Worst bear hunter ever... guide suggestions

[JeffRaines]

So after three years of chasing the elusive(to me anyhow) black bear I think it’s finally time I’ve broken down and paid for a guide. While I don’t think it’ll ever be a cakewalk, there’s some disconnect between what I’m doing and what I should be doing, however I don’t know what it is, and in three years I still haven’t got it. I think being in the field with someone who can consistently spot bears and knows exactly where to look for them will probably teach me a lot more than I’ve learned in the past three years on my own(which by my 0 bears on the ground and 1 spotted, means not that much)

Anyway, does anyone have a suggestion? I could go west or east, or even Idaho. I am looking for spot and stalk public land only. No private, baits or hounds.

Before you say it, I know dale guides and he’s surely in consideration - I’m just looking at all my options.

Thanks! Hopefully this will be my year!

[runamuk]

Only 3 yrs.  Dang I have been trying to fill any tag since 2009.  Good luck with your guide, I know the tribal guides over on the Olympics use baits and have some fatty fat fat bears.

[tritt007]

Alberta is always a good time , I see more bears in Alberta than anywhere else . It's a good time and you can get two bear tags and a unlimited wolf /coyote liscense .

[bobcat]

Since you are wanting a spot and stalk hunt, you might also consider Montana. No bait or hound hunting allowed there either, so all guided hunts are spot and stalk. And you don't need to draw to hunt the spring season like you do here.

[PastorJoel]

Have you read The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting?

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Black-Bear-Hunting/dp/1510709797/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=C73YF3Y919ZXMM8XGTK6

What part of the state are you hunting in?

[JeffRaines]

Have you read The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting?

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Black-Bear-Hunting/dp/1510709797/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=C73YF3Y919ZXMM8XGTK6

What part of the state are you hunting in?

I’ve actually read both of his books!

I’ve mainly hunted the West, however I did try the east side last year and gonna try Idaho this year

[idaho guy]

Have you read The Ultimate Guide to Black Bear Hunting?

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Black-Bear-Hunting/dp/1510709797/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=C73YF3Y919ZXMM8XGTK6

What part of the state are you hunting in?

F

I’ve actually read both of his books!

I’ve mainly hunted the West, however I did try the east side last year and gonna try Idaho this year

I agree with bobcat due to no hounds or bait I think spot and stalk would be better in Montana over idaho. Idaho would be good but I see more bears out and about in Montana especially on easier to access country.

[h20hunter]

Imo, I would contact Dale and set up a semi guided, maps and a bunk provided, and hunt. 2nd to that I would put out the feelers for a Quinalt hunt over bait. Those two options should put a bear on the ground.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Get in the high mountain berry patches in late Sep-Oct you’ll find them. 

[JWEBB]

My wife’s uncle owns shattuck creek outfitters in elk river Idaho. They have a very high success rate and are pretty reasonable. Pm me if you want more info

[hunter399]

Get in the high mountain berry patches in late Sep-Oct you’ll find them. 

I'm gonna say keep trying without guide it's gonna happen ,little luck.right place right time.

[CAMPMEAT]

Go up to the Curlew area and just drive the logging roads. Togo near Danville is a good place. I've seen so many bears when I lived there, They are literally all over, lots of roads. Pack a lunch and drive the road real slow is the best way. In 17 years living there, I probably have seen close to 50 + bears.


One year I saw 22 bears alone on Boulder Pass out of Curlew.

[fillthefreezer]

I would not necessarily look to go out of state, unless it's a spring hunt you are after. Washington has, imo, the best bear hunting in the lower 48. I would be curious to know the locations you have been pursuing them in these 3 years? There's areas(and food sources) that people stumble into bears, and there's areas people go to HUNT BEARS. I love the spring hunt, but summer/fall bear, hunting in shorts and a t shirt is also pretty great!

[Branden]

Couple things that I have learned and work for me. Hunt the right food source for that time of year and area. And bears really dislike human traffic.

I saw 16 bears from one glassing point a couple years ago. 2 weeks later when I brought 2 buddies in to bear hunt we only saw 6 in 3 days of hunting and way more walking and glassing. Which is an example of being in the right area when the food source is ripe, and 2 weeks later being there when not so ripe.

I'll send you a PM on a few areas to look over.

Good luck

[saylean]

No matter where you choose, best of luck to you! Thanks for the support and hit me up if you have any more questions that weren't answered.

[ThomMedic]

I can feel your pain; I see more coyotes in my neighborhood than in the woods -  the frustration and embarrassment over the years.

But last Monday we jumped a large, dark chocolate male, it was too big, too close, and I only had a short barrel AR. Further my back is not up to moving any animal that large, so the future is not really an option for me.

However if you want I can give you directions to where he is. He leaves a large wake in the grass between the prairie and the swamp, so finding him should not be too difficult and due to location he is not likely to wonder too far in the next couple months.  Just promise me some meat please.

[ThomMedic]

PS, its near Tacoma.

[CarbonHunter]

If you really want to kill a bear go to SE Alaska.  It’s pretty reasonable and most guys see 10-20 bears a day without a guide. Get a guide and it should be a guaranteed bear.

But honestly 3 years??? Most of us hunted much longer than 3 years before we killed a bear in Washington. Most hunters I know have never killed a bear and some have never even seen one in the woods after decades of hunting.

[jackelope]

Lots and lots of bears in Washington. In my (limited) experience, going to the  berries works well, but they will be gone by late September and October.

[JimmyHoffa]

not too late to start scouting.  The bears are low in the drainages and will work their way up until fall.  You can narrow down which creek the bear is going up ( for sows) and within a few creeks (for boars).  Then they are likely in some kind of food in that particular creek.

[pashok23]

Since you are wanting a spot and stalk hunt, you might also consider Montana. No bait or hound hunting allowed there either, so all guided hunts are spot and stalk. And you don't need to draw to hunt the spring season like you do here.

[CAMPMEAT]

Lots and lots of bears in Washington. In my (limited) experience, going to the  berries works well, but they will be gone by late September and October.

I've read and heard for years, that Washington has the highest population of bears in the lower 48..

[huntnfmly]