White river/Hancock pass, bear advice?

[270]

First time buying the pass. Mainly bought it for bear. I would appreciate any advice/help. Thanks!

[notellumcreek]

They are in there you can find them in 4+ year old cuts down low behind the mill aug 1st eating berries not a ton of nice area up high and the mucks gated off a chunk of that last I heard. I could be wrong but I do believe they also run thier dogs in there for bear. I'm sure you will find them if you spend the time good luck

[BeerBugler]

I've seen quite a few over the years but the mucks have really ruined the whole thing. They have always been in there but now they own it. Every year more restrictions, more mucks, and less area for the permit holders.

[270]

Thanks guys! Talking to some buddies, they pretty much said the same thing  I before I got the pass. I just wanted something close to hunt so I can hopefully find where they are at and keep hitting it.

[justyhntr]

There are still a lot of bear in there . It's been our observation that the Mucks tend to run their dogs in a ways off 410 . Right along the 410 corridor , say with-in a mile or so the area gets pretty much untouched . 3 years ago I took a bear with-in full view of 410 . We had to walk 2 miles to get to the spot but we hunted right above 410 . Last year my wife missed a bear that was with-in 200 yards of 410 and I had 2 in bow range in the same area , got winded both times . Look for the berries that are not easily seen from the logging roads and you will find bear .  We don't buy the drive-in anymore because of the horrible archery deer opportunity but we still buy the walk-in to hunt bear . As has been the trend in the last couple years with the fire danger shut downs you may not get to hunt some of early season prime berries but if it's shut down for an extended period and it gets opened in late Aug. - early Sept. , have a spot in mind and get there that first day , it could be some crazy good hunting . Good luck .   

[sjpflooring]

Are you hunting white river our kapowsin ..... Spring bear?

[MuzzyHunter28]

I'm good friends with 270. Question for all; Is the area behind the 64 gate still closed? For good? That's where I've seen bears. Up high. I haven't bought the pass in a few years. What's going on with that area being closed? Elk Migration? I'd only buy the pass for Bear Hunting. Especially if that area behind 64 gate was re-opened.....

[270]

I will be hunting whiteriver general season. Thank you justyhntr for the good info! Good luck to you.

[justyhntr]

I'm good friends with 270. Question for all; Is the area behind the 64 gate still closed? For good? That's where I've seen bears. Up high. I haven't bought the pass in a few years. What's going on with that area being closed? Elk Migration? I'd only buy the pass for Bear Hunting. Especially if that area behind 64 gate was re-opened.....

It's my under standing is that they closed the 64 gate this winter because of the snow and that the Mucks were feeding the elk in there . The mucks didn't want people "harassing the elk at the feed station " . Don't know that  as fact but was told by a very good source . It's also my understanding that the gate is open for access now until Jan. 2018 when they close all access until March31 under the new  rules .