Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Chesapeake on April 20, 2015, 01:39:06 PM

Title: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on April 20, 2015, 01:39:06 PM: Was up in the Wenaha getting a lay of the land and seeing what the weather and plant life was doing this weekend. We saw lots of deer, mule and whitetail, as well as lots of elk, some bulls still packing, a few sheep, but no bears. The plants look to have just started to grow up past 4000 foot or so. Nothing much up high was green quite yet. The road was still buried just below Godman. The road out to Teepee camp was buried. We hit first snow on the 64 just above Bluewood and were in and out of drifts/snow all the way up from there. The 64 beyond the 46 looked to be solid snow and the 46 had some drifts I wasn't willing to try.

Pictures worth a 1000 words......

These are from Godman looking south and shooting east to west.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1084.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj411%2FDieselchessy%2FIMG_1349_zpskcgpj9nx.jpg&hash=054337609a73f1570d2b097f6cd87f4954ba5f7e) (http://s1084.photobucket.com/user/Dieselchessy/media/IMG_1349_zpskcgpj9nx.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1084.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj411%2FDieselchessy%2FIMG_1350_zps1euitqpt.jpg&hash=2d5700d562223545052eec055c9f1d9e6f71b624) (http://s1084.photobucket.com/user/Dieselchessy/media/IMG_1350_zps1euitqpt.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1084.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj411%2FDieselchessy%2FIMG_1351_zpsiptpxiwj.jpg&hash=7c0f1d136223f8a9bfa5458de0b4116028b74130) (http://s1084.photobucket.com/user/Dieselchessy/media/IMG_1351_zpsiptpxiwj.jpg.html)

These are just east of the 64/46 intersection looking south, shooting east to west.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1084.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj411%2FDieselchessy%2FIMG_1374_zpsdrbdxy3f.jpg&hash=3198d2f131b140dcaa61ada1ff9a314514110963) (http://s1084.photobucket.com/user/Dieselchessy/media/IMG_1374_zpsdrbdxy3f.jpg.html)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1084.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj411%2FDieselchessy%2FIMG_1373_zpsi3biyqfd.jpg&hash=8f4499e1f176c76cf200c41bdf98a28f320f72de) (http://s1084.photobucket.com/user/Dieselchessy/media/IMG_1373_zpsi3biyqfd.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: pd on April 20, 2015, 01:40:57 PM: Great reporting! But no bears? Keep at it!
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Timberstalker on April 20, 2015, 01:59:05 PM: Go back in three weeks. They will be out in full force. I was up at 5400' this weekend and saw some digging of onions on the lower ridges. Plants and such are further along than years passed, but I didn't see any bears (even after 9.8 miles on the GPS).

Good luck. Hope you kill a dandy.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Timberstalker on April 20, 2015, 02:05:36 PM: Also, if you are limited on time, I would hunt the week of the 18th. That's a magic time to be in the woods chasing spring bears.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: trophyhunt on April 20, 2015, 02:18:33 PM: Thanks, my dad and I will be heading out in a week n a half!
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on April 20, 2015, 02:35:26 PM: Yeah, I'll head back up in 2 or 3 weeks to try for real. This trip was to do some scouting as far as access points and to look around at the area. I already had the time off scheduled for a family camping trip on the turkey opener so just adjusted my camp location about 4 hours east when I drew the bear tag. I figured the snow levels would let me look around, but knew I was a bit early for bears.

This is the only sign we saw. Was on the pavement right around the last cabin on the 64 below Bluewood. (that's my finger for size reference :sry:)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1084.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj411%2FDieselchessy%2FIMG_1366_zpsbcz8svvq.jpg&hash=4d16bb82593d69e88cc13f550afbea2e23b28c53) (http://s1084.photobucket.com/user/Dieselchessy/media/IMG_1366_zpsbcz8svvq.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on April 20, 2015, 02:49:25 PM: I don't think it's too early for bears.

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Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on April 20, 2015, 03:18:48 PM: Quote from: SilkOnTheWetSide on April 20, 2015, 02:49:25 PM
I don't think it's too early for bears.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There are bears out and about, and no doubt a guy could find one if he looked hard enough. Even more so at the lower elevations. I didn't look at the Oregon side of the Wenaha, things might be more greened up down there. I saw on the other thread you boys were headed in on the 24th. I don't doubt that you'll get her done.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: fastdam on April 20, 2015, 03:55:19 PM: Start where the farm country meets timber....then move up in elevation. A little. When I hunted down there we didnt go very high before we started seeing bears
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on April 21, 2015, 09:11:14 AM: I'll add a "tick report" for those that care.

