We're getting closer in the Monroe Unit

[bowman]

My dad, 87 Ford, and I have been out hunting almost every evening since the season opened and we had seen very little sign.  Until tonight that is.  We went to one of our favorite spots and saw this.  This damage wasn't here last time we walked this old road 6 days ago. In a 100 yard stretch there were at least 30 trees like this.  We have no idea how to attack this. We have a Foxpro fx5. Should we try it??? Should we walk the road every night???  Anybody have any other idea's?  

[bobcat]

Are there any openings nearby where you can set up with the call?

[Alan K]

Just stick to that area I'd say. There's obviously a bear working it hard.  Can't imagine it did all that damage in a single day, though it might be possible.  I've never called so I don't know how that would work. Surely some of the callers on here could give you some help.  FoxPro will be good if you decide to try it.

I must say, sucks for the timber company!  Just thin that stand and a bear damage/kills half the trees they left! Ouch!

[Alan K]

Also, calling right there in that area may be good.  You'd certainly hear it coming through all the downed thinning and could get oriented for whatever direction.

EDIT: You might take a nice warm greasy bacon sandwich out there for dinner in the field and sit. 

[bowman]

Are there any openings nearby where you can set up with the call?

It's been thinned so it's sort of open in places, but it's tough and noisy getting around in there.  There is also an old spur off the logging road that parallels this area. Might be able to set up in there.

[billythekidrock]

Lite calling may work, but I would not call too hard or too loud in this case. I would probably try to figure out it's pattern and quietly sit in the area that I think it will hit next.

[rasbo]

these bears can girdle 40 plus trees in a day...if you are not seeing that much damage they moved on..The bears will be comfortable in cover during the day..Wheres the cover?? be on the edges of cover thick and nasty..Remember the more at ease the bear is,in his surroundings the more you will see them..I always call lite,no panic..just a lost fawn or ailing critter...And a bear can walk up behind you in the most nasty places with no noise..keep in mind they hunt with their nose..Good luck

[saylean]

I am with Billy on this one. Try to find a spot to sit and watch the area for a dusk/morning hunt. Keep an eye on that loggin spur road you spoke of. Good luck guys! Keep at it!

[bowman]

Gave calling a shot tonight and no luck .

That bear has been going nuts!!! Tonight we saw more trees that have been freshly girdled about 100 yards from the last ones.

[BLKBEARKLR]

I agree also with billy, a bear is an easy animal to pattern. I would just sit and wait some and see what happens.

[bearmanric]

good luck this weekend. i would walk those grade's slowly stopping and listening. if i had that much peeling. i'll be calling. swamp's this evening but i want to call one in. good luck hope he is a big boy. Rick

[87Ford]

Dropped my rifle hard last night trying to get deeper into this area.  Those units that have been thinned are just nasty to fight through.  Anyway, just got back from the range after making a couple of adjustments.  My Leupold is right on again even with it's new battle scars.  Heading out shortly..  Probably try a little calling again.

[billythekidrock]

Those units that have been thinned are just nasty to fight through. 

I would try to stay to the easy walking. That thinned crap is a mess and very noisy.
Remember that they can do 40-50 trees a night. If you are finding fresher sign then I would stick with it.

Good luck.

[carpsniperg2]

get'em

[87Ford]

Still finding fresh peels.  Just can't seem to cross paths with the bear(s) doing all this damage.  One thing's for sure, he seems intent on wiping out this whole stand.  Wow.  

[billythekidrock]

Are you finding "recent" or fresh? The real fresh ones will be nearly white and still dripping.

Keep at it.

[87Ford]

I'll tell you what.  The five peels we found just before dark tonight were bright white and dripping.  Directly across the old road we were on was another tree with just a "bite" taken.  It was as if the bear heard us coming and slipped away just before we got there.  I now understand the difference between, like you say, recent and fresh.

[billythekidrock]

I'll tell you what.  The five peels we found just before dark tonight were bright white and dripping.  Directly across the old road we were on was another tree with just a "bite" taken.  It was as if the bear heard us coming and slipped away just before we got there.  I now understand the difference between, like you say, recent and fresh.

Gettin' closer. You will notice that the peels turn color rather quickly, especially in good weather. Often times bears will pull a small piece of bark and taste the tree. If it is not to their liking they will move on.

[Lincoln4]

C'mon, waiting to see that bruin!

[bowman]

We didn't get a chance to go out last night . The old man is sick . Instead we downloaded some sounds off the Foxpro website.

[87Ford]

The "old man" will be back in action tonight.

[87Ford]

Well, we haven't found any new peels from this bear.  We have crossed what we believe is his track twice.  Seems to be on the move out of the area, maybe roaming for another stand of Doug fir to peel.  We're feeling a little discouraged after tonight.