Can you skin grizz... (black bear in 117)... pilgrim

[skagit1234]

Long story short, college student @WSU and decided to get into big game hunting this year. Buddies and I put in for Spring Bear thinking no way we would get drawn... Well I was drawn for GMU 117 and have since done copious amounts of homework as well as practice shooting. Scouted areas between 3,000-4,000 elevation and grass is growing well on the south facing slopes. We have seen multiple moose, deer and what seems like 1,000,000 turkeys but absolutely no sign of black bear.

Have talked with multiple resources and the areas we have been checking out seem like they will be productive, only have the remainder of the month to go up and hunt due to graduation and beginning a career that does not coincide with multiple days off.

Kicker, from resources we should be seeing bear scat and prints in the areas we are working... Hiked roughly 15 miles round trip each scouting trip for a total of 45 boot miles.. Lots of trees in the area are torn up from 5 feet up all the way to the base (looks like they are from last season), seems like a good sign right? New to big game hunting and any wise words will help (even a confidence boost at this point)! Thank you all and Go Cougs!

If anyone knows where to find Bearclaw in them there mountains let Pilgrim know

[bearpaw]

It's too cold, bear are not out much yet. Late April might be productive if the weather warms up more. Most likely if it stays cool and rainy you will not see any bear until early to mid May.

[Timberstalker]

The bears aren't out moving on the East Side yet (still in hibernation) - I'd give it 2 weeks, and go back.  You still may be early, but that's all the time you have.

On previous spring bear hunts, I haven't seen many bears prior to May 1st - this was in a different unit, however similar elevations.  There are some exceptions, but for the most part this timing proves true, year in and year out.

Good luck, and have fun.

[skagit1234]

Thank you guys for the input, I have been tracking the Farmers Almanac and we are about 10 degrees below the average temps for the area so this all makes sense! Still praying theres a few that wake on up and get really moving before May... Grass is about 6" long now, one would think they can begin feeding on that right?

Might be time to ask the boss for a long weekend off in May, something tells me low man on the totem pole doesn't have that as an option. LOL

[Timberstalker]

Thank you guys for the input, I have been tracking the Farmers Almanac and we are about 10 degrees below the average temps for the area so this all makes sense! Still praying theres a few that wake on up and get really moving before May... Grass is about 6" long now, one would think they can begin feeding on that right?

Might be time to ask the boss for a long weekend off in May, something tells me low man on the totem pole doesn't have that as an option. LOL

Sounds like you have a bad case of the Flu.........

[bearpaw]

watch the weather forecast, when they say it's going to be sunny and warm then hunt, until then save your fuel money, as timberstalker mentioned the flu might be unavoidable on warm sunny spring days 

[skagit1234]

The Coug will be happy having a returning weekend customer until the sun hits

[carpsniperg2]

Guys have it spot on to early and cold. May get a couple out and about but the majority won’t be up traveling for awhile. I have killed them the end of April and first week of may. I got lucky on the end of April bear. There was snow where I killed him the next day!

[shanevg]

My experience in the NE WA spring hunts was that the later in the season you are the more bears you see.  I think in 2 hunts I only saw one bear before May.  I shot one bear on June 11 and one on June 15 on my two hunts.  June = bear rut and is awesome!

[skagit1234]

My experience in the NE WA spring hunts was that the later in the season you are the more bears you see.  I think in 2 hunts I only saw one bear before May.  I shot one bear on June 11 and one on June 15 on my two hunts.  June = bear rut and is awesome!

Awesome! I think we will keep on heading up that way at least one more weekend in April, maybe hunt Dead/Finals week of classes so beginning of May! June will be hard to swing, as well as anything after graduation.. Career is in Ag so early summer will be busy busy busy (especially with this wet snotty spring) ... Thank you all again for the info and I will post a picture if anyone would like to see Pilgrim become successful!

[snake]

Don't start a career that won't let you hunt.

[E35alex]

Don't start a career that won't let you hunt.

Amen


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[MHWASH]

Don't start a career that won't let you hunt.

Amen

Or a girlfriend

[snohomitch]

Don't start a career that won't let you hunt.

Amen


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Truer words have never been spoken!!!

[skagit1234]

Feel free to send personal advice to my inbox, and just for the record I have been paid to hunt/fish on many business occasions before in the industry I will be working in; including on different continents. Kind of hard to argue against four generations of knowledge in doing what you love. Family, Farming, Hunting/Fishing and Crown Royal paired with Rare Beef... All in that order.

[elkrack]

Mid May would be my 

[TommyH]

Seen a sow with triplets yesterday. Seemed sleepy still... when she got out of the tree she had scurried up, she layed down at  the base of the tree and napped/nursed her cubs.

[skagit1234]

Seen a sow with triplets yesterday. Seemed sleepy still... when she got out of the tree she had scurried up, she layed down at  the base of the tree and napped/nursed her cubs.

Thank you for the info! One would think the boars are beginning to be up and atem as far as food supply goes. I’ll give it another week or so and check for my prospects

[Lapua07]

They are out. Just very lethargic still. I wouldn't get too excited about not seeing much movement yet. Little warmer weather and good grass towards the middle of the season generally gets the activity going. I've drawn 5 spring tags. All successful. Drawn 117 twice. My advice to you would be to give it a couple more weeks if possible. As well as a small elevation drop. 3-4000' elevation in my experiences with these permits is generally a little too high. Last year was the earliest time I have connected on a spring bear on April 23rd. Seen several bears early and very low.

[lokidog]

A couple years ago, my son and I saw tracks in the snow opening weekend of Turkey season in the Teannaway.

Good luck!

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