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.

[6.8mmARHunter]

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.

That looks like a pretty legit spot. Good luck next time you go out...

[Machias]

If your goal is to call in a cat you really need to talk to Rainshadow1.  The man was and is years ahead of the competition when it comes to coaxing in lions.  I believe far more cats are called in than hunters ever realize.  They just slip in unseen, watch the area and see the hunter move and slip out unseen.  I have called in 2, one I was completely unaware of, my partner who was bowhunting saw it come in and once while turkey hunting.  Called him into 15 or so feet.  The thing that sticks with me even today is knowing it was there and watching it walk away, I still never heard any sound what so ever.  They are amazing animals!!

[h20hunter]

This:

[CP]

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.

I doubt if anyone would be cited for hunting coyotes with a .308 or for deer hunting over bait with a bear tag on your person.  Both are legal activities.

[Machias]

P.S.  Not all bears make any sound when they respond to a predator call.  Half of the 15 bears I have called in slipped in without any sound what so ever.  The first boar I killed with a predator call came to within 10 yards and was actually standing there starring at me before I had any idea he was there, slobbering, and as I slowly turned my head back to the left made eye contact.  I continued to call as I raised my gun and shot him between the eyes.  I've never called a bear in with an electronic call, all my bears have come in with mouth calls.

[CP]

A big advantage of the E-call is it can be setup several yards away from you so your chances of being snuck up on are much less than when blowing a mouth call.

[Machias]

A big advantage of the E-call is it can be setup several yards away from you so your chances of being snuck up on are much less than when blowing a mouth call.

Very true, except I cannot seem to get the volume and emotion in an e-caller like I can with a mouth call.  I don't have the confidence in the e-caller like I do with mouth calls.

[6.8mmARHunter]

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.

I doubt if anyone would be cited for hunting coyotes with a .308 or for deer hunting over bait with a bear tag on your person.  Both are legal activities.

I wondered about this...

I've known people that have been backpacking and carrying fishing gear, as they were passing lake "A" (closed to fishing) to get to lake "B" (open, to fishing), they were stopped and ticket for fishing in lake A.

Apparently, you can be ticket for intent, not actually breaking the law.

Seems like BS to me...

[Skinnyguts]

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.

I doubt if anyone would be cited for hunting coyotes with a .308 or for deer hunting over bait with a bear tag on your person.  Both are legal activities.

I wondered about this...

I've known people that have been backpacking and carrying fishing gear, as they were passing lake "A" (closed to fishing) to get to lake "B" (open, to fishing), they were stopped and ticket for fishing in lake A.

Apparently, you can be ticket for intent, not actually breaking the law.

Seems like BS to me...

According to this, if you are up in the woods hiking in the summer with a gun, you could potentially be poaching deer, elk, sheep, goats, moose, all trophy animals. Hang 'em!

[Man Tracker]

To give yourself the best option I can think of, call the Regional office nearest to where you are going to hunt.  Ask to talk to an officer or Sgt.  Tell them where you will be and what you are doing.  Let them know a gun is for safety, you are taking pictures.  Not many folks call and tell a warden what they are doing.  Should make for an easier day afield.

[Seahawk12]

To give yourself the best option I can think of, call the Regional office nearest to where you are going to hunt.  Ask to talk to an officer or Sgt.  Tell them where you will be and what you are doing.  Let them know a gun is for safety, you are taking pictures.  Not many folks call and tell a warden what they are doing.  Should make for an easier day afield.

That seems like a completely reasonable thing to do.