Are Electronic Call for Black Bears Legal?

[6.8mmARHunter]

Is it legal to use electronic calls for Black Bears here in WA in the Fall? How about during the Summer, just to lure one in for a photo or two? I looked in the Hunting Regs and I didn't see anything.

Thanks,




sam

[h20hunter]

For sure. Fire up that ecaller!

[grundy53]

Yup

[Seahawk12]

The only mention I see in the regs is that you can't use electronic calls on water fowl and deer.
http://app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-12-257

[Bofire]

and turkeys
Carl

[Machias]

I would NOT recommend using a call for bear just for photos.  Animals that are called in and leave are that much harder to call in the next time and as smart as bears are they don't need additional education.  Also, I have had bears called in become aggressive.  You will be hard pressed to explain how you had to defend yourself out of season when you called one in.   

[grundy53]

I would NOT recommend using a call for bear just for photos.  Animals that are called in and leave are that much harder to call in the next time and as smart as bears are they don't need additional educations.  Also, I have had bears called in become aggressive.  You will be hard pressed to explain how you had to defend yourself out of season when you called one in.   

the first bear I ever called in I killed as it was running in. I shot it at under ten yards and I don't think it was going to stop before it plowed into me.

[6.8mmARHunter]

As a follow on, I think it would be foolish to be sitting out in bear country with an electronic call wailing away and not being armed with something to protect yourself from the biggest critter out there...

Would a game warden accuse a person of bear hunting out of season if he came across some one armed and calling?

I could explain I'm just trying to call them in to get pictures. Or, i suppose I could just say I'm trying to call in coyotes.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[6.8mmARHunter]

I would NOT recommend using a call for bear just for photos.  Animals that are called in and leave are that much harder to call in the next time and as smart as bears are they don't need additional educations.  Also, I have had bears called in become aggressive.  You will be hard pressed to explain how you had to defend yourself out of season when you called one in.   

the first bear I ever called in I killed as it was running in. I shot it at under ten yards and I don't think it was going to stop before it plowed into me.

Yeah, that's definitely something to consider...

[h20hunter]

I would say you would be up for a possible citaion. If hunting yotes you would not have a big game caliber rifle. At least I would not. If you are calling and say have a .308 on your lap for yotes you could be accused, and possibly cited for hunting bear out of season. Kind of like if you are sitting over bait deer hunting and also have a bear tag on hand. One could make the case that you were hunting bear over bait because why would you have a tag if not hunting? See what I mean.

I also would not call bears simply for picture taking.

[Jonathan_S]

I also would not call bears simply for picture taking.

  no way Jose. They come in slobbering and looking for meat. Been there done that and got the t shirt. Only thing that is scarier is having a cougar sneak in on you. I have that t shirt too but I had to throw it away if you catch my drift. 

[6.8mmARHunter]

OK, so I hear you all... Not a good idea to call in bears just for pictures. Especially, if armed for "preceived" bear hunting.

I've been doing some coyote calling over in Eastern WA lately (Columbia Basin). There is next to zero chance of calling in a bear over there...

I want to try and call in some coyotes over on this side of the Mts. (I'm getting tired of the 3hr drive) and there is a much higher chance of getting a bear coming in over here. I would be carrying a 12ga with #4 Buckshot.

I guess I just take my chances with the Bears and the game wardens.

[h20hunter]

Anyone want to chime in on cats? I'm sure if you are calling you could get a lion just as easily as a bear. Bears move with a lot more noise in my experience. Never been that close to a big ol kitty so can't comment there.

Meow? Oh, hello kitty!

[6.8mmARHunter]

Anyone want to chime in on cats? I'm sure if you are calling you could get a lion just as easily as a bear. Bears move with a lot more noise in my experience. Never been that close to a big ol kitty so can't comment there.

Meow? Oh, hello kitty!

JohnathanS talked about (above) a cat sneaking up on him. It sounded like it was a little to exciting for him. Lol.

I'm thinking I would find some place where I could have my back against some cliffs, and the caller and mojo decoy 30 yards down slope.

I guess I'll see how it goes. Hopefully, call in some fawn killing coyotes but no Bear nor Big Kitty...

[h20hunter]

Here is a spot that I set up last time I was out. I liked this perch quite a bit. I've got a nice shooting lane ahead of me, the caller and rabbit decoy is to the left of the picture. I'm about 30 or so feet up and well concealed. Sadly, nothing came in but I've got a bob and plenty of yote action on cam to give it another try.