We hosed all our cloths down with permethrin spray. We still each found a tick or two crawling on us and managed to introduce them to the RV and vehicles.

Cant say if that means anything about the performance of the spray or not. It clearly wasn't a 100% solution.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on April 21, 2015, 09:13:01 AM: I'll take a tick or two over the 50+ each we had last year.

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Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: 180-GRAIN on April 21, 2015, 09:28:10 AM: I was up there opening day and seen 2 bear. They were not the right bear so passed them up. The next 4 days after that were really slow for bear with no sightings. Took the shotgun out and managed to blast a nice Tom.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on April 21, 2015, 10:27:20 AM: We did Thursday through Sunday, guess we got the slow days. We did a lot of glassing, but didn't get more than 500 yards from the truck and were easily distracted by elk, sheep, turkey, and any other critter that came into view. I wouldn't use our lack of sightings as an indicator of how a guy actually hunting bear would do.

A guy would have to consider the number of ticks we found on our short jaunts from the truck to glassing spots and gauge how many ticks a backpacker actually hiking might encounter. I've done the 50+ ticks crawling on you after you brush against a bush deal before. That's why I tried the permethrin. Once I find one of those things on me every little twinge and itch is inspected. Mental issue, I know.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: 180-GRAIN on April 21, 2015, 11:37:26 AM: Oh yeah bring your wolf spray! That were howling outside the tent for about an hour one night.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Magnum_Willys on April 21, 2015, 12:13:33 PM: Flew low over Three Forks Thursday, saw lots of everything but bear. What was snow and brown Wednesday was starting to turn to green and flowers by Sunday. Another week should be bear buffet out there.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Dode on April 28, 2015, 09:14:37 PM: Any new reports? How about the 40 rd. How bad is it? How long before a guy can get to Diamond peak? Thanks
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Let er Fly on May 05, 2015, 10:12:26 AM: Anybody been down there? I am headed down on the 10th. Just curious how things are looking down there.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 06, 2015, 06:57:40 AM: I'll be there Friday night, but probably not on the 40 ( mountain road?). I'll report in sometime Saturday unless I get busy.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: mtman on May 08, 2015, 09:27:09 PM: Good luck on your bear hunt over there. We were over off the mountain road a few weeks ago It was still a bit rough with all the snow. The ticks were pretty few over there compared to the tucannon. Also that 0.5 permethrin didnt seem to be full proof but a buddy of mine went to the doctors and got a head lice lotion with 5% permethrin and it killed em dead.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 08, 2015, 10:44:06 PM: Camped in the rig at the blue wood parking area. Will hit it in the morning first thing.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Timberstalker on May 09, 2015, 04:55:41 AM: Good luck Chesapeake!
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on May 09, 2015, 12:12:54 PM: Good luck man!

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Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: buglebrush on May 09, 2015, 12:49:22 PM: Quote from: 180-GRAIN on April 21, 2015, 11:37:26 AM
Oh yeah bring your wolf spray! That were howling outside the tent for about an hour one night.

My wolf spray comes in .45 ACP. :chuckle: Not cool they are down there too :bash:
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 09, 2015, 01:18:28 PM: Drove up the 64 till it drifts out just before it crests the ridge a few miles past the 46. Drove the 46 across the top to Godman, a few hunters there. Drove out to teepee camp and glassed there for a bit. The roads have a few drifts but not bad except the 300. It's still drifted in more than my rig will do. Haven't seen a bear yet, but it's just getting to that time.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 09, 2015, 05:59:53 PM: At hour 12 of driving, hiking, and glassing. Seen maybe 50 elk, 20 deer, 2 mushroom pickers, 2 hunters, and a few sightseers. Not 1 bears been spotted. LOL! Might have 2 hours of light left.
Hoping Lady Luck makes an appearance!
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on May 10, 2015, 11:29:52 AM: Knock one down Ches!

