Are all the bears sleeping??

[10mmg]

Is it too late to find bears in Chelan or Okanogan counties? Wasn’t able to deer hunt much this season and still have a hankering for hunting. Look high or low? Haven’t hunted bear a lot so any info is humbly welcomed.

Thanks.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Oh there still out foraging before than take a long winters nap.

[kselkhunter]

Yes the bears are still awake in most areas.  Even in the deep snow they're still up.   

[DOUBLELUNG]

This is a great time to hunt east Cascades bears.  Most of the sows with cubs are denned and you can shoot any bear you find with less concerns for cubs than any other time.  I'd hunt public land near orchards in either county.  the recent cold snap may have damaged some late picked varieties so look for hanging fruit, but most apple and pear orchards will have dumped culls somewhere on their property so any apple or pear orchard is a good place to start.

[davk]

I haven't been in the woods much, but I have seen zero bear sign lately.  With that said I had a huge bear on camera Dec 4th last year with plenty of snow on the ground.

[Bushcraft]

They are still out there rummaging around. I saw an amazing one deep in a wilderness area last Wednesday and would have taken it out if doing so wouldn't have immediately screwed up my elk hunt.

[Skyvalhunter]

Was up high last weekend and no beat sign. Any that are fish eaters in the area will be down low on the rivers

[outdooraddict]

a friend seen a bear yesterday in idaho, st maries area

[Sutherland]

They are still out making there rounds trying to fatten up for winter

[Ironhead]

I saw one at 4,800 feet yesterday. Wenatchee Nat. Forest

[Cylvertip]

WDFW took one off of Hwy 92 (Granite Falls Hwy) last week that was in the 400 lb range.  I believe it was dispatched after an altercation with an auto.  I did not get details of where, but several folks have seen/ have pictures of a big one that has been causing trouble the last couple years up o the North side of town.  Had to use a tractor to load it.

[boneaddict]

I saw one yesterday.   Pretty lethargic. NE WA

[bchighlander]

saw a bear on november 20th. 2 year old cinnamon phase blackie. looked healthy, didn't want to get off the road, like a moose, just kept running up ahead of the truck. gave me the stink eye after i drove past it.

[Cylvertip]

Had one pull a beaver out of a trap yesterday during the day just outside of Arlington.  Second time I have had this happen.  The set was on a small dam and I am pretty sure the beaver was still alive.  Guessing the bear went to cross the dam and found the live snack.   

[Machias]

Had one pull a beaver out of a trap yesterday during the day just outside of Arlington.  Second time I have had this happen.  The set was on a small dam and I am pretty sure the beaver was still alive.  Guessing the bear went to cross the dam and found the live snack.   

And he thanks you for it.