Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: kodiak 907 on March 10, 2015, 10:14:10 PM

Title: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: kodiak 907 on March 10, 2015, 10:14:10 PM: I drew 49 degrees. Any tips or suggestions on when to head over and look for a bruin. I have hunted turkeys in 121. Not really that familiar with the neighboring unit though.

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: tonymiller7 on March 11, 2015, 07:31:35 AM: I have seen bears there while turkey hunting. Just get to a vantage point and glass.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Jonathan_S on March 11, 2015, 07:44:36 AM: Congratulations on the draw. Bears eat grass in the spring.

Assuming you're only able to take a certain amount of time off, go in May.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: jasnt on March 11, 2015, 07:49:33 AM: I've seen some bear sign down low sofar. Like Jonathan said look for areas with growing grass. I've also seen some stumps worked over a little.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on March 11, 2015, 08:03:25 AM: expect an earlier emergence this year. As soon as the grass is greening up you should be glassing. Lots of bears in certain parts of the unit. PM me if you want to talk over some maps
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: buglebrush on March 11, 2015, 10:11:34 AM: Hunt hard, and make sure you kill one. With the wolves we desperately need to think out our predators ;)
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: erk444 on March 14, 2015, 01:34:37 PM: Tag
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: gun-dog on March 28, 2015, 06:53:30 PM: I didn't draw a tag (and never do) but my Mom drew 117. I have shot a bear on the other side of the river in 113 and seen bears in 113 but never really hunted in 117. I was out looking for sign this weekend but didn't see anything. I found very little grass growing so I will give it a couple more weeks and try again. My mom has a "bucket list" ever since she survived cancer and killing a bear is #1. Needless to say, I will be putting in a lot of time and effort to give her the best opportunity. Good luck out there. People are already seeing sign, just not me yet.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Expedition Scout on March 29, 2015, 08:32:25 AM: I work up there and haven't seen one out yet this year. We normally start to bump them off roads that are closed and have lush green grass and forbes growing over them. look for south facing hill sides and water seeps along the roads.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: magnus100 on April 02, 2015, 04:55:10 PM: We spent the day in 117 yesteray and didnt see any bears or sign. We glassed South slopes most of the day. I wont be back up there for atleast a couple weeks due to busy schedule.
Good luck all
Mike
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: kodiak 907 on April 02, 2015, 07:28:15 PM: Dang it!! I leave in two weeks and those bears better be up and moving. I only have a week to get it done.

Thanks for the report :tup:
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Expedition Scout on April 02, 2015, 10:00:10 PM: Again today all through the area from 5300 feet down and not a single bear. No tracks either, we looked in every location we could find. Green up really hasn't started yet either. Give a yell before you head over and maybe a better report will be available. Snow line is at 5300 feet right now with patchy spots. Ran into a shady area with 3 feet and didn't want to push it. Most of the snow is just patchy and will be gone soon. It was tough turning around today when you could see bare road up ahead but the prospects of getting stuck where great.

most roads are clear and open, but make sure you have a chainsaw with you
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: kodiak 907 on April 03, 2015, 06:08:14 AM: Thanks for the report!! Hopefully I'm not gonna be to early, April 14-20.

The Bears are already up and running around over here. It is also really green over on this side.

:tup:
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: BULLBLASTER on April 03, 2015, 08:10:37 AM: Quote from: kodiak 907 on April 03, 2015, 06:08:14 AM
Thanks for the report!! Hopefully I'm not gonna be to early, April 14-20.

The Bears are already up and running around over here. It is also really green over on this side.

