place So excited they just shot a bear ...So I had to go with them just because I was there and figured I would help ...Well when we got to the bear is was a cub ...I mean that years cub

they did not care ..they were so excited .. I kept to myself about it but I was grinding teeth trying to keep my mouth shut ...I reached down and picked it up with one hand ...Not against the law but believe me you do not want to walk up on a cub

runamuk · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2013, 06:27:44 PM »

ahhh heck I'd rather kill a cub and eat veal than kill a sow and leave cubs to die

maybe that is just me, and besides you burn your first tag on bear veal, then get a second tag and look for something more boar like.

bearpaw · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2013, 06:29:27 PM »

Quote from: skagitsteel on July 10, 2013, 05:52:21 PM

Quote from: bmccalister on July 10, 2013, 05:22:56 PM
The book urges hunters not to shoot a sow with cubs and recommends a hunter observe and be patient before shooting. Personally I would have a hard time taking a sow with cubs - the cubs are the future to bear hunting.

x3 However, I'm glad it's not illegal, occasionally, and more so in the fall, a hunter will accidentally shoot a bear that he did not know had cubs until it is too late. If that does accidentally happen, at least the guy can use the bear. Hunters need to really watch for cubs so this doesn't happen.

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2013, 06:51:13 PM »

Quote from: runamuk on July 10, 2013, 06:27:44 PM

ahhh heck I'd rather kill a cub and eat veal than kill a sow and leave cubs to die maybe that is just me, and besides you burn your first tag on bear veal, then get a second tag and look for something more boar like.

and that's why they made the law that way ...For people like you and the guys on the road

hoytem · « **Reply #14 on:** July 10, 2013, 10:25:38 PM »

Quote from: h20hunter on July 10, 2013, 10:49:44 AM

A suggestion.

However, keep in mind. Most, if not all, would agree. If you shoot a sow and it turnes out she has unweened cubs you are going to have to kill them. If you let them live they will die a very nasty death.

Legally....any black bear is fair game.

Quick note on the cubs....if you ever were presented with the decision to do it I would do what you think is right and not ever tell a soul.......

Not true. If you accidentally shoot a sow with cubs call the game dept. They will usually try and save them.

h20hunter · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2013, 07:19:03 AM »

Thats a good point hoytem.....I never knew that.

Hunt4ever · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2013, 08:37:32 AM »

Quote from: hoytem on July 10, 2013, 10:25:38 PM

Quote from: h20hunter on July 10, 2013, 10:49:44 AM
A suggestion.

However, keep in mind. Most, if not all, would agree. If you shoot a sow and it turnes out she has unweened cubs you are going to have to kill them. If you let them live they will die a very nasty death.

Legally....any black bear is fair game.

Quick note on the cubs....if you ever were presented with the decision to do it I would do what you think is right and not ever tell a soul.......

Not true. If you accidentally shoot a sow with cubs call the game dept. They will usually try and save them.

or keep them and teach them to kill wolves!

hoytem · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2013, 04:09:25 PM »

Quote from: Hunt4ever on July 11, 2013, 08:37:32 AM

Quote from: hoytem on July 10, 2013, 10:25:38 PM
Quote from: h20hunter on July 10, 2013, 10:49:44 AM
A suggestion.

However, keep in mind. Most, if not all, would agree. If you shoot a sow and it turnes out she has unweened cubs you are going to have to kill them. If you let them live they will die a very nasty death.

Legally....any black bear is fair game.

Quick note on the cubs....if you ever were presented with the decision to do it I would do what you think is right and not ever tell a soul.......

Not true. If you accidentally shoot a sow with cubs call the game dept. They will usually try and save them.

or keep them and teach them to kill wolves!

LOL even better!

