What makes you choose your spring bear hunt?

[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.