Any help? Dayton Unit!

[love to hunt]

I've been drawn for the Spring Bear tag in Dayton. Has anyone hunted the unit before. If so, do you have any leads that I can follow. I've taken deer and elk before but never a bear. I've never hunted this GMU either. With the snow and a busy schedule I'll probably wait for two more weeks before heading over.  If you've hunted the area before and don't mind sharing your info, please let me know as any info you give me helps in my scouting from the west side. I have maps and have been studying them and google earth. I'm not familiar with the road systems yet but am learning. It looks steep but that is no problem. Thanks for your help and happy hunting to all.

[Timberstalker]

Just give me your tag.

[Woodchuck]

Gonna be tough right now, snow is pretty low. I would say the old adage of south facing areas of green if you can find em. 

[palousemoose]

The snow level has risen, but in another week it should be good.  I drew the Dayton tag too.  I spent the day down there today and didnt see much bear action.  More elk and deer than anything else.  There is a ton of private land. Local residents have been very open to hunting thus far.  Good luck

[love to hunt]

Thanks for the info. It helps in my planning. Good luck to you!

[400out]

Thanks for the info. It helps in my planning. Good luck to you!

I don't mean to be rude but why do you apply for a ap in this area when you are from the wet side of the state if you don't know where to go for them?

[nwhunter]

Cuz we don't have color phase bears and you do on the dry side! Kind of the same reason we apply for sheep and moose tags on the eastside in units we may not know, sure we may be wetsiders but we still like to hunt. I don't take your question as rude and I do feel for you guys who live in or near the Blues  and can't draw tags in your backyard, that sucks. nwhunter

[backcountry55]

this is for 400 out  your reply was rude you know every where to hunt? you have never wanted to try something new? besides i dont get it if you guys are elk and deer hunters you should want everyone who drew a bear tag to be successful! they are worthless! any ways hey just wait for a few more weeks the bears will be more active try robinette mt chase is always good for a few bears! i seen a few in years past up middle point ridge good luck! i have the wenaha not going till the 28th of may hope to post pics!

[BENCHLEG]

patience my friend , the snow will melt. all hunters in the state of washington are welcome. : :hello:and good luck.

[Killmore]

Thanks for the info. It helps in my planning. Good luck to you!

I don't mean to be rude but why do you apply for a ap in this area when you are from the wet side of the state if you don't know where to go for them?

And it amazes me when someone new can ask a simple question that someone can be rude..My mother taught me that if you don't got nothing nice to say, then don't say nothing at all..

[love to hunt]

It's also nice to be able to learn a new area. Why not broaden your horizon a little and try something a little different.  It would be nice to draw an elk tag over there at some point,  and why not learn the area while on a bear hunt. And lastly whats better than getting out with the guys on the first hunting trip of the year in May! Good hunting!

[Killmore]

 

[oldleclercrd]

  you only have a tag for one animal, why not help another hunter out? Some people i tell you... 

[bowsandhose]

i know the dayton well and have hunted it for bear send me a PM if ya have any questions

[DeerThug]

Yeah dont be rude.  I ammply over a lot of western states where I ahve never been.


As for dayton I would say May 5-10 would be perfect in the mid elevations. 

look for places that are 7 - 10 days out of snow with good green up.

[Dean44]

love to hunt,

I hunted Tucannon last spring, which is right next to your unit.  I learned to watch the open ridges with timber in the bottom.  The bears come out on the open ridges to turn over the rocks where they are more easily moved.  Then they eat the bulbs that grow on the ridges and under the rocks.

Watch for the ridges that have newly blooming yellow flowers.  That seems to indicate the right timing for the bears to be there.  The elevation will rise as the Spring progresses.

Do a lot of glassing, and be prepared to hike and pack in steep country. It was a really an awesome hunting experience.

Good Luck!

[DeerThug]

I am guessing the yellow flowers are Balsemroot.  Great tip for the lower to mid elevations.  Balsemroot  is used by a lot of wild life as well as the indians in the old times.

Also elk will feed on the seed heads if there is an early snow....

Cant wait to get down there with the buddies that have the tags..

[bowsandhose]

Sorry to be the barer of bad news lovetohunt but there are no bears or elk in the blues
[smg id=10462]
spring 09
6' nose to tail
skull 20 1/16

[BENCHLEG]

wow now thats a nice bear.

[halflife65]

Whopper bowsandhose.

I have a Wenaha tag and, from what I understand, it's still pretty snowy to be heading down there yet.  I'm getting pretty antsy.

[bucklucky]

Nice Dink Travis  I hope the wife kills one at least half the size of yours 

[Raul Duke]

Maybe I'm the only one that sees it the same way as 400out.It wasnt rude to ask. I just started hunting the Dayton unit 3yrs ago, and I never joined a fourm to ask for help. I drove 2hrs each way and put in my foot work.
I do put in for units all over the state. Then I go scout and learn the area. 

Good Luck with your bear hunt.

[bowsandhose]

Nice Dink Travis  I hope the wife kills one at least half the size of yours 

knowing your wife it will be more like twice the size of mine 

[bucklucky]

Nice Dink Travis  I hope the wife kills one at least half the size of yours 

knowing your wife it will be more like twice the size of mine 

Ya right  Was that 6 ft on the carcass? I bet it grows quite a bit once it is fleshed . Thats a big bear!

[bowsandhose]

Nice Dink Travis  I hope the wife kills one at least half the size of yours 

knowing your wife it will be more like twice the size of mine 

Ya right  Was that 6 ft on the carcass? I bet it grows quite a bit once it is fleshed . Thats a big bear!

yes it was