Only 3 units with 0 spring kills in 2013

[Ghost Hunter]

No reports posted for 2014.  I have one of the 14 tags issued for Tucannon, Couse, and Grande Ronde.  9 hunters for 14 tags issued   I hope to do the Tucannon tag justice and kill my first bear.  At least get one on the scoreboard.  Sound like the snow will be gone for the opener.  Any reports or suggestions appreciated.  Do I have to camp in a developed camp site?

[go4steelhd]

I'm betting most did not hunt. Or drove up looked at the country, and steep canyons and never hunted. If you go up for 5 days and glass you will find bears to hunt, even if you never have hunted it. And you can camp any where on NF land.

[SemperFidelis97]

It is beautiful country, but steep you will earn anything you get up there.

[JM]

I was looking at the harvest reports for spring bear in the blues last night and can't believe that they don't give out more tags! The Tucannon is a fun hunt, but so is Dayton, lick creek, Wenaha and all of the units down there.

I drew that tag 5 years ago and saw plenty of bears. I was going for a color phase but ended up shooting a good size black boar. The year that I was there snow was still on the ground in May but this year will be a lot different. The best advice I can give is stay up high glass down into the bottoms until dark.

[Machias]

I can't remember, is the Devil's Tailbone in that unit?  Saw quite a few bears in there when hunting elk several years ago.  Awesome country! Kill him on top and don't let him run off over the side. 

[Todd_ID]

I can't remember, is the Devil's Tailbone in that unit?  Saw quite a few bears in there when hunting elk several years ago.  Awesome country! Kill him on top and don't let him run off over the side. 

That would be in Lick Creek unit.  Yeah,  beautiful country. I say hike in from the bottom where nobody ever goes in that unit.

So,  which tag did you draw Ghost Hunter? You mentioned 3 separate tags and units.

[Machias]

   That's right!!

[Ghost Hunter]

I drew Tucannon with 5 points.

[zike]

You can hike in Cummings Ck RD and climb up to Ables Ridge, 40 Yrs ago I didn't think it was too bad. Or look at the ridge on the west and you'll find a saddle. Its an easy climb and you can hunt it south for a long way.Or you can hunt Able or Willow springs from the top.

[jackelope]

You can hike in Cummings Ck RD and climb up to Ables Ridge, 40 Yrs ago I didn't think it was too bad. Or look at the ridge on the west and you'll find a saddle. Its an easy climb and you can hunt it south for a long way.Or you can hunt Able or Willow springs from the top.

Just drive in from the top as far as you can with the big glass.  You'll be able to see a couple miles in almost any direction. Cummings Creek drainage opens up right before turkey season for access.

[Bunny Thumper]

My 12 year old son also drew the Tucannon bear tag with 3 pts. We've never been over in that country so we will have to study up fast. We will not be holding out for a big or color phase bear just the first decent bear we see. My 13 year old son wants to go along with his shotgun in case we see any turkeys, so my question is, will we see any turkeys in the area we will be looking for bears or will they be at lower elevations? Either way were just going on an adventure so any advise would be appreciated.

[dreamunelk]

Tough call because of the ages but, if it were me, I would say we are bear hunting!  Leave the shotgun for something to do when the other has tagged out.  Have him help glass!    Just saying.  If you are going bear hunting then go bear hunting!

[go4steelhd]

@ Bunny Thumper: Great idea. You should see turkeys. Buy a call if you don't already have one. Taking both sons out in the outdoors is worth the trip on its own. A turkey or a bear is a bonus.

[Ghost Hunter]

Thanks for the responses and PM's.  Gives me a good place to start.  What is the best map to use.  Umatilla Forest?  Have to figure out how much interference work is going have in getting a couple of 4-5 day weekends.  Hope to make it for the opener.  Good luck to the youngster. 

[Ghost Hunter]

Picked up a map today to start planning a 4 day solo trip for the opener.    Hoping to make a camp somewhere off the 40. 

[jackelope]

Drove the 40 road to the Clearwater Guard Tower Saturday night and about 1/2 mile beyond that. Just past Teal campground and turned around because of the snow. About 5700'. I probably could have gone further but was by myself, a long way from home and not prepared to be stuck in the snow. I think you guys will probably be good driving it on the opener.

[Ghost Hunter]

Doesn't look like the east side will receive any of the new storm coming in.  Have any bears been spotted in the SE yet? 

[Ghost Hunter]

I made it above 6000' before I turned around but not near as far as the college kid the grader operator picked up walking out Never guessed I would be broke down and towed by the same guy that towed the kid thru 2 miles of snow.  He thought he was OK using the 'W' button.

[HoofsandWings]

The 2014 harvest report was about the same.
Usually only about a quarter of those drawn actually hunt bear. Look over all of the units. Those hunting are only a fraction of those drawn.