:tup:
i would personally push your time back a few weeks till mid may if you can. Bear activity will be much greater by then.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: kodiak 907 on April 03, 2015, 08:16:21 AM: If I could I would believe me. Got a lot of stuff going around the house so I can only go for that week.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: BULLBLASTER on April 03, 2015, 08:27:37 AM: Good luck!
I know a few people who have killed bears in 49 spring season with cold calling sets. Usually later and fawn distress.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on April 03, 2015, 02:01:25 PM: I have not seen any sign yet. Is suspect they are out in places, but it got cold again this week and actually snowed some in the mid to high elevations.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: erk444 on April 05, 2015, 12:34:17 PM: So my buddy and I found an area with a ton of trees that looked to be peeled. I googled bear damage to trees and it looks exactly like what we found. Some of the trees were still alive and some were long dead so I assume they are using the area from year to year? Nothing looked fresh from this year though. Does anyone know if bear like to hibernate at a certain elevation, or are they pretty much spread out? We put quite a few miles on over there this weekend and didn't see any fresh sign. We have the first week in may off of work to head back so I think we may have better luck then.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: CAMPMEAT on April 05, 2015, 01:08:42 PM: A predator call would be at the top of my to bring list.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: kodiak 907 on April 05, 2015, 03:47:01 PM: I got the fox pro and a few hand calls packed already. Hopefully they are awake soon. 9 days until go time. Fingers crossed. :tup:
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Expedition Scout on April 05, 2015, 08:10:38 PM: Spent the entire day up the North Fork of the Chewelah (Sand Canyon Road) today. No sign or sightings. Not much for green up at any elevation outside of town. I'll be back up there mid week and I'll try to post another report.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: swift on April 06, 2015, 09:44:23 PM: After spending the weekend in north 121 I think you will be at least 2-3 weeks early!
If you can slide you trip back a month you'll stand a better chance !
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: kodiak 907 on April 07, 2015, 04:17:10 AM: I know but I can't slide the dates any. Going to hit it hard all next week and see if i can get lucky.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: huntnnw on April 07, 2015, 05:23:54 AM: Late April at the earliest to see any decent bear activity and more like the second weekend in may and so forth for the best activity
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: kodiak 907 on April 07, 2015, 05:45:46 AM: Thanks for all of the reports. I will see what happens next week.

I can't kill one at the house so I might have to head over there and kick one out of bed. :tup:

I will report back next week, hopefully with some pics and a story. :hunter:
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: TommyH on April 07, 2015, 06:01:33 AM: I haven't seen any fresh sign this year... But admittedly I haven't been looking for bear sign much.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: kodiak 907 on April 19, 2015, 09:12:24 AM: Well no bear on this trip.

I saw three bears and only one was in 117. I had a shot at about 340 yards but he was tearing a stump apart and would not sit still. I tried to get closer for a shot and he must have caught my wind and left the county.
If I was hunting 121 the hunt would have been over on day 1.
The last two days I saw quite a bit of sign in 117.

When I was turkey hunting in 121 I got within 50 yards of a young boar. He was in the same field with the turkeys and the birds didn't care at all that he was there.

The moose numbers in 117 must be getting better. I saw two cows and a ton of sign.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Quackwhacker on April 19, 2015, 10:09:14 AM: Thanks for the report. I will be heading up in a couple weeks.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Expedition Scout on April 30, 2015, 06:46:39 AM: saw my first bear in 117 yesterday. Starting to green up on roads and meadows. If your able, the next few weeks should be good.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: jrebel on April 30, 2015, 06:56:36 AM: OH...Sunday cannot come fast enough!!! You guys are getting me all kinds of excited. :tup: I will report back next week when I return.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Quackwhacker on April 30, 2015, 06:57:56 AM: Headed that way on Friday!

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Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Expedition Scout on April 30, 2015, 08:16:44 AM: Plan to stay low elevation, look for green lush meadows preferably with water running through. Roads up high are still very muddy with snow drifts is a few places (shaded slopes). Good luck to all :tup:
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Quackwhacker on May 26, 2015, 10:19:16 PM: Headed up for my second attempt at a spring bruin. Anyone been seeing any bears in 49dn?

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Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Ripper on May 27, 2015, 09:31:00 AM: Good luck. I'm sure Bearpaw could give you a few pointers.
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: jrebel on May 27, 2015, 09:54:10 AM: Quote from: Ripper on May 27, 2015, 09:31:00 AM
Good luck. I'm sure Bearpaw could give you a few pointers.

:yeah:
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Expedition Scout on May 27, 2015, 05:42:14 PM: Up there all day today. Seen quite a bit of bear scat in the lush green meadows down low. Target locations off the beaten path with sub-irrigation or stream/springs running through them. Most of the road beds are coming up green as well. Good luck. :tup:
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Quackwhacker on May 28, 2015, 04:10:36 PM: Thanks for the tips. Headed up in the morning.

