Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: steeliedrew on August 07, 2013, 07:54:58 PM

Title: I got huffed at last night
Post by: steeliedrew on August 07, 2013, 07:54:58 PM: Last night I was sitting about 100 yards off of a bunch of bear sign. I had been sitting for a few hours glassing and nothing had come in and hadnt even heard a twig snap. I have to wake up early for work so at about 7:30 I started to walk slowly down the logging road back to my bike. all of a sudden I heard a very distinct huff sound. I can only describe it as a quick inhale followed by a hard exhale. About a minute earlier I could hear what sounded like two sticks being banged together.

After reviewing some sound clips I believe that other sound I heard was A bear popping its jaw at me. He was close but I couldn't see him. I'll be back in there on Friday. Hopefully the bear will wander out to feed.

A few weeks ago the whole hillside was covered with ripe boysenberries. They're all completely gone now but there are a bunch of blackberries starting to ripen.

Anybody else ever have a bear huff or pop it's jaws at you?
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: BNAElkhntr on August 07, 2013, 08:17:06 PM: Yea! isn't it Cool?
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: Mudman on August 07, 2013, 08:37:17 PM: Heck ya! 1st time scared me good. It gets ya on your toes. Its cool when they growl too.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: notellumcreek on August 07, 2013, 08:37:29 PM: :tup: Hair raised up on the back of the neck? :yike: So you found boysenberries in the woods? They are a hybrid made in the 1920s from california so someone would have had to plant some there...
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boysenberry (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boysenberry)
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: bugs n bones on August 07, 2013, 08:40:19 PM: One more than one occasion, had one stand up at 15yds huff and slap a big tree with his paw
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: kevinlisa06 on August 07, 2013, 08:45:10 PM: First time I heard that I was turkey hunting with my brother over in Chewelah. Definitely gets the blood pumping and the senses going aswell.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: skagitsteel on August 07, 2013, 08:54:53 PM: I was putting the stock on a good boar last year, the wind shifted and he caught my scent, started popping his jaw, huffing, ect.. he was also standing his ground. I knew the gig was up quick so I found a stump and took a quick shot Made me so nervous I missed the shot :bash: rifle scope being 8 moa out prob had something to do with it also.... (I have a new scope now that holds zero :tup:)
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: turkeyfeather on August 07, 2013, 09:16:01 PM: Quote from: steeliedrew on August 07, 2013, 07:54:58 PM
Last night I was sitting about 100 yards off of a bunch of bear sign. I had been sitting for a few hours glassing and nothing had come in and hadnt even heard a twig snap. I have to wake up early for work so at about 7:30 I started to walk slowly down the logging road back to my bike. all of a sudden I heard a very distinct huff sound. I can only describe it as a quick inhale followed by a hard exhale. About a minute earlier I could hear what sounded like two sticks being banged together.

After reviewing some sound clips I believe that other sound I heard was A bear popping its jaw at me. He was close but I couldn't see him. I'll be back in there on Friday. Hopefully the bear will wander out to feed.

A few weeks ago the whole hillside was covered with ripe boysenberries. They're all completely gone now but there are a bunch of blackberries starting to ripen.

Anybody else ever have a bear huff or pop it's jaws at you?
Sorry that was me in the bushes after a big lunch at Taco Bell. :yike:
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: steeliedrew on August 07, 2013, 09:20:12 PM: Quote from: notellumcreek on August 07, 2013, 08:37:29 PM
:tup: Hair raised up on the back of the neck? :yike: So you found boysenberries in the woods? They are a hybrid made in the 1920s from california so someone would have had to plant some there...
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boysenberry (http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boysenberry)

Definitely got me into full alert. I was hoping he would show himself. And yeah, I know where endless amounts of boysenberries are in two separate areas now. Both spots are way, way back behind closed gates. The hillside I was on last night has boysenberries, huckleberries, and blackberries.

