Ripper's Spring Bear Log

[lokidog]

Are those cedars?  I didn't know bears ate on the cedars as well as firs.  No tag for me, I'll just have more time to lingcod fish.     Good luck!

[D-Rock425]

Don't know if I've seen bear peels on a cedar 

[Michelle_Nelson]

Yes, Bears will peel Cedars.  They will also peel Hemlock.  Just not as much as they do the Firs.  I've only found a few compared to the Firs. 

If you guys have never read "The Education of a Bear Hunter" or "Flowers and Bears" by Ralph Flowers you really should.  He talks about the times he went to other countries and the types of trees the Bears peel there.

[bobcat]

I've seen lots and lots of bear peeled trees, and never a cedar tree, until last year. I found two or three freshly peeled cedar trees. Previously all I had seen had been Douglas fir. One of the cedars that got peeled was a big one, about 28 inch diameter, and I had a trail camera about 10 feet away about pointed in the wrong direction.   

[plottwalker]

they peel fir,cedar, and hemlock, normally hemlock are first to start running, and might get hit before firs, porkys chew the bark, normally side ways, if you look close you can see the small teeth marks, bear normallypeel the bark off,and scrap down the tree with there teeth, some times side ways but longer motions then porkys. alot of the times the porkys hit the tops of the tree where the tree grows first, and the bear will sometime strip all the way up, but normally stick to the bottom 1/2 of the tree(depending on size). bears and porkys will also test trees this time of year before they peel, normally a silver dollar size at the base of the tree, might even see a few neiboring trees tested.

both those are good books to read.

[Ripper]

Thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it. I was wondering about ceders also so I looked it up and yes they will hit ceders. I saw a bunch of hemlocks in that area and plenty of firs also. All the peels looked the same. Shredded up and down to the ground. You could see the claw and teeth marks if you looked close. I'm glad someone mentioned the silver dollar sized test bites, because I've been seeing those fairly regularly. I didn't know what they were. I guess I have seen some fresh sign, I just didn't know it. I don't look like too much of a rookie do I? 
Yes I'm learning on the run. Anyway, ready for the good new's?   I found fresh poo! Yes I did, and I can tell you I have never been more excited to see fresh poo ever before!    So I drove up into an area I checked last week that had ton's of old peels. I only had a little time before work and this was my best option. I came up over a little rise and there is this very healthy blacktail standing in the road about 60 yards away. I throw the glasses on him and yup, he's a buck. No horns yet but the nubs are starting to show. After he heads of into the brush I continue on. So I drive about 11 miles all around back there, glassing, doing a little walking. According to my map I should come out at another gate. I wouldn't have gone all the way if there wasn't another gate because the brush was tearing up the side of my truck. I finally get to the gate and my key wont open it. So I look at the sign on the other side and it says Private Property, NO TRESPASSING! So there I am on the wrong side of the sign. I have to tell ya, there is no rhyme or reason to where these keys will work. This is the second time I have opened and drove through a gate to find one that I can't open at the other end. Anyway, I backed up about 50 yards to a spot I could turn around and headed back. The good news is , now I have matching scratches on both side of my truck!
So I drive all the way back to where I started and there are a couple piles of poo on the side of the road about 80 yards from the main road. One pile is the size of a small horse and the other is about the size of moose pellets. In the mud are the tracks of a sow and a cub. I have got to tell ya, I am really fired up now, not that I would shoot a sow or a cub, It's the excitement of knowing there are some bears out and about. After that I saw 4 more deer out in a pasture and this was at 12:15! If I didn't have a class at work tonight I would have stayed out all day till dark. The critters were definitely on the move today. I can't wait to get back out there.

[Ripper]

Here is a little snippet that I read from the dept of agriculture about bear damage.

Scattered remnants of bark
strewn at the base of a tree and vertical
tooth marks indicate bear activity. Occasionally
a tree will be “frilled,” with bark
strips loosened at the base and pulled up
away from the tree. These strips may
hang from more than 5 meters up on
some trees, such as western red cedar

Here is the link if you want to read the rest of the article. http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfpubs/pdf03242832/pdf03242832dpi72.pdf

[h20hunter]

Hunting Sunday??......I'm good for an extra pair of eyes and back up gun if you need the company. Good lungs and healthy legs.

[Ripper]

My girlfriend has been out of town for the last week and I have my son this weekend, soooo.............I will get back to you later this week. I definitely want to get out with you and D-Rock soon. Sunday may be a good bet, Sat, no chance! 

[h20hunter]

Sat is a no go for me as well. Sunday is the day. Either way let me know.

[Ripper]

I've been seeing plenty of grouse this spring. I'm going to have to buy me a new scatter gun for this fall.

[Ripper]

I took a little drive today before work, I just wanted to check a few gates to see if my key worked. Not a chance. Cambell group must not want us to help that much if they won't even let us drive in. Granted, I don't mind walking, actually enjoy it, but it would sure help in the retrieval process.
Enough grumbling. So on my way home I spot this yote out in a field. It's pouncing and jumping and having a good time. I almost pulled over to take a shot but there was quite a bit of traffic on Hwy 2 this afternoon! 

 

[Button Nubbs]

You don't happen to drive a silver subaru do you?

[h20hunter]

Bummer on the campbell gates.....was looking forward to getting way back there via truck.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I've been seeing plenty of grouse this spring. I'm going to have to buy me a new scatter gun for this fall.

I've seen a ton too.  They look healthy this year easy winter on em.