Success rate is kind of discouraging...

[6.8mmARHunter]

Success rate is kind of discouraging...

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2012/bear_general.html


Mostly lest than 10%. And greater than 50 days per kill.

[Jonathan_S]

Don't worry about it.  All that matters is what YOU DO not what the 10,000 road hunters do.  Buying a $20 bear tag doesn't make them a bear hunter.  The same goes for deer and elk hunting.  I can kill a deer every single year which is quite contrary to the stats.

Statistics are mostly created by average people.  I mean most of us aren't stopped in our tracks by a 60%+ divorce rate when we're looking to tie the knot because we (or at least I knew) that we'd do things better and differently.

[hntrspud]

  How many people buy bear tags just in case they see one while hunting other game? Factor in the people that dont even get out to hunt, and they count people that only hunted one day. Which is more than likely driving an old road. Dont look at the numbers, its not about that. If you are confident in what to look for when hunting bear then you will do fine. There are more than enough bears around. Think of the threads that say "passed up a couple smaller ones for this guy". When are you thinking of going out again? Maybe we could get out

[DOUBLELUNG]

90% of those reporting are deer and elk hunters who bought a big game package with a bear tag and answered yes on their hunting activity report.  Same for cougar.  After the 1996 voter initiatives banning baiting and hound hunting, WDFW made the seasons general and the tags really cheap so more deer and elk hunters would buy tags. 

With 10% reported success, that is a minimum of 10 days/harvest for everyone - if everyone hunted for only one day.  50 days/harvest means the average deer/elk hunter hunts 4-6 days per year.

[6.8mmARHunter]

I'm going out this weekend (heading out of town 5PM Friday). Had a tentative area picked out, but I'm flexible.

Sam

[Kain]

Most people are buying a tag just in case they run across a bear during deer and elk season.  They are not out actively hunting bears which can really skew the numbers. 

Getting out in the woods looking for bears will significantly increase your chances.   

[skagitsteel]

don't let those numbers discourage you, last year was my first year bear hunting and in my trips saw 9 bears and had 3 down.....  Keep hiking sway from heavily trafficked areas look for ripe berries it will only get better from here out. 

[6.8mmARHunter]

Thanks guys, I'm much more encouraged. I'm planning to get out most weekends looking for one.

I've committed to climbing Mt. Daniel the weekend of the 24th/25th. Will be hiking/climbing/mountaineering. I'll probably see some then, but won't have the rifle...

[bknilvr00]

Thanks guys, I'm much more encouraged. I'm planning to get out most weekends looking for one.

I've committed to climbing Mt. Daniel the weekend of the 24th/25th. Will be hiking/climbing/mountaineering. I'll probably see some then, but won't have the rifle...

Well then prove yourself to the forum and go hand to hand combat.  Rear choke holds are the way to go....

Sent from my space modulator.

[6.8mmARHunter]

Thanks guys, I'm much more encouraged. I'm planning to get out most weekends looking for one.

I've committed to climbing Mt. Daniel the weekend of the 24th/25th. Will be hiking/climbing/mountaineering. I'll probably see some then, but won't have the rifle...

Well then prove yourself to the forum and go hand to hand combat.  Rear choke holds are the way to go....

Sent from my space modulator.

Don't you mean ONE arm choke hold while - reaching down with the other and grabbing his nuts and yanking...


That actually sounds kind of perverted vs. rambo'ish...

[Skyvalhunter]

Yea been to the top of Hineman and Daniel and you won't find much for bears there for sure.

[boneaddict]

90% of those reporting are deer and elk hunters who bought a big game package with a bear tag and answered yes on their hunting activity report.  Same for cougar.  After the 1996 voter initiatives banning baiting and hound hunting, WDFW made the seasons general and the tags really cheap so more deer and elk hunters would buy tags.

How many guys on here have a cougar and bear tag in their wallet just in case they run into one in the woods?

[buckfvr]

90% of those reporting are deer and elk hunters who bought a big game package with a bear tag and answered yes on their hunting activity report.  Same for cougar.  After the 1996 voter initiatives banning baiting and hound hunting, WDFW made the seasons general and the tags really cheap so more deer and elk hunters would buy tags.

How many guys on here have a cougar and bear tag in their wallet just in case they run into one in the woods?

I think its the norm rather than the exception......hope in the future those who dont specifically hunt bear and cougar mark " did not hunt " on their report. 

[xXLojackXx]

I feel like bears are one of the easier species to find/pattern. They still make their presence in the open areas they feed in during the day, unlike deer and elk when the pressure hits. Once you figure out what they like and when they should be there (it changes with the seasons) it becomes much easier to locate bears.

[6.8mmARHunter]

Yea been to the top of Hineman and Daniel and you won't find much for bears there for sure.

Probably lots on the way up there though. Saw sign at Hyas Lake...