Okanogan Bear

[woodywsu]

Here are a few pics of a bear I found this weekend. This sow has been around the property for a long time and has yielden quite a few cubs over the years. I hope to keep tabs on her til August. What do you think on the weight? I was guessing 350+, but some other who have seen her are think 4.

[MuleySniper]

Nice bear with a great coat! But Im guessing she won't look so big when August rolls around. Those spring coats make bears look a lot fatter than they are. 350 is a real big bear.

[D-Rock425]

Here are a few pics of a bear I found this weekend. This sow has been around the property for a long time and has yielden quite a few cubs over the years. I hope to keep tabs on her til August. What do you think on the weight? I was guessing 350+, but some other who have seen her are think 4.

I agree 350 is a big bear.  It is hard to tell size from the pics but I wouldn't hesitate to shoot that bear come August

[woodywsu]

I would of liked to get some shots of her facing me, but when I had her at twenty yards facing me, she woofed at me. Naturally, the .45 came up instead of the camera. Once she started to move on, I took my camera out and snapped a few photos. 

[halflife65]

I wonder why she didn't have cubs this year...you sure you want to shoot that sow?  I mean, it's a personal preference - I'm not judging any decision you decide to make.  Nothing illegal about it; shoot it if you want/can.

[woodywsu]

She had cubs last year. I'm sure she is weining them off right now. She will not come into heat until she weins them off.

[carpsniperg2]

big nice sow i would guess a lot smaller then 350+ i would say 250 when season opens. i am sure you are right about the cubs she does not look so old to be baren, but if she was i have no prob taking sows that don't produce cubs. one less mouth around that is not producing anymore.

[luvtohnt]

I would defiantly keep tabs on her through the summer. Especially around late June early July. Watch for mating activity, if she gets bred you may want to hold off on taking her (my opinion).  I personally believe this is why we see our seasons dwindling, they took hounds away so now we can not control what sex of bear gets harvested. A lot of people take females now, which is starting to take a toll on the overall population. You can bash me all you want but science shows the population is falling. I wouldn't think less of you if you did take her, I just wanted to point out some issues maybe that you never thought of. Defiantly a nice bear.

Brandon

[bonecrusher]

I would defiantly keep tabs on her through the summer. Especially around late June early July. Watch for mating activity, if she gets bred you may want to hold off on taking her (my opinion).  I personally believe this is why we see our seasons dwindling, they took hounds away so now we can not control what sex of bear gets harvested. A lot of people take females now, which is starting to take a toll on the overall population. You can bash me all you want but science shows the population is falling. I wouldn't think less of you if you did take her, I just wanted to point out some issues maybe that you never thought of. Defiantly a nice bear.

Brandon

with bears in bellvue/Tacoma/maple Vally and Seattle i see what ya mean about the dwindling population 

[grundy53]

I would defiantly keep tabs on her through the summer. Especially around late June early July. Watch for mating activity, if she gets bred you may want to hold off on taking her (my opinion).  I personally believe this is why we see our seasons dwindling, they took hounds away so now we can not control what sex of bear gets harvested. A lot of people take females now, which is starting to take a toll on the overall population. You can bash me all you want but science shows the population is falling. I wouldn't think less of you if you did take her, I just wanted to point out some issues maybe that you never thought of. Defiantly a nice bear.

Brandon

 

[luvtohnt]

 bellvue/Tacoma/maple Vally and Seattle Considering NONE of those reside within the boardes of Okanagan County, or even the eastside of the state, I still stand behind my statement. I don't hunt the westside so I don't read any research about it (or care about it for that matter). But from all of the recent sightings in the cities I would assume that the population is at least stable over there.

Brandon

[luvtohnt]

I would defiantly keep tabs on her through the summer. Especially around late June early July. Watch for mating activity, if she gets bred you may want to hold off on taking her (my opinion).  I personally believe this is why we see our seasons dwindling, they took hounds away so now we can not control what sex of bear gets harvested. A lot of people take females now, which is starting to take a toll on the overall population. You can bash me all you want but science shows the population is falling. I wouldn't think less of you if you did take her, I just wanted to point out some issues maybe that you never thought of. Defiantly a nice bear.

Brandon

 

I feel sorry for those who don't understand population stucture and Integrity!!

Brandon

[bonecrusher]

i would be interested in seeing the report or research you are referring to about the falling bear population, do you have any links?

