Why the late start for south cascades

[Huntboy]

Does anybody know why bear doesn't open till aug. 14 in the south cascades.

[Houndhunter]

they say because of low sow populations, i think they have other reasons though. hikers being one of them as you can see the only areas that changed are are areas that have alot of hking areas like wilderness and such. plus i dont see how moving the season back would change the sow harvest. look at the harvest reports too and there are not many bears being killed, atleast in the south cascades, if anything i think they have to many bears

[one-eyed Ross]

Well, I'm heading that way tomorrow for a look see what is available....hopefully will see something.

If nothing else, it'll be a nice drive and I'll get to see some nice country.

[bowhiker]

I recall a petition going around last year,or the year before, about this topic. The WDFW wanted to push back bear season to the end of the month of August to decrease the number of hunters pursuing bear in the same areas others were recreating. Not sure who brought it up, but it's horse poo! Low sow numbers, low cub survival isn't the reason.

[one-eyed Ross]

Well, after spending yesterday going through portions of the Siouxan and some Wind River GMUs, I suspect the reason is the huckleberry areas.  They want to keep hunters away from the huckleberry pickers, I am sure.  That can be the only reason I can think of for the late start.

Saw lots of green berries, lots of deer droppings, one old bear pile...and lots & lots of cars going up and down the road.

Might have to hike up to the Indian Heaven Wilderness to get away from people...some of those hikes are said to be "difficult."

[Kain]

Well, after spending yesterday going through portions of the Siouxan and some Wind River GMUs, I suspect the reason is the huckleberry areas.  They want to keep hunters away from the huckleberry pickers, I am sure.  That can be the only reason I can think of for the late start.

Saw lots of green berries, lots of deer droppings, one old bear pile...and lots & lots of cars going up and down the road.

Might have to hike up to the Indian Heaven Wilderness to get away from people...some of those hikes are said to be "difficult."

Yeah Lots of people in the woods but it has always been that way.  I went to the Siouxon creek trail head a couple weeks ago and there was 27 cars parked there.  Good luck with Indian Heavens, that is one of the most beautiful places in the world.  Last time I was there it was packed as well but everyone mostly keeps to the trails so it is easy to loose the crowds....just bring the bug spray.

[Houndhunter]

im willingly to bet that they will start pushing for sept 1st here in the following years

[one-eyed Ross]

+10 on the bug spray.

The skeeters were so thick they needed a LSO to direct them in...

Well, sounds like things will be busy enough we'll probably head up Cispus or something.  It's the 17 y.o. first bear hunting trip, so would be nice to at least see something that looked like it might be a bear.  He saved up his own $$ for a .270 Remington, so he's pumped to get into the woods.

[billythekidrock]

im willingly to bet that they will start pushing for sept 1st here in the following years

You can bet that is the plan.  And I am sure it will happen soon.

[GEARHEAD]

Ditto on the bug spray, was up that way last week,  those sqeeters are freaking bad right now over there, you'll make good time on the trail as you cant stop without being eaten alive. berries were still green last week, maybe a month to go still, atleast at the 4000 to 5800 level.

[one-eyed Ross]

That was pretty much my conclusion on the berries.  Won't be soon....and commercial picking opens up on the 15th...   Won't make it easier to find critters with all the pickers in the woods.