spring bear success stories. please share.

[sled]

  I Drew The Monroe Tag For The Second Time This Year.  The First Time I Drew I Saw A Couple But Didn't Connect.

  I Thought It Would Be Cool To Hear The Details Of Successful Hunters And People Who Have sSeen Them.  On The Side Of The Road, Time Of Day, What They Were Eating, Clearcuts, The Weather, The Month, The Day, And The Unit Hunted.  Anything Else,  And Maybe Some Pics.

  I Know The Monroe Unit Can Be Tough.  I Think This Could Help Alot Of People.  I Have Started Reading The Threads From The Past.  Alot Of Good Info, But It Would Be Cool To Get Some Stories Narrowed Down On A Fresh Thread.

 Tell Your Story.

  Thanks mike.

[arees]

I drew the Monroe tag as well again this year.  I connected with my first bear on the Monroe hunt a couple of years ago.  I was pointed to this site as a great source of local information and it sure was.  I put up a bunch of photos asking if they were showing bear sign.  At first, most were either not bear or old bear sign.  Eventually I was in the right stuff.  Then one day there were bears everywhere and one decided to post broadside at about 100 yards.  He met all my criteria for a first bear.  He was a bear standing still in my sights.

I will say that on that year at least there were very few bears out in the first half of the season and then one day they were out and my hunt was over.  It was like someone turned the bear switch on.

Here is my thread from that season that walks me through from knowing nothing to shooting a bear.  Maybe it will help you.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,23731.msg273598.html#msg273598

[sled]

I drew the Monroe tag as well again this year.  I connected with my first bear on the Monroe hunt a couple of years ago.  I was pointed to this site as a great source of local information and it sure was.  I put up a bunch of photos asking if they were showing bear sign.  At first, most were either not bear or old bear sign.  Eventually I was in the right stuff.  Then one day there were bears everywhere and one decided to post broadside at about 100 yards.  He met all my criteria for a first bear.  He was a bear standing still in my sights.

I will say that on that year at least there were very few bears out in the first half of the season and then one day they were out and my hunt was over.  It was like someone turned the bear switch on.

Here is my thread from that season that walks me through from knowing nothing to shooting a bear.  Maybe it will help you.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,23731.msg273598.html#msg273598

  Good Read.  Thanks.

[D-Rock425]

Sled if you need a hand this year or just want someone to open gates for you let me know.  I'll be happy to tag along on a few hunts.

[sled]

Sled if you need a hand this year or just want someone to open gates for you let me know.  I'll be happy to tag along on a few hunts.

  Thanks For The Offer.  See What Happens When I Get The Info On The Unit.  IM Sure There Have Been Some Changes In The Last Three Years.  IM Itchin To Go For A Drive And Scout It Out.

  I'll Be In Contact.  Pretty Sure I Still Have Your #.  Do You Know Anyone Who Had The Permit Last Year?

[h20hunter]

I'm in. Love to help out.

[sled]

I'm in. Love to help out.

  I Was Hoping You Would Chime In. Though IM Not Going To Be Picky, I Do Prefer The Bigger Bears You Seem To Shoot.
 
  Joking Aside Thanks To Both You Guys For Offering.  Not Many People Are Always Willing To Help As Much.

  I Plan On Hitting A Range For A Quick Zero Check This Comming Week.  Just Need To Figure Out Where.  Thinking The Marysville Rifle Range?  Need To Check It Out.

[klikboom]

I also drew Monroe this year, I'm stoked. It's my first draw permit ever!  I drew with 6 points  FYI. Ill be using the 300wsm with 180gr tsx bullets. I hope it leaves better blood than it did on the elk, though still left it quite dead. I've been trying to put a bear in the truck for 6 years during regular season. I really really hope this is the one! I'm reading all the threads I can, thanks for all the tips!

[t6]

Last year, I drew a Lincoln spring bear tag.  I had lots of time to scout before the opening, and lots of time to hunt during the spring season. (Lots of unused comp time)

My wife spent a few days with me exploring the Lincoln and some of the small towns in and around the area.  We met some really nice people who were not only friendly but almost anxious for us to come back and share our bear hunting stories.  We got back to a few of them and shared some stories over coffee. 

During the season my wife was sick and not able to hunt with me while we waited for her surgery date or afterwards.  Riding in the rough truck was not on option but she insisted that I go hunt.  She did come for a morning and we made it a short day.  She got to see two bears unfortunately they were well out of my range and harvesting one would have taken me most of the day.  Something she was not healthy enough to sit through.

My Dad joined me and got to see me call in a nice bear.  I shot the bear twice and we spent the next two days tracking and then pounding the area without success.  I was disappointed and upset with myself for not making a fatal and immediate shot. 

About now, your asking where is the success in this story.....I got to hunt with my wife and my Dad.  They both got to see something they had never seen...... I'd call that a success.    As for harvesting a bear, next time.  Hopefully the wife will be there with me now that she's healthy again.   

[sled]

Last year, I drew a Lincoln spring bear tag.  I had lots of time to scout before the opening, and lots of time to hunt during the spring season. (Lots of unused comp time)

My wife spent a few days with me exploring the Lincoln and some of the small towns in and around the area.  We met some really nice people who were not only friendly but almost anxious for us to come back and share our bear hunting stories.  We got back to a few of them and shared some stories over coffee. 

During the season my wife was sick and not able to hunt with me while we waited for her surgery date or afterwards.  Riding in the rough truck was not on option but she insisted that I go hunt.  She did come for a morning and we made it a short day.  She got to see two bears unfortunately they were well out of my range and harvesting one would have taken me most of the day.  Something she was not healthy enough to sit through.

My Dad joined me and got to see me call in a nice bear.  I shot the bear twice and we spent the next two days tracking and then pounding the area without success.  I was disappointed and upset with myself for not making a fatal and immediate shot. 

About now, your asking where is the success in this story.....I got to hunt with my wife and my Dad.  They both got to see something they had never seen...... I'd call that a success.    As for harvesting a bear, next time.  Hopefully the wife will be there with me now that she's healthy again.   

Sounds Good To me

[D-Rock425]

I'm in. Love to help out.

  I Was Hoping You Would Chime In. Though IM Not Going To Be Picky, I Do Prefer The Bigger Bears You Seem To Shoot.
 
  Joking Aside Thanks To Both You Guys For Offering.  Not Many People Are Always Willing To Help As Much.

  I Plan On Hitting A Range For A Quick Zero Check This Comming Week.  Just Need To Figure Out Where.  Thinking The Marysville Rifle Range?  Need To Check It Out.

[h20hunter]

I'm going to go ahead and give Lady Luck a bit of the credit for the size (decent) bears I've shot. Truth be told on the spring tag I'd have shot the first legal bear I saw. Not much more picky with a fall tag.

[D-Rock425]

Little bears are easier to pack out

[sled]

Little bears are easier to pack out

  But With The Spring Tag You Can Almost Drive Right To Them.

[h20hunter]

If you are lucky. I think you will be lucky.