What happened to the Capital Forest Spring Bear Hunt?

[PNWBearHunter]

Does anyone know why WDF&G did away with the Capital Forest Spring Bear Hunt?  I use to enjoy that hunt between my hunting partner, 2 other friends and Me.  We usually got to hunt up there every year or 2 in the spring depending on how the draw went. 

One of the rumors I've heard is that they were doing a Bear Study up there and either to many people were messing with there traps or they didn't want the extra Spring hunting traffic up there messing with the Bears.

Does anyone know if they plan to bring it back?

[bobcat]

I don't know why they eliminated it, but I'd bet money we'll never get it back. I just think certain biologists who work for the WDFW, don't want bears killed up there, even though there are more than enough bears to support a spring bear permit season. It's ridiculous in my opinion. If they wanted to reduce the number of bears killed, reduce the number of permits. Why not offer at least 10? I think there was 100 permits in the beginning, and that was reduced to 50 after a couple years, and then to zero. Why? Even 5 permits would offer some opportunity, instead of no opportunity. I haven't even applied for a spring bear permit since they dropped that hunt.

[billythekidrock]

I was told they eliminated it due to the high success rate, culmination of the DNR timber damage study and the current WDFW bear study. Second in charge (your buddy, Bob) told me that he wanted it to become the "trophy area that it once was". To me that was code for "I want to do my study".


Bob, remember, the Capitol Forest bear hunt was pushed for by Todd and it was the only spring bear hunt that covered state land. Even private land in the Capitol Peak gmu were off limits.

[bobcat]

Rich Beausoleil?

[PNWBearHunter]

I knew they were doing a Bear Study in Capital Forest.  Are they still doing it?  Friend of mine killed a 3 legged Bear up there several years ago.  Well, it was missing it's foot above the wrist a ways.  Rumor was WDF&W were using snares to catch Bear and collect there data.  Figured that was how she lost it. 

[billythekidrock]

I knew they were doing a Bear Study in Capital Forest.  Are they still doing it?  Friend of mine killed a 3 legged Bear up there several years ago.  Well, it was missing it's foot above the wrist a ways.  Rumor was WDF&W were using snares to catch Bear and collect there data.  Figured that was how she lost it. 

Yes, they were snaring up there. Not sure if they still are. Here is a snare site that I found a few years ago.  http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,85063.msg1079575.html#msg1079575

[billythekidrock]

Rich Beausoleil?

Yep.

[PNWBearHunter]

I was talking to my friend this morning that shot the 3 legged Bear up there.  He was saying that he has a much larger Bear on his Trail Camera from 2011 that is also missing a front foot.  Roughly 3 miles as the crow flies from where he killed his