2008 Blue Mountain Spring Bear

[jackelope]

great pics, ron. sorry to hear you guys didn't connect, but it definitely looks like the weather and snowmelt are cooperating. that country looks like familiar country.

[Rufous]

Cord, the bear was in the Walla Walla unit. We went out again this evening and saw 3 bears. One of them was in the same spot as the first bear I saw this year but this one looked bigger. It might be the same bear though. It sure looked big tonight. I hope to go in again on Friday morning and see if I can get it. I was wishing I had packed my spotting scope to be sure of its size as I am after a big one. It was too late in the evening to safely go after it as it was in a very nasty spot. Then we saw another bear across the river and finally on our walk out we saw a really big blonde bear. That bear took no deliberation about shooting but it was on property  that we do not have permission to hunt. What a bummer as I very much want a blonde bear. I have taken black, brown and cinnamon phase bears so far but no blonde ones and this guy was big! Brian.

[Rhinoron247]

It's come down to praying to the "BEAR Gods" for guidance.     Here a pic of Mrs. Rhino asking for a sign. 

[saylean]

 

I will pray to the bear gods for you too...

[Rufous]

We covered about 7.3 miles today in some rugged country but only saw two smallish cinammon bears.

[Cord]

Rufous,
You have put in the time and miles for a good bear this spring.  I hope he is feeding around the corner on the next open hill side for you.  I have enjoyed reading you hunt log.
Cord

[Rufous]

The bears were out this evening. My hunting buddy and I were out and we saw 9. There was a sow with two yearling cubs and 6 others. 7 of the bears were on the other side of the river and too far up the opposite slope to go after that late in the evening, one of the bears was on property we do not have permission to hunt and the last bear I could have shot but it was too small. Still a mighty pleasureable evening to be on the mountain. Brian aka Bruin.

[Rufous]

We had a great day out after the bears. We covered about 10 miles on foot. It was roasting hot but I saw 14 bears today (we were out from 730 to past dark) which is the most I have ever seen in a day. I also saw a cougar which was only 15 yards away. It is the 9th one I have seen and I have shot two in the past but that is the closest I have been to a live one. It was quite a treat. Many of the bears we saw were on the other side of the river and others were too small or sows with cubs. The first one we saw this morning looked pretty big but it was a long ways off and the sun was in our eyes low in the sky so even with the spotting scope it was hard to tell. I hustled around the mountain to where it had been but it was gone by the time I got over there. We will keep trying. Rufous.

[Ray]

Good luck fellas.

[billythekidrock]

Thanks for the update.

[Rufous]

I got in a quick evening hunt with my buddy's father who also drew the spring bear tag. We went up a very steep ridge and I dropped him off at a good glassing spot then went further, getting in a total of about 3.2 miles. Started at 2070' and topped out at 3670' then back down. We only saw 2 bears but they were too small. I am having a hard time finding the big one. Brian.

[Cord]

All of those bears that you are seeing leads me to believe that I have been hunting the wrong drainage in the West Blue Mt. Unit.  Next Tuesday morning I am leaving for my Starkey hunt.  I talked with the biologist at La Grande this morning, and he told me the area I had hoped to hunt was still blocked by snow, however he did suggest a couple of lower areas that had bears.  Good luck to you Brian on finding a big one.  I will let you know how I did when I get back.

Cord

[Rhinoron247]

So here's the score thus far this Bear season,  this maybe a little long winded but if you read it you'll understand.

Miles Driven back and forth to hunting area:  1500+

Nights Spent in Camp:   14

Temperatures endured:  20 - 96 degrees (some times in the same day)

Money Spent:   Over a $1.00 per mile for food, fuel and supplies (See miles driven above)

Miles Ridden on horse back:  150+ on a Bulldozer pulling a utility trailer

Miles Hiked on foot: 25+ (Ass couldn't take any more of the Horse /  Horse couldn't take any more of the ASS)

Misc extra fun:

Blown transfer case:   $1800.00 (Pushing through to much snow)

Wench fell off:  (Pulling though to much snow)  ($5.00 worth of bolts and a million dollars worth of pain in the ass SEE above for ASS reference)
 
Alternator Replacement:  $200.00

Blown Serpentine Belt:  $25.00 (and an education in reading directions)

Jack Russel had 7 puppies in the back seat of my truck as I lay outside in the grass bitting my tongue until Mrs. Rhino said " Why don't you just go hunt with out me and I'll talk care of the puppies"  2 hours later. 

Mistakenly handed Mrs. Rhino a bottle of Body lotion in place of shampoo while she was in the camp shower.   
(Ya she was so excited about the outcome of that shower)               

Being able to Hunt and not be at work:  PRICELESS

Aside from the above bitches, here is what we have netted for our sweat equity:

Bears seen:  1 

(On the back of a 4 wheeler shot by a guy who showed up the night before,  camped a mile down the road and went for a ride down a logging road the next day, saw the bear cross the road and shot it)
(Ya I was so excited for him) 

Poop seen:  2 piles 1 new, 1 old both small

Evidence of Bear activity:  Minimal in an area that became a giant wilderness party for a local 4x4 club the next day after finding the area. (Ya I was so excited for them)
 

Deer/Elk/Turkeys Seen:  Countless

I am so dumb founded at this point.  I have hunted the Lick creek unit many times in previous years and have never had an issue finding a Bear.

I finally took out some of my frustration on a colony of "Grave Diggers".  Made me feel a little better.  Sad thing is I didn't even put a dent in population of those damn rats.

Maybe it's how I'm holding  my tongue or maybe my Bino's are all fogged up.

I heading back Monday for the final week and will take all tips and advise with me.  I will even take a passenger if ya wanna saddle up and ride your ass off. 

     Ya I'm whining and I guess that's why they call it hunting.

Thanks for listening,  I think I need to go "Vent" right now.

[saylean]

Its not due to lack of effort on your part. Still wish you luck.

But you said it...being able to hunt instead of work..priceless.

[ThePascoKid]

spring bear in the blues is all about the wild onions find a big patch on an open hillside and don't let it out of your sight