Saw two NE bears

[jamesjett]

Saw two bear in the NE.  Saw the first one down low along the powerlines off the main road. Small,
about 150lbs I guess...no expert on judging.  No shot, tailed out pretty quick.  I am amazed how fast
they can bolt when they want to.  The second bear was brown phase.  He walked into the river about
800 yards away.  I was trying to figure out how to get back around across the river when I heard this
buzzing sound getting louder and closer.  The bear got back out of the water and was looking down river
and this jetskier come flying around the bend and he bolted.  Didn't see much else for animals.  Got two limits on
grouse.  Didn't see much bear sign at all up high.  Both bears sighted were down low. It was great to get
out again as I had a couple of surgeries this past year. Going back in two weeks, up in the air about hunting high or low? 

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I have seen a ton of bears low and high this year in the NE. Right now I am getting most of my bear activity between 2,500 and 3,500 but I still get a fair amount at 4+. They are thick in the areas of 117 and 101 that I hunt.

[Machias]

Just so you know the average WA bear is 175 pounds for males and 140 for females,  If you thought it was small, I'd bet it was around 100 pounds, just guessing since most guys add 50 to 75 pounds to every bear they see.  Not intentional, but they are hard to judge.  Someone on here said they shot a 250 pound bear, it was a nice bear but nowhere near 250.  They are way harder to judge than any other game animal.  Most guys would be shocked if they knew an accurate live weight of their bears.  Good luck!!

[Huntboy]

Just so you know the average WA bear is 175 pounds for males and 140 for females,  If you thought it was small, I'd bet it was around 100 pounds, just guessing since most guys add 50 to 75 pounds to every bear they see.  Not intentional, but they are hard to judge.  Someone on here said they shot a 250 pound bear, it was a nice bear but nowhere near 250.  They are way harder to judge than any other game animal.  Most guys would be shocked if they knew an accurate live weight of their bears.  Good luck!!

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Machias. Any idea of what a bear like this might weigh? I have 37 other bears on camera this year and this one dwarfs almost all of them (except two others that are close).

[Machias]

Look at his belly, look at the neck, the big head.  He would be between 280 and 315, my best guess.  The first, third and fourth photos makes me want to raise my estimation, but the 2nd and last photo makes me think he's still got room to grow. Plus I don't see the pronouced crease in his forehead.   I'd be happy to put a tag on that bear.  It'd be fun to find out an official weight.  We need to develop a back country scale, it records the the different weights when the camera goes off.   

[True Sportsman]

Look at his belly, look at the neck, the big head.  He would be between 280 and 315, my best guess.  The first, third and fourth photos makes me want to raise my estimation, but the 2nd and last photo makes me think he's still got room to grow. Plus I don't see the pronouced crease in his forehead.   I'd be happy to put a tag on that bear.  It'd be fun to find out an official weight.  We need to develop a back country scale, it records the the different weights when the camera goes off.   

That would be hilarious. 

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Thanks Machias. I was guessing somewhere around 300 but I am not a big bear guy so I wasn't sure. Unfortunately he is in one of the areas I am baiting for deer so I won't get to put an arrow through him anytime soon.

[jamesjett]

Just so you know the average WA bear is 175 pounds for males and 140 for females,  If you thought it was small, I'd bet it was around 100 pounds, just guessing since most guys add 50 to 75 pounds to every bear they see.  Not intentional, but they are hard to judge.  Someone on here said they shot a 250 pound bear, it was a nice bear but nowhere near 250.  They are way harder to judge than any other game animal.  Most guys would be shocked if they knew an accurate live weight of their bears.  Good luck!!

Thanks for the info!!  I have not seen too many bears out there.  The second one was quite a bit smaller than the first one...but it was wet from being in the river. 

[elkaholic]

MY guesss was 300! Fred you are right on. The bear on my wall was at least 75 lbs lighter then that one!!!!!!!