Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: klikboom on September 08, 2008, 07:20:54 PM

Title: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: klikboom on September 08, 2008, 07:20:54 PM: So i was up hiking/hunting this saturday in the Wild Sky Wilderness. I was 6 miles in 3000' vertical gain, and there are so many meadows up there. The fields were FULL of huckleberries, and almost fully ripe, just a little tart tasting. I went up with a friend of mine who is not a hunter. At 6 miles on top of a ridge i saw some pools of melted snow and headed over to trapse into the meadow. I stumbled upon some tracks through the dirt of bear and deer, then i found nearby an almost steaming pile of bear poo. I started following fresh paw steps through the grass, and there was pile after pile, that was literally with no exaggeration bigger then the horse piles that were on the trail on the way up. AFter about 20 yards I see about a 100 yards away and 30' above me through a patch of trees a beaut of a bear. Through my scope i could see it had a light brown color on top darker on the belly.

I was impatient I moved down to get an angle not through the trees, but he moved up, then i moved up and he moved down, then he went into the trees on the steep hillside and I could not keep up with him on the steep terrain. This bear does not seem to fear humans, he is close to a popular trail and he looked at my friend as my friend stood up and then just went back to grazing. I made sure to always be upwind so he never scented us. Oh, and I would have loved to stay and wait for him to come back, but my friend had to get home to talk to his lonely long distance g/f OVER THE PHONE :bash: :'( Last hunt with him needless to say.

I have a few questions:
1. I think i found this bears hangout. When i was stalking from above there was a MASSIVE pile of poo every 3 yards or so, tons of it. Do bears this time of year hang out in one spot? Can i be confident he will be there again?
2. Would you guys consider 6 miles, 3000' too far in to go back? As in I could get a great bear with less work, or would you say if I know where one is go for it? is it worth it?
3. Any takers on this one with me? Meat gets split 2 ways. :)
4. Would you suggest an e-caller from the location that looks to be his lair (where all the poo is)?

I've gone out twice in the wild sky in the past 3 weeks and I've seen bear both times (sow with cubs and now this one)... so i'm questioning if that long of hike is worth going back.
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: BC CHASER on September 08, 2008, 07:26:24 PM: Go for him! It is quite far for a bear but it is the experience though. As long as there is a abundance of food he should stick around.
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: Ray on September 08, 2008, 07:29:17 PM: 1) Yes he will hang out there if there is no pressure or competition and he has food. I learned that some bears like to hang out in the same spot for one season at least it seems. I have seen one bear in another spot using the same area for 2 years but I would not hunt there because there are too many people.
2) If you are packing in and out alone that is fine. Of course if he's 300 lbs you might as well call for some help or the meat might spoil.
3) Not me
4) I have tried to call bears but it never has worked for me yet. I prefer just spot and stalk.
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: billythekidrock on September 09, 2008, 06:21:16 AM: 1. If there is food it will be there, but don't wait too long.
2. Too far for me, even with a partner but if it is a great bear or your first then I say go for it if you can get a partner. That is a long ways to pack out a hide and all the meat by yourself.
3. Not I.
4. I would take a hand call, but probably not use it at first. If the bear is actively in the area it will show itself. No sense in spooking it.
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: rasbo on September 09, 2008, 06:39:53 AM: I always pack a deer sleigh with me if Im going in that far,they are light and you can drag alot of meat along ways with little effort in some cases.Cape it bone it and go.the sleigh works well. :twocents:
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: bankwalker on September 09, 2008, 09:54:56 AM: i would take that chance at a heartbeat. to bad im gonna be elk hunting though...
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: klikboom on September 09, 2008, 12:18:45 PM: this track was in the general area where we saw the bear
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: DeKuma on September 09, 2008, 03:25:53 PM: You're young. I say go for it.
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: Curly on September 09, 2008, 03:31:10 PM: Yeah, go for it. Just leave the head/hide in there (probably hanging up high in tree) and pack boned-out meat in your first trip out of there. Then go back the next day for the head/hide.
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: klikboom on September 09, 2008, 04:22:34 PM: Ya i think i will be going for it (I've got a good PM so hopefully not alone)! If a hide/head is hanging (definitely in the shade) will the hair start to slip in a day?
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: uncoolperson on September 09, 2008, 04:25:08 PM: I'd join, I need to learn as much as I can. however i can't make the drive, and this weekend is out for me (wife's birthday).
Title: Re: So close, how far is too far AND any HWY2 hunting partners this weekend?
Post by: Rufous on September 09, 2008, 08:28:35 PM: I am thinking that is too far. First of all you can probably find bears closer but secondly and I think most importantly I find it unlikely that you could pack out the meat in a timely enough fashion to ensure that it does not spoil. As to calling I think in general you should get into a likely spot and wait a bit to see if you can spot a bear without calling. Sometimes calling can spook a bear. It has happened to me. I have called in several bears though, some blind and some have been spotted in advance so I know it can be done. Just this last Saturday I called in a bear for my buddy who shot it at about 15 yards. It can be very exciting! Rufous.