Kapowsin bear ?

[bearbaito6]

Does anyone know how many bear are harvested on the spring hunt in the Kapowsin tree farms? Or a total number for the spring and general season?

[Alan K]

Not as many as you'd think, they're often still denning during the majority of the season.  Not sure of actual numbers.

[Curly]

At least WDFW is probably going to extend the season by another month this year, so that should help the success rate.  (Oh wait, I may be wrong on that.  They may only be talking about the Copalis.  Damn, I can't remember now.)

[woodman]

I believe that 8 spring bear were taken last year.

[Curly]

It was the Kapowsin season that they will increase.  Here is from the WDFW proposal:

For westside spring bear hunts, the Department is recommending increasing the season length in the Kapowsin
Tree Farm unit from April 15-May 15 to April 15-June 15 based on discussions with the landowners. There is a slight anticipated increase to the number of hunter days.

[D-Rock425]

I think baiting permits would be cool.  Not everyone has access to hounds.

[Alan K]

I know a lot of hound guys are willing to help you out with their hounds so long as you cover their traveling costs. . . A lot of guys just want to get their dogs some work.

[jackmaster]

i am with you, i wish they would let us bait again, that was fun and what a tool to use to help keep the population in check, as long as its a clean bait site i dont see the problem, it was some of the funnest huntn i have ever had, especially watchn the baby cubs

[funkster]

15,here is a link to the harvest reports for spring bear http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2009/reports/bear_hunt_name.php

[fishcrazy]

I really like the bait permit idea! I have never baited bear but would love to try it. I know a guy who has a place in Idaho and I'm going to try it with him.

Kris

[Wazukie]

Thanks, that's what I've always heard a few bear a year. There is a ton of them in there. I was up there this morning and started wondering about it, because I saw more timber damage then I have ever seen in there before. I understand its a good thing they offer spring permits, as it gives hunters more opportunity. But I don't get why they don't use houndsmen, a tool that is available to them to prevent the massive damage that is occurring? There is no way the applicants offset the thousands upon thousands of dollars in timber that is being lost. I know most guys want to boot hunt it, and try to take care of the problem but you could take 30 plus bear a year out of there to get some control and not hurt the population. I don't know I just don't get what there doing I thought they are in the tree business, guess its there money not mine.

They are in the money business.  The damage isnt as bad as it looks most of the time.  If the tree isn't girthed, bark peeled clear around, then most of the time it doesn't die.  They loose more tree's to Pork's every year than to bear.

[rasbo]

there is a ton of damage in kapowsin,the trees that don't get completely girdled will often get diseases,I have only come across one tree pig in kapowsin in twenty yrs on the property..The property is loaded with bears, its putting yourself in the right spots that's a must,and some luck screaming is a blast.April 15th is when the bears start to get active,access to many good spots is hard to find some yrs because of snow amounts.I really get excited around may 1st thru June.A short early season would suck.It would be better from may 15th to June 15th instead of April 15th to may 15th..I'm ok with them being in it for the money,gives a lot of us a great place to hunt.Letting hounds run would eliminate a lot of access to a spring bear hunt for many,if they let us have one at all.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I too am not a fan of the Apr 15 to May 15th season.  One month later would make it much easier to get a bear.  Wife wants a kitchen remodel this spring, so might just apply for points... 

[bearbaito6]

They are in the money business.  The damage isnt as bad as it looks most of the time.  If the tree isn't girthed, bark peeled clear around, then most of the time it doesn't die.  They loose more tree's to Pork's every year than to bear.
[/quote]

The Damage is that bad, the bear are killing thousands of trees each spring and summer. There are very few porkies in there.

[elkbird]

I had a spring tag there last year.  very nice place to hunt bears but the season change makes it hard to apply this year.  almost all the bear activity last year started the last two weeks of the season which has been eliminated this year.  I will wait to apply there again till the season goes back to june 15.  another consideration is the snow, most of the area will be under a lot of snow and not easy to get into this year.  better to buy a point and wait till next year hoping they change the season back or there is less snow.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Anyone know what they will charge to hunt that one month?  I think last year and the years before it was $100.  I put in for points only this year, too many things on the honey do list.... 

[bearmanric]

i put in for Kapowsin first and Lincoln second. i just want to try and call bear's. so is it open till June 15. Rick