[alwinearcher]

big nice sow i would guess a lot smaller then 350+ i would say 250 when season opens. i am sure you are right about the cubs she does not look so old to be baren, but if she was i have no prob taking sows that don't produce cubs. one less mouth around that is not producing anymore.

I would have to agree.. A 350 sow would be intense. Deffinatly a healthy mature sow though.

[Hornseeker]

Definitely a beautiful bear, boar or sow either one!!  But...yeah... not 3 fiddy....

A 225# sow is a fairly rare exception... We've killed a lot of 8-15 yr old sows that were all under 175# with no guts...

[BLKBEARKLR]

That is a very nice bear, good full coat on her, but agree would be hard pressed to get 350 out of her. Good bet would be 225-250.


Joe

[alwinearcher]

Definitely a beautiful bear, boar or sow either one!!  But...yeah... not 3 fiddy....

A 225# sow is a fairly rare exception... We've killed a lot of 8-15 yr old sows that were all under 175# with no guts...

Yeah the guys I was just with up in AK killed a 26 year old sow a few years back, and it was still not over 200#

[bonecrusher]

This is the only region in Washington with significant populations of whitetail deer and moose, which draw hunters and viewers from across the state. About one-third of the state's harvest of black bears and about half the harvest of cougars come from this region. Check out our Eastern Washington Wildlife pages for more information on wildlife found in this region.



this is off fish and games website about eastern region 1. 1/3 of the harvest sounds like pretty good bear hunting to me 

[BLKBEARKLR]

Have you ever noticed how someone just can't leave a subject alone?

Kind of like a chiuaua after a piece of meat.

Just get that sick taste in your mouth after a while.

Luvtohtn have your own beliefs brother you are there in the heart of it, others are not but probably wishing they were....

Once again woodywsu, very nice bear

Joe

[bowhunterforever]

She's definately a fatty, 250 or so

[bonecrusher]

Have you ever noticed how someone just can't leave a subject alone?

Kind of like a chiuaua after a piece of meat.

Just get that sick taste in your mouth after a while.

Luvtohtn have your own beliefs brother you are there in the heart of it, others are not but probably wishing they were....

Once again woodywsu, very nice bear

Joe

just looking for some info. don't take it to personal

[Jeremy S]

I spend more time in the woods on the westside than the east and I've never seen a bear over here..... yet over there they pop up all the time. 

[saylean]

A fine looking sow.

[MtnMuley]

This is the only region in Washington with significant populations of whitetail deer and moose, which draw hunters and viewers from across the state.

   You're telling me that there's more moose and whitetail here than in the NE or the EAST...??

[billythekidrock]

I would agree with those that say 225 or so...maybe 250.

And yes, harvesting too many sows is the reason F&W is giving for shortening seasons. Some areas are getting hit pretty hard.

[bonecrusher]

This is the only region in Washington with significant populations of whitetail deer and moose, which draw hunters and viewers from across the state.

   You're telling me that there's more moose and whitetail here than in the NE or the EAST...??

I'm not telling you anything, that is from fish and game. i honestly was just wanting to see some of the research documents that were mentioned because it interested me to know what the bear population was doing compared to where i am and that is one of the things I found doing a quick scan of fish and games web site, not any intensive studying. apparently it was a very offensive thing for me to do. sorry if i offended any ones delicate feelings 

[Jeremy S]

This is the only region in Washington with significant populations of whitetail deer and moose, which draw hunters and viewers from across the state.

   You're telling me that there's more moose and whitetail here than in the NE or the EAST...??

I'm not telling you anything, that is from fish and game. i honestly was just wanting to see some of the research documents that were mentioned because it interested me to know what the bear population was doing compared to where i am and that is one of the things I found doing a quick scan of fish and games web site, not any intensive studying. apparently it was a very offensive thing for me to do. sorry if i offended any ones delicate feelings 

bonecrusher you always make me cry.

[BLKBEARKLR]

This is the only region in Washington with significant populations of whitetail deer and moose, which draw hunters and viewers from across the state.

   You're telling me that there's more moose and whitetail here than in the NE or the EAST...??

I'm not telling you anything, that is from fish and game. i honestly was just wanting to see some of the research documents that were mentioned because it interested me to know what the bear population was doing compared to where i am and that is one of the things I found doing a quick scan of fish and games web site, not any intensive studying. apparently it was a very offensive thing for me to do. sorry if i offended any ones delicate feelings 

Bone, I dont think you offended anyones delicate feelings, it was a very nice post of an awesome bear that started going in the wrong direction, sometimes it is better to PM and ask. You might get a better responce from an individual!

