Spring Permit - Monroe - Winner's Lounge

[luvmystang67]

Yeah, I haven't had very good luck with bears returning to peels, usually it just means you're a day late and a dollar short.

[gallion_t]

I will make sure to be at that meeting. Since I live some what local I will be hunting as much of the season as possible. Only down side is that ill be in Costa Rica for 10 days around memorial day weekend. Sounds like that's the better part of the season, but ill have to work around it. I'm hoping to do at least 2 nights a week after work and then as many weekends as possible.

I really appreciate every ones helps and suggestions so far.

[h20hunter]

Shot my 2013 bear, in my avatar, on Memorial Day weekend myself. Whoops....forgot my avatar is currenty the boy taking a leak.

2013 Spring Bear, Monroe.

[Ripper]

Here is a map from 2008. The area is the same but the high damage area's may be different.

[luvmystang67]

Thanks Ripper, thats the one that I had in 2012.  I like H20's a lot better, but its nice to have both.

[gallion_t]

The next month needs to hurry up and fly by now.

[romaknows]

I also drew   I would be more than happy to share on what and where I find( its my backyard).

I really want to try and call one in to archery range .

[luvmystang67]

I also drew   I would be more than happy to share on what and where I find( its my backyard).

I really want to try and call one in to archery range .

Lofty goal, welcome.    AND THEN THERE WERE 3 (Hunt-Wa ers)

I actually thought Hunt-WA would have more of the take than this, but 3 is better than none.  And, at least D-Rock didn't get one.

[luvmystang67]

I went back through the Spring Tag, Monroe Unit harvest reports to let everyone know how challenging this hunt is.

2013: 20 Hunters out of 25 Tags Issued, 4 Bears Taken

2012: 21 Hunters out of 25 Tags Issued, 2 Bears Taken (including yours truly)

2011: 13 Hunters out of 25 Tags Issued, 1 Bear Taken

2010: 19 Hunters out of 24 Tags Issued, 7 Bears Taken

2009: 20 Hunters out of 25 Tags Issued, 9 Bears Taken

2008: Information not Available

2007 and Earlier: Hunt appears to not have existed.

[gallion_t]

Those are some daunting numbers. I wonder how many days and how much effort the people who drew the tags actually put in.

Either way its not going to change my efforts. I've been hoping to draw this tag for 3 years now. I'm going to put in as much effort as I can. Especially since it will be my first bear.

[h20hunter]

Most that fill tags hunt one area a lot. I know when Turner, his son, and I filled tags there were on our home turf. Spent a lot of time driving, walking, and learning. Then, boom, one morning bear is down. I think it is very hard to pattern these bears or rely on proven areas like fall berry patches. I think covering ground, often on foot, and looking for those fresh grassy areas can pay off. One of the big boys last year.....I believe it was a Skagit bear, was shot just along the road munching grass. Get out early, spend all you can, then if you get a good feeling about an area or see some peels/scat hunt that area hard.

[gallion_t]

I happen to have a Birthday coming up at the end of the month and am thinking about asking for a couple trail cams. Couple question. Are there certain types of areas I should look for to place the cams? grassy roads? swamps? clear cuts? Second do you guys have recommendation for trail cams? I'm not thinking anything top of the line, just a good camera. I'm ok with refurbished or used in good condition too.

[h20hunter]

Here is a link that we posted a bit ago.....can't go wrong right here:

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Trophy-Essential-Camera-Vision/dp/B00IID3O0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426197752&sr=8-1&keywords=bushnell+TRAIL+CAM

[sled]

By far last year I found that walking grassy roads SLOWLY worked the best where I found sign.  I also set a chair on a few roads to watch and relax where I found sign.  I was lucky.  I hunted almost every other day until I tagged out. 
The most important thing I learned was that If you shoot, shoot again fast as you can.   Don't count on the first shot, even if it hits the ground

[Griz231]

My dad drew Monroe area. This will be our first spring bear we've done.  Really Looking forward to the experience!