copalis spring bear

[cohoslayer]

does anyone know if the copalis spring bear hunt is worth the 100 dollars to get the rayonier permit?

[billythekidrock]

I hunted it when it was free and when it was $25. I wouldn't pay $100.

[cohoslayer]

did u see alot of bears or just a few running down the roads?

[billythekidrock]

I missed a small one at the end of one season. While I saw some sign, I saw very few bears and the ones that were killed were rumored to be over bait or with dogs.

There are bears in there and my brother killed a nice one a few years ago with his bow while elk hunting, but it is not much of a spring area any more. Take a look at the amount of permits. F&W would not have 100 permits if success was high.

[cohoslayer]

no i guess not thanks for the info

[Bob33]

I hunted it three years ago with a friend.  We made several trips and did not see a bear.  He drew the tag last year and the year before (three years in a row).  I went down with him several times, both years.  We never saw a bear in the three years we were there.  I know there are bears there because we saw sign, but don't expect to see many.

[cohoslayer]

does anyone know if u can use bait or dogs on this hunt?

[billythekidrock]

Not legally.

[cohoslayer]

so calls is pretty much the way to go?

[billythekidrock]

For me.
But you can also sit over trails and feeding areas.

[cohoslayer]

like bear grass?

[brew]

I'm not gonna begrudge someone for putting in for a permit for additional hunting opportunities but why would someone put in for a hunt and after they were drawn then ask if it was worth paying for the permit ?  yes I know that paying $100 for the opportunity to hunt a tract of land that the timber owner wants bear damage reduced seems kind of greedy on the landowners part but why not research this before applying?  good luck if you persue the opportunity.

[billythekidrock]

like bear grass?

Any spring food source.

Grass.


Timber (this was in Copalis)


Fawning grounds.


Skunk cabbage.


Torn logs.


Find beds near food sources.


Toilets.


Devils club.


Salmon Berry.

[seth30]

that is a lot of scat!

[adamR]

the more i read these threads about copalis and kawposin i'm starting to think I am one of few that researched this hunt before I put my wife in for it... that being said does anyone know if this decreases the amount of people hunting the area... from what I've seen on here about people not knowing about or complaining about the fee it should drastically limit the pressure in that area

[rb2506]

save the 100bucks    hunt in august 

[Bob33]

the more i read these threads about copalis and kawposin i'm starting to think I am one of few that researched this hunt before I put my wife in for it... that being said does anyone know if this decreases the amount of people hunting the area... from what I've seen on here about people not knowing about or complaining about the fee it should drastically limit the pressure in that area

We saw one other hunter in the three years I was there.  That's good news.  The bad news is that's one more than the bears we saw.

[brew]

the more i read these threads about copalis and kawposin i'm starting to think I am one of few that researched this hunt before I put my wife in for it... that being said does anyone know if this decreases the amount of people hunting the area... from what I've seen on here about people not knowing about or complaining about the fee it should drastically limit the pressure in that area

We saw one other hunter in the three years I was there.  That's good news.  The bad news is that's one more than the bears we saw.

the bears are there....Bob-if you only saw one other hunter there the last 3 years it was probably me---I've saw 5 the last two years and have killed 2 of them.  Don't be discouraged about hunting early and not seeing any....all  of the one's i've killed were late in the season....the first pic was one in the spring '09 I shot Memorial day weekend and the second was shot during the fall Labor day weekend '10 in that unit....

[Bob33]

the second was shot during the fall Labor day weekend '10 in that unit....

We only hunted the spring.  We enjoyed the experience of camping and hunting down there, just didn't see any bears.

[SkookumHntr]

About 3 years ago a coworker drew and I tagged along for a day hunt. We seen 1 bear but it was quick! Ran into a buddy that drew that same day and he seen a bear too and said the same thing, seen it and it was gone! There in there thats no doubt!

[brew]

we saw 3 and killed two that Saturday of Memorial Day Weeklend '09.  Went back last fall and saw 2 and killed him that Labor day weekend '10...i also enjoyed riding my quad around the different areas scouting for bears

[bigtex]

the more i read these threads about copalis and kawposin i'm starting to think I am one of few that researched this hunt before I put my wife in for it... that being said does anyone know if this decreases the amount of people hunting the area... from what I've seen on here about people not knowing about or complaining about the fee it should drastically limit the pressure in that area

 

This happens every year. People put in for permits, don't read the regs where it actually says to contact the landowner for access info then get pissed about paying an access fee and don't pay/hunt. Well how do you think people who are willing to pay and didn't get the permit feel??

I wish there was a way for when you submit your special permit apps and one of these access fee areas is selected there is a question/notice that basically says there is a fee associated with this hunt. I think that would reduce the amount of apps.

[jgorley]

I hunted spring last season.  We saw 3.  The first was sitting 40 feet off the side of the road.  He and I had the same look on our faces, "Oh sheet, there is a bear/human!"   Then he was off like lightning.  The second was about 400 yards out in the brush.  I was not 100% sure it was a bear, so I didn't pull the trigger.   After keeping it in the scope for 40 minutes or so, I decided it was a stump.  After taking a closer look, the stump was gone by the time I got there.  The last was about 20 feet off of the 101 on a dead run.  So I struck out!  I talked to 2 other hunters who had the same luck.  One guy said he had the biggest bear he ever saw on the main line, it never gave him an ethical shot as it walked slightly quartering away and just walked off the road and disappeared.  Paying $100 wasn't too bad, as they allow you to camp on the property.  Saved more than that on the diesel alone.  I was driving over 2 hours just to get there.  The Security guard kept us informed on the bear activity.  It is just so brushy!  We hunted probably 20 full days during the season.  Good Luck!  There are a ton of Yotes in there!  Saw at least 1 per day.  Some of them were huge too!

[billythekidrock]

the more i read these threads about copalis and kawposin i'm starting to think I am one of few that researched this hunt before I put my wife in for it... that being said does anyone know if this decreases the amount of people hunting the area... from what I've seen on here about people not knowing about or complaining about the fee it should drastically limit the pressure in that area

No, it does not decrease the amount of people, but it is very flat and brushy so you don't see them. Somedays you won't see a soul and at other times you will see a quite a few. One year I spotted a small bear up there and tried to call it in for a photo. It would not respond and continued grubbing though it was only about 100 yards away. I then decided I would shoot it. I missed, but a rig from a mile away sped up and asked if I shot a bear coming to their calling.  Some people.

This is also the only unit I have ever been locked in....and it happened twice. Brush pickers have keys and will open/close gates at will.
The roads are open and you will often see other people cruising through the unit. The access fee is supposed to help cover insurance and allow you behind red dots, but there is no active enforcement of access to non permit holders.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Some lucky dog is going to get one. I drew the permit also. Excited as heck and 100 bucks? C'mon, chump change for how much we spend every year on hunting and fishing. The opportunity to be in the woods hunting is totally worth it to me. I know exactly were I'm concentrating my efforts and ready to get down and set up my cams.

[hoyt5199]

I drew a tag and I am going to spend the $100 bucks for the permit. It may be a good year and you are not going to know if you dont buy an access permit. It beats sitting on the couch wishing you were hunting.

[NW-GSP]

I agree 100 bucks isnt that bad, cant wait. I should be getting my 300 win mag back from remington next week,