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Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 10, 2015, 08:15:07 PM: Well, we struck out. Will have to wait a few weeks before we can try again. Have the next 2 weekends booked. Only suspect seen was way to far to make a move on.
Seen this dude. Looks like he may turn out well. Seen one more a little smaller, but he wasn't as photogenic.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F10%2F015e49534af243d602f19cfe3c6c2e37.jpg&hash=724689b4f074b6db3c41f6256fa7e221f63667c0)
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 10, 2015, 08:21:20 PM: And to continue the snow report.
64 as it cuts the ridge toward Table mountain.
And table mountain.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F10%2F89866d02e77d05041560094b1626bf1a.jpg&hash=0a95b215b82bcffacf71ffae8e3f33b0fc6f8af8)(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F10%2F59f5febd42d54de2ab934ab55ba2086e.jpg&hash=b6d23d3cd35e3fe6e45b04511c5f48f2c418c3c6)
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Timberstalker on May 10, 2015, 09:09:32 PM: Somewhere in that 1st picture there's a bear!
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 10, 2015, 09:33:57 PM: Yeah, I wanted to get up there to a specific ridge that runs out pretty gradual. Unfortunately too much snow to get there.
My plan A and B had too much snow. I used the tow strap to drag one tree out of the road and did more than I should have of throttling into the drifts as far as I could and then backing out and going again, and again. Snows melting fast though. Some stuff I drove in the morning you couldn't even see tracks in by the afternoon.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 28, 2015, 09:57:07 AM: Heading back over to hunt Saturday and Sunday. Debating staying high up by the headwaters on the Dayton side where I've been, or going to the Troy side more toward the larger rivers. Seems most of the bears have been killed in the southeast corner. But I've not been there so would be a stab in the dark.

Thinking I'll go where I know for Saturday and if nothing shows make the move Saturday night and at least see some new country Sunday. Maybe stare at my feet and try to salvage the trip with Morels.

Anyone know if you can run the 40 from the Pomeroy side across to Troy? I assume yes, but would hate to kill all the time getting part way and having to turn back.

This will probably be my last go at it. The honey do list is stacking up. :yike:
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Limhangerslayer on May 28, 2015, 10:41:20 AM: I would suggest committing to one or the other. Patience sitting on ridges not running all over the unit in your rig will get you a bear.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Timberstalker on May 28, 2015, 12:24:49 PM: Go get them Chesapeake. They're moving. ;)
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Ghost Hunter on May 28, 2015, 02:04:57 PM: Somebody has to get it done! I would consider on more dry run, but committed a few weeks ago to a 'volunteer' day at work. Good luck.
Title: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 29, 2015, 11:09:28 PM: Bedded down in the rig at Bluewood. Will head up the hill in the morning.
Hate to mention it Ghost but we seen our first bear, a ~200# cinnamon, on the 64/Touchet just a few miles into the NF. Tried for a pic as he wasn't in any rush to leave the road but the flash went off and washed the photo out. Thinking its Dayton and not Tucannon though. To lazy to pull the regs out to see.
To bad he isn't in our unit.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Timberstalker on May 30, 2015, 06:39:24 AM: Get on em !!!!
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 30, 2015, 11:35:20 AM: No bears seen yet. Lunch break.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: mtncook on May 30, 2015, 01:21:49 PM: Pomeroy to Troy has been open for a while now. You were in the Dayton unit if in South or North Touchet.

mtncook
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 30, 2015, 07:51:36 PM: Sun is setting on day 5 of glassing the upper north fork Wenaha with no bears spotted in the unit. Can't drive to table mountain due to snow drifts but can see a rig up on the southern end of the drifts. Probably came up from Oregon.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Timberstalker on May 30, 2015, 08:04:15 PM: You've got some serious bear jinx sprayed all over you.
I can't believe you haven't seen one. How many more days are you hunting?
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 30, 2015, 08:10:58 PM: Just tomorrow morning. Still contemplating looking at the 40. Maybe this NW corner is great fall bear area. I've talked to a few guys and they haven't seen any bear either. I even looked a bit down into the watershed and didn't see a bear. Can't count the elk and have seen many deer. About half the deer have been bucks. These 2 were in the watershed.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F30%2F9e72a98f400a383c67b0eb9e1cd282be.jpg&hash=cd25fcca580451e5514da56be521f007db02d5a5)
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Magnum_Willys on May 30, 2015, 08:32:26 PM: TOMORROWS THE DAY ! good luck !!
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Ghost Hunter on May 31, 2015, 06:42:40 AM: Hoping you score. I'm stove up from my 11 hours on
Saturday. I'll stay home, watch the race and hope you get one.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 31, 2015, 07:42:44 AM: Sitting up by Diamond peak glassing. Made the drive last night thinking I'd rather see new country than do day 6 of nothing in the same place.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 31, 2015, 07:44:43 AM: Already seen a herd of elk. Hoping there is an early riser that wasn't out all night in the nearly full moon.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: trophyhunt on May 31, 2015, 07:48:49 AM: Keep at it, we didn't see any bears for 3.5 days, then in less than a day we saw 4. Good luck, can't wait for pic's!!
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 31, 2015, 04:59:52 PM: You probably recognize this pic. (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F05%2F31%2F625c9066a0c2ab9dae09a96049566310.jpg&hash=3655a705c106f76c30537eb2acf101f8ac413fab)
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Timberstalker on May 31, 2015, 05:27:42 PM: Good looking country.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 31, 2015, 05:28:50 PM: It was a fun hunt. Learned a lot about the area.
If I do it again I'll go at it differently. I'll stick south and east of Oregon butte. Don't know if it's just this year, or normal, but the south east side was much greener, more springs and seeps, creeks with water, more green brushy hillsides, a bit different vegetation with more tamaracks, and shrubbery. The NW corner was dry and rocky by comparison.
The SE corner looked more Beary to my eyes.
Took me 6 hours from the Misery intersection to my front door. Pulled the plug just after 10 to get the kid home for some rest before school Monday.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Ghost Hunter on May 31, 2015, 06:04:39 PM: No shame in a great effort. That country is impressive.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on May 31, 2015, 06:57:10 PM: I never tangled with the "country". I had my 10 year old with me so all meat extraction was going to be a solo affair with a kid in tow. We were never more than 2 miles from a road. A couple guys with packs could have played in that "country".
My kid called it a "big hole".
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 01, 2015, 06:31:09 AM: Quote from: Chesapeake on May 31, 2015, 06:57:10 PM
I never tangled with the "country". I had my 10 year old with me so all meat extraction was going to be a solo affair with a kid in tow. We were never more than 2 miles from a road. A couple guys with packs could have played in that "country".
My kid called it a "big hole".

