Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Timber on August 11, 2008, 10:03:34 PM

Title: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Timber on August 11, 2008, 10:03:34 PM: I took these pictures the other day in the North Cascades. Do you think this could be a grizzly bear? The bear was about 1000 yds away so the pictures aren't that good.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 11, 2008, 10:06:19 PM: Definitely can't rule out a griz.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: hogsniper on August 11, 2008, 10:09:31 PM: Wow, I was expecting a Moose pic but damn you might just have something there....Too bad you couldnt get a lil closer...Sure looks like one to me...Justin
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Ray on August 11, 2008, 10:10:13 PM: Might be griz. :yeah:
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: wf70gonehunting on August 11, 2008, 10:12:57 PM: Better get a closer look .But not to close if that from 1000yrds.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: 3dsheetmetal on August 11, 2008, 10:14:49 PM: Wlth that color and hump on it's back I would say definitely a griz.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: shanevg on August 11, 2008, 10:15:53 PM: Looks like one to me. Hope it's not in our neck of the woods.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: bowhuntin on August 11, 2008, 10:18:51 PM: Looks like it has the hump between the shoulders like a grizzly. Probably a grizzly. I remember reading some stuff on grizzlies on the wdfw site, I was pretty surprised at how many grizzlies they estimated to be in the North Cascades.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: saylean on August 11, 2008, 10:33:54 PM: That hump does look suspect...
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: bucklucky on August 11, 2008, 10:36:30 PM: Good thing you didnt blast him with a wiz-bang ;) Looks like grizz pardner ;)
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Skinner on August 11, 2008, 10:41:27 PM: Here's a pic I got with similar coloring of the head and legs, but the body on that yours is more silver. Mine has 3 cubs and was on the westside!
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: bucklucky on August 11, 2008, 10:44:40 PM: looks like the same spot :dunno:
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: luvtohnt on August 11, 2008, 10:49:36 PM: Considering that all those pics are with the bears head down eating it could simply be a shoulder blade you are seeing. But on the other hand, 1000 yards, it definatly has enough body to be a Grizz. I have seen three blackied in the past four or five years that are that color. Exciting what ever it is!!

Brandon
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: blmathis12 on August 11, 2008, 10:52:03 PM: well it looks like color fase to me look at the face and legs shoot it could be even a cross lol :dunno: and for the second pic it has black cubs
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: alecvg on August 11, 2008, 10:53:08 PM: Looks like one to me too, dang, that sucks, not as bad as the wolves though.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: KillBilly on August 12, 2008, 07:36:33 AM: Wow, Ursus arctos horribilis. It definately has that look. Grizz are more likely to have three cubs than the Ursus americanus but the blackie can have 3-4 cubs also.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: GoldTip on August 12, 2008, 07:55:02 AM: All pics are with head down, I have seen quite a few blackies that gave me pause when in that position while spring hunting back home in Montana. But from a 1000 yards, I would definitely take another look when I closed the gap to 300 before I took a shot.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Timberstalker on August 12, 2008, 08:02:17 AM: It kinda gets me wondering , but then on the other hand the face and head are sure dark :dunno: :dunno:
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: JoeVon on August 12, 2008, 08:04:55 AM: Oh how I wish that Sow wouldn't have had those cubs...damn you Skinner for even bringing her up.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Kanooper on August 12, 2008, 08:11:16 AM: Looks like a Griz to me, but what the hell do I know?
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: pendoreilleadventures on August 12, 2008, 08:21:43 AM: looks likea griz to me. thats a big hump :o
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: scudmaster on August 12, 2008, 08:39:38 AM: Looks like a griz to me.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: boneaddict on August 12, 2008, 08:50:46 AM: Like to see his face to confirm, but VERY SUSPECT. Dang cool Timber. Looking forward to November.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: addicted on August 12, 2008, 08:56:39 AM: Quote from: alecvg on August 11, 2008, 10:53:08 PM
Looks like one to me too, dang, that sucks, not as bad as the wolves though.

i know having the wolves is crappy but how is grizzlies worse than the blackies.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: rosscrazyelk on August 12, 2008, 01:21:42 PM: My bet is a Griz. I was up north of highway 2 a couple years ago and the sign at the trailhead said to watch out for them. Also I remember reading somewhere that area is considered a grizzly zone
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: MikeWalking on August 12, 2008, 01:59:42 PM: Yep I vote Griz..even at 1000 yards that hump is just to much to ignore

good pic for the distance. what were you using?
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: bankwalker on August 12, 2008, 02:07:30 PM: Quote from: bucklucky on August 11, 2008, 10:44:40 PM
looks like the same spot :dunno:

yeah really does look like the same spot. bear is pretty close to looking the same aswell.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: popeshawnpaul on August 12, 2008, 02:14:42 PM: If you asked me to bet my life on it, I would have to say black bear. It's really close though. Everything but the hump says black bear. I have seen some black bear with humps. Not sure if the hillside and the position of the bear has much to do with it. We should get a bear biologist to confirm this.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: saylean on August 12, 2008, 08:32:44 PM: That black bear I had by my car sure looked like it had a hump on a few of the angles I saw it at...at first. Had to watch it quite a bit to be more clear.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Timber on August 12, 2008, 08:35:47 PM: As much as I want to believe it's a grizzly (every time I look at that shoulder hump I swear it is), I think it's a black bear. These next 3 photos should clear it up. His face definitely looks like that of a black bear and the hump isn't there.

