what type of geographic area do yo see more sign in

[jtf]

hello all,
    new member hear. just getting into bear hunting. have learned a little bit here on the board. than you all for your input and stories. i have scouted several types of geographic areas. seen signs in most of the ones on the poll but not all. just curious as to where you all see the most of your sign. you can vote twice in this poll by the way. good luck to all this year. seasons winding down fast for me since i only get out on the weekends. i only have one spot where i have steady signs. i think it is a little guy but i have yet to see him or her. at any rate i probably will let the little fellas pass so maybe come next year they are a little more thicker. then again if it's a shooter i'll be thrilled.

[NWBREW]

Welcome.      Rolling hills. 

[JackOfAllTrades]

You're certainly missing a very popular place. Look for the thread about five Bear down in 40hrs.  All were killed in steep mountainous terrain above 5,000ft.  I see most Bear in the alpine steep sections as that's what I target at the right time.

-Steve

[alecvg]

You're certainly missing a very popular place. Look for the thread about five Bear down in 40hrs.  All were killed in steep mountainous terrain above 5,000ft.  I see most Bear in the alpine steep sections as that's what I target at the right time.

-Steve

STEEP alpine.

[woodman]

I have seen 14 so far this year. None in steep, just where there is food, water and shelter. 7 were within 1  mile from houses, three of those were within 1/4 mile of homes. I think they roam around and follow where ever they can find food and be elusive.

[rasbo]

this time of year damn near anywhere,spring I like steep long ridges ,with many drainages..

[Special T]

I think you missed my main catagory, Loggin roads! I see so much bear crap on a couple of logging roads it could clog the tires on my Pick up!    I think there is something about Bears and Coyotes. They just LOVE to crap in the road. 

[saylean]

I see sign in swamp/clear cuts...I rarely hunt high alpine ...but I am sure they are in there too...

[Ripper]

I've seen 7 or 8 bears this year. All of them in the 3500' range and in or near berry patches in clearcuts. Hd one run across the road I was walking, went from one berry patch to another. The terrain up there is pretty STEEP!

[jtf]

You're certainly missing a very popular place. Look for the thread about five Bear down in 40hrs.  All were killed in steep mountainous terrain above 5,000ft.  I see most Bear in the alpine steep sections as that's what I target at the right time.

-Steve

Hmmm looks like i might have to do a little more hiking then what I'm use to.

[jtf]

I have seen 14 so far this year. None in steep, just where there is food, water and shelter. 7 were within 1  mile from houses, three of those were within 1/4 mile of homes. I think they roam around and follow where ever they can find food and be elusive.

WOW! Sooo when are you gonna throw a bear party for all of us to come check out these fur-balls, lol.

[jtf]

I see sign in swamp/clear cuts...

i know this one swampy are that i have been meaning to check out. just need the time. there are soo many places to scout/hunt on the west side.

[BlackRidge]

I think you missed my main catagory, Loggin roads! I see so much bear crap on a couple of logging roads it could clog the tires on my Pick up!    I think there is something about Bears and Coyotes. They just LOVE to crap in the road. 

Don't we all?

I've noticed it too, but definitely see more bear at higher elevations

[JackOfAllTrades]

Thing is, it all depends on the time of season and foods available. I target high elevation sloped rocky, blue berry layden and grassed meadows because it's easier to glass for them there. Are they down at other tighter forested areas eating cascara sprouts, ripping apart stumps for worms and grubs, digging out bee hives, eating grasses and skunk cabbage, black, salmon and huckle berries, grouse and weazels or other rodents other times of the year?  YES!  Bears in the southwest or Willipa hills really don't have the alpine slopes that bears in the Mount Baker or Stevens pass areas do, so, a hunter is best to find what food is ripe that bears eat and target those areas.  I'll bring up my most recent bear sighting.. In Pasayten around 7,500' in late September. There were still some scrub huckleberries 1,500' below him but most other berries were long gone. Grasses available, but what was he doing?

Turning over rocks looking for rodents like Marmots and Pika or weezels.

He's trying to fatten up before winter. But earlier in the month you'd still see him eating berries and such. Before that, grasses and grubs. All that larva that was burrowed deep in a stump during winter/spring. That's his food in the spring. Along with any fawn they come across. More over, they are oportunists. They wander, and eat what they find along the way. You might see a bear eating cascara or blackberries one day in a creak draw full of cover, then the next he's ripping a stump apart in a clearcut.

-Steve

[6packdad]

I just missed an oppurtunity on one Sunday in the swamps near where I live. Jack of all trades nailed it on the head. Look for the food source near where you are hunting and you should find the sign. I'm still flustered from sunday. I was in a restricted firearm area with muzzle loader and my son and we jumped a bear at 50 yards. I offered to let him shoot his first bear but he was shaking so bad and replied " No dad you shoot, I didnt think we would be this close!"  So I raised the gun, squeezed the trigger and click. Wet musket cap= no bear!