Spring bear..

[billythekidrock]

She was a healthy one alright. From a distance I thought it was a buck. She also had this one with her.



The weather really could have been better, but what do ya do. (Friday was almost too hot for me)

[funkster]

I have never hunted in Idaho before,can anyone put me in a general area for a starting point??? The Idaho fish and game department gave me alot of info about the season's and the reduced hunts for non residents and even sent me over a copy of there hunting reg's but I have no idea where to start and it is kinda far to go and scout a area. Any help would be great!!

I called about the quinault hunts and it is alittle to much money to travel a 100 miles for a bear when I could just go to Idaho for far much less $$.

[billythekidrock]

funkster - pm sent.

[boneaddict]

I think the shed hunting blues are over, so bear may just have to wait until next year.  I feel the need for more elk bones.

[billythekidrock]

I think the shed hunting blues are over, so bear may just have to wait until next year.  I feel the need for more elk bones.

LOL

Just wish I had an area close enough!

[boneaddict]

How far is that Helens region from you.  I hear there are alot of nice bones down there.

[billythekidrock]

The Mt. is almost 100 miles away.

I have found 2 elk sheds ever, but have a big box of deer sheds. Someday I would like to just do it once or twice. (kinda like trying most mushrooms ..lol)

[bobcat]

Remember that elk shed I found in Capitol Forest? 

I think I showed it to you...

That's a little closer. Not that you'd ever find an elk shed in there if you tried though.

[billythekidrock]

Yes Bob, I remember. And I remember where you found it. I almost went in there two weeks ago looking for bear sign.

[bowhunterty]

Billy do any more scouting.  May head over this weekend if work permeits.  Still have to get my access permit.

[billythekidrock]

No scouting in the area, but I have been studying the map, arial photos and my gps data. I am not sure where we are going to camp, but I do know where I will be opening morning as well as a couple back up spots in the general area.

One thing to be aware of is the hunt is only on Rayonier land withing the Copalis GMU so alot of the peripheral areas are not huntable. So alot of the areas I planned to hunt are off limits, especially along the coast.

[Ghost Hunter]

Just back form Capitol.  Covered a lot af area, hiked a few trails, tried some calling.  No fresh sign, and no luck.  How did everbody else do?

[billythekidrock]

Went up the OP and didn't see any bears. I hit a few different spots and called for about 5 hours on Sunday. Called in a couple of coyotes and a bobcat (got pics/will post later) but no bears. Saw lots of hunters driving the roads.

Ghost, I may have a line on a couple bears in the CF. I heard about a big boar and a sow, but I am trying to gather more info to make sure it is not a medium sow with a cub. (you know how people misjudge size) I will let you know more as I get it.

[Ghost Hunter]

Billy
You know we'll take any help we can get.  Any info would be appreciated. I'd love to get the wife on a chance at a bear, for her first big game animal.  Heck, I wouldn't mind one myself.  It's early in the season.  Hope fuel costs don't go much higher and limit our trips.  Maybe I could bring the chainsaw and recover some costs in firewood.  Appears to be more than normal wind damage?

[billythekidrock]

One thing to think about on the CF unit, if you are trying to take 3 day weekends, do Fri, Sat, Sun rather then Sat, Sun, Mon. I find the critters are less spooky before a weekend.

Becareful about cutting firewood. DNR requires a permit (free) but you have to get on a list and then cut in the designated areas. As far as wind damage, it is about normal. When they clearcut they always leave buffers which blow over in the first hard winds.

I will send a pm on the bear.