Wenaha Spring Bear Past Hunters

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Hey all. I drew the spring Wenaha bear permit. Ordered maps, pouring over Google Earth, have calls into the biologist(s) (yes, I know this is subjective), and hopefully will get to a scouting trip before rut really kicks in. With this said, also looking to talk to a couple of you who have had this tag before about access, locations, best times..etc. Just doing my research before the season hits and trying to get as much info as I can. If you feel like sharing or have some good experiences with this spring bear permit I would love to chat, pm or give me a call. Much appreciated.....
Joel-

[MichaelD]

Had the tag in 2011 or 12. Late winter whatever year it was and no northern access from Dayton or Pomeroy up to Memorial Day. Best way we found that year was to come up from Troy. A lot of the unit was bare and open out of Troy. Bring a set of chains, shovel and chainsaw. Many blow downs across the road north of Troy made the road impassible. ( we forgot all of the above). Don't get impatient and good luck!


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[nwhunter]

On years like this with lots of snow your access will be down by Troy until the very end. Get in as good of shape as you can between now and then or all the research in the world won't do you a bit of good haha. Don't go to early and if you can only do one trip wait until later in May when the green up is spread over more elevations. Hit the ridges and glass and move until you find where they are digging and feeding. Don't expect to see bears on every ridge even though it looks like they should be there. You can go days without seeing a bear and it can be frustrating especially when you have to drive across the state for this hunt so be mentally prepared for that and a heck of a hike out if you kill one.. Good luck and have fun....

[Magnum_Willys]

Take a short range gun with fat round nosed bullets. You don't wanta be packin a 1000 yards outa those canyons 

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

Be prepared for long shots. Most shots are minimum 400 yards with many opportunities up to 1000.

The canyons are just big wide and sweeping. Extremely difficult to "stalk."

Are you backpacking in or driving the perimeter?


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[JWEBB]

If any perimeter driving is part of the plan you better have a good sled!

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Thanks for the help. I plan on backpacking. I go with several friends every year to either Idaho or Oregon on backcountry hunts for elk and consider myself in good shape and used to the going in 10+ miles and staying a week at a time. Already hitting the treadmill and lots of hiking for shed season tho. I have a Tikka T3 Lite 30.06 or a Tikka T3 Lite .270 that I am very competent at for long range as well as close....just trying to get info for the back-county areas and access points from primarily the people that have had this tag before. 
Thank you again- Joel