Bear hunts planned to protect Douglas firs

[billythekidrock]

The Olympian http://www.theolympian.com/outdoors/story/332167.html

Published January 19, 2008
Bear hunts planned to protect Douglas firs
Chester Allen


Black bears are nibbling Douglas fir trees to death on some timberlands, so hunters will get a chance to whittle down the bear population during special hunts this spring.

One of the hunts will happen in Capitol State Forest, where 50 hunters will go after bears in the Game Management Unit 663 part of the forest.

All told, hunters can apply for 295 permits to hunt black bears in five different parts of Western Washington.

“All the hunts in Western Washington are special black bear damage hunts,” said Donny Martorello, carnivore, fur-bearer and special game section manager for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. “The bears come out of hibernation in the spring — when food is kind of skimpy — and they’ve found that there is a sugar layer beneath the bark of 15- to 20-year-old Douglas fir trees.”

The bears peel off the bark to get the sugar — and kill a lot of the valuable trees, Martorello said.

The hunts start April 15 and run through May 31 or June 15. Hunters must apply for a special permit to hunt the bears.

The state Department of Natural Resources — which manages Capitol State Forest — asked for the special hunt because bears are ravaging Douglas fir trees in parts of the forest, said spokeswoman Jane Chavey.

“There are a lot of 15-to-20-year-old trees, and the bears can get into sections and trash a lot of trees,” Chavey said.

Capitol Forest is managed for timber production and recreation, and there are always sections of replanted trees reaching the age where they are a sugary treat for bears, Chavez said.

Other hunts are scheduled for game management units in Copalis, Kapsowsin, North Skagit and Monroe.

Bear hunters are not allowed to use tracking dogs during the hunts, Martorello said.

Most of the bear hunters do a lot of scouting and use maps that show areas where trees get a lot of damage, Martorello said.

“These are good hunters and they go the extra mile,” Martorello said.

The state polled outdoors people to see whether they would prefer contract hunters take the bears — or create special spring hunting seasons so regular hunters could take a few animals.

Most people favored regular hunters, and the program appears to be a success, Martorello said.

“We’re balancing timber needs with wildlife,” Martorello said.

Not every hunter gets a bear, Chavey said.

Western Washington is prime black bear country, Martorello said.

“There is a hefty population of bears in the state, particularly in Western Washington,” Martorello said. “The bear population is estimated at 25,000 animals.”

Chester Allen, outdoors writer for The Olympian, may be reached at callen@theolympian.com.

[Ghost Hunter]

So if I sit and wait by a 15 year old fir tree, am I baiting?   Hasn't been productive yet.

[ICEMAN]

BTKR, are you finding all this damage they are citing? Just curious....

[bobcat]

You didn't ask me, but I'll answer anyway. I found lots of damage in '04, when I drew the spring bear permit. The few times I've been out there in the last couple years I haven't seen much at all. It could just be that I wasn't looking as hard. Either that or there are a lot less bears.

[ICEMAN]

My bad, should have asked all....

My concern is that they are offering up the capitol forest as a way to get increased permit applicants....without there being the need.....

[Ghost Hunter]

Either me or the wife has drawn a CF tag the last 3 years, 2 tags last year.  First year we seen a lot of damage, and were provided 'damage' maps.  Last year, no new map.  Damage we found was light, and isolated to specific areas late in season.  BTKR shared info with us, so he knows most of our research  I'll share if we don't draw Hey, we even seen 2 bear last year, no time for a shot  Gonna put in again, now that we got em cornered

[bobcat]

DNR asked the WDFW for the spring bear season in there, not the other way around.  The thing about state land (or federal) is that they can't use hound hunters to kill bears when there is excessive damage, like the private timber companies do. That's how Weyerhaeuser and other private timber companies keep the damage down. But the DNR doesn't have that option.

[Ghost Hunter]

I think I mentioned this to Billy.  While we were doing some scouting in th CF, we located a block of trees, which had been peeled (by man) in varying degrees of size, heigth, width, diameter, etc.  I would guess well over 100 trees. Lot more than we found peeled by bears last year    Each had a # tag.  Had to be some sort of damage study going on.  Also near walked into a snare trap set by WDFW during the spring season.  Seem strange they be trapping during a hunting season
I'll repeat, we did a lot of hunting last year, and seen minimal damage, and that in the last 2 weeks of the season.  And yes we did get off the roads and hike into some of the more remote areas.  I'll be putting in for a tag none the less.  I'm a diehard that way   After all we don't get that many opportunities to share the woods with such an interesting and diverse group of users(no pun intended)

[billythekidrock]

BTKR, are you finding all this damage they are citing? Just curious....

Not anymore. Bobcat was that 04 or 05? Whatever year that was, there was damage all over in the years preceding the spring hunts. Some places 4 out of 5 trees were dead or dying. The last couple years the spring damage has been minimal compared to the prior years. I also have some data somewhere (from DNR) that states the amount of timber damaged may not affect the bottom line come sale time.

