SPRING bear hunting success %?

[h20hunter]

Anybody have any guesses or educated answers on what the success rate of spring permit holders? After hunting and learning quite a bit during last years general season I'm stoked about getting back out.

[Bob33]

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2009/reports/bear_hunt_name.php

[whacker1]

What area are you applying for?

[h20hunter]

That is a good question. I live in Lake Stevens and have learned some areas near Sultan and a few spots north up by Sedro Wooly. I've spent some time on the forum and am hoping to get some advice as we get closer as to good places to put in for and some other hunting tips. I'm hoping to hunt near the Monroe, Gold Bar, Sultan, Darrington, Granit Falls area in the spring.

[h20hunter]

Also, thanks for the link Bob, good stuff.

[saylean]

There are no bears in Sultan, monroe, gold bar, or frankly, the west side of the state.

Is it spring yet?!

Can we get the draw results yet?!

[Wea300mag]

I'm surprised by the low success rates in most areas. I wonder how accurate they really are.

[Bob33]

I'm surprised by the low success rates in most areas. I wonder how accurate they really are.

In my opinion they're overstated.  I hunted bear three years in a westside permit area and never saw one bear.

[D-Rock425]

I drew the Monroe tag last year.  I saw a few bears learned some new areas and I even missed one .  If anyone draws Monroe I will gladly help them

[h20hunter]

Since I live in Lake Stevens the Monroe tag will be my obvious hunt choice.

[boneaddict]

considering how many people said they lie on their hunting reports  who knows.   However, you have to submit teeth for bear don't you.....so maube its more accurate.   I suppose folks don't do that either.

[Stickerbush]

are these hunts mostly quality hunts on private lands? I'm thinking of applying

[D-Rock425]

Mostly DNR and private forest company land that is all open to hunt.

[Bob33]

are these hunts mostly quality hunts on private lands? I'm thinking of applying

(a) How do you define "quality"?
(b) Which hunts are you asking about?  GMU 101 is almost exclusively USFS.  So is GMU 175.  Copalis is almost exclusively private timber company.

[Stickerbush]

I just thought they might be in the same category of some of the "quality" deer and elk hunt I have applied for. I dont really know what quality means Ive just heard the term before, in the regs it says "damage" hunts. Just curious about the purpose and why they are only in certain areas

[Bob33]

There are no separate categories for spring bear permit hunts.  Each area is unique so it's really not possible to make blanket statements.  Generally speaking, the eastern areas have higher success.

[Button Nubbs]

I drew the Monroe tag last year.  I saw a few bears learned some new areas and I even missed one .  If anyone draws Monroe I will gladly help them

i will be taking you up on that when i draw it this year!

[high country]

I have been 100% on my spring hunts....or should i say...hunt...lol. I saw at least 30 bears in 10 days.  I do know of 3 permit holders that never even stepped into the woods on thier permits.

[whacker1]

I hunted 12 days in 49 and saw one bear last year that I did not get a shot at.  I learned a lot, but I am part of the 0% for 2010.

[rasbo]

There are no separate categories for spring bear permit hunts.  Each area is unique so it's really not possible to make blanket statements.  Generally speaking, the eastern areas have higher success.

yes and I believe thats because its more open...there are a lot of bears here but very thick country

[no1waterdog]

on my spring brown bear hunt the outfitter went 66.6 % this was in Alaska.