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Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: kodiak 907 on May 28, 2015, 04:50:16 PM: The big cinnamon bear I saw was above 6 mile creek road. He gave me the slip, and might still be running.lmao. Good luck!!
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Quackwhacker on May 30, 2015, 10:01:24 AM: (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F30%2Fc0fa3bdca571dc18396d89822a51b2cd.jpg&hash=e3dc6f7ebbf50e6ad08cc8a3b0b6d77e1669f38b). This guy was a little too small. He did have a beautiful coat though. Thunderstorms storms rolled in yesterday and ruined my evening hunt. It was quite the show. Hopefully the sun comes out today and the Bears follow.

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Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: jasnt on May 30, 2015, 02:38:47 PM: Good luck
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Quackwhacker on May 31, 2015, 08:25:17 AM: After the crazy thunderstorms, I walked into a gated area that I had seen a good chocolate a few weeks ago. The area has bear written all over it. Green alpine meadows a old clearcuts. Streams in every direction with an abundance of wildlife sign. There is still a few patches of snow in the shaded areas. I found a nice view point atop one of the old cuts and I begin what I think is going to be a day of grassing. I spot deer at the highest point in the meadows a moose walking up from the main drainage.

After a bit, I hear what sounds like a vehicle. I look across the drainage a spot two jeeps coming down the gated road. This wasn't a big deal until they decided to go off road and came right up the cut I was grassing from. I was a little upset at this point as I had walk two miles to get away from traffic. (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F31%2F40ae7739aa5d4a37fa264a376b7e0131.jpg&hash=8e15f2c1319b8c652aa8be1848587069fe59eeb2)(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F31%2F1191f3d68d4f447532d7e3ee2f80aafa.jpg&hash=84e2f5d895666537be8e494fb82c530c2a482b0b). These are the two fellas that thought it was okay to drive over saplings and logs to find a trail. I spoke with the guy in the white jeep and he advised me they came from a road that had no gate. I knew this was a lie as there was no other way into the area. I left the area and followed there tracks back down to the gate where they went off road to get around.

I headed north to try another area. I glassed many cuts with nothing but deer and moose. I found an old tank trapped road about an hour before dark and decided to give it a try. It was not a cut or meadow area. It was atop a ridge with big timber and green grass. After walking for a couple minutes I was feeling like I was in a very good area. I had a call in my pocket that Rick had given me a few years back. I decided to call while I walked. I stopped for a moment at at opening in the timber and thought about turning back.

I caught a glimpse of something black move below me. I thought to myself (holy crap! That's a bear!). It was about 40 yards away and walking behind a group of trees. I quickly shouldered the 7mm as it walked into the opening. Front shoulder, BANG! He does a roll and then is on his feet running down hill. I lose sight as he goes behind a tree. I load another round and slowly walk down hill. Moments later I see a piled up black bear. He only made it 20 yards. My first black bear was down. After giving myself a few high fives, I drug him up to the road and walked back to the truck for the pack board. He may not be the biggest, but I didn't have much more time to hunt. I figure the young ones taste better. (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F31%2F3e7af92720efe4ea495e5c8dcd79fa22.jpg&hash=82b2b461aa39cb2741ce12417e75e2499f8b2504)

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Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: grundy53 on May 31, 2015, 09:01:52 AM: Nice work! Congratulations!
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: bearmanric on May 31, 2015, 09:16:42 AM: Thats awesome Quacker. On the coast just came out from we're I called one in Friday evening. Lots of deer and fawns. Pretty country. Be safe driving home. Rick
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: jasnt on May 31, 2015, 09:36:31 AM: Congrats!
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on May 31, 2015, 08:08:34 PM: Congrats, way to fill the tag!
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: bowhunterforever on May 31, 2015, 08:17:33 PM: Congrats, Nice bear :tup:
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Quackwhacker on May 31, 2015, 09:18:24 PM: Thanks guys.

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Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: The scout on May 31, 2015, 09:30:36 PM: very cool. your write up makes me want to go hunting
Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: Quackwhacker on May 31, 2015, 09:38:13 PM: It is such a great time to be in the woods. I lost count on how many deer I had seen and most were bucks. Moose and grouse were everywhere. The smell of fresh growth in the mountain air is enough to clear anything that ails you.

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Title: Re: Drew 117 any advice
Post by: The scout on May 31, 2015, 09:43:20 PM: couldn't agree more went up to check my trail cam behind my house today, should take about an hour, I was gone for over six. seen a bear and deer, I was loving it. great time of year to be in the woods.