Elderberries? And bear sign...

[mcrawfordaf]

I’ve found some pretty fresh scat by a large abundance of what I believe are elderberry. Can anyone confirm in the pic? And I’m seeing conflicting write ups that black Bear do and do not eat elderberry. Would this be a good spot to come back to and watch for a bit?

[mcrawfordaf]

I’ve also got a scrape on another piece I’ve been scouting - pretty sure this is bear correct?

[Ridgeratt]

This bear is still in the hawthorn.

[buckcanyonlodge]

Yes , those are elderberries

[mcrawfordaf]

Yes , those are elderberries

Thank you! I was pretty sure but needed some confirmation as no one else I've shown knew what they were.

[boneaddict]

If you listen to old timers, and I usually do, they say the bear are smart enough to eat them after they freeze.   My Grandfather also told me that they use them as part of their cycle before hibernation.  It’s like a natural “go lightly”, and then they eat a bunch of grass and roughage  to plug up befor e”the big sleep”.  Anecdotally I see it’s one of the final foods they hit , soooooo they might be right.

[mcrawfordaf]

If you listen to old timers, and I usually do, they say the bear are smart enough to eat them after they freeze.   My Grandfather also told me that they use them as part of their cycle before hibernation.  It’s like a natural “go lightly”, and then they eat a bunch of grass and roughage  to plug up befor e”the big sleep”.  Anecdotally I see it’s one of the final foods they hit , soooooo they might be right.

There was definitely enough scat around the plants to make me a believer in it being a bowel prep!    Thank you for sharing this info Bone. I think I'll come back and sit for a while.

[Ridgeratt]

If you listen to old timers, and I usually do, they say the bear are smart enough to eat them after they freeze.   My Grandfather also told me that they use them as part of their cycle before hibernation.  It’s like a natural “go lightly”, and then they eat a bunch of grass and roughage  to plug up befor e”the big sleep”.  Anecdotally I see it’s one of the final foods they hit , soooooo they might be right.

Wow Bone thats a great way to describe the effects.     After a heavy frost they turn to a natural sugar and get really sweet. Perhaps the best way is to sample them before and after the frost.

My Dad used to gather up a bunch of them to make jelly. If you Google them, they do have a great health benefit. Not to mention they will also make a pretty tasty aperitif.

[hunter399]

The bear I shot the other day was on an elderberry bush.
 

[elkboy]

Blue elderberry, common throughout Washington!  Feeds bears and birds.  I use them to make a good pancake syrup. 
https://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Sambucus%20cerulea

I once watched a black bear climb 15-20' tall stems of blue elder and break them, "riding them to the ground", and then feasting on the clusters of berries.  Pretty entertaining to watch... and noisy!   This was in October, and yes, the first frost greatly improves flavor, probably for the bears as well as for us. 

[mcrawfordaf]

Blue elderberry, common throughout Washington!  Feeds bears and birds.  I use them to make a good pancake syrup. 
https://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Sambucus%20cerulea

I once watched a black bear climb 15-20' tall stems of blue elder and break them, "riding them to the ground", and then feasting on the clusters of berries.  Pretty entertaining to watch... and noisy!   This was in October, and yes, the first frost greatly improves flavor, probably for the bears as well as for us.

All this info is greatly appreciated. That site you linked has confirmed them on the map in the same area I found these so I'm very confident in the confirmation. Seeing those bear ride the stems must've been quite the sight!

By chance do you know if the miscolored ones on the bottom of the bunch are not ripe yet or gone past ripe? Thanks again for all the info guys.

[elkboy]

The berries are green during development- so those are simply not ripe yet.  They would be tart to the point of bitterness.  I often wait until October before gathering them. 

Here's my recipe:
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup orange juice
1 cup water
the juice from 1.5 cups of blue elderberries, mashed and strained through medium mesh kitchen strainer
1 tsp ground cinnamon OR 1 cinnamon stick

Mix all ingredients in a pot.  Cook on medium heat until just about at boil, then reduce heat to low.  Stirring occasionally with a whisk, reduce to about half of original volume OR it reaches a maple syrup consistency.  Can be canned or just stored in the refrigerator.  Pretty darn good on pancakes or waffles OR as a compote for rare venison steaks. 

[jrebel]

The berries are green during development- so those are simply not ripe yet.  They would be tart to the point of bitterness.  I often wait until October before gathering them. 

Here's my recipe:
1 cup white sugar
3/4 cup orange juice
1 cup water
the juice from 1.5 cups of blue elderberries, mashed and strained through medium mesh kitchen strainer
1 tsp ground cinnamon OR 1 cinnamon stick

Mix all ingredients in a pot.  Cook on medium heat until just about at boil, then reduce heat to low.  Stirring occasionally with a whisk, reduce to about half of original volume OR it reaches a maple syrup consistency.  Can be canned or just stored in the refrigerator.  Pretty darn good on pancakes or waffles OR as a compote for rare venison steaks.

Gonna have to try this.  I bet it would be fantastic as a glaze to finish a bear loin wrapped in bacon. 

[mcrawfordaf]

Elkboy that sounds amazing. I’ll definitely be giving that a try. I’m terribly color blind unfortunately - would you call these ripe or wait until October/frost as you’ve mentioned?

[elkboy]

Elkboy that sounds amazing. I’ll definitely be giving that a try. I’m terribly color blind unfortunately - would you call these ripe or wait until October/frost as you’ve mentioned?

Mccrawfordaf, those look pretty good! You want a whitish "bloom", or waxy coating, on the berries, but a dark blue-black beneath.   The cooking will help compensate for any remaining ripening at that point.

Jrebel, let me know when dinner is... 😁