looking for a place to start

[3nails]

PM sent.

[JimmyHoffa]

PCT--Pacific Crest Trail.  Goes from someplace way up in Canada to California.
If you don't mind driving, maybe consider the coast.  There's a few bears in the Wynoochee/Humptulips area bordering the National Park and the Indian Reservation.
If you and he don't mind steep hiking to get up into the high country, I'd maybe take a look at Mt Skokomish Wilderness or The Brothers Wilderness.  For berries in the Olympics, most blueberries I find are in the park, but there is one area between Joyce/Seiku that has lots.  I find lots of low elevation berries near roads/creeks--salmon berries and blackberries mostly.  The most blackberries I find are in some old clearcuts near the Clearwater GMU.  There are all kinds of roads that wind around in there with big stumps and blackberry clumps.

[bankwalker]

Wow, scouting now? The areas I hunt are still completely buried in snow. The bears won't even start to show up high around here until mid August. Maybe it's different up here but scouting for bears would be like scouting for cereal at the supermarket. They'll always be in the same place. Nothing easier (besides the pack out) than killing a bear. If it's your son doing the shooting, Rebal, and you don't mind traveling to Whatcom Co. let me know and I'll pm you a great area.

i have been scouting around 300ft, and up along the snow line. really havent had a hard time finding sign.

[CAMPMEAT]

i dont know where whatcom co is but i dont mind driving for him. he is going to be the one shooting i would like for him to do this kind of on his own. i started scouting in early feb i found some old sign but havent found anything new. i also have a few bears on my trail cams i just cant take him in there

Whatcom county is north where Bellingham is, right on the B.C border. Go east off of highway 410 from Chinook Pass, Packwood and Randle areas too.

[rebal69972]

thank you guys. we will start our scouting tomorrow. he has to get into shape also i love the hiking and scouting part as much as the kill. last year between bear and elk season my gps logged over 500 miles, 3 pair of boots and many many blisters. i learned my leason last year getting ready early now

[h20hunter]

Good for you rebel. I see plenty of theads, many i comment on, regaring oh please help me blah blah blah. I think it is good to get out, burn some leather, put the sweat to the task, and work for it. I know a guy up north that I have put in a word for and will also pm you for some extra info.

[saylean]

Ya, any foothills outside of concrete, monroe, wooley, etc will have bears in em. I-90 can be a bit tough to find spots due to all the hikers, etc...density does seem to be a bit better the further north ya head.

Good luck with you and the boy.

[bentley30-06]

I have encountered a lot of bear up in snoqualmie national forest and there are a lot of berry patches in the early season.  The October bears tend to hang around the salal patches.  I have seen many bear up there and the elevations vary drastically.  It just depends on where you want to hunt.  The hunting land provides access to Eastern Washington also and has many trails.  Pacific Crest Trail is one of them and a lot of bears use it as a bee hive highway.  Just keep in mind the dates for east and west bear.  Its not to far from Lakewood either. 

[zackmioli]

at least you saw some sows and cubs last year. i still havent even found a bear while ive been out hunting them. good luck, hope you get your boy on one this year, sounds like you are on the right track.

[sticky]

I live in the Mossyrock GMU and there are bears all over the place but you have to find the newer clear cuts and commit to some time glassing.  I like the dark steep canyons leading to a river.  You might check the Tilton River drainages.  Later you can look for the berries that bears love to eat.

[Tbar]

Pm sent

[rebal69972]

thanks tbar im going to give that a shot this weekend. sticky i know that theres bears in that area i just dont have enough experance to know what im doing or really how to find them i spent all season there saw  sows and cubs.

[boneaddict]

The scouting that you should be doing right now is looking for a potential food source for that time of year.  Familiarize yourself with what might be available.  The bear will be where the food is PERIOD.   Berry crops, chokecherries, insects, fish, etc.   

[billythekidrock]

Unless its highly residential, I don't believe there are any archey only bear areas.

I'm hunting on base and they have some strange rules to go on with the strange laws WA has 

Don't give up. There are plenty of bears on base.

[rebal69972]

i wouldnt normally say this but i really hope theres alot of bears so i can get past the adrinal rush. im not worried about my son so much but the addrinal rush i got last year with the first bull i saw i thought i was going to drop my bow    i hope he does get like that on a bear, you know i kinda hope he does