Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: weasel28 on May 18, 2013, 11:01:04 PM

Title: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: weasel28 on May 18, 2013, 11:01:04 PM: Well I did not get a tag for the spring. I didn't even apply because I didn't have all the equiptment that I felt I needed to have for my hunt, so left that opportunaty for someone else. I do have my tag for this fall though. I live in Yelm and I am new to washington. Not here to steal anyones hunting areas just would like some help with good well known areas for black bear that I can hunt. Ive heard talking to logging companies, tried numorous websites but they havnt helped with finding good areas and and I dont know what lands i may hunt on.State parks?wildlife areas? Public lands? just not sure where to begin. I have also hear about kapowsin, that there are pretty good bear there.but once again i dont know if its all private land or public. anything you can tell me on locations will be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: elk247 on May 18, 2013, 11:21:59 PM: Kapowsin is nice and close to you but mostly private. Owned by hancock. Access costs $300 a year and is sold out already i belive.
Title: Re: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: brew on May 18, 2013, 11:24:46 PM: i'd scratch state parks off your list of places to hunt....not only is it illegal to hunt there you'd probably get a free nights lodging in the cross bar motel for even having a firearm in them. fall bear hunting is all about finding the food they want to eat (berries)....get into the national FORESTS and find the berry patches...remember that depending on the elevation berry patches will ripen differently as the season progresses...private timber companies (kapowsin/hancock, weyerhaueser) are going to a lease to use permit system so you will need to obtain their lease rights to hunt their lands
Title: Re: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: weasel28 on May 18, 2013, 11:25:57 PM: That sucks. Thanks for that info because I was planning on starting my scouting next weekend and would have drove out there for just disappointment then. thanks again.
Title: Re: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: billythekidrock on May 19, 2013, 05:54:05 AM: Quote from: weasel28 on May 18, 2013, 11:25:57 PM
That sucks. Thanks for that info because I was planning on starting my scouting next weekend and would have drove out there for just disappointment then. thanks again.

Scouting for fall bear right now would be an exercise in futility unless you can identify fall food sources and feeding areas. I would suggest doing some more research on locations you might want to hunt, look up harvest reports for those GMUs and of course research fall food sources and bear sign.

Good luck and welcome to the site.
Title: Re: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: bearpaw on May 19, 2013, 12:12:51 PM: Quote from: billythekidrock on May 19, 2013, 05:54:05 AM
Quote from: weasel28 on May 18, 2013, 11:25:57 PM
That sucks. Thanks for that info because I was planning on starting my scouting next weekend and would have drove out there for just disappointment then. thanks again.

Scouting for fall bear right now would be an exercise in futility unless you can identify fall food sources and feeding areas. I would suggest doing some more research on locations you might want to hunt, look up harvest reports for those GMUs and of course research fall food sources and bear sign.

Good luck and welcome to the site.

I agree
Title: Re: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 19, 2013, 12:50:33 PM: Quote from: billythekidrock on May 19, 2013, 05:54:05 AM
Quote from: weasel28 on May 18, 2013, 11:25:57 PM
That sucks. Thanks for that info because I was planning on starting my scouting next weekend and would have drove out there for just disappointment then. thanks again.

Scouting for fall bear right now would be an exercise in futility unless you can identify fall food sources and feeding areas. I would suggest doing some more research on locations you might want to hunt, look up harvest reports for those GMUs and of course research fall food sources and bear sign.

Good luck and welcome to the site.
10-4 ON THAT GOOD BUDDY :tup:
Title: Re: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: elk247 on May 19, 2013, 01:50:03 PM: Quote from: billythekidrock on May 19, 2013, 05:54:05 AM
Quote from: weasel28 on May 18, 2013, 11:25:57 PM
That sucks. Thanks for that info because I was planning on starting my scouting next weekend and would have drove out there for just disappointment then. thanks again.

Scouting for fall bear right now would be an exercise in futility unless you can identify fall food sources and feeding areas. I would suggest doing some more research on locations you might want to hunt, look up harvest reports for those GMUs and of course research fall food sources and bear sign.

Good luck and welcome to the site.
Thats good advise.
Title: Re: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: merlo105 on May 20, 2013, 04:42:14 PM: :yeah:
Title: Re: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: Rufous on May 20, 2013, 07:54:33 PM: I suggest you talk to the Fish and Game biologist in your area. Ask him all kinds of questions about bear hunting. We taxpayers are paying their salary so they work for us. Utilize that resource.
Title: Re: 1st time bear hunting and need your help.
Post by: mtman on May 20, 2013, 08:16:56 PM: I read those yuppy hiking trail map books. Some of those tell you what animals are in that area. They also tell you what plants grow in those areas like berries. Research there food they like find the food they like and you will find bears.