First time hunter, but very determined, any help apprecaited! (scouting)

[lurikeen]

Hey guys, I don't know anyone who hunts, but I have been reading books and doing research over the last few months on how to hunt black bear. I'm really excited.

I have found that there isn't really a ton of information on spot and stalk online, like we need to do here in WA ("No Bait….Just Bears" is what I'll be reading after scouting this weekend, I just downloaded it).

I've done a lot of backpacking, and will hike in as far as I need to to get myself a bear, but my scouting hasn't been going too well. I just went to Mt. Dickerman last weekend, which had tons of berries past about 4,200 feet, but it is almost an all day hike up there, so I know the meat would spoil before I could get it all out. I'm not sure how to get to the high elevation areas without running into this problem.

For scouting this weekend, I was thinking of checking out the area north of Sultan, where there are some logged areas. My hope is that there will be berries in them, despite being lower elevation. What do you guys think? Am I on the right track there? I don't mind driving anywhere to get the best chance for myself -- I could use ALL the advantages I can get. I'd like to stick to the westside though, simply since the eastside is so dang hot.

I'll be able to go out almost every weekend in the season. Once I find a nice spot, does that mean I should stay there all day and just wait? Or should I get a few spots to move around between during the day?

Anything else you want to add would be appreciated too!

[Smoke]

spot and stalk.... pretty much means take good bino's, walk a few yards, spend 15-30 minutes glassing the opposite hill side, move a few yards and repeat... when ya spot a bear comes the stalk part... watch bear to determine where he's heading, then slowly and quietly approach from down wind and set up for him... option 2.... accidentally spill some bacon grease on yourself at breakfast... go in woods, find a good spot, and wait... bear will find you

[tgomez]

Bring a nice large pack with an interior frame, a bone saw, 2 knives , game bags, 10 power binoculars, and your favorite rifle/bow/muzzle loader, a good pair of waterproff boots/gear. Where uou find the berries is where you will find the bears. Hunt as high as possible where the berries are still around, and find a water source near the berries. Be patient and listen, bears get loud at times when tearing through the forrest grubbing, and look for berry bushes moving from bear raking the berries of with their pads/claws. I recommend you stay on each stand atleast 1 hour before movung location. Good luck, bear huntinf really gets the adrenaline going like no other!!!!

[Netminder01]

YouTube + a few very well written magazines are great tools. To be honest, I'd also put this forum squarely in the box of resources you should lean on as you develop a better understanding of techniques, GMU's and useful tactics. I started hunting about 10 years ago, much later than most so I took information and insights from everywhere I could get them - and still do. There are so many smart, savvy outdoorsman (and women) that approach hunting the right way and these are the people to follow.

Not knowing your financial situation, I would strongly recommend doing a hunt with a guide or semi-guided hunt or two. Like you, I didn't have too many people in my close group of friends who hunted and I needed inputs from those that did in order to connect the dots and to apply things in the field I had learned via media or books - semi-guided hunts allowed me to do this. 

The likelihood of you continuing to hunt will be rooted in some early successes and unless you have access to private land, or a friend who knows certain areas, you may not be successful early on - get frustrated and not remain committed to hunting. For the cost of a semi-guided hunt you have a much higher chance of success of a shot and will likely see game.

There are plenty of folks on here that could provide recommendations or look through the site sponsor list of those organizations that provide these experiences. I can tell you, I've onboarded more than a few people into hunting in my own life that I never really thought would enjoy it but through wildlife interactions and shot opportunities you learn far more than hiking in the woods while your experience base builds.

PM me if you'd like any other info.

[dune]

Spend enough day on any clear cut and you will kill a bear

[boneaddict]

Find the food, find a bear.

[full strutting]

I wouldn't just look for berries, only. Find sign, tracks, torn up stumps and poop. Every areas a little different than the other. Good luck


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[Timberstalker]

Find the food, find a bear.

This is the soundest advice you will receive.  If you build it they will come, so to speak.