Backwoods_Boy Spring Bear Hunt, Copalis-A learning experience.

[backwoods_boy]

Left on Thursday by myself at around 5am from kirkland and drove to Hoquium to get my permits and passes.
I was the first in line and was told that only 50 had gotten their passes to date.
i asked her why it went from $25 to $100?
She told me "you're here aren't you?".... meaning cause they can.
i just smiled and said thanks.

Thursday drove the roads all day and say a herd of elk and a bunch of deer.
Learned a lot of good places to glass and a lot of good roads to drive.
Hiked for about 3 hours and then called it a day with it raining most of the day and pouring all night.
Tent kept me somewhat dry with the use of ropes and tarps.

Friday was pretty nice. covered about half of the unit with help of a horrible Map.
Saw more deer and a fresh fresh peel of bark.
Walked some clear cuts and sat on a few for a bit.
Called a few times with RR calls and sat patiently.
Went to town to pick up little lady to keep me company.
Rained all night on us.

Saturday we drove some roads, glassed some clear cuts and got some great recon about the unit.
Rained all day and into the evening.
still not much sign of bears.
saw more deer

Sunday woke up, packed up and headed to ocean shores for the day.
Great day to cruise the beach.
Great weather....
just returned home. will post some great pics we took tomorrow.

Next trip scheduled for April 30th.
Stay tuned.....
 

[carpsniperg2]

atleast you got to learn so new area. gl next time you head int there.

[backwoods_boy]

Thanks yeah gonna keep at it.

[PacificNWhunter]

Good luck, lots of bears down there. Grew up in that neck of the woods, never did hunt down that way much though.

[jgorley]

Kept an eye out for your rig, but never saw ya.  I only ran into 1 hunter in a jacked up Chevy and the Security guy.  Spent most of my time near the Res boarder.  Were you able to find a way into the trees at all?  We tried and couldn't make more than a few feet sounding like a herd of elephants.  That is the thickest brush and trees I have ever seen.  And how about those clear cuts...or marshes, whatever you want to call them.  I am used to WeyCo cuts, nice and clean with plenty of new growth.  Never seen cuts with so much waste left behind.  What is up with all the cedar chunks, shakes?  We focused on the northern section, along the Res boarder.  With the "quality" map they provided, we more or less wandered around finding our way from place to place.  Did a lot of calling.  Someone told me that it would be better to call later in the season, when the bears start feeding more on meat than plants.  Saw deer, racoons and called in a yote, but no bear.  In fact, I couldn't cut a track, I didn't see any scat or anything.  I did come up with a previous year tree scrape.  I could tell you what size boots the guy who flagged the trees wore, but no bear.  Due to work, I won't be out until April 25.

[backwoods_boy]

Yeah i was all over that unit and the great map kept me good and lost.
I spent a little time in the trees but it was not easy.
ill be back out on the 30th.
i didnt see much sign either.
I will focus more on the rez boarder next time.
saw most sign there.

[saylean]

Keep at it man. The later in season, the better. I really got into the sign last year, bout the very end of April.

[jgorley]

Yeah i was all over that unit and the great map kept me good and lost.
I spent a little time in the trees but it was not easy.
ill be back out on the 30th.
i didnt see much sign either.
I will focus more on the rez boarder next time.
saw most sign there.

Yeah, I could say that I was lost most of the first day as well.  Just kept at it, until things started to look familiar.  Security said that there is a much better map, they just don't release it to the public.  We even offered to buy his copy from him.     Well, he did say that he knows most of the roads!  Maybe the weekend of the 1st my brother and I  can meet up with you and work the border.  It would be good to work 3 sets of eyes on some of the calling sets.  Some of those cuts are really odd shaped and two sets of eyes can't see it all. 

[backwoods_boy]

yes sounds good.
we will be in touch
it will be 4 sets of eyes my bro will be there too

[backwoods_boy]

more pics 

[backwoods_boy]

few more....

[LongTatLaw]

looks good bro..love that doe in the clear cut pic..screams west wa to me..

nice lil camp buddy ya got there too...

post pics when ya get the big un!

[backwoods_boy]

Oh you know i will.
I cant wait to have a field photoshoot.
thanks
 

[bearpaw]

I like the yaht club...

[X-Force]

Sweet picks. i cant wait for next weekends update