With this cooler weather should I postpone my spring bear hunt?

[RadSav]

It is all about food right now.  Temperature has little to do with hibernation.  If a boar can get more nutrition than it burns trying to find it they will stay awake.  That is why they don't fully hibernate on the coast.  Sows obviously have other issues to deal with that will make them more sensitive to weather changes when cubs are too young.  Photo period, phases and cub size seem to have more to do with when they start breeding.  So that may keep the boars from wandering until later in May and early June.  But, if the food is in good supply closer to the dens they should be out.

I have no idea what the Wenaha food sources look like.  So can't really give any advise on whether to postpone or go now.  A few weeks later sure wouldn't hurt, IMO.

[huntnnw]

They are definitely out earlier this year in NE WA.. We don't see many bears before may most years. Bears have been very active starting a month ago up north. We saw 4 in one weekend without much effort

[huntnnw]

My buddy just flew into the Selway wilderness last weekend and saw lots of bear sign there

[Chesapeake]

According to the news the Yellowstone grizzly's got up a month early this year. First sightings were early February.
So maybe the Wenaha bears will be similarly early???

[trophyhunt]

Lot to think about, I'm pulling a trailer so my dad will be comfortable so it's a long haul.  I'm only pulling the trailer once, if I go back myself it will be a tent.  I do think it will be better hunting in a few weeks, it sure is hard to pull the reigns back.  It sounds like a guy could still find bears if we did go early, I'm just used to seeing 3 to 4 bears in a couple days over there in the past.  Tough choice here, but I love having this tag.   

[CAMPMEAT]

It rained here last night and it was 37 at my house and most likely, a bit of snow on Boulder Pass. Grass is greening up really nice..

[Killmore]

Does anyone have a grass report for the adladdin unit? Radsav?

[180-GRAIN]

I met a local on my wenaha hunt last week. He flew our buddy over the area in a plane to familiarize him with the area and see if they could spot a bear. They did not see any bear moving at all. First day of my hunt I did a 7 hour hike and only managed to spot a sow with a big cub with her. Food was not plentiful on the mountain but it was greening up by the time I left last sunday. That local said the bear were up a month early up there but he seemed to think they were down on the flats not up high yet. He also said rule of thumb for that are is if the rattle snakes are out the bears are out? Don't know if that's true or not but we did see a rattler down by the river.

[trophyhunt]

I met a local on my wenaha hunt last week. He flew our buddy over the area in a plane to familiarize him with the area and see if they could spot a bear. They did not see any bear moving at all. First day of my hunt I did a 7 hour hike and only managed to spot a sow with a big cub with her. Food was not plentiful on the mountain but it was greening up by the time I left last sunday. That local said the bear were up a month early up there but he seemed to think they were down on the flats not up high yet. He also said rule of thumb for that are is if the rattle snakes are out the bears are out? Don't know if that's true or not but we did see a rattler down by the river.

Thanks for the report, it would be damn cool to fly over that unit in a small plane.  I'm starting to think seriously of waiting till the middle of may, the ticks might be worse then but if more bears  are out it would be worth it.  Are you going back for more?  Thanks again

[trophyhunt]

Well I talked with my dad and I think it would be better if we wait a little bit longer.  Looking at leaving May 13th instead, the past years we have been drawn we have done very well on Memorial weekend but he is moving that week so the 13th it is.  Thanks for the input, I'm sure either way we are making a good decision. 

[180-GRAIN]

Going to try and head back over the 15th myself. Good luck!

[trophyhunt]

Going to try and head back over the 15th myself. Good luck!

You too, I will be on the Troy side.  Probably be the only guy up there with a 26' trailer, stop by for a beer if your in the area. 

[RadSav]

Does anyone have a grass report for the adladdin unit? Radsav?

Did you draw again already?

[pashok23]

I wouldn't bother going until at least the middle of May.

Im going on 16th

[trophyhunt]

I wouldn't bother going until at least the middle of May.

Im going on 16th

That's 3 of us now going the same time, Maybe some celebratory beer at night!