Vail Bear?

[danrabe]

Hello everyone,

To start out, I have been bear hunting before with much success, but it has all been in Alaska.  I am stationed here at Ft. Lewis, and am looking to head out bear hunting with my bow.  I have a couple questions.  Are there many bear in the Wayerhaeusen area around Rainier, Vail Tree farm.  If so, How far back should I plan on hiking, and are there any areas I should specifically avoid? I know I am looking for berries in this area, this would include blackberries, correct?  And lastly, because it is not an archery specific season, would I be able to carry my .44mag as a side arm?  I am not worried about being charged or whatnot, I just havent decided if I want to drop a bear with my pistol or my bow yet.

Thanks,
Dan

[saylean]

Never hunted that area before, but I can answer a few other of your questions...

Yes, you are looking for blackberries (or any other specific berry bears like/food source).
Yes, you can carry  your side arm, provided you are legal to do so (not a felon, of age, etc). As far as shooting a bear with your side arm instead of your bow, I dont see any reason why you cannot (since it is not weapon specific), with the exception that you need to have the barrel length 4 inches or longer I believe.

Anyone else like to chime in and give their thoughts?

[hntr]

You can use your 44 mag handgun, as long as the barrel is at least 4 inches long.   

[bucklucky]

Definately not the best area for bears but there are always bears around somewhere. Id head for the high country personally.

[PolarBear]

 
Vail is not known for having many bears.  They only pull a couple out of there per year.  One of my friends hauls logs out of there and hasn't seen a single bear in there all year.

[YoterHunter]

if your statond at the base. you would have better luck hunting it. there is a lot of bears on the base.

[akirkland]

if your statond at the base. you would have better luck hunting it. there is a lot of bears on the base.

[danrabe]

Might just have to try on post then.  I didn't realize there would be significantly more bear on post than off.  Now I just have to go get a post hunting permit.

[Alan K]

I've only ever seen them up high in Vail, and on one occasion.  Would be a hell of a hike/bike ride to get up there! 

My buddies grandpa who works in there got a 200 or so pounder up there several years ago, but he rarely sees them.  Like others have said, there are probably better places to go but bears are everywhere.

[brew]

Vail is not known for having many bears.  They only pull a couple out of there per year.  One of my friends hauls logs out of there and hasn't seen a single bear in there all year.

yep that's right.....no bears in that area

[7ultra]

well i dont know where you people are looking but i know personally there are alot of bears in the vail tree farm if there wasnt weyco wouldnt have hired me to feed them every year THERE ARE LOTS OF BEARS ALL OVER THAT TREE FARM  OPEN YOUR EYES PEOPLE

[KenPCPilot]

Hunt the base.  My father worked there for 30 years and often with fish and wildlife managers.  many bears near the river areas.  I spotted one in June crossing HWY (510) between the Redwind Casino and the Southworth school.  all roads on the northe side of the Hwy usually go down to the Nisqually river at some point.  My next door neighbor is a bus driver at the Red Wind casino and he saw a bear about a mile from where I did two weeks later.  He swears his bear was a full size adult.  I would have judged the one I saw a juvinile size but definetly a shooter.  Muck creek area is also good.  Lots of bear sign out there.  I went out one summer and one of the wildlife agents showed me a tree marking scratch up about 6 1/2 feet on a cedar tree right on Muck creek just down from the pond area.  If you have a shotgun it would be legal to hunt with on post.  you would have to check but I don't think the Military Police would allow you to carry a sidearm hunting on post.  The base has a lot of area that boarders the river.  go out to the military tank crossing road on 510.  there is one road that parallels the river for quite a ways.  If you have a predator call you could also try some calling.  Most of the river area is somewhat swampy but should have areas of black berries.  I can vouch for that trying to flyfish the Nisqually and hiking through narly berry brambles. 

[CAMPMEAT]

Don't get caught hunting on the "Rez".

[Stilly bay]

although I haven't been back in three years I spent a lot of time hiking and hunting the vail/skookumchuck area and have seen lots of bear and bear sign. lots of big cats in there too.

[danrabe]

Thanks everyone,

I think I may just stick on post with the bow...its closer anyways...plus I can go during lunch to sit for a bit.  I was down south of 520 today in a large clear cut that was deemed the Pinnacle. If you take the time to hike far enough in (i dont drive in, diesel is too loud), there is a pinnacle in the clear cut where you can literally see the entire cut.  Its a small little clearing on top, and is quite fun to land on at night.  Its all overgrown with about 10' trees, but you can still see quite a distance.  The only problem with that area is that there is very little water, and I figure that with it being as hot as it has been and having no rain in a while, they will probably be cruising around the watering holes.

Nonetheless, unsuccessful today, hopefully sunday the wife wont mind me heading out to the river to do some hunting in the morning.

Thanks for all the help!
~Dan