Thoughts on bear size

[Tbjohnson]

Hi everyone. New to Washington last year and doing my first  bear hunt ever, archery. I've come across a regular visitor to my trail cams and I'm looking for feedback on size - small, average, above average? We're hunting in SE unit 407? I coincidently caught my hunting partner and bear in the exact same spot and lined up and scaled the photos for a size comparison. My buddy is 5-10 and 175 lbs if that helps. I'm guessing the bear is at least 200, perhaps more? Appreciate the feedback.

[h20hunter]

Fairly small and young but not milk on the lips. I'd shoot it.

[h20hunter]

Sorry,  I'm saying 125 lbs.

[X-Force]

My guess is live weight 165-180

[lewy]

Not a real big bear but you get two tags so fill one

[Tbjohnson]

Not sure if this will work. Here's a video link of the critter.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4E89Q1ZjUFHaQpeV7

[HillHound]

I would guess Probably 125lbs. 2 1/2 years old maybe. He will be a good eater. Shoot him and go get your second tag

[Machias]

The "average" bear in WA is around 160 pounds for males and a tad smaller for females.  Very few approach the 300 pound mark even though they all look that big.  Bears are normally hard to judge unless they are really really small or just a downright toad.  The vast majority of folks over estimate their size and weight.  Even after many years of field judging bears and seeing bears up close, I have made a couple of really bad calls on bears....always on the bigger side than what they ended up being.

[dilleytech]

My guess 175 ish. Plenty big enough. The smaller ones are more tender.

[Tbjohnson]

Thanks for all the great feedback! I'll post again if we bag it and get it weighed.

[elkrack]

Ground shrinkage is a real thing with bears! 125-140lbs

[HikerHunter]

Shoot, then weigh. My guess is 150 lbs.

[PastorJoel]

Once you take the fur off there is a lot less bear there.  I'd shoot it, but it's on the smaller side.

[Goshawk]

I'd pass. You can't get big'uns by shooting little'uns.

[Bango skank]

I'd pass. You can't get big'uns by shooting little'uns.

Sure ya can, its called a second tag

[wooltie]

What is average length of a bear in WA when measured nose to tail?  Just shot my first bear and I have no frame of reference re: bear size.

[PastorJoel]

What is average length of a bear in WA when measured nose to tail?  Just shot my first bear and I have no frame of reference re: bear size.

I shot a 5ft 6in (nose to tail) sow that was 7 years old.  It was not with cubs.

[mountainman]

5-5 1/2' , some smaller, some 7'+