Preparing for the opener

[acspah33]

Anyone care to share their opinions on how the extended wet winter will affect bear locations come August 1st? I've been scouting in the Snoqualmie area and have ran into a few bears on some old cat roads sub 2000 feet elevation. What elevations are you all finding bears at?

Happy Hunting

[phildobaggins]

I've got a spot packed with bears right now. It is between 5500-6500 ft.

[acspah33]

I've got a spot packed with bears right now. It is between 5500-6500 ft.

Nice! You got any pictures of the bears?

[phildobaggins]

I've got a spot packed with bears right now. It is between 5500-6500 ft.

Nice! You got any pictures of the bears?

[phildobaggins]

About it for pics 

[builtfordtough]

Ya u do! Great pic of the bear in the tree!

[phildobaggins]

Ya u do! Great pic of the bear in the tree!

 

[Sliverslinger]

I’ve been chewing on this same thing after such a late and wet spring. I hunt the high country berry fields and my experience has been the bears follow the berries, which ripen lower first. The berries seem to ripen 55-60 days after the snow melt in the area, but for the first time since I can recall, there is still snow on some of my berry spots. I think I may start a little lower and focus more exclusively on the south slopes than usual.

[jasnt]

Berries are definitely behind schedule!

[pickardjw]

Found some super fresh scat at 2300' in the Gifford Pinchot this weekend. South facing slopes at 5000 were clear of snow, maybe as of a couple weeks ago? I'm expecting it to be 2-4 weeks later than usual.

[phildobaggins]

I've seen bears, and fresh bear sign, literally everywhere from 2000-6500 ft. I'm finding bears at 5500' on north facing slopes right now.

[acspah33]

I've seen bears, and fresh bear sign, literally everywhere from 2000-6500 ft. I'm finding bears at 5500' on north facing slopes right now.

Interesting... I have been focusing my efforts down low where the blackberries are starting to flower. Tough part is everywhere low is thick as can be. I found bears up high (around 5,000) around this time of year the last few seasons, but come opening day, they seem to have moved presumably down lower to where the berries were. I have a few spots at different elevations and was planning to target low around the opener and follow the berries on the way up.

[pickardjw]

I think it's important to distinguish east side vs west side...

[dmoua]

I’ll be hanging around 3000’ come opener weekend.

[acspah33]

I’ll be hanging around 3000’ come opener weekend.

Are you on the East or West side?

[acspah33]

A couple of bears I’ve gotten on cam down low in the last month

[Onewhohikes]

Love that area saw some shredded trees out there a month or so ago

[jasnt]

I’ll be between 2kand4k opener.  Ne

[Angry Perch]

Berries are definitely behind schedule!

They sure are. But if we continue to get some moisture, it could be a bumper crop. At least for the west side blackberries.

[dmoua]

I’ll be hanging around 3000’ come opener weekend.

Are you on the East or West side?

East, always east.

[jasnt]

Berries are definitely behind schedule!

I did find some hucks getting dark at 2400’ today

They sure are. But if we continue to get some moisture, it could be a bumper crop. At least for the west side blackberries.

[dilleytech]

Idk about everyone else’s areas but where I live we have bears all year from 350’ to 4’000 or more. They don’t migrate they live at all elevations.  There has been a crazy amount of plant growth this spring

[TheSkyBuster]

I was out doing some pre season scouting and turned this guy up yesterday, digging stumps.

[CP]

I was out doing some pre season scouting and turned this guy up yesterday, digging stumps.

He doesn't like the way you smell.

[TheSkyBuster]

I was out doing some pre season scouting and turned this guy up yesterday, digging stumps.

He doesn't like the way you smell.

That’s actually the same facial expression my wife gets when I come home from hiking 10+ miles looking for bears in mid July. 


 

[highcountry_hunter]

I’d say they’ve been eating good. Pulled these cards today, not even bear cameras.

[pickardjw]

Ran into some bear sign at 7000+ on the east side this weekend. 5-6 piles. Some a week or so old, and some "yesterday" fresh. Was a little surprised to see bear sign so high up already...

[phildobaggins]

Ran into some bear sign at 7000+ on the east side this weekend. 5-6 piles. Some a week or so old, and some "yesterday" fresh. Was a little surprised to see bear sign so high up already...

