Kapowisin Spring Bear

[fishnelk]

3 legged 2 year old cub? Actually an older Boar and the gentleman  that killed it was with a bow. He also helped a friend of his get a bear in the unit and another acquaintance shot a bear in there as well. That's 3 that I've seen pictures of....

If there has been 3 bears taken, then the hunters are not reporting their activity. Hancock only knows of 1 bear that has been killed and reported. There is a separate hunting report that has to be done for Hancock too. When I asked Clyde the security guard about the 3 legged bear he said "oh ya i know that bear, he walks the main line all the time. He was really young, maybe 2 year cub." That's out of his mouth, not mine. Bottom line is, they feed the bears on the north side of the river to cut down tree ripping over there. That's not fair to us hunters on the south side of the river with permits. But whatever, i am going after work at night everyday this week and I will see what i can do.

[thurman]

3 legged 2 year old cub? Actually an older Boar and the gentleman  that killed it was with a bow. He also helped a friend of his get a bear in the unit and another acquaintance shot a bear in there as well. That's 3 that I've seen pictures of....

If there has been 3 bears taken, then the hunters are not reporting their activity. Hancock only knows of 1 bear that has been killed and reported. There is a separate hunting report that has to be done for Hancock too. When I asked Clyde the security guard about the 3 legged bear he said "oh ya i know that bear, he walks the main line all the time. He was really young, maybe 2 year cub." That's out of his mouth, not mine. Bottom line is, they feed the bears on the north side of the river to cut down tree ripping over there. That's not fair to us hunters on the south side of the river with permits. But whatever, i am going after work at night everyday this week and I will see what i can do.

I heard of 2 bears that weren't reported and are being looked into

[Thehowler]

How do they know bears went unreported? I've been hearing this since the beginning of the hunt. Fishing.

[trophyhunt]

bottom line is guys, the kapowsin spring bear tag sucks.  It's not that I want more competition for the better tags, but why do you guys apply for that tag?  It's no secret the success rate is bad, they keep you out of the best area and you have to buy a pass to hunt it. You have to buy a pass to help them protect their trees and reduce the number of bears, which if they really wanted the bears reduced they would ease up the rules on the spring bear hunt.  The fact that they give out 150 tags is a joke, it makes a guy think there is a ton of bears.  If you could bait like they do, in the closed areas, then you could make a good hunt out of it.  Some guys that spend a bunch of time in the area know where they could find bears, but even they might have a hard time killing bears every year.  Sorry to be so negative but, every year we hear about the same thing in there. 

[Jeremy S]

I only put in for the tag because I knew I was going to get the annual pass.  I'm in there a few times a week busting brush and scouting new areas and I haven't seen much sign, however I haven't seen anyone out of their trucks either. The gated escapement areas seem to be great areas to see all species throughout the year but considering they open them for the spring bear permit holders to drive into them I would imagine many animals will move out of the areas or at least away from the roads that are being driven constantly.

[fishnelk]

bottom line is guys, the kapowsin spring bear tag sucks.  It's not that I want more competition for the better tags, but why do you guys apply for that tag?  It's no secret the success rate is bad, they keep you out of the best area and you have to buy a pass to hunt it. You have to buy a pass to help them protect their trees and reduce the number of bears, which if they really wanted the bears reduced they would ease up the rules on the spring bear hunt.  The fact that they give out 150 tags is a joke, it makes a guy think there is a ton of bears.  If you could bait like they do, in the closed areas, then you could make a good hunt out of it.  Some guys that spend a bunch of time in the area know where they could find bears, but even they might have a hard time killing bears every year.  Sorry to be so negative but, every year we hear about the same thing in there.

EXACTLY my thoughts!!! 

[BiggMayn]

 

I learned my lesson...never putting in for it again.

[Netminder01]

I purchased the tag before the I was drawn. I wanted to spend time in the unit and had dreams of getting the elk raffle (yeah, right).

My mentality is different since I was already committed to the Kapowsin lease before I pulled Spring Bear - the more difficult it is, the more I'm interested and the more it draws me in to keep trying. We'll see how I feel in a year.

I was out there last night and ran into a nice guy who was hunting different stands down low with both his kids (son & daughter). He told me, he''s been hitting hard for 12 days straight and not seen a thing. I was in there late last night and finally came across some good fresh sign w/ decent quantity. I had planned on last night being my final hunt but I might head out tomorrow. 

Bonus last night was watching a beautiful, mature 5x5 elk in full velvet feed across a clear cut. I had a fair amount of regret after leaving my camera in my backpack in the truck - the lighting was amazing and he had no idea I was so close. Bummer but it was still a great looking elk.

[BigBullDreamer11]

Seen this guy yesterday morning on the no hunt them side kind bs that they wont let guys hunt both sides!!

[MuzzyGirl13]

This was taken on the bridgegate side too. I think its BS we can't hunt that side where it seems all the bears are. So much for my Spring Bear Permit. Cause I haven't seen nothing on the other side 😫👎🏻

[trophyhunt]

Has anyone asked why they don't let you hunt that side?  Really makes no sense to me, if they have bear numbers they want taken, why close the area with more bears?  Seems incredibly stupid?  If it's to protect the elk that are birthing, won't taking bears help them out more?  I don't know why they close it, just wondering why?

[BigBullDreamer11]

You would thing so!! The elk numbers in hancock are ridiculous anywhere you set a trail cam up you get elk pics I dont understand why they cant pull out acouple more tags.. I have seen more bears on bridgegate side then the kapowisin side during spring and fall. I believe they use to rotate side every year but quick doing it is what I have heard.

[Netminder01]

I'm heading out with a buddy for our final swing tonight. Gotta be there to get lucky. 

[BigBullDreamer11]

true true good luck shoot straight!!!

[fishnelk]

Has anyone asked why they don't let you hunt that side?  Really makes no sense to me, if they have bear numbers they want taken, why close the area with more bears?  Seems incredibly stupid?  If it's to protect the elk that are birthing, won't taking bears help them out more?  I don't know why they close it, just wondering why?

So i talked to Randy ( Operations Manager) at Hancock about this as i also drew the tag and was so pissed about this North side/South side stuff... He said they do it to cut down the tree ripping on the north side of the river only. Every bear tears up 12-14 trees per year. He said since they feed them, those numbers are down to 2-3 trees per bear. So the question i posed to him was "Why dont you open both sides then?" His answer... We dont want to.... . I said look Randy, you want us hunters to help you as a timber company you need to give us fair shake at everything, otherwise dont ask for help. The bears go from south side to the north to feed, they are not stupid animals... His response to that you ask? "We have not seen a significant increase in our bait on the north side of the river. We have not seen more than 5 bears at a time on our cameras at each bait station!" That answer started to piss me off so I left the conversation.....