Joe

[PacificNWhunter]

Nice bear!

[MtnMuley]

This is the only region in Washington with significant populations of whitetail deer and moose, which draw hunters and viewers from across the state.

I'm not telling you anything, that is from fish and game. i honestly was just wanting to see some of the research documents that were mentioned because it interested me to know what the bear population was doing compared to where i am and that is one of the things I found doing a quick scan of fish and games web site, not any intensive studying. apparently it was a very offensive thing for me to do. sorry if i offended any ones delicate feelings  

You might want to look up region 2 if you are looking for information on the area of the bear posted in this topic.  As for feelings hurt, you'll never hurt mine.

[woodywsu]

Just to clarify the removal of a sow from the population. I am targetting this sow because we have been having numerous problems with it at the ranch. She is not scared of anyone or any dog. She comes right into the barn and near the houses and tears $hit up. She has never bothered any of our cattle that we know of.  When I came upon her this last weekend at 20 yards (accident) she pinned her ears and "woofed" at me. She held her ground and I am the one who backed off with my 45 in hand. I will be removing this bear for protection of the family. To ensure no accidents happen. You never know, if she pins her ears again, I don't think she will make it to season.

Mtnmuley, I'm sure you have heard of this bear from Alice.

[BLKBEARKLR]

Just to clarify the removal of a sow from the population. I am targetting this sow because we have been having numerous problems with it at the ranch. She is not scared of anyone or any dog. She comes right into the barn and near the houses and tears $hit up. She has never bothered any of our cattle that we know of.  When I came upon her this last weekend at 20 yards (accident) she pinned her ears and "woofed" at me. She held her ground and I am the one who backed off with my 45 in hand. I will be removing this bear for protection of the family. To ensure no accidents happen. You never know, if she pins her ears again, I don't think she will make it to season.

Mtnmuley, I'm sure you have heard of this bear from Alice.

Woody,

I would be doing the same thing, and even if not it would be hard for me to let her walk, that is a very nice looking bear....

Joe

[Hornseeker]

She is not scared of anyone or any dog

OH man...thems the kinds I LIKE!!!  We've got a dog or two and had many more that would change her mind quickly!!!

[woodywsu]

We've got a pretty mean "hell-bitch" (bluetick) and a couple black and tans that I think would make her run also. Be funnier than hell to watch at least. 

[hunterheinz]

Just curious but has this bear been in an area that is closed to public hunting?(Private Property Ranch,did you say?)

[coachcw]

I thinks gonna get chilled come August. The last coupplle of years my hunting group have seen many more cat and bear in the 300's units , the numbers must be down .

[cohoho]

She is nice bear for sure.....  Take her in a heart beat and save a few deer and moose or whatever lives over there... 

[woodywsu]

Just curious but has this bear been in an area that is closed to public hunting?(Private Property Ranch,did you say?)

She moves around quite a bit. Our property borders a large state owned piece of land that gets hunted pretty hard. So she is on multiple properties (public and private)

[bigtex]

Straight from the 2009 WDFW Game Status and Trend Report for Okanogan bears:

The 2008 black bear season in the Okanogan BBMU occurred between August 1-November 15. Hunters had generally favorable conditions during the season. Hunter numbers continued to increase in 2008 to 1,644, which is below the 12-year average. Hunters also spent more days in the field in 2008, which led to an increase in hunter success of 8%, which is above the 12-year average of 6%

Harvest figures and age population parameters for harvested animals in the Okanogan BBMU suggest a relatively stable population over the last 10 years, within the context of highly variable sample data. The female percentage of the total harvest continued to fall in 2008 to 24%, well within acceptable harvest guidelines. The 2008 median age data was not available during the writing of this report. However, in 2007 the median ages for harvested animals dropped to 12-year lows for both sexes, but sample sizes were
quite small (12 animals for both sexes combined). The significance of this cannot be assessed with only one year’s limited data, but if median ages stay this low in future years, then the current harvest rate is not sustainable.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/status/09trend.pdf

[Ray]

It's a beautiful bear. Good luck to you. My guess is 250. I think at 350 the rear end of a sow would be much larger. No offense to your estimate and not meaning to sound condescending. Just offering  By the time fall hits she might be much larger though. From the photos the coat looks real good. I wouldn't hesitate to harvest a bear that nice looking myself.