Fall Bear on the Peninsula

[BUCKHUNT]

I'm planning on hunting bear this upcoming fall season and I was wondering if anyone had any advice, as this will be my first bear hunt. How much different from deer hunting is it, and what to look for as far as sign are a couple things that I was curious about. Any other tips from you veterans would be helpful as well. I'll be hunting on the peninsula; Quilcene to be exact. Thanks for your help,

BUCKHUNT

[RB]

Don't know the area and have only shot one bear in the 25 plus years I have hunted, but I will tell you this be prepared for a death moan. I have heard people talk about it before and it was kinda creepy the sound that came out the boar I shot.

I just happened upon him opening day of Deer season, so no big strategy there. good optics, maps, scouting, and lots of boot leather. 

[SemperFidelis97]

There is a fantastic write up on bear hunting basics stickied on the bear forum check it out there is some really good info there from people who consistently harvest bears.

[JimmyHoffa]

There's a bunch near Quilcene.  If you go into the national forest, they will move away from the trails and further up the hills to get away from all the hikers.  If you look around the Quilcene lowlands, there are quite a few small farms (little organic farms that grow for farmer's markets).  Some of them are next to wooded lots--the farms attract some because of the crops and small animals.  Also, some real brushy areas along 101 and the road to Tarboo that have lots of blackberries in Sept/Oct.  I guess you could say it's similar to deer hunting in many ways, last year a lot were shot during deer season.

[D-Rock425]

my advice hunt clearcuts early and late in the day.  find food source in the clear cuts and the bears will be there sooner or later.

[merlo105]

Im from Quilcene, and as for where to go there is plenty of land there. Your really limited there on clear cuts as there aint many fresh ones around most of the clear cuts are well over grown in the higher points of the forest. There are still a few down low but there will be locals in them as there not real huge areas. Coyle has alot of gated roads with large clearcuts and good numbers of bears. Hunt the first four hours in the morning and the last three hours in the evening sit on units all day beings bear like to walk and feed so bouncing from clear cut to clear cut doesnt help on locating cause they have been there and already passed. Hope the info helps
 

[Turner89]

Find a clear cut that they are feeding in. Usually look for one that has swampy area in it and blackberries. I try to sit there all day. Take a big lunch and kick back. I usually hear them before I see them.
  I get some killer power naps, and have woke up to one comming into the clearing looking for something to eat.   If they have been there feeding they will be back.

[snowshoes22]

I think calling is the most fun.  First you need to know if a bear is working an area.  When you find fresh sign set up and call.  I use a fawn in distress. It works well in August and september when the fawns are still young.  Take a buddy though to watch your back side.  I have taken my lab a bunch of times she always lets me know something is close before i even know.  Some would say its illegal to have a dog with you but she isn't hunting the bear just giving me a heads up.   The death moan is a wierd sound the first time you hear it but its better than not hearing anything at all.  it sucks tracking a bear when you don't know if it is dead or not. 

[billythekidrock]

I'm planning on hunting bear this upcoming fall season and I was wondering if anyone had any advice, as this will be my first bear hunt. How much different from deer hunting is it, and what to look for as far as sign are a couple things that I was curious about. Any other tips from you veterans would be helpful as well. I'll be hunting on the peninsula; Quilcene to be exact. Thanks for your help,

BUCKHUNT

A quick search of HuntWa will give you lots of good advice and materials to go through.
Lots of info at www.callingbears.com as well.

I have killed a few bears on the Pen and besides good calls, I would say my ears were my main tool followed by decent optics. I have heard most of the bears I have killed before I saw them. Often I won't even call until I know a bear is near or hear one.

You will want to learn bear sign, both new and old as well as favored food sources and available food sources.

[saylean]

Plenty of advice on here, this thread alone.

Read up on the bear forum stories, check out callingbears.com. Find food, find bears.

Best of luck to you. Lookin forward to the pics of success.