I sent these pictures to a Grizzly Bear Biologist friend of mine, but he is currently working on a project out in the field. I will post what he thinks when I hear back from him.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Jackjr on August 12, 2008, 08:44:42 PM: :yike:
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: bucklucky on August 12, 2008, 11:06:00 PM: I think I am swaying towwards black bear. I think its just a color phase. I would have to pass though if I wasnt sure.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: cohoho on August 12, 2008, 11:48:30 PM: The third picture shows.............drum roll........................Black Bear is where my money is... Although a couple of the first set, man, I would have swore it was Griz....
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: JoeVon on August 13, 2008, 06:12:11 AM: Did you have a chance to shoot this bear?
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Timber on August 13, 2008, 06:15:20 AM: Quote from: JoeVon on August 13, 2008, 06:12:11 AM
Did you have a chance to shoot this bear?
Didn't have a gun with me, just hiking.

Quote
what were you using?

Canon 30D with 100-400IS lens and Sony HC7 HD video camera with doubler.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Timberstalker on August 13, 2008, 07:44:53 AM: After that 3rd picture I think it is quite obvious that it is a Blackie
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: oneshotkill on August 13, 2008, 12:16:29 PM: I say griz.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: BC CHASER on August 13, 2008, 12:19:11 PM: Blackbear no doubt!
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Machias on August 13, 2008, 12:27:34 PM: I was leaning heavily towards grizz till I saw the last photo, black bear for sure, IMO.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Head-shot on August 13, 2008, 04:40:17 PM: Looks like a griz to me...
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: billythekidrock on August 13, 2008, 05:05:43 PM: It is a pretty good sized bear, that's for sure. I would need a closer look but I am leaning a bit towards black bear. Mostly because it is on a side hill and that could push the far forleg and shoulder blade up and because it is in WA. Idaho or Montana and I would lean more towards Griz.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: PacificNWhunter on August 13, 2008, 07:07:23 PM: It's hard to say...Everytime I look at the pictures I change my mind. The color and shoulders definitely look like a grizz..although with what little viewing experiences I have from spending summers in AK, the face does not look like a grizz. Either way it will be exciting to see what your friend has to say!
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 13, 2008, 08:13:53 PM: Quote from: Machias on August 13, 2008, 12:27:34 PM
I was leaning heavily towards grizz till I saw the last photo, black bear for sure, IMO.
:yeah:

I'm still not sure enough to pull the trigger - but I'd definitely be trying to get closer for a better look, and be hoping to put a tag on a nice black bear. Profile, head up - my experience is even juvenile griz show the hump positioned like that.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: JoeVon on August 13, 2008, 08:37:47 PM: Shoot first..ask questions later. My :twocents:.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: jstamp on August 14, 2008, 07:22:27 PM: i vote black griz cross :dunno:
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: steeleywhopper on August 14, 2008, 10:09:01 PM: I agree with the shoot first! Looks to me like a big ol colored blackie. We don't need any of them griz here in washington anyway. ;)
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: sivart33 on August 14, 2008, 10:13:46 PM: shooting before rly looking gets people shot. i would have to be close to detrimine, but from the first 3 pics looks like a griz then the last 3 do not. so would have to be closer.

also why would you shoot and risk killing a griz? well here in WA
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: andrew_12gauge on August 14, 2008, 10:35:40 PM: after those last 3 head up pics id say definately a black bear no hump present whatsoever in those last 3 plus his snout slopes straight down from his forehead instead of having the dished face look of a grizzly
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: MuleyMadness on August 15, 2008, 08:36:57 AM: Last year a friend of mine shot a near 500lb black bear in northern WA that had a slight hump on his back as well...without being any closer I would say it is a black bear.

We have seen griz in WA though near the canadian line.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: JoeVon on August 15, 2008, 05:25:13 PM: Quote from: sivart33 on August 14, 2008, 10:13:46 PM
shooting before rly looking gets people shot. i would have to be close to detrimine, but from the first 3 pics looks like a griz then the last 3 do not. so would have to be closer.

also why would you shoot and risk killing a griz? well here in WA

Pretty obvious its a bear...
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: hard hunter on August 15, 2008, 07:02:24 PM: I know that Idaho had a pic like that in there hunters safety presentation and it had the big hump and everything but it was a blackie. The head being down like shown in the first three pics make the shoulderblades create a large hump. At least that's how the head hunter safety guy and biologist explained it to me.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: scudmaster on August 16, 2008, 01:45:21 AM: Quote from: MuleyMadness on August 15, 2008, 08:36:57 AM
Last year a friend of mine shot a near 500lb black bear in northern WA that had a slight hump on his back as well...without being any closer I would say it is a black bear.

