Drew Copalis!

[westside103147]

I drew a Copalis spring bear tag, with one point to boot! This will be my first spring bear season, any knowledge of the area would be extremely helpful! I leave the 10th of May for the summer to fight fire so I wont have a ton of time to hunt. Does any one of past experience with the area?

[notellumcreek]

look for roads with grass. That place is thick. you will have to put your work in or get extremely lucky to get one in there. good luck.

[NW-GSP]

I hunted it without success a few years ago, the thing I found out after being drawn is that they contract guys to hunt the bears in there with dogs. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Pack abunch of sardine sandwiches and eat them real slowly as you wander around looking for BOO BOO.

[Smossy]

Me and my lady hunted copalis spring bear last year. Only seen one bear and didn't see it long enough for her to get the scope on it. Gonnee. Just get to clearcuts. Theres not many..And relax. We had one walk out of the trees 60 yards from us as we parked to take a nap.

[kckrawler]

Also note that they do, or have in the past, charged a fee to access the land you'll be hunting on. Lot's of folks aren't prepared for that and end up not hunting it.

Good luck 

[westside103147]

Sounds like Ill be in for some hard work! I have almost a full month to hunt so hopefully the hard work will pay off.

I already called the Olympia office to get the info for the pass.

[NW-GSP]

When I was drawn there was a $100 access fee.

[Becky]

Rayonier will mail you permit fee information so keep an eye out, you won't get access until season starts though. It was $100 last year, then you'll get a little welcome packet with access maps outlining the open areas.

[XJcoug13]

Copalis was my 3rd choice and I got picked(1. Long Beach 2. Bear River.)  I also drew it last year for spring bear.  Very thick and flat area.  Last year I didnt see any bears but I dont think I really did the tag justice. I just did a couple day trips on my days off, maybe hit the unit 5-7 times over the season, this year I'll camp up there and really put in some time.  I have alot of weekdays off so i rarely saw any hunters but the people I came across said they were seeing 1-2 bears a day.  I also drove past a couple gut piles, so people do kill bears up there.

[MisplacedAlaskan]

I drew it also. I live close to the unit so I'll probably hit it in the evenings after work.

[treefarmer]

I've drawn twice.  Only saw one bear between both seasons and harvested it.   Worked up there for years and most of the Bears we saw were close to  the reservation    The hound hunters avoid hunting along the line because the Bears just run into the res whenever they hear hounds.   Careful not to shoot a brush picker.   Quite a few out there in black rain gear

[bearmanric]

Had it last year. . seen several bears lots of activity. Will be camping again. Rick

[JimmyHoffa]

Rayonier will mail you permit fee information so keep an eye out, you won't get access until season starts though. It was $100 last year, then you'll get a little welcome packet with access maps outlining the open areas.

I think Rayonier changed some policy.  Not sure if it is all lands or just some.  But what they did previously was $100 and only covered the hunting season.  The new version (if I heard right) is $100 for the hunting season(s) and $35 for the rest of the year--so you can scout/hang trail cams/shrooms and berries/fishing/etc.  I think it was to start this year.  Maybe someone has the good info.

[Humptulips]

Just so you know the Indians guide bear hunters and have the boundary lined with bait stations. Used to be a lot of bear on the Res. Not near the same anymore.