Post by: MP123 on February 17, 2015, 12:48:19 PM
This crazy warm weather has got me wondering if there's any running around yet. I didn't see any out east this weekend but it was about 60 degrees and sunny, not really hibernating weather.
Post by: h20hunter on February 17, 2015, 12:52:47 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 17, 2015, 12:55:09 PM
Post by: jackelope on February 17, 2015, 12:55:28 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on February 17, 2015, 01:03:41 PM
Post by: Southpole on February 17, 2015, 01:05:38 PM
Do bears really hibernate on the west side?Good question...
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 17, 2015, 01:34:16 PM
Do bears really hibernate on the west side?
Yup! Mountain black bears do hibernate on the west side. We have snow up north... Not as much as we should have, but we do have snow above 4,000'. Many dens above that elevation are certainly snowed in. Lowland bears take 'extended sleeps'. Shortened terms of hibernation where they'll wake up once in a while. Come out to get rid of waste, feed on what's available, go back to sleep. Seeing a blacky up here before March is pretty rare. And I'm talking just 60 miles north of highway 2. Like that's way north.. No, it's not.
-Steve
Post by: jdb on February 17, 2015, 01:38:30 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 17, 2015, 01:47:12 PM
"Up at Twin Lakes, I estimate the snow depth is about 2-3 feet - you could see just the top of the signs" (That's 5,000')
" Once you reach the pass, if you would like to reach Excelsior Peak, you will DEFINITELY NEED snowshoes." (The peak is 5,700', but the pass is about 4,900')
I know people are snow shoeing at Artist point.
-Steve
Post by: jackelope on February 17, 2015, 01:47:54 PM
Do bears really hibernate on the west side?
Yup! Mountain black bears do hibernate on the west side. We have snow up north... Not as much as we should have, but we do have snow above 4,000'. Many dens above that elevation are certainly snowed in. Lowland bears take 'extended sleeps'. Shortened terms of hibernation where they'll wake up once in a while. Come out to get rid of waste, feed on what's available, go back to sleep. Seeing a blacky up here before March is pretty rare. And I'm talking just 60 miles north of highway 2. Like that's way north.. No, it's not.
-Steve
I was standing at about 4000' one week ago when I took this picture.
Post by: Yelper Guy on February 17, 2015, 02:17:08 PM
Post by: h20hunter on February 17, 2015, 02:18:16 PM
Post by: Biggerhammer on February 17, 2015, 02:48:35 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on February 17, 2015, 03:09:19 PM
Post by: jay.sharkbait on February 17, 2015, 03:20:17 PM
Post by: mountainman on February 17, 2015, 04:13:27 PM
Post by: Houndhunter on February 17, 2015, 07:24:03 PM
Post by: -Trap_addicT- on February 17, 2015, 08:43:48 PM
Post by: Limhangerslayer on February 17, 2015, 09:15:25 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 18, 2015, 12:38:50 PM
Scroll down about mid page. http://www.mtbaker.us/snow-report (http://www.mtbaker.us/snow-report)
We've had years that there were late winter/early spring snows that made up for lack of normal amounts through the early part of the year.
Hopefully winter isn't over yet.
-Steve
Post by: huntnnw on February 18, 2015, 10:36:36 PM
Post by: RadSav on February 18, 2015, 11:45:04 PM
Post by: Gutpile on February 19, 2015, 06:34:39 AM
Post by: Southpole on February 19, 2015, 07:07:53 AM
I sure hope the cold weather comes back soon. These early warm spells can really hurt the cub populations. Boars wake up hungry, no good source of food yet except tiny little cubs with no development to escape. Also, in the NE the wolves will make short work of these cubs who are unable to climb well too. The wolves will hammer the small sows rather easily if they try to protect the young cubs. I'd much rather they were covered up by a few feet of snow for another couple months! Of course I expect the timber companies are loving this...until the fires come early and stick around late.The timber companies loved it too much. Off topic but, a friend of mine that runs processor is going to be laid off for awhile. The mills aren't taking anymore logs because they're getting flooded with wood and the lumber prices are going in the toilet.
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 19, 2015, 07:33:04 AM
I sure hope the cold weather comes back soon. These early warm spells can really hurt the cub populations. Boars wake up hungry, no good source of food yet except tiny little cubs with no development to escape. Also, in the NE the wolves will make short work of these cubs who are unable to climb well too. The wolves will hammer the small sows rather easily if they try to protect the young cubs. I'd much rather they were covered up by a few feet of snow for another couple months! Of course I expect the timber companies are loving this...until the fires come early and stick around late.
Wish we could have sensible bear management. However, in some places, that is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as a Saber Tooth could then come in and kill the wolves :dunno:
Post by: Sumpnneedskillin on February 19, 2015, 08:49:23 AM
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on February 25, 2015, 07:16:13 PM
Post by: HoofsandWings on February 26, 2015, 11:49:35 AM
The grass is starting to sprout and the trees are already showing signs of turning green too.. The snow is pretty much gone except in the mountains and some logging roads in the canyons.....I applied for my spring bear tag.If you draw one, all you have to do is sit on your porch and wait for one to go by. Curlew is in the center of the unit.