[billythekidrock]

My concern is that they are offering up the capitol forest as a way to get increased permit applicants....without there being the need.....

I have a feeling that is not the case with the CF. I think they are still in the middle of a study, but they have lowered the number of permits to 50 in the last two years. I have been told they are more concerned with people keeping the bears moving than actually killing them.

I do know that the Copalis unit is a hunting op rather then a need.

[billythekidrock]

Either me or the wife has drawn a CF tag the last 3 years, 2 tags last year.  First year we seen a lot of damage, and were provided 'damage' maps.  Last year, no new map.  Damage we found was light, and isolated to specific areas late in season.  BTKR shared info with us, so he knows most of our research  I'll share if we don't draw Hey, we even seen 2 bear last year, no time for a shot  Gonna put in again, now that we got em cornered

Don't share too much! lol

[ICEMAN]

Thanks for the info guys. Didn't think about the private vs state land issue....thanks.

[bobcat]

BTKR, are you finding all this damage they are citing? Just curious....

Not anymore. Bobcat was that 04 or 05?

I am thinking it was '04. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. But at my age the years are starting to run together. 

[bobcat]

I asked my wife...she says it was '05.  Actually that makes me feel better. That means it's only been two years now that I haven't been drawn, instead of three.

[billythekidrock]

I asked my wife...she says it was '05.  Actually that makes me feel better. That means it's only been two years now that I haven't been drawn, instead of three.

I thought so. It was the first year in the CF and there were 100 permits. The second year had 100 permits, the third had 50 and this year is 50.

[Ghost Hunter]

[quote  I have been told they are more concerned with people keeping the bears moving than actually killing them.

I do know that the Copalis unit is a hunting op rather then a need.
[/quote]

So does this mean we were moving them too much

[billythekidrock]

Maybe you..I think you had more action than me last year.

[LongTatLaw]

Soooo...um.... not that I dont know or anything...

but for those who dont know....

what height / diameter is a 15-20 year old fir??

thanks

dave

[billythekidrock]

Generally 12-24 inches through. Though that is not the only size they will damage. A few folks on here can vouch for the 3-4 foot through trees damaged on the OP. Before spring we can get together and I will show some old damage so you can get an idea.

[Skyvalhunter]

Size damage varies. I have seen them just damage the base and also seen them strip the bark off the entire tree.natures way of thinning trees.

[billythekidrock]

Here are some pics of some smaller trees damaged in 2007.

[Crunchy]

If you draw Kapowasin do you have to pay the 200 dollar access pass also?

[Skyvalhunter]

Great examples Billy. I guess I would wonder if it is a problem if a few trees here and there. Never seen it where they totally destroy alot of trees but I am sure it happens and depends on the bear population.

[billythekidrock]

If you draw Kapowasin do you have to pay the 200 dollar access pass also?

Yes, you have to pay to play there. I think the fee is $300 for the year. And they may still be assigning hunters to specific units.

[billythekidrock]

Great examples Billy. I guess I would wonder if it is a problem if a few trees here and there. Never seen it where they totally destroy alot of trees but I am sure it happens and depends on the bear population.

Thanks..
A few here and there add up every year. I have seen acres of timber where every other or 2 out of 3 trees are dead or dieing. It can be devastating in some areas.

[Black Ghost]

Just another pic, but had to throw my .02

[bucklucky]

I saw that some one had posted some thing about a tag and number on the peal trees. They do number the damage trees to keep track for damage permits. Need so many in a area before they will issue the hound permit. 

[billythekidrock]

I saw that some one had posted some thing about a tag and number on the peal trees. They do number the damage trees to keep track for damage permits. Need so many in a area before they will issue the hound permit. 

I am not sure about that, but I do know that the Tumwater School District has a program called Project Black Bear and that they did some peels in the name of research as well as plotting some real damage.

[jeepin1]

What do you guys think of this pic? Just doesn't look right to me. don't mind my buddy... he's a Survival instructor.

[billythekidrock]

I have no clue, but it sure wasn't a bear after cambium.

[jeepin1]

now...

[ICEMAN]

What do you guys think of this pic? Just doesn't look right to me. don't mind my buddy... he's a Survival instructor.

Since you are asking, yeah it doesn't look right to me either....sort of looks like some soot covered smart alec 23 year old playing tough guy, trying to whittle down some standing deadwood with his Kbar and AR...... But that is just what it looks like to me, thanks for asking...

[Ghost Hunter]

Looks like it has a few axe marks on it to me

[jeepin1]

Looks like it has a few axe marks on it to me

Yeah, that's what I told him... but he swears left and right it's a big bear. That's just a dummy gun used to portray enemy forces during the Evasion part of training...

[billythekidrock]

but he swears left and right it's a big bear.

 I would bet the farm that it's not. Just doesn't look right.

[bucklucky]

I cant believe you guys don't know what that is . Its obvious that it is a SASQUATCH!! lol