Post by: 7mmfan on May 28, 2013, 11:16:44 AM
The area that we hunt always seems to turn on around the last week of August when the berries start to ripen. Where are the bears before that, and more importantly, what are they eating? For those of you that have been doing this for a long time, do you see a change in a bears diet from mid July - September? Are they spending more time on stumps and grass earlier in the summer?
Any insight is appreciated. I'd really like to broaden my search area and know what I should be focusing on earlier in the season especially.
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 28, 2013, 11:26:52 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on May 28, 2013, 01:49:52 PM
Another thought has been to head up real high and check some alpine areas, but those opportunities will be pretty limited based on schedules.
Post by: saylean on May 29, 2013, 06:06:55 PM
Bears are where the food is....find these items/no people, find bears.
Think of cool creek draws, etc...you've probably drove or hiked right by many areas containing bears at this time of year, but dont think to look into it, as you dont see the food, or point, ...might be too thick to hunt, etc...
give predator calling a try too...you never know what will come out of that tall nasty brush....or cool shady draw. I have my best luck doing evening hunts.
Post by: 7mmfan on May 30, 2013, 03:04:41 PM
Post by: h20hunter on May 30, 2013, 03:10:41 PM
Post by: xXLojackXx on May 30, 2013, 03:58:58 PM
That being said, I see a lot of different bears in the early seasons, roaming looking for food sources. Once the berries come in, it seems like they stay put much more as I see the same bears in the same areas instead of new bears moving through. They'll reach about 4500-5000' elevation in late June and early July where i hunt and I find WAY more bears near ridge tops than in the valley bottoms too.
As far as calling, once they're finding food that's easier than tracking and killing a deer, they usually won't even bother. I did this numerous times last year scouting when I'd spot a feeding bear. I'd pull out my foxpro and hit them with a sequence of predator calls and the bear wouldn't even lift and ear to me. They're pretty simple creatures. They go for the easiest food sources available. Don't waste your time predator calling bears in a berry patch haha. It could work in areas of more timber and less berries though.
Post by: 7mmfan on May 31, 2013, 08:14:33 AM
Post by: h20hunter on May 31, 2013, 08:16:24 AM
Post by: bknilvr00 on May 31, 2013, 12:07:20 PM
Carefull 7mm.....bears are very addicting. Long season, generous bag limit...cool critters....good luck out there.
Man, I'm itchin to get a bear and I blame the forum.... Everybody posting up their spring bears, talking about how awesome it is, combined with aforementioned season length and bag limit. This is rivaling my waterfowl obsession. And that's just not healthy.
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Post by: xXLojackXx on May 31, 2013, 01:18:32 PM
Post by: h20hunter on May 31, 2013, 01:20:34 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 31, 2013, 01:22:34 PM
Post by: h20hunter on May 31, 2013, 01:29:24 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 31, 2013, 01:35:28 PM
Post by: h20hunter on May 31, 2013, 01:42:49 PM
7mm......Time is your friend and D-Rock will attest and I'm proof....I swear it takes forever for the first. Just keep putting boots on the ground.
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 31, 2013, 01:45:01 PM
Post by: h20hunter on May 31, 2013, 02:02:56 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 31, 2013, 02:04:06 PM
Yeah but you basically held his hand, walked him to the draw, and said shoot the bear.yep I'm that good :IBCOOL:
Post by: h20hunter on May 31, 2013, 02:05:37 PM
Post by: billythekidrock on June 02, 2013, 06:34:16 AM
My buddies and I have been doing a little bear hunting the last few years, and one in particular has shot a few bears now at this point, but I still feel like we are kind of just walking around in the woods and glassing clear cuts hoping a bear is there. I've never been the kind of guy that likes to leave anything to chance, I would much rather have a plan of attack and know why an animal is where it is. So here is my question...
The area that we hunt always seems to turn on around the last week of August when the berries start to ripen. Where are the bears before that, and more importantly, what are they eating? For those of you that have been doing this for a long time, do you see a change in a bears diet from mid July - September? Are they spending more time on stumps and grass earlier in the summer?
Any insight is appreciated. I'd really like to broaden my search area and know what I should be focusing on earlier in the season especially.
August is a great time to call bears, especially when the berries are late. If you don't want to call, then look for older cuts near creeks that afford comfort from the heat. They spend a lot of time grazing on black berries and grubs at this time. They also eat a lot of Salal. Both berries and leaves.