Bear size

[BKMFR]

Does anyone know what the biologist say the average weight of a Black Bear is in the State of Washington, Male - Female?

[tgomez]

Average bear is 150-170lbs

[BKMFR]

Trying to find out what biologist actually state... According to NAHC males are 195 lbs., and females 116.5 lbs but wanted to see if State biologist back that up. Seems a little heavy for the average male to me....
Thanks for the reply.

[JimmyHoffa]

For the coast, I remember the fed bios saying that bears in a drainage with salmon were longer and heavier 50-75 lbs than bears in the drainage one over without salmon.  I seem to remember 150F/200M w/o salmon and 200F/250M w/salmon.

[X-Force]

I think it would be hard to have a pinned down number because Washington bears can gain as much as 35% of their body weight each fall. Would the weights be spring, summer or fall?

Climatically Washington bears are pretty diverse too which would skew results.

[time2hunt]

I would say average male 275-300 here in eastern Washington


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[Timberstalker]

Time2hunt - That's a bruiser, although I don't think the average is 275-300. Nice bear nonetheless.

[time2hunt]

I just think 200 lbs is a little on the light side for a mature male bear mid to late summer. Im curious on how this thread progresses and what other members have to say👍


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[Timberstalker]

Interesting for sure. 

[ghosthunter]

Well I thought my spring bear was small compared to my buddies bear. But the Taxi told me 150 lbs. was a average bear in Washington.

[LDennis24]

This bear was supposedly from Russia...  Yes it's real. The pic I mean.

[Tikka300wsm]

Well I thought my spring bear was small compared to my buddies bear. But the Taxi told me 150 lbs. was a average bear in Washington.

Your buddies bear was a stud bear, especially for a spring bear. 150 lbs is an average bear. Obviously certain areas hold bigger bears but it all depends on feed and hunting pressure. 

[carpsniperg2]

I think 150 to 175 would be pretty solid guess. Also if you are talking just walking around or killed. Plus the time of year.

[dogfish]

I've taken or been part of the harvest of 8 bears in the past few years.  From our corner of the world, near McCleary, 3 boars were 305-330lbs.  One sow was 240.  One boar was 251.  The rest were 140-200. 

[boneaddict]

id say 85% are under 200

id also say most "500 pounders" are under 300

[Machias]

 

Last official listing I saw for WA said the average sow was 140 and the average boar for Washington was 160.  This is a few years old though.