Oregon spring bear

[Hawkeye270]

My 13 year old son and I are hoping to draw west blue mountains tags this spring. Anyone have any advice on which areas in this 3 unit area that we should concentrate?  What about timing of the hunt?  It's open April 1 to May 31. I was thinking early May might be best but curious what others suggest?  Thanks

[Tree Killer]

Tons of bears in the Walla Walla unit, but it might be tough getting access into the national forest this spring due to heavy snowfall.  You might be able to hunt right off the 65 Rd coming up out of Mill Creek and kill a bear.

Lots of bear in Mt Emily, with big open canyons to glass. But there again, access might be limited unless you have a snow machine.

Ukiah I don't hear much about when it comes to spring bear hunting.  But driving south on 395 going down Camas Creek it looks really good on the breaks of the Bridge Creek Flats. If you took a raft to cross the creek and hiked back up in some of those canyons I would expect to spot bears. 

 

[trophyelk6x6]

access due to snow is very true, you must have 4 pts to draw and possibly 5                                                             

[go4steelhd]

From what I have seen on my spring bear hunts and trail cameras is the majority of the activities by big boars is May 15-20. But due to access on years that I did draw the bears I have gotten are  the last few days of May like the 26-31. This year may not be a good year to burn your points. And if you are a non resident I definitely would not pay the tag fees with this type of snow. Wait until next year

[GBoyd]

Have no experience to report, but I would suggest that you search through the spring bear threads on Ifish. There's a lot more information centered on Oregon in that forum, so you might find something helpful.

[trophyelk6x6]

non residents face a 71% chance with 5pts but residents can pull 100% with 5 and 41 with 4.  I am point saving and going in with 5 next year hoping to pull. 

[180-GRAIN]

I put in for wenaha with 4 this year. See what happens with access but I'm sure a guy can get some access in there somewhere before the end of the season 

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

And be prepared to shoot long distance.

In my experience in the blues, late April/Early May has seen more bear activity then late May.


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[180-GRAIN]

Results by the end of the week maybe 

[Hawkeye270]

We had 5 points and drew the West Blues!  Lots of snow so I'm planning on hunting the last couple weeks in May. I researched ifish forum and found some good info there to help get started. I'll get a call into the biologist soon as well. Looking forward to camping and lots of glassing and hiking. Should be awesome especially getting to hunt with my son for his first bear.

[trophyelk6x6]