My first attempt at hunting a bear

[royalmarkw]

Yesterday was my first time going out to hunt for a bear ever.  After doing a bunch of studying and reading forums such as this one I decided to head up to the Mt. Baker area in search for a good beginning point.  I was also using this trip as an opportunity to scout out some high buck hunting areas.  I trekked into the Mt. Baker Wilderness via the Ptarmigan ridge trail at Artist Point.  I found a beautiful valley that seemed to be full of opportunity. So I sat and glassed it for about an hour.  At this time I saw that the fog was really starting to roll in from over the ridge so I decided to pack out.  I didn't see any bear or deer but it is truly promising area and I plan on going back.  During my hike out I passed lots of hikers on the trail who were oblivious to the fact that it was hunting season and that people were allowed to hunt back there even though they have signs posted at the trailhead.  I have attached some pictures of what I was glassing.  Am I on the right track?

[Jason]

Looks like awesome country, keep at it and you'll see pooh bear!

[notellumcreek]

Looks like awesome country, keep at it and you'll see pooh bear!

   I would be going back there if I were you 

[saylean]

Looks gorgeous. Surely there are bear around. They might not be right by the trail because of the human interaction, but they may not care too. I was hunting bear late in the season a few years back, snow on the ground. Ended up calling in two bears and my brother shot one (the bears were not together), right off the trail. Hikers on the way out had no idea bear were in the area....funny how that is. We were polite and chatted with those who wanted to learn about it. One group straight up turned around and left because they were scared of bears.

Keep at it, youll find success.

PS...welcome to the forum.

[royalmarkw]

Looks gorgeous. Surely there are bear around. They might not be right by the trail because of the human interaction, but they may not care too. I was hunting bear late in the season a few years back, snow on the ground. Ended up calling in two bears and my brother shot one (the bears were not together), right off the trail. Hikers on the way out had no idea bear were in the area....funny how that is. We were polite and chatted with those who wanted to learn about it. One group straight up turned around and left because they were scared of bears.

Keep at it, youll find success.

PS...welcome to the forum.

I did just that, I greeted and chatted with all of the hikers coming in.  I answered there questions politely and gave them the right of way on the trail.  What really cracked me up was when I came off the trail into the parking lot there was a US forest service tent surrounded by a bunch of hikers. A couple of them were shocked at the sight of me saying "That guy's gotta gun".  The ranger looked over at me, smiled, and replied, "hunting season is open right now.  Please be aware that you may see hunters or even hear gunshots while hiking.  It is highly advices that you stay on the trails, and where bright colors while hiking during hunting season".  I looked back at her and thanked her for that reminder. 

[baker5150]

We were in the MBSNF yesterday as well.  Saw 2 bears at first light that gave us the slip
Saw lots of grouse and a couple deer.  Lots hikers as well. 

[royalmarkw]

Went out for round two today.  I was trying to avoid areas where there might be lots of hikers as well as finding a good place to hunt at lower elevations.  Such few accesses restricting so many thousands of acres.  Everywhere I went that was open there were people, lots of them too.  If I didn't have appointments tomorrow I would still be up there camping in the first spot I found.  I would have saved so much gas and time.  I hate living so far away from the woods. Hopefully I'll have more time to hunt next week.

[tgomez]

Find where you have timber,brush,berries, and that leads to a water source. Hunt near where the water is. It has been a dry year atleast on East side of Washington. I saw 4 bear in 2.5 days of hunting. The bear were about 2,000 ft lower than they usually are this time of year. I shot my bear at about the 2,500 ft range on September 5th. Stick with it and keep giving your best effort, it WILL pay off eventually. GOOD LUCK-SHOOT STRAIGHT