 

[ganghis]

Saw one up off the PCT on Saturday, 5000 feet, S facing slope, snacking on glacier lillies.  He'll probably have moved on in 3 weeks, but cool to see one there.

[ThurstonCokid]

I’ll be at 5200.. not for the opener but the following week.


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[hunter399]

Seen two back at the beginning of June.
One smaller black one and a lighter brown one.
It was neat to just watch them for a few min.
I was getting firewood then so no big deal.
But have been ,reloading and target shooting this month.
Just general getting stuff in order .
Filled the pickup up with gas yesterday,OMG.
This is the boys first year with a tag,so if a good opportunity comes up ,I'll let him bat first.

[hunter399]

Looks like some areas on the dry side will have berries at mid elevations.
Seen a few patches yesterday,mostly green,with a handful of ripe ones.

[Ntbutcher]

Ran into some bear sign at 7000+ on the east side this weekend. 5-6 piles. Some a week or so old, and some "yesterday" fresh. Was a little surprised to see bear sign so high up already...

I saw one at 6800' this weekend on the eastern slopes. With the late melt out things are greening up at those elevations still. He was mowing some grass for a while before he went to take a nap. Looked like a big boy up at the top of the roost. Walked right into a little guy back in June at the same spot but half the elevation. Was probably 10 yards from him. When I interrupted him standing and licking a tree haha. We both had the same oh crap look on our face! Haha. I'll post pics later when I'm home

[hunter399]

Looks like summer just showed up.
I will be looking for animals going and coming from water sources.
With hot weather on the way ,berrys coming in later this year mostly August and September.
Seems to me that bears will be in transition mode from grass,stumps,roots, to berrys .
Right in that opening month of season.

[JeffRaines]

I'm tagging along in here asking for some advice on this year.

I've got a spot I hunt in early August that always produces, so I'm not overly concerned about that time frame. However, a friend of mine and myself were planning a pack in high country hunt the 18th-22nd. Trying to apply the "50-60 days from melt out" rule looks like it rules out a lot of wilderness areas worth packing into. Anyone here with experience on the east slopes(or hell, west slopes too - we're open) have any input on how viable this plan is? Most of the areas with any glass-abilty are up at 4k+. This is all central/north cascades.

I'm kind of paralyzed at the moment - if its going to be more of a backpacking trip with guns I'd sooner leave the guns behind and go enjoy the high country in another fashion, or look for more low country area and involve the family.

[bearmanric]

Getting excited going out to the shop turn some bear calls. Thinking Osage orange for sound. Got my Vail permit yesterday hunting there again predator pit. See if I can locate some bears to call in.  Like the pictures good luck almost there.

[Ntbutcher]

I'm tagging along in here asking for some advice on this year.

I've got a spot I hunt in early August that always produces, so I'm not overly concerned about that time frame. However, a friend of mine and myself were planning a pack in high country hunt the 18th-22nd. Trying to apply the "50-60 days from melt out" rule looks like it rules out a lot of wilderness areas worth packing into. Anyone here with experience on the east slopes(or hell, west slopes too - we're open) have any input on how viable this plan is? Most of the areas with any glass-abilty are up at 4k+. This is all central/north cascades.

I'm kind of paralyzed at the moment - if its going to be more of a backpacking trip with guns I'd sooner leave the guns behind and go enjoy the high country in another fashion, or look for more low country area and involve the family.

That's a bit early in my opinion. I've been seeing bears in upper elevations right now because it's green there and berries haven't started  once berries start they will move down and into timber. And they won't start coming out of the timber consistently until the blue berries at upper elevations start really going and the timber berries start fading. If they can eat in the timber they'll stay there. Not hard and fast rule, you can see them come out early and late day but makes them hard to get on. Mid September to early October is prime time for high elevation. First week of October is gang busters.

[JeffRaines]

I'm tagging along in here asking for some advice on this year.

I've got a spot I hunt in early August that always produces, so I'm not overly concerned about that time frame. However, a friend of mine and myself were planning a pack in high country hunt the 18th-22nd. Trying to apply the "50-60 days from melt out" rule looks like it rules out a lot of wilderness areas worth packing into. Anyone here with experience on the east slopes(or hell, west slopes too - we're open) have any input on how viable this plan is? Most of the areas with any glass-abilty are up at 4k+. This is all central/north cascades.

