# of Spring Bear Permits in SE WA

[jackelope]

it's almost an all-time high.
 

[runamuk]

it's almost an all-time high.
 

That tells me they already are suffering if thats a high......thats a 25% ish rate thats lame any animal manager would know that is a horrible breeding return rate, so is it predation, bad genes, poor bull fertility  anyone in charge even give a crap ??

[ThePascoKid]

I would say definitely predation, those bears hit the tall grass where they calve like a bird dog until they find a calf, not to mention the cougars.  More than once in the Blues I've watched bears work small herds of elk.  Actually with a spring bear tag, besides finding wild onions, finding elk herds isn't a bad way to hunt them.

[jackelope]

it's almost an all-time high.
 

That tells me they already are suffering if thats a high......thats a 25% ish rate thats lame any animal manager would know that is a horrible breeding return rate, so is it predation, bad genes, poor bull fertility  anyone in charge even give a crap ??

the ratio is on an upswing...thus showing somebody has been giving a crap I think. The blues elk herd is coming on strong by those numbers he posted.

[BLUEBULLS]

a very high percentage of the cows get pregnant and have calves. go up the first of June and dang near every cow will have one. go up a month or two later and you'll be disgusted. The WDFW is doing great as far as trophy bulls are concerned but due to damage complaints and predator control, the cows/calves are taking a beating. and yes, that's a great way to kill a bear, they'll stay right with them elk herds. usually they'll be bigger boars too.

[Pathfinder101]

a very high percentage of the cows get pregnant and have calves. go up the first of June and dang near every cow will have one. go up a month or two later and you'll be disgusted. The WDFW is doing great as far as trophy bulls are concerned but due to damage complaints and predator control, the cows/calves are taking a beating. and yes, that's a great way to kill a bear, they'll stay right with them elk herds. usually they'll be bigger boars too.

shhhhhhhh!!  Couldn't this post have waited until AFTER everyone put in for thier spring bear tags..?