New to Bear hunting, and doing it on Ft. Lewis this year. (Active Duty USAF)

[AKBowman]

Yeah theres safety in numbers no doubt. It just seems it makes it harder to besuccessful sometimes when there is more than one guy in a group. I doubt there would be much of a pack coming out of Ft Lewis though, lots of roads and trails  

[Wildsau]

Point well taken.

[jackmaster]

remember the saying, the eagle saw it fall, the deer heard it fall, and the bear smelled it fall... it is a good idea having huntn partners but when it comes to bear you will have better success if you split up and it keeps the scent down as well, but smelling like a big fat fresh doughnut might just icrease your chances as well. good luck to who ever gets out there to ft. lewis 

[Wildsau]

Referring to an earlier thread about hunting bear on Ft. Lewis, I am counting down to 1 Aug when I can get out on Ft. Lewis and try my luck. I have a self climbing treestand that I carry on my back, in case I see the oppertunity to use it.

My finger is itching somethin' real awful and I need a bruin to help it.

[rebal69972]

I hunt bear and deer on base and have for the last 3 years there are plenty of bears. Finding them is a pain but they are there

[oldcamper]

Area 4 is good and Area 8 tends to have a few. Area 4 doesn't open often though. Good luck

[Wildsau]

I remember reading, in other threads that bear had been seen in areas 8, 9, 10, 11, and 18, but that was a while ago.  I have tried talking with the Outdoor Rec people, to no avail.  I will try 'Strange' Control; perhaps they can shed some light.

[wraithen]

They restricted our training flights greatly over the range so much that I've only flown over it once since those aircraft had a midair out there. With that said I haven't heard anyone see anything out there in the past 6 months. Aerial scouting of other areas has located some nice deer and elk though   

[oldcamper]

Don't forget to do the annual course at the rod and gun club. Or was it at the range control.  one of them. I have pulled some nice ones off Ft. Lewis years ago. I will again in the future but probably not this year.

[wraithen]

The class is at the northwest adventure center on north fort lewis. I believe the outdoor rec on mcchord will do it but I'm not certain.

[crazysccrmd]

I'll give it a shot with someone. Just need to figure out what needs to be done first at the adventure center.

[oldcamper]

You have to take the class and it explains all the entry rules to the area's and the call in/sign in method. Then they will give you a schedule of their open areas. If you are hunting rifle, you have to register it with the provost marshal (size, serial number and type). Then go hunt in the area you signed into.

Years ago back in the 80s the state shut down hunting because of the fire danger, I took my dad out there and got us set up with the class and we hunted out in the training area. Being federal land they didn't close like the rest of the state.

[rebal69972]

ta 4 is great for bears Ive got pics of around 30 bears out there around sawmill lake.  i was getting allot of good pics till i was told that trail cams aren't aloud on base and i forgot to ask at the adventure center when i was there.does anyone know if i was told right or someone just pulling my chain? if they are ok to have i would love to get some more pics. i did post most of the bear pics i got last year

[Igottanewknee]

Seen plenty of bear out there. Too bad they seem to like it were there are plenty of people...One at Madigan gate last year, another at Old Madigan... Another crossed the road at the light where you go past 1st Special Forces compound.. This is just the last two years!

[wraithen]

Don't forget the guy walking his dog last summer that got slapped by one 3 times up by engineer bluffs. Dog ran off. Dog ran back with bear in toe. Dude got nasty slashes chest back face. Luckily after the third slap the bear left.