Spring bear and color phase bears

[cougforester]

From my observations in Wa state, it seems like the areas with thick dense timber have darker Bears. As the canopy opens up the coats lighten up.

I agree completely on this. I hunt within a couple GMUs of where you are and our hypothesis has been color phase bears blend into more exposed soils better and also wouldn't get as hot as a black coat would.

 However the areas I hunt were burned 20-30 years ago and still have some stumps and logs left, and the few black bears that are out there sure are hard to find amongst those. I get fooled by ole stump bears quite often!

[Weatherby92]

From my observations in Wa state, it seems like the areas with thick dense timber have darker Bears. As the canopy opens up the coats lighten up.

I agree completely on this. I hunt within a couple GMUs of where you are and our hypothesis has been color phase bears blend into more exposed soils better and also wouldn't get as hot as a black coat would.

 However the areas I hunt were burned 20-30 years ago and still have some stumps and logs left, and the few black bears that are out there sure are hard to find amongst those. I get fooled by ole stump bears quite often!

I agree with the above statements. In the NE corner i have observed about 50/50 color phase bears. The drier environments provide more opportunity for color phase.

[dilleytech]

In south central wa it seems about 40% black, 40% brown and 20% cinnamon. For some reason and maybe it’s just my experience but all the black bears I have killed have nice thick coats. And the brown bears are thinner and less attractive for mounts. But man I have some beautiful thick coated cinnamon pics. Still haven’t lucked into one yet. Besides this mixed sow.

[Timberstalker]

I've yet to kill a black, all have been color phase, Chocolates, a jet blond, cinnamons.

I'm with Karl; give me giant black, before this ride is over.