Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: The Big Game Hunter on June 24, 2014, 05:28:18 AM

Title: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: The Big Game Hunter on June 24, 2014, 05:28:18 AM: I live in Western Washington and I checked my trail camera yesterday. It was a pleasant surprise to get some pretty cool photos of, among other things, two different bears. I'm no expert, but the darker colored bear looks a little bigger to me, though neither one looks very big. I know the thick brush makes size estimation difficult, but does anyone have any size estimates for either bear? I've also included a photo of a coyote at the same spot for comparison
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: lewy on June 24, 2014, 05:35:09 AM: Always tough off of trail cams with out a reference in the shot but I would say those are both younger smaller bears. 125 lb range
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: RadSav on June 24, 2014, 05:42:51 AM: Very young bear! Probably want to pass on both. I'd actually be surprised if either went 80 pounds. When the ears look nearly as long as the nose...that's a small bear!

Good news is that where there are little bear there are big bear too! That is not always the case in high country where small bear stay clear of big boar territories. But seems to hold true most everywhere else!
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: jackelope on June 24, 2014, 05:53:49 AM: I'm with Rad. Baby bears. Sub 100 pounders. Let them grow up.
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: grundy53 on June 24, 2014, 06:20:14 AM: Big ears small bear.

sent from my typewriter
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: trophyhunt on June 24, 2014, 06:27:00 AM: I agree, small bear. I also think it's the same bear, the lighting is a little different on the second pic.
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: bearpaw on June 24, 2014, 06:51:28 AM: If you are after a good eating piece of meat, you wouldn't be going wrong, if you are after a nice sized bear rug then pass them. As everyone said, if the ears look big in comparison to the head then it's a small bear.
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: The Big Game Hunter on June 24, 2014, 07:26:06 AM: Yeah, I kind of figured they were young bears. Those photos are screen captures from videos the trail camera took. I've got several videos of both bears from different angles and they've got different markings on various spots on their hides, so I'm fairly certain they are 2 different bears. However, I suppose it is possible they are siblings.

In the general area where these bear were photographed, I've found lots of piles of bear scat, ranging from very small to very large. It looks like I've discovered the source of the small piles. Now I've just got to find the makers of the larger piles...
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: RadSav on June 24, 2014, 05:49:42 PM: I expect they were just kicked out of moms family unit. Siblings sounds likely to me!

That does mean mom has been bred once more. So daddy shouldn't be too far away! With three or four little tasty ones roaming around calling might be a good option to find dad once season starts. Big boars love to eat their own!

Good luck. Sounds like you've found a great spot!
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: Mudman on June 24, 2014, 05:59:14 PM: Same bear, 100lbs. :dunno: Wait 2 years and pow! Good color.
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: longwalker on June 24, 2014, 08:04:26 PM: if you look really close you can see milk on there lips
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: The Big Game Hunter on June 25, 2014, 05:08:50 AM: Quote from: RadSav on June 24, 2014, 05:49:42 PM
I expect they were just kicked out of moms family unit. Siblings sounds likely to me!

That does mean mom has been bred once more. So daddy shouldn't be too far away! With three or four little tasty ones roaming around calling might be a good option to find dad once season starts. Big boars love to eat their own!

Good luck. Sounds like you've found a great spot!

