What happened to west side bear hunting?

[luvmystang67]

D-rock doesn't seem to have problems.  I think it has a lot to do with getting out of your truck.

Do not give him this much credit....

[rasbo]

I have taken several people up where  I used to hunt,only 2 of them would stay where I told them to stay,they got bears,the others were afraid of the area it was to thick..An old houndsman showed me a couple of trails bears used every year,and these trails put out..They were steep ridges with tons of cover...Lots of small drainages which the bears love, running off these ridges..The bears are still there,the people for the most part wont get after them..Geez and some of the crap folks think they have to bring everytime  they get out of the rig is unreal...Damn ya would think they were hiking the pacific crest trail south to north...Man I wish I still had the legs to hunt these areas...

I'd like to hear more about how you hunt the west side ridges. Do you find them running ridges during day? I've never seen a bear in timber yet, always the open. I actually know of a timbered ridge which i saw huge bear piles but it was in mature timber so limited visibility. Are you sitting on this ridge all day every day till it produces?

I've shot bears in the am and pm,and at noonish...if its breeding time I will park on one trail,but I love to side hill using thermals,walking very slow and listen and call in some..Its very close hunting so you must pay attention to wind and thermal..when these clear cuts are full grown bears can be feeding and you will never see some of them..Ive only had one bear try to put the hurt on me and that was while I was hiking in deer hunting one morning,he came at me and I shot him point blank in the face,he flipped over and hauled butt ,I went back down to the road and checked myself to see if I leaked anything in my drawers..went and got my partner who was in another drainage,we found what looked like pieces of tongue or lips,we tracked that bear with a good blood trail over a mile,then it started pouring rain we lost all sign after another 1/2mile or so,and we were trespassing at that time no bear..His front pad was 6 1/2 inches....

[Turner89]

Last year we had end of august weather by 4th of july weekend.  Berries were gone by bear season, and fire closures.  Besides last year, I haven't noticed any difference in my area.
 I haven't made it out in the woods all summer this year due to work, but I would think this should be a good year for berries, and bears.

[h20hunter]

Turner..had a BRUTE on cam up at the flamingos. Woth a walk by the bowl and the rocks if you are up there.

[Turner89]

I'm going up somewhere tomorrow,  not sure where yet.   The flamingos still doing their thing? Lol

[bear hunter]

Going out tomorrow to. Good luck every one

[h20hunter]

Yep. The bruiser.....big hog....carried one away.

[Turner89]

4 bears were shot yesturday that I know of. The black berries are about a week from being full blown ripe at the elevation we were at......this should be a great year.
  My sons bear at 7:30 last night.

[jackmaster]

Congrats to your son, that is awesome man