What makes you choose your spring bear hunt?

[millerwheeler]

So I have never hunted hard for bears and in last few years have just put in for points . Well 2017 I'm gonna put in for the draw with 6 points. I have been to some areas during deer and elk season other areas have only seen pics or read about. I live in piece County and I know I'd have to buy a Hancock pass for the areas close to me which doesn't bother me a ton cause I know I can spend more time there  but the northeast corner and Southeast corner are both just so beautiful  and may get to give me a more memorable  hunt but I may have to make several trips as scouting and the unknown realm.

So what I'm asking is like any hunt what makes it appeal to you is it numbers , success,  seeking other animals for another season, she'd hunting

Just trying to get some imput and our units you guys like and why

[lewy]

Familiarity

[justyhntr]

I put in for Kapowsin because we are in there any way scouting and predator hunting and if we come across a bear we can shoot it . If I had 6 points , there is no way I would burn them on Kapowsin , I usually draw that tag with 1 point and of the 150 tags they give I think the number of bears killed is in there is usually less than 10 a season . 2015 saw 6 killed and 5 were investigated . We're building points for my wife , we are looking at the N.E. corner for her. When she draws we'll buy one of Dale's at Bearpaw Outfitters maps and head that direction .

[h20hunter]

Close to home equals time in the woods.

[Southpole]

NE corner for the sheer numbers.... and I have a cabin to stay in which helps, but really there's just a ton of bears around the area I'm familiar with in the 101.

[dreamunelk]

Only put in for units that you are familiar with!  Just because you can add more choices does not mean you should.  Pick one or two that you know well and are close enough to hunt. If you don't get drawn then at least you get points. It is simply amazing how many people I have met over the years who put in for hunts blind and then complain.  Bear hunting is not easy!

[ghosthunter]

Close to home equals time in the woods.

 

[millerwheeler]

Really appreciate  the feedback guys

[millerwheeler]

Only put in for units that you are familiar with!  Just because you can add more choices does not mean you should.  Pick one or two that you know well and are close enough to hunt. If you don't get drawn then at least you get points. It is simply amazing how many people I have met over the years who put in for hunts blind and then complain.  Bear hunting is not easy!

There is only one way to learn a u it and that is to go there and put some miles down ,network  with friends /family/fellow hunters , and maps

It's no different than fishing you try new spots for different outcomes

You have to put in effort to get success but everyone had to go somewhere new at some point

[snake]

Go where the bear are. Time in the woods does not necessarily =killing a bear.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

It's frustrating to watch 25/50 tags in the Wenaha go un-hunted every year.

I'm assuming because it's too far for some, and others drive to it...look down and say no thank you.


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[dmoua]

It's frustrating to watch 25/50 tags in the Wenaha go un-hunted every year.

I'm assuming because it's too far for some, and others drive to it...look down and say no thank you.


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Hopefully I'll draw again this year. If not then I'll be in Idaho.

[Jonathan_S]

It's frustrating to watch 25/50 tags in the Wenaha go un-hunted every year.

I'm assuming because it's too far for some, and others drive to it...look down and say no thank you.


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I think a lot of that too is people show up too early and there is still 2' of snow

[millerwheeler]

It's frustrating to watch 25/50 tags in the Wenaha go un-hunted every year.

I'm assuming because it's too far for some, and others drive to it...look down and say no thank you.


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The blues can  definitely be overwhelming your first time there but  be really cool tag to draw

[Duckhunter14]

Go where the bear are. Time in the woods does not necessarily =killing a bear.

Agreed. Burned 5 points last year on the North Skagit hunt and although my buddy killed a dandy bear opening weekend (he drew with 5 points also), I hunted the area hard something like 17 or 18 more times and only saw 2 small bears. According to the Fish and Game there were a total of 6 bears harvested between the Monroe and North Skagit hunt. Monroe had 2 successful hunters and North Skagit had 4. Personally I will be putting my points towards the NE or SE from now on.   

[The scout]

Close to home does not equal more time in the woods for me, with younger kids at home I find if I don't do some sort of destination hunt I can't seem to find the time to make into the woods. I would rather take a couple four day weekends or longer trips. Also like to learn and check out new areas.

[millerwheeler]

Close to home does not equal more time in the woods for me, with younger kids at home I find if I don't do some sort of destination hunt I can't seem to find the time to make into the woods. I would rather take a couple four day weekends or longer trips. Also like to learn and check out new areas.

That's seems to be my exact thoughts

[notellumcreek]

I think it depends on the OP home situation then. With kids sounds like getaway long weekends are the way to go but if not then putting in a for a unit close would be the way to go it's nice to be able to run out later on in the season after work and still have a few hours of daylight, less likely to encounter other hunters in the area as well. 

[huntingfool7]

I put in for Kapowsin because we are in there any way scouting and predator hunting and if we come across a bear we can shoot it . If I had 6 points , there is no way I would burn them on Kapowsin , I usually draw that tag with 1 point and of the 150 tags they give I think the number of bears killed is in there is usually less than 10 a season . 2015 saw 6 killed and 5 were investigated . We're building points for my wife , we are looking at the N.E. corner for her. When she draws we'll buy one of Dale's at Bearpaw Outfitters maps and head that direction .

@ justyhntr  That line..."5 were investigated".  Are you saying that 5 out of 6 bears were poached in Hancock?

I'll second the above, if I had 6 points, I would not burn it in Hancock.  Go East, then come back in a year and pull a Hancock tag with 1 point.
I pulled two Hancock permits on back to back 1 point draws.  Burning 6 points on an easy draw, low odds hunt doesn't make sense to me.  Especially if it means buying a pass you wouldn't have otherwise.

[millerwheeler]

I think it depends on the OP home situation then. With kids sounds like getaway long weekends are the way to go but if not then putting in a for a unit close would be the way to go it's nice to be able to run out later on in the season after work and still have a few hours of daylight, less likely to encounter other hunters in the area as well. 

Ya long  getaways are better I don't mind  loading the whole family up and they have a camping  party while I'm out putting miles down

[justyhntr]

I put in for Kapowsin because we are in there any way scouting and predator hunting and if we come across a bear we can shoot it . If I had 6 points , there is no way I would burn them on Kapowsin , I usually draw that tag with 1 point and of the 150 tags they give I think the number of bears killed is in there is usually less than 10 a season . 2015 saw 6 killed and 5 were investigated . We're building points for my wife , we are looking at the N.E. corner for her. When she draws we'll buy one of Dale's at Bearpaw Outfitters maps and head that direction .

@ justyhntr  That line..."5 were investigated".  Are you saying that 5 out of 6 bears were poached in Hancock?

I'll second the above, if I had 6 points, I would not burn it in Hancock.  Go East, then come back in a year and pull a Hancock tag with 1 point.
I pulled two Hancock permits on back to back 1 point draws.  Burning 6 points on an easy draw, low odds hunt doesn't make sense to me.  Especially if it means buying a pass you wouldn't have otherwise.

huntingfool7
I believe charges were filed on one , the other 4 they could not find enough evidence of baiting so the last I heard they were not charged . There does appear to be quite of baiting that goes on during the spring season in Kapowsin . Guys like to buy the liquid attractant , place it where they can see it from a distance and wait . Without witnessing them putting it out it's pretty hard for the WDFW to prove they are doing it . Because of what we saw last year we won't be putting in for that tag again . 

[saylean]

Where can I draw that I can access easily and know or semi know....
Skagit and Monroe, although I would love to try an eastern wa permit.