Scouting help!!!

[Stalkin Prey]

Hey everyone, first off I appreciate all the knowledge on this forum. Sometimes it can be difficult to find people willing to share hard earned knowledge. I'm new to the west side and haven't had a chance to put boots on the ground in any GMU. That being said I've never had a chance to go bear hunting. I've read a lot of great info on this forum but I still find myself scratching my head as to where to start. I have no issues getting out and scouting and putting miles on my boots but I have no clue as to what GMU to even look at. I'm in no way asking or wanting anyone else's honey holes. I'm looking for info on how you guys choose what areas to scout and where to possibly find info on bear densities. I can get out and spend time in different areas as I've learned that's the best way to gain knowledge but I want to spend my time in areas that actually have bears.  I've been looking at some maps and I've been thinking about scouting around the south cascades as I'm planning on elk hunting the same area. Again I am in no way looking or wanting your honey holes. Just looking for more info to expand my knowledge of the areas and hopefully be successful come august. If you don't want to post anything but are willing to PM me I'd greatly appreciate all the help I can get.


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[Skyvalhunter]

You are talking non permit hunters it sounds like, as they have a specific area they can hunt. Those not fortunate enough to draw usually scout. Problem is a lot of times where you see the bears in the spring and summer is not always where you find them during the fall hunting season. What part of the state will you be hunting bears?

[Stalkin Prey]

I was thinking out around mount Adams and Gifford Pinchot. West side. I have really considered going east side as well. But since I live near Olympia scouting would be little easier over here time wise.


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[pianoman9701]

Mt. Adams covers a lot of territory and there's a lot of sick forest around there, all choked with debris and very little forage. There are some elk but it takes a lot of boot time to find 'em.

[Fozzie Bear]

I hunted elk north of Adams, east of the crest trail in Nov., two of the last four yrs. The fellows I hunt with have taken elk from there in past.  I saw elk sign for scattered critters in groups of 3 or less. No bear sign that I recall. Really beautiful woods in general. 
You might look around in areas that are east of Mt. St. Helens, maybe a little south of east.


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[Stalkin Prey]

Thanks for the info. What season where you hunting if you don't mind me asking?


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[Fozzie Bear]

General rifle in late Nov.
sorry for the slow response, I'm still figuring out tapatalk and had not noticed your latest post.


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[Stalkin Prey]

No worries. New to the app myself. Have you hunted the wet side a lot?


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[Fozzie Bear]

Not hunting anywhere is much as I'd like ;-). But I'm trying to get out more these days.


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[Stalkin Prey]

Don't think I'll ever be able to hunt as much as I'd like. I'm definitely making it more of a priority these days.


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[Stalkin Prey]

Alright everyone. I've been looking at harvest stats and prospects and basically searching every where for hunting bear on the west side. I'm noticing either a lot less hunters are actually getting out there and trying to be successful or the bears are just migrating out of some of these areas. The more I try and learn the more I realize bear hunting is becoming an addiction. Any ideas if these harvest stats dropping is due to less bear populations or just a lack of effort?


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