Calling is an interesting option that I honestly hadn't thought of until you just mentioned it. I've heard of calling in bears before, but never done it myself. Can you provide some more details as to exactly what sort of sounds should I be making to try and call in the big boar like you are suggesting?
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: Skyvalhunter on June 25, 2014, 05:43:44 AM: small less than 2 yo
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: kodiak 907 on June 25, 2014, 07:58:53 AM: That yote looks bigger than those bears :dunno: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: The Big Game Hunter on September 19, 2014, 05:27:52 PM: What about this one? Anybody care to hazard a guess on the size of this bear?
It's a different location from the photos, but still in Western Washington.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=705511452872255&l=1409352945410305308 (https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=705511452872255&l=1409352945410305308)
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: jasnt on September 19, 2014, 11:10:09 PM: I've been told a quick way to estimate bear size is by there tracks. Front paw track. Measure the palm pad width, subtract 1" and multiply by 100lbs. This will at least give ya an idea
I'd bet this Isn't berry accurate with young bears. Look at the ears, if they look like a German shepherds ears its small.
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: RadSav on September 19, 2014, 11:21:16 PM: Quote from: The Big Game Hunter on September 19, 2014, 05:27:52 PM
What about this one? Anybody care to hazard a guess on the size of this bear?
It's a different location from the photos, but still in Western Washington.

(https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=705511452872255&l=1409352945410305308)

That's a tough video to get any idea of size from. I'd guess a medium small fluffy sow that is starting to put on some good fat. Between 125 and 145 pounds would be my guess. But again - hard to tell from that limited view.
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: Mike450r on September 20, 2014, 12:32:12 AM: Small bear, ears are big and if you look at both pictures you can see a whole lot of space between the chest and the ground. That was one of the first things I was taught to look at when trying to judge a bears size. Except for the obvious cubs if the chest/belly is close to the ground you usually got a good size bear.
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: The Big Game Hunter on September 20, 2014, 04:42:26 AM: Quote from: RadSav on September 19, 2014, 11:21:16 PM
Quote from: The Big Game Hunter on September 19, 2014, 05:27:52 PM
What about this one? Anybody care to hazard a guess on the size of this bear?
It's a different location from the photos, but still in Western Washington.

(https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=705511452872255&l=1409352945410305308)

That's a tough video to get any idea of size from. I'd guess a medium small fluffy sow that is starting to put on some good fat. Between 125 and 145 pounds would be my guess. But again - hard to tell from that limited view.

Interesting. Thanks!
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: RadSav on September 20, 2014, 05:33:07 AM: Been watching that video over and over again. If you could see the legs better that would help. I've been trying to get a good idea of hair length compared to fat build. Seems to have some decent fat rolling in the back end in the last moment of that video. That puts the weight numbers up in a hurry. Could be 150 to 160#. Definitely a mature bear and one worth taking if you get the opportunity. 130# is average and that was my first thought. However, with the fall fat it may very well be slightly above average. My suggestion is to shoot it and then tell us what the butcher says ;)

Would like to know what Bearpaw guesses. I know he has been involved in a lot more sow kills and body variety than I have been. I'd think his guess would probably be more accurate than mine.
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: bearpaw on September 20, 2014, 07:36:54 AM: I think you are pretty close Radsav, it's a much better bear than the first bear, I'd guess the bear in the video at 165 with a 10 pound error factor, so 155-175. :tup:
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: Ripper on September 20, 2014, 07:45:11 AM: With the big rump and short neck I'd guess it to be a sow. Possible the other bears mommy if it's in the same area.
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: The Big Game Hunter on September 20, 2014, 07:59:31 PM: Thanks to everyone who provided an estimate.

What you all said matched up pretty well with what I was thinking: a mature, though not extremely large bear. That trail camera is set up on a stream crossing where I've gotten several videos of what appears to be the same bear over the past two months. Sorry RadSav, I don't have any other photos or video that are better quality than the one I posted, the only tree suitable for a trail camera is pretty close to the trail.

I've got a good stand location pretty close to this crossing and if I get the opportunity, I'll certainly pull the trigger and let you all know what this bear weighs for sure...
Title: Re: Bear Size Estimate
Post by: RadSav on September 20, 2014, 08:46:51 PM: Quote from: The Big Game Hunter on September 20, 2014, 07:59:31 PM
I've got a good stand location pretty close to this crossing and if I get the opportunity, I'll certainly pull the trigger and let you all know what this bear weighs for sure...

Sounds like a good plan to me :tup: