Free: Contests & Raffles.
Supposedly there are a thriving population of grizzlies in 113. Everyone who lives up here has a "I saw a grizzly" story. I personally have been all over 113 and seen a lot of black bears, some light brown color phase bears, but I have never seen a grizzly. I think it is a myth, kind of like the myth that there are no wolves in the blues.
A friend of mine sent me a picture of them from BC off Crowsnest trail (Hwy 3). Bull and a few cows. From what I understand of their home range in Wa, you would need to hike into the NE corner, maybe off off Shedroof divide or Salmo Basin. The only issue is being there when they are.
Not that I'm going to side one way or the other... but bear breeding season is from May to June/July (spring bear season). You have a species with a low population density that, according to species conservation, needs all the help it an get to increase the population, which is what they (WDFW) desire. It was most likely considered that the number of people running around the area hunting would adversely affect breeding. Hence it is closed in the spring and open in the fall.
Quote from: Expedition Scout on March 30, 2015, 10:10:54 AMNot that I'm going to side one way or the other... but bear breeding season is from May to June/July (spring bear season). You have a species with a low population density that, according to species conservation, needs all the help it an get to increase the population, which is what they (WDFW) desire. It was most likely considered that the number of people running around the area hunting would adversely affect breeding. Hence it is closed in the spring and open in the fall.i have not seen any shortage of bear in 113. It may not have the numbers 117 has but there are plenty of bear IMO. I also don't see a spring bear season being pressured enough to upset the breeding season since they control how many tags are issued. To be fair I only hunt the kings lake /skookum's area of 113
Quote from: jasnt on March 30, 2015, 10:23:55 AMQuote from: Expedition Scout on March 30, 2015, 10:10:54 AMNot that I'm going to side one way or the other... but bear breeding season is from May to June/July (spring bear season). You have a species with a low population density that, according to species conservation, needs all the help it an get to increase the population, which is what they (WDFW) desire. It was most likely considered that the number of people running around the area hunting would adversely affect breeding. Hence it is closed in the spring and open in the fall.i have not seen any shortage of bear in 113. It may not have the numbers 117 has but there are plenty of bear IMO. I also don't see a spring bear season being pressured enough to upset the breeding season since they control how many tags are issued. To be fair I only hunt the kings lake /skookum's area of 113I would agree as long as we are talking black bears, however we were discussing grizzly bears. So the response is to say that a spring bear season (for black bears) maybe enough disruption during the bear breeding season (taking into account grizzlies are breeding also) to cause WDFW to not offer any tags for that unit, but still offer OTC bear fall tags during a time when the breeding season is completed.This has nothing to do with the black bear population which I agree is very high, only to provide an answer for (huntnnw) why there is a OTC fall hunt and no spring tag in 113.117 and 111 both have been known to have grizzlies through the area, but not a population or listed as a grizzly recovery area.