I'm kind of paralyzed at the moment - if its going to be more of a backpacking trip with guns I'd sooner leave the guns behind and go enjoy the high country in another fashion, or look for more low country area and involve the family.

That's a bit early in my opinion. I've been seeing bears in upper elevations right now because it's green there and berries haven't started  once berries start they will move down and into timber. And they won't start coming out of the timber consistently until the blue berries at upper elevations start really going and the timber berries start fading. If they can eat in the timber they'll stay there. Not hard and fast rule, you can see them come out early and late day but makes them hard to get on. Mid September to early October is prime time for high elevation. First week of October is gang busters.

I’ve located a few areas that were melted out mid June that should have some berries by mid august(according to the 50-60 day rule anyway) but yeah I was assuming - especially this year - that later would definitely be better. I’m just trying to work with what I got. I have a Montana elk tag I’ll be taking a load of time off for in September so I don’t think I’ll get a chance to be up there then. Maybe early October, but weather tends to be a huge factor that time of year and trying to wait for a weather opening is everything. I’ve been up there when it’s clear in October, and I’ve also been up there where it’s decent down low but absolutely socked in up high.

I’m also sorta toying with going further east - but I don’t think that area lends itself to being a hike in style hunt(Sherman area).

[Ntbutcher]

I'm tagging along in here asking for some advice on this year.

I've got a spot I hunt in early August that always produces, so I'm not overly concerned about that time frame. However, a friend of mine and myself were planning a pack in high country hunt the 18th-22nd. Trying to apply the "50-60 days from melt out" rule looks like it rules out a lot of wilderness areas worth packing into. Anyone here with experience on the east slopes(or hell, west slopes too - we're open) have any input on how viable this plan is? Most of the areas with any glass-abilty are up at 4k+. This is all central/north cascades.

I'm kind of paralyzed at the moment - if its going to be more of a backpacking trip with guns I'd sooner leave the guns behind and go enjoy the high country in another fashion, or look for more low country area and involve the family.

That's a bit early in my opinion. I've been seeing bears in upper elevations right now because it's green there and berries haven't started  once berries start they will move down and into timber. And they won't start coming out of the timber consistently until the blue berries at upper elevations start really going and the timber berries start fading. If they can eat in the timber they'll stay there. Not hard and fast rule, you can see them come out early and late day but makes them hard to get on. Mid September to early October is prime time for high elevation. First week of October is gang busters.

I’ve located a few areas that were melted out mid June that should have some berries by mid august(according to the 50-60 day rule anyway) but yeah I was assuming - especially this year - that later would definitely be better. I’m just trying to work with what I got. I have a Montana elk tag I’ll be taking a load of time off for in September so I don’t think I’ll get a chance to be up there then. Maybe early October, but weather tends to be a huge factor that time of year and trying to wait for a weather opening is everything. I’ve been up there when it’s clear in October, and I’ve also been up there where it’s decent down low but absolutely socked in up high.

I’m also sorta toying with going further east - but I don’t think that area lends itself to being a hike in style hunt(Sherman area).

Sounds like you've got a spot then. I agree definitely favor those south faces early on. Look for them coming up out of the timber early morning and evening. They like those small openings and pockets. And they'll skirt the edges in the shade so be sure to keep an eye on those spots.

[Ghost Hunter]

I'll be in the woods and ready on the opener.  After dealing with killing a bear in the 90-degree heat in June last year, not sure I want to shoot one until this heat wave has passed.  Put the right one in front of me, I'll be ready.  Still waiting for my 2nd tag in the mail.

[hunter399]

I've been scouting a bit.
I'll be glassing some cuts .
With this heat ,who knows if anything will be moving.
Mainly hunt mornings in this heat,just so if I get lucky and spot something.

[hunter399]

Everybody do there bear ID test.
Better get it done.

[dilleytech]

I've been scouting a bit.
I'll be glassing some cuts .
With this heat ,who knows if anything will be moving.
Mainly hunt mornings in this heat,just so if I get lucky and spot something.

For whatever it’s worth in my experience the best days to hunt bears are the calmest hottest days. For whatever reason they seem to be more eager to eat during the day when it’s really hot. Maybe they would rather be eating then laying around hot and miserable?

[jasnt]

I’ve killed several bears in the heat of the day

[Goshawk]

A couple of bears I’ve gotten on cam down low in the last month

That brownie would be impressive in a couple of years!