Bear Hunting Regs

[h20hunter]

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

[Hunt4ever]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

I will not shoot a mom with cubs.

[h20hunter]

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]

 

[fastdam]

Shooting the mama with cubs is cruel.

[h20hunter]

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]

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

[MatthewHunter98]

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]

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)."