New bear hunter

[jrwoot]

I just got stationed here in western Washington, and I am an avid hunter. I want to hunt my first bear ever and wondering if anyone has ideas or suggestions on where to go to here in western Washington. Again, I dont know the area yet I am looking for somewhere that I can go and scout out early to try to atleast try to get the lay of the land and try to find some berry patches.

Thanks for any assistance

[Snowman]

Welcome aboard. There is alot of info in the bear forum here. Read through some the stuff and you'll find some good info. Again welcome, enjoy the site and glad you found it. Good people here and info.

[MasterTracker]

About 3 miles east of hwy 203 in gmu 460. Well put you right into bear country just get behind a gate and in a clear cut and get ready to shot a bear! Might wont to scout around for fresh signs and also try some bear call's! Look for tall fresh grass berry bushs and edges of clear cuts and also look for big rotten log's bears love them!  Duvall is the middle town of 203 just so you know where to look and always make sure you know whos and what land your on!


                                                                                          Good luck!

[billythekidrock]

Welcome to the site and to WA. Where are you stationed?

[jrwoot]

Thanks for the advise.  I will get off my arse this weekend and take myself a drive and see what i can do. And what would you all agree would be a caliber of choice?? Oh, and I have been stationed all over. My last hitch was FT Sill, Oklahoma. BZut I have been Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, FT Bragg, FT Hood, Kuwait, Egypt, HOnduras, and more.

[catwithboost]

So you are at Ft Lewis.

[Bofire]

Any caliber that is good for deer will work for bear. Make sure it is larger than .24 to meet state rules. I think I would advise .270 or more, 308, 06 all will work fine.
Welcome to Washington, and thank you for your service.
Carl

[jrwoot]

Yes I am at Fort Lewis now. I was told that there is bear on Fort Lewis. Any ideas on this?

[billythekidrock]

Yes I am at Fort Lewis now. I was told that there is bear on Fort Lewis. Any ideas on this?

Yep.. Lots of bears on base. There are some around Cat (Catfish?) lake, the tank crossing near Nisqually and if you can get near the old hatchery below the Indian church you will be in bear heaven.

[jrwoot]

have you ever hunted out around the Indian church? Sounds like I need to hire you as a guide!!! 

[billythekidrock]

have you ever hunted out around the Indian church? Sounds like I need to hire you as a guide!!! 

Never hunted the area as the tribe won't let you. I do know a guy (non-tribal) who is a friend of the tribe and he asked to hunt it and they turned him down saying that it could pose a safety issue if a bear was wounded. It has been a few years since I was down there, but near the old hatchery was an old apple orchard and the bear trails were thick. I would try to get as close to that spot as I could while still being on the Military base.

[p-ohana]

Go to The Outdoor Rec. Center on N Fort. They will tell you all you need to know. They update what areas will be open every Tuesday at 1200. You have to watch a video and register to hunt on post. I can't remember the Training Areas I seen bears in, but when I get back from Ft Benning in July, I'll look at my map and let you know. What unit are you in? I'm in 5/2.

[jrwoot]

I just got assigned to 5-3 under 17th Fires Brigade. have no Idea what I will be doin. Sure would be nice to have a local that knows the area for that first hunt....

[p-ohana]

jrwoot, are you looking only to hunt bear or do you hunt deer also? I'll be hunting deer on Ft Lewis with a M/L this year.

[Houndhunter]

capital forest is close to you and good