Salmo Priest Wilderness-Worth a look?

[Jesse Jaymes]

Seems there is not too much said about it as far as hunting?  Has anyone ever spent any time in there?  Seems there is a trail covering some of the ground up through the middle of it.  Was thinking it may be worth a through hike next fall trying to find some bears and beat the crowds?

As stated in my above/below post, I am guessing it doesn't really open up into any areas you could glass anywhere over in that area?

[high country]

the salmo is loaded with bears. as typical of wilderness areas it is rugged and steep. it is more densly treed then any other wilderness areas in wa that I have seen yet...and I have been to most on the east side of the cascades. the access to good bear area would be via the shedroof or up slate creek. the area around the wilderness is also heavy on bears and low on hunters. if yo want to see a bunh of bears drive over monumental via le clerc as early as it opens.....usually about mid june. I have seen as many as 13 from the seat while driving in to fish the lakes and streams. it is far from a slam dunk, but as good as it gets in my mind.

[Jesse Jaymes]

I was just using the search function and "spring".  You user name came up in most posts. A bit disappointed that every picture you had involved a snowmobile , cuz I aint got one.

I am not afraid to get out and backpack and go in for a few days, or at least maybe an overnight.  And I am not opposed to snowshoeing and getting off the couch.  But I could snowshoe my azz into a froth for what you can drive on a sled in minutes.  Hard to compete.

I know the Salmo isn't open for spring lottery, but I will research into that area for summer/early fall.  Any deer in there, or again, being so thick they are in there, but you are not going to glass and choose a nice one, right?

Your pic for Eastern spring bear unit?

I bagged a spring bear over in Idaho a few years ago.  Glass a lot of bears in 2 days when we finally got into a position to glass and learn what we were looking for.  I'd gladly spend the cash to have the same experience.  We were WAY below snowline and no snowmobiles were needed.  Now that I have relocated from NM to an area that I can be in Bonner's in 2 hours, I am anxious to get out there and give it a try again.  My "guide" moved though, so I will be solo.

[high country]

the salmo is off limits to both sleds and spring hunts. I pulled a spring tag for the neighboring unit a couple years ago and there was 6 feet of snow on th groung at the base of the mtn on the opener.....a sled was a must. the bears were a strong 5 miles up from there. for a fall hunt the salmo is a great bet, as is the areas around it. do yourself a favor, come over and camp at one of the lakes or on the creek in the very early bear season. bring a fishing pole, bug dope and a bucket for huckleberries. eve if you do not squeeze on a bear you will have a ball. salmo deer are typical of most wilderness deer.....few and far between with the occasional hog. I have seen groups of 3-5 BIG bucks up here the week before opener......but rarely in the season. if dense trees and brush are not for you this is not the place. being from the far east, brush is what I know so it works for me. either way, fish anything that has water.....some of our way small creeks will surprise you, and odds are good you will be alone.

[Machias]

Welcome to the NE, I saw a few months ago you were headed up this way, glad to see you made it and getting settled in.  I ride my mules quite a bit up in the Salmo, awesome country, lots of bears and quite a few big ones.  My mule club usually spends the weekend of 4th of Jul or a weekend around then clearing some of the trails.  We camp at Gypsy Meadows and ride out.  The Thundercreek Trail goes all the way down to the Pass Creek Pass and is an EXCELLENT trail to take for bears.

[high country]

if you want to see a bunch of bears in bonners go up to the smith/cow creek headwaters and the trapper area......boookooo bears.

machias, I agree 100%. I have been seriously considering getting a mule. expect a few qustions. I am out in newman lake

[Jesse Jaymes]

Snowmobiles and ATVs I don't have ............but I do have a pair of Quarter Horses and a 4 horse gooseneck

Please don't tell my friends I put those queer face thingys in a post.  I won't do it again.

[Machias]

if you want to see a bunch of bears in bonners go up to the smith/cow creek headwaters and the trapper area......boookooo bears.

machias, I agree 100%. I have been seriously considering getting a mule. expect a few qustions. I am out in newman lake

Anytime!

[Bigbuckhunter_1996]

ya i ride horses up there every once and a while the salmo is loaded with both black bears & grizzlies so you just gotta be careful but is a pretty good spot for bear huntin theres just not alot of open spots to sit & glass it'll mostly just be if ur lucky enough to stumble on to one then u'd just have to be quick