Bears in 418

[ChristianS899]

I plan on going out to try to take my first bear this year. I live down in Olympia but I've decided my best chance at one being a novice this year will be up in 418 in the Baker area. Any advice on how to start finding some would be greatly appreciated! DM me if you don't want to post on the thread! After spending some time in OnX and Google Earth last week I went out and to look for berries and sign in the drainages near artist point/lake ann trails only to find them all still completely covered in snow. Then backpacked back Hannegan Pass to find a bit less snow but still a decent amount. Did glass about 11 mountain goat up there though!

Not looking for honey holes but would love some guidance such as elevations to be looking at and general areas from anyone that knows the unit and bear patterns. I don't mind putting a lot of miles in as I hope to take a bear this year in a backpack hunt anyways

[bear]

The bears won’t generally be in the alpine in early August. It gets better starting in September.  There are bears everywhere.  Don’t need any honey holes

[Skyvalhunter]

Welcome to the site some intro might be nice.

[Tbar]

Berries=bears. Range wide not just 418. Also once up there glass is your friend.

[jk78]

I am not local to the unit but drew an elk tag this year. I have to second the food source   I have seen bear up there this year already.  I have a picture of a color phase eating berries at 40 yards from my last scouting trip. The country is steep and unforgiving a great place to get away. Seems the bears are close to the elk nursery the calves still have spots and I saw fresh bear sign near the heard. Good luck on the predator management and save some elk while your at it and if you happen upon any big bulls in your hunting be great for a heads up.

[GASoline71]

See bears up in 418 quite often.  We see them almost every time we go agate hunting up by Baker Lake.  That whole GMU is a "honey hole".  Seeing them is one thing... harvesting them is another.

Good luck.  Probably run in to ya up there this season. 

Gary

[ChristianS899]

Thanks for all the quick responses! The Baker Lake area was the next area I planned to check out and do some hiking. I'll keep my progress posted!

[ChristianS899]

I am not local to the unit but drew an elk tag this year. I have to second the food source   I have seen bear up there this year already.  I have a picture of a color phase eating berries at 40 yards from my last scouting trip. The country is steep and unforgiving a great place to get away. Seems the bears are close to the elk nursery the calves still have spots and I saw fresh bear sign near the heard. Good luck on the predator management and save some elk while your at it and if you happen upon any big bulls in your hunting be great for a heads up.

Steep and unforgiving sounds great to me enjoying those types hunts until I can't anymore which hopefully won't be for a long time! I'll keep my eyes peeled for elk and will definitely keep your tag in mind and let you know if I can find some bulls!

[Platensek-po]

Not saying you shouldn’t go to baker but there are a lot of bears around a Olympia too. I’ve actually seen 2 within city limits there. Also have them
On cam outside of Shelton. Just letting you know that you can get some close to home as well.

[ThomMedic]

Seen bears on JBLM. Recently up in Capitol Forest. Locals reported bears east of Summit Lake on C/F land, be careful the locals are also militant anti-hunters. Had a few hunts interrupted by them.

[ChristianS899]

Seen bears on JBLM. Recently up in Capitol Forest. Locals reported bears east of Summit Lake on C/F land, be careful the locals are also militant anti-hunters. Had a few hunts interrupted by them.

Thank you, I've never explored that part of Capitol before. I'll have to check it out soon. Hopefully I run into more 4-legged locals than 2-legged ones!

[konradcountry]

Capitol, JBLM and anything local has a lot of people these days.

I was in capitol last week and it sounded like a warzone.

I'd do what you know and make a weekend of it.