We have seen griz in WA though near the canadian line.

There have been Griz spotted in the Teanaway over the last 10 years or more according to the forest service and locals that live there.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: DeKuma on August 16, 2008, 09:43:38 AM: I have seen one in the area between Teanaway and Liberty. Gamie and I sat and watched it for a good half hour. He assured me that they know they are there and to keep my eyes open. This was near 10 or more years ago.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: girlwithbow on August 16, 2008, 03:47:28 PM: Quote from: 3dsheetmetal on August 11, 2008, 10:14:49 PM
Wlth that color and hump on it's back I would say definitely a griz.

Yeah with the hump I would agree
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Timber on August 16, 2008, 07:47:11 PM: Today, I took my friend Eric back into the area where I saw the "grizzly" looking "blonde" black bear. Eric really wanted to shoot the bear. We hiked back into the spot at daylight and saw a medium size "black" bear but no "blonde" bear. Eric decided he wanted to take the "black" bear. We put a stalk on him and got within 28 yds and Eric took him. It would have been a great bow shot.
Wouldn't you know it, as we were admiring the dead bear, the "blonde" bear came out of the trees below us, and ran across the hillside, maybe 100 yds away.
[youtube=425,350]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="
hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="
hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: andrew_12gauge on August 17, 2008, 12:17:49 AM: awesome video way to go!
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: DeKuma on August 17, 2008, 03:54:51 PM: Cool. How about story and more pics?
Tell your buddy congratulations!
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: PST on August 18, 2008, 07:48:56 AM: The Fish and Game web page for Montana has a test you can take on identifying between Black bears and Grizzly bears.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Bscman on August 18, 2008, 08:15:52 AM: Quote from: JoeVon on August 13, 2008, 08:37:47 PM
Shoot first..ask questions later. My :twocents:.

Quote from: JoeVon on August 15, 2008, 05:25:13 PM
Quote from: sivart33 on August 14, 2008, 10:13:46 PM
shooting before rly looking gets people shot. i would have to be close to detrimine, but from the first 3 pics looks like a griz then the last 3 do not. so would have to be closer.

also why would you shoot and risk killing a griz? well here in WA

Pretty obvious its a bear...

Sorry, but I have to comment here...remarks like this are part of the reason people are so ruffled up and anti-hunting. Shoot first, ask questions later is exactly the cause of all that trouble from the recent Sauk Mtn. incident.
Furthermore, Grizzlies are a protected species and shooting one would lead to a myriad of problems, including fines in excess of $12,000.

Joking or not, I have a hard time tolerating comments like this.
Remember, this forum is open to public criticism and all sorts of people can be reading these comments...giving false impressions and building more "hate" for hunters and what "they" *think* we are all about--especially with the recent attention we hunters have been getting in the media lately.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Timber on August 18, 2008, 09:32:32 PM: Here is a picture of Eric's bear. It measured 5'4" from nose to tail. He's looking forward to eating this one, his last bear was full of worms.
The stalk worked out great. We spotted the bear, came in from the side, lost sight of it at about 200 yds, kept closing in until we were at the spot where we had last seen it, then it appeared to our left at 28 yds unaware of our presence. Eric then shot it through the lungs with a 300 Win Mag.

Oh by the way, my biologist friend thinks the bear in question is a black bear.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: searchnfor on August 19, 2008, 08:56:35 PM: Congrads Eric, way to go.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Squatch on August 19, 2008, 10:12:42 PM: Looks like a griz to me. Whatcom CO? Looks like you've been out a few times this year already. I've been buried so far in Aug but hope to get out this weekend?
Keep the pics coming.
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Timberlineduke on August 20, 2008, 12:20:36 AM: Until I got closer to confirm I wouldn't even think about shooting.....but I would be guessing Black Bear. A guy really wants to know exactly what he's shooting first. Good pics!!! I've seen heavy black bears when they are semi relaxing and grazing, their shoulders tend to hump up, but then when they lift their heads or come more erect.....the hump tends to disappear.

And way to go "Bscman".....well said.... :bow:....joking or not....."shooting first" doesn't send a good message!
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: rasbo on August 28, 2008, 11:26:03 AM: im thinking griz all the way,look at the hump
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: Bearhunter on September 09, 2008, 09:44:44 PM: Hey guys check out Timbers pictures compared to my video and tell me if you think its the same bear?
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: DeKuma on September 09, 2008, 09:59:50 PM: I was thinking that this morning when I watched the video!
Title: Re: Grizzly Bear or Black Bear?
Post by: FireMedic on September 10, 2008, 10:37:58 PM: Quote from: billythekidrock on August 13, 2008, 05:05:43 PM
It is a pretty good sized bear, that's for sure. I would need a closer look but I am leaning a bit towards black bear. Mostly because it is on a side hill and that could push the far forleg and shoulder blade up and because it is in WA. Idaho or Montana and I would lean more towards Griz.
:yeah:

I agree that the shoulder blade is up because of the hill.... It's a black bear.