Dbax129 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 14, 2013, 02:46:27 PM »

I have never shot a bear, but have wondered about this myself. If one were to accidentally shoot a sow with cub(s) in an area close to home, and where there are plenty of bears, would it be advisable to fill a second tab with the cub, and potentially call a hunting friend to tag a 2nd cub if there was one? Seems a little brutal to me, but I'm a firm believer that hunters provide the only humane death to wild animals. Better than starving right? Also, it seems like there could be a taxidermy project somewhere that could use some cubs for a display or something. IDK, just thoughts really. I have been doing lots of scouting and feel good about my bear chances this year, but javent seen any cubs, which makes me nervous about whether or not I would see them when hunting. I'm looming Here in Kitsap, mason, and Jefferson (coyle), where its all very dense, mostly near swamps and streams.

fastdam · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2013, 12:05:03 PM »

I wouldnt mind having a full cub mount. I could fit that in the living room but we dont have room for a full grown bear mount.

D-Rock425 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 15, 2013, 12:36:35 PM »

I've managed to pass on a few small bears now. I've also shot a few smaller bears. It all depends how much bigger I have in the frezzer.

JackOfAllTrades · « **Reply #21 on:** July 15, 2013, 01:13:04 PM »

Ethics people!

Veal is one thing... But you don't need to take an un-weaned cub on purpose. There are plenty of young bears in the woods. Even yearlings that are still traveling with mama sow that are weaned from mama's milk, but not yet her company. (Though I wouldn't), After September would be fair.

Taking a sow, after say... September, would provide the best chances for her cubs to survive in some areas. Any earlier than that, they're likely still dependant on mama's milk. Call the game officer to possibly trap the cubs if you take mama by accident.

-Steve

D-Rock425 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 15, 2013, 01:15:09 PM »

I will not shoot a mom with cubs.

h20hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** July 15, 2013, 02:02:50 PM »

I would not intentionally shoot a mama with little cubs. This spring I knew where there were two sows with cubs. One had three little ones....very clearly new cubs. The other had two big ones...I would'a tagged either of the big ones or momma....the sow with three tiny cubs was a no go.

However, I think for those that target bears....it will happen eventually. Like others have said....those little cubs may be a little back from mom. That is why I think it is up to the hunter...watch the bear....wait for the shot...do what you can to not intentionally shoot a wet sow.

hoytem · « **Reply #24 on:** July 15, 2013, 06:52:30 PM »

fastdam · « **Reply #25 on:** July 15, 2013, 08:08:35 PM »

Shooting the mama with cubs is cruel.

h20hunter · « **Reply #26 on:** July 15, 2013, 08:16:44 PM »

Yes, if the cubs are not ready to be on their own. In my case for example i have the sow with two cubs on cam, then same sow no cubs with a big bore. They were obviously run off so she could breed. Now momma with thee tiny cubs....not on cam after a male showed up. Two sows, two sets of cubs, two different scenarios. One is a shooter one is not.

acnewman55 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:11:51 PM »

One more question. Are hunters required to turn in any part of the bear to fish and game following the hunt?

MatthewHunter98 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:12:29 PM »

the regs dont state anything spaciffic, I would not shoot a cub if it was with its moma bear. I would set standards just cause who I am

StuckoYota99 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 17, 2013, 06:35:49 PM »

Page 63 of the Big Game Regs.

"Successful black bear
hunters must submit the
black bear premolar tooth,
which is located behind the
canine tooth of the upper
jaw. Tooth envelopes are
available at all WDFW
offices (see page 13)."

acnewman55 · « **Reply #30 on:** July 17, 2013, 09:41:24 PM »

Quote from: StuckoYota99 on July 17, 2013, 06:35:49 PM

Page 63 of the Big Game Regs.

"Successful black bear
hunters must submit the
black bear premolar tooth,
which is located behind the
canine tooth of the upper
jaw. Tooth envelopes are
available at all WDFW
offices (see page 13)."

Got it, didn't see those in the regs. Had just read in a book that this is usually required. Thanks

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Author Topic: Bear Hunting Regs (Read 9703 times)

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