I hope the wind doesn't shift as much on Friday night. Last night it blew in all directions and I was sweating pretty good so I'm sure that bear smelled me for hours.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: mrmoskillz on August 07, 2013, 09:28:44 PM: 1st time I heard it it was a doe and she stomped her foot and snorted. I haven't had a bear do it yet
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: steeliedrew on August 07, 2013, 09:32:39 PM: Quote from: mrmoskillz on August 07, 2013, 09:28:44 PM
1st time I heard it it was a doe and she stomped her foot and snorted. I haven't had a bear do it yet

It was absolutely not a doe. I've had more than my fair share of deer snort wheeze and stomp at me in the last year. Actually I bumped one last night on the mountain bike that snort wheezed and then crashed through some blackberry bushes.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 07, 2013, 09:36:31 PM: Quote from: steeliedrew on August 07, 2013, 07:54:58 PM

Anybody else ever have a bear huff or pop it's jaws at you?

This one did :chuckle:
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: Turner89 on August 07, 2013, 09:54:01 PM: Yea 2 springs ago ran into one that had a just nailed a fawn (fawn was still alive....Bawling). The Bear charged me, and stopped about 3ft from me. I had tripped, and was on one foot, and one hand screaming at him. He turned around and ran back to the fawn. I jumped up on a stump, and was yelling at him while he stood on his hind feet snapping his teeth. This went on for about 10 minutes, me yelling at him, and him running around in front of me snapping his teeth. He finally got about 30ft from me, and thats when I jumped off the stump, and started back pedaling down the road. Scared the crap out of me :yike:....I was making noises I didn't know I could make :o :chuckle:
I didn't have a gun, or spray, and if he really wanted to get me, neither would have done me any good.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: ghostshell on August 07, 2013, 10:03:49 PM: those little boysenberries were out full on all last month now almost gone. sucks cuz had some nice bears, white chest bear as well. taking my son out with my rifle friday after work. this north wind is perfect for my spots. great story, hope ya drop that bear!
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: Selkirk on August 07, 2013, 10:20:58 PM: We had one huff at a us a few years ago in Montana. My buddy just turned around and headed back to the truck. I thought it was cool.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: sled on August 07, 2013, 10:54:02 PM: Two Years Ago I Had That Happen. The Bear Was No More Than Ten Yards Off The Road Huffing And Snorting, And Snapping HisJaws. I Got So Worked Up I Was Shaking Waiting To See Him Through An Opening In Reprod. It Was Starting To Get Dark But I Had A Good Opening To Look Through. This Went On For About Three Minutes Then He Moved Away Slowly. I Never Saw Him. I Went Back The Next Day And Made My Way Off The Road. To My Sunrise There Was A Drop Off Through The Trees About 8 Feet Deep. He Was Closer Than I Thought, I Was Just Looking Over The Top Of Him Through The opening. Nothing Like That Existence.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: Kc_Kracker on August 08, 2013, 12:38:44 AM: why do you capitalize when word? just curious :chuckle:
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: Mudman on August 08, 2013, 09:38:08 AM: Quote from: Turner89 on August 07, 2013, 09:54:01 PM
Yea 2 springs ago ran into one that had a just nailed a fawn (fawn was still alive....Bawling). The Bear charged me, and stopped about 3ft from me. I had tripped, and was on one foot, and one hand screaming at him. He turned around and ran back to the fawn. I jumped up on a stump, and was yelling at him while he stood on his hind feet snapping his teeth. This went on for about 10 minutes, me yelling at him, and him running around in front of me snapping his teeth. He finally got about 30ft from me, and thats when I jumped off the stump, and started back pedaling down the road. Scared the crap out of me :yike:....I was making noises I didn't know I could make :o :chuckle:
I didn't have a gun, or spray, and if he really wanted to get me, neither would have done me any good.
:yike: I had a similar thing, bear stood up in front of me. he was trapped and making a getaway but I was there. Confused and not backing down after about 30 seconds I shot. Bears avoid us but really are dangerous and not as scared as some think they are. When stressed a black bear will attack I think. Creepy when they stand and look at ya eye level at 25ft.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: boneaddict on August 08, 2013, 09:45:19 AM: I've had many treed bears do it, Momma bear when I was too close or violating her and her cubs space, several times, when I accidentally got between a male and female during breeding season while horseback, startleing one that didn't know I was there, and when I got attacked. Very distinctive sound.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: BsB on August 08, 2013, 11:00:49 AM: Quote from: steeliedrew on August 07, 2013, 07:54:58 PM

Anybody else ever have a bear huff or pop it's jaws at you?
Yup, and after my first time hearing it, there is no mistaking it for anything else.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: steeliedrew on August 08, 2013, 12:41:44 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on August 08, 2013, 09:45:19 AM
I've had many treed bears do it, Momma bear when I was too close or violating her and her cubs space, several times, when I accidentally got between a male and female during breeding season while horseback, startleing one that didn't know I was there, and when I got attacked. Very distinctive sound.

Whoa....did you say you were attacked before? Please do tell the story if you wouldn't mind. I'm especially interested as to why the bear attacked. In any case, that's scary stuff and I'm glad you made it out ok.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: seth30 on August 08, 2013, 12:45:17 PM: Quote from: steeliedrew on August 08, 2013, 12:41:44 PM
Quote from: boneaddict on August 08, 2013, 09:45:19 AM
I've had many treed bears do it, Momma bear when I was too close or violating her and her cubs space, several times, when I accidentally got between a male and female during breeding season while horseback, startleing one that didn't know I was there, and when I got attacked. Very distinctive sound.

Whoa....did you say you were attacked before? Please do tell the story if you wouldn't mind. I'm especially interested as to why the bear attacked. In any case, that's scary stuff and I'm glad you made it out ok.
:yeah:
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: boneaddict on August 08, 2013, 12:59:09 PM: There is a thread about it on here somewhere. Essentially it was a boar that had been in a fight, and I think he smelled or sensed another bear and all he saw was "red". In other words I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. When I got back to my truck there was another bear up on my truck scratching the hood. He probably smelled that bear. I'll see if I can find the link.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: boneaddict on August 08, 2013, 01:01:20 PM: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,6522.msg72335.html#msg72335 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,6522.msg72335.html#msg72335)
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: steeliedrew on August 08, 2013, 01:34:21 PM: Wow! Thanks for posting that link. That's an adrenaline packed story.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: boneaddict on August 08, 2013, 02:20:36 PM: There are a couple good ones in there. Looks like I need to add that horse story to that thread.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: steeliedrew on August 08, 2013, 02:50:15 PM: I'd like to hear that one involving a mule and a 9mm.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: fish vacuum on August 09, 2013, 09:57:22 AM: Where are people finding wild boysenberries?
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: steeliedrew on August 09, 2013, 10:22:55 AM: Quote from: fish vacuum on August 09, 2013, 09:57:22 AM
Where are people finding wild boysenberries?

Somewhere in 460 and another place in 448. that's all I can say. :). They're all gone now anyway though.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: Jonathan_S on August 09, 2013, 10:26:02 AM: Quote from: fish vacuum on August 09, 2013, 09:57:22 AM
Where are people finding wild boysenberries?

While we're at it, where are the elk in the NE?
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: fish vacuum on August 09, 2013, 07:46:11 PM: Are they boysenberries or just a variety of blackberries?
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: addicted2hunting on August 10, 2013, 08:21:19 AM: ok so drew and I were out last night trying to get his bear. I was calling and he was the shooter. I had a wounded rabbit call I was blowing. We checked his cam first thing and it had the bear in it. that was about 3/4 of a mile away from the cut we were calling in. so as 8pm rolls around I begin my calling for 1 minute and then pause for 2 mins. I did this for 30 mins then the blood suckers got really bad and drew figured it was getting pretty dark by the time 845 comes around to shoot so I walked over to drew and then we heard him growl about 100yds on the other side of the little covered knob we were on. we couldn't see him cause there was some brush next to us we were using to conceal us. it felt sooo close I then told drew oh *censored* its about to go down. Then I began calling again in the brush to hide as drew made his way around to see if he might get a shot. so I then stopped calling a minute later and then I hear a growl and teeth popping with what seemed to be right behind me so I felt my heart almost stop like I'm going to die! then we hear him move 20 yds growl then another 50 ds and growl and it was like he was circling us by this time its getting pretty dark so we decide we cant get him to give us a shot because he keeps circling as we try to get him into sight, so we make our way to the skid road and begin to walk out in the dark watching our backs waiting for a cranky bear to get us from behind. That was the biggest adrenaline rush I have ever had in the woods to date. All I want to do now is do It again only really piss him off the next time so we can get a good shot.
Title: Re: I got huffed at last night
Post by: saylean on August 10, 2013, 01:54:56 PM: This one huffed and popped at me...on its third charge I ended the situation. Its now a half mount on my wall.