Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Mxracer532 on March 11, 2014, 09:12:54 AM

Title: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Mxracer532 on March 11, 2014, 09:12:54 AM: So I got drawn and need to tell my work what week I want off. I was thinking the last week of May but still unsure of snow level in the unit. I plan on going in by bluewood. I know guys get in earlier from Troy and have fam with a cabin just a hair outside of the wa line by Troy but would rather not have to commute that far. Any past tag holders have advise for a rookie bear hunter???
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Shea on March 11, 2014, 09:57:10 AM: The later the better. I got mine last year not too far from blue wood, I think 2 days before the season ended. Good luck, and I hope you are in great shape
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: pd on March 11, 2014, 09:57:17 AM: Racer, there have been several threads covering access to the Weneha, written over the years. Use your search function on this forum, and you will find a lot of information.

The snowpack in the Blues is particularly heavy this year, and you might find access very limited in the early part of the season. It will all depend on the next 4 to 6 weeks, and the amount of extra snow & rain, and whether some strong Chinooks blow in to melt the snow. Weneha tends to be the last unit to open in the spring...

Good luck. Post some pictures and a story, regardless of the outcome.
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: bowman31 on March 11, 2014, 11:23:21 AM: I would keep a eye on the snow level at the ski lodge right now they have a 86 inch base easy way to gauge snow level on internet
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Harbor_hunter on March 11, 2014, 11:40:34 AM: Last week of the season, give yourself the chance to access as much of the unit as possible. Snow will really limit access, especially early on.
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: BULLBLASTER on March 11, 2014, 11:53:45 AM: Not sure on when to hunt that area as I haven't been there. But I can reccomend Sawyer premium permethrin clothing spray to combat the ticks. I started using it last year and it works great to keep ticks away.
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: boneaddict on March 11, 2014, 11:56:24 AM: Its a balance between access and rubbing. You want to get them before they rub if you are after a hide, but need to access the country. According to some of my long legged shedding friends, they are already stumbling upon some early risers
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Mxracer532 on March 11, 2014, 12:33:09 PM: Quote from: Shea on March 11, 2014, 09:57:10 AM
The later the better. I got mine last year not too far from blue wood, I think 2 days before the season ended. Good luck, and I hope you are in great shape

Thanks this is more the info I was looking for. How was the hide at that time? Any snow still? I am in excellent shape and only getting better. I run 3-6miles a day and lift after. So glad I started this routine a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Shea on March 11, 2014, 01:00:09 PM: Quote from: Mxracer532 on March 11, 2014, 12:33:09 PM
Quote from: Shea on March 11, 2014, 09:57:10 AM
The later the better. I got mine last year not too far from blue wood, I think 2 days before the season ended. Good luck, and I hope you are in great shape

Thanks this is more the info I was looking for. How was the hide at that time? Any snow still? I am in excellent shape and only getting better. I run 3-6miles a day and lift after. So glad I started this routine a few weeks ago.

There was snow in the shady spots, but none blocking the roads when you came in from the north. It was nice to have access to a little bit of snow to get that meat cooled in the warm weather. The hide was fantastic, he was an old bear with no signs of rubbing. I should be getting him back from the tannery in the next month, very excited! I only saw two other wenaha bears before shooting this one, and they had great coats as well.
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: go4steelhd on March 11, 2014, 07:06:16 PM: I've drawn this hunt twice. The first time I shot a cinnamon blonde bear the 28th of May and the second time I could not get into the unit the last weekend of May from snow. They both were before they changed the season to the 15th of June. But all the other units have better access in the spring. I would take the last week of season off. Hike and glass all day for a week you will see bears. It sounds like your in good shape so it will be an enjoyable hunt!
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Mxracer532 on March 11, 2014, 09:04:58 PM: Quote from: go4steelhd on March 11, 2014, 07:06:16 PM
I've drawn this hunt twice. The first time I shot a cinnamon blonde bear the 28th of May and the second time I could not get into the unit the last weekend of May from snow. They both were before they changed the season to the 15th of June. But all the other units have better access in the spring. I would take the last week of season off. Hike and glass all day for a week you will see bears. It sounds like your in good shape so it will be an enjoyable hunt!
Thanks for the advice. Where did you access the unit from? Im planning on Bluewood especially that late in the season. A freind told me he will bring his snowmobile over and help me on the weekends earlier in the season so maybe thats an option.
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: pd on March 11, 2014, 09:14:14 PM: Racer: Check this website frequently. As of today (March 11th, 2014), the snow pack (the snow/water equivalent of a median year) is 119% of normal for the Blue Mountains. There will be a bunch of snow back in the Weneha.

http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/data/water/wcs/gis/maps/wa_swepctnormal_update.pdf (http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/data/water/wcs/gis/maps/wa_swepctnormal_update.pdf)
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: go4steelhd on March 12, 2014, 09:20:34 PM: Mx
I sent you a Pm
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: andersonjk4 on March 13, 2014, 11:04:24 AM: Tag. I'll be hunting on the opposite side of the blues in Mt. View but this has some good info already. Good luck Mxracer! This is my first spring bear tag as well.
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: 180-GRAIN on March 13, 2014, 01:22:25 PM: I think I went over around the 17th of may last year and I think it was a little late. I seen bear but it was hot and just seemed like they had plenty of grass and other things they could eat in the timber at that point so they were not out in the open as often. I think if I would have went over around the 1st of may they would have been a little easier to spot on the open hillsides feeding. I would say as soon as the snow melts enough for you to get access you should go! just my :twocents:. Good luck!
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Archery King on March 13, 2014, 07:51:18 PM: See you up there Andersonjk4.
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Mxracer532 on March 14, 2014, 06:31:18 AM: Thanks for all the info and good luck to you guys as well.
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Bowgina on March 14, 2014, 10:35:30 AM: I have the same tag Mxracer, I have friends in Dayton keeping me posted on snow levels and access...
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Mxracer532 on March 14, 2014, 12:19:01 PM: Quote from: Bowgina on March 14, 2014, 10:35:30 AM
I have the same tag Mxracer, I have friends in Dayton keeping me posted on snow levels and access...

SWEET, maybe we will run into eachother.
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Rufous on March 14, 2014, 04:21:20 PM: Late May or early June. I took my biggest of 11 bears in the We aha May 17 of 2001. Access was difficult. Rutting activity will be better later in the season. Good luck!
Title: Re: wenaha! 1 week vac what week?
Post by: Todd_ID on March 16, 2014, 07:35:49 AM: Quote from: Mxracer532 on March 14, 2014, 12:19:01 PM
Quote from: Bowgina on March 14, 2014, 10:35:30 AM
I have the same tag Mxracer, I have friends in Dayton keeping me posted on snow levels and access...

SWEET, maybe we will run into eachother.
Me too, but I'll be going in from the other end of the unit from Grouse Flats. If the snow drifts allow, then I will hunt the top from Diamond Peak, but I doubt that will happen. There aren't many years you can drive to Misery before July. Some years the Forest Service will plow the road and saw out the deadfall, but that's also not likely enough to count on.