Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Tofan on July 14, 2014, 10:37:54 PM

Title: Bear hunting for the first time on FT Lewis this year
Post by: Tofan on July 14, 2014, 10:37:54 PM: Hey fellas, I plan on doing some bear hunting this year on Ft Lewis as I feel it's my only chance of success. Anybody hunted there before and been successful? I am taking vacation time from the 5th-18th in hopes of getting one. I could use any and all tips offered. Thanks for the support, this site is awesome.
Title: Re: Bear hunting for the first time on FT Lewis this year
Post by: bobcat on July 15, 2014, 12:05:00 AM: I'm sure there are plenty of bears on Fort Lewis, but if you have two weeks of vacation to hunt, why not go to an area where you might have a better chance of seeing a bear? Fort Lewis is relatively flat and brushy, I just don't think your odds of finding a bear are that good. I'd probably go up high in the mountains, some place where you can spot a bear a half mile away. Fort Lewis would be great for short hunts but if it were me I sure wouldn't use up two weeks of vacation on it.
Title: Re: Bear hunting for the first time on FT Lewis this year
Post by: MarkyMark on July 15, 2014, 12:12:34 AM: I have friends that have seen bears in the capital peak area this summer. Easier to hunt. No checking in and out of area.
Title: Re: Bear hunting for the first time on FT Lewis this year
Post by: bowNarrow on July 15, 2014, 06:43:40 AM: I've hunted it for 9 years and have only seen a handful of bears your better off elsewhere just my :twocents:
Title: Re: Bear hunting for the first time on FT Lewis this year
Post by: Tofan on July 15, 2014, 06:07:55 PM: I have nowhere else that I would know even remotely to start. Anybody have any suggestions then? I have that whole block of time to hunt and want to make the most of it. I am open to any and all recommendations. Appreciate it guys.
Title: Re: Bear hunting for the first time on FT Lewis this year
Post by: birddogdad on July 15, 2014, 06:55:59 PM: Quote from: bobcat on July 15, 2014, 12:05:00 AM
I'm sure there are plenty of bears on Fort Lewis, but if you have two weeks of vacation to hunt, why not go to an area where you might have a better chance of seeing a bear? Fort Lewis is relatively flat and brushy, I just don't think your odds of finding a bear are that good. I'd probably go up high in the mountains, some place where you can spot a bear a half mile away. Fort Lewis would be great for short hunts but if it were me I sure wouldn't use up two weeks of vacation on it.

note, there is classroom training/briefing to hunt on jblm from the base mwr facility (as I recall). don't know the schedule for these