A big hole is an apt description and I may henceforth start referring to the Wenaha as such.

I'll be headed back in Thursday to give her one more go around!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: muleyslayer on June 01, 2015, 06:48:52 AM: Looks like you had a great hunt. How are the ticks in the area?
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: trophyhunt on June 01, 2015, 06:52:43 AM: I hunted north of troy when I killed my bear 3 or so weeks ago and only saw 5 ticks on me. One was on the bear. I used that spray and I think it helped a lot considering the brush I was walking through.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on June 01, 2015, 06:57:53 AM: I bet you do well. Things are really greening up now. Unfortunately it got hot there. We sweated both nights in 50 deg bags. We never used our jackets, mornings were t-shirt warm. Meat extraction could be troublesome.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Ghost Hunter on June 01, 2015, 09:46:36 AM: Quote from: muleyslayer on June 01, 2015, 06:48:52 AM
Looks like you had a great hunt. How are the ticks in the area?
Ticks were bad in the Tucannon. Took a short hike on a trail that Woodchuck mentioned, came out infested. Fed a fist full to the fire. Picked a different trail to finish my last weekend.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on June 01, 2015, 02:43:08 PM: Quote from: muleyslayer on June 01, 2015, 06:48:52 AM
Looks like you had a great hunt. How are the ticks in the area?

We used the permethrin clothing spray on all our gear. (It may be a bear repellent. LOL!). We'd find 0 to 5 ticks on each of us after a few hours of walking around. I purposefully avoided crawling through brush, especially on game trails. We checked our selves well before getting in the rig, but still had a few strays make it into the RV.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: dinkus16 on June 01, 2015, 06:22:15 PM: Did you make it all the way out to the trailhead there at diamond peak Chesapeake? Or were there still drifts blocking that road?
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on June 01, 2015, 08:14:57 PM: No drifts, you can get within a hundred yards or so then there are a few trees across the road. Most all the trees are cut off the road, but it looks like a few new additions fell post the clean out.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on June 01, 2015, 08:16:30 PM: The only place I couldn't go was on the 64 to table top. The last NE facing scree slope the road crosses is drifted in for a few hundred yards.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: dinkus16 on June 01, 2015, 08:25:50 PM: Thanks for the update and sorry the bears didn't cooperate!
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Chesapeake on June 01, 2015, 08:32:09 PM: It's all good. I was in the woods learning with my boy and that's what's important to me.
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: dinkus16 on June 01, 2015, 08:48:25 PM: :tup:
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: Dode on June 01, 2015, 09:21:27 PM: As long as you don't try and drive across any of those drifts you'll be fine Brad :chuckle:
Title: Re: Wenaha snow report
Post by: muleyslayer on June 01, 2015, 09:27:20 PM: Quote from: Chesapeake on June 01, 2015, 02:43:08 PM
Quote from: muleyslayer on June 01, 2015, 06:48:52 AM
Looks like you had a great hunt. How are the ticks in the area?

We used the permethrin clothing spray on all our gear. (It may be a bear repellent. LOL!). We'd find 0 to 5 ticks on each of us after a few hours of walking around. I purposefully avoided crawling through brush, especially on game trails. We checked our selves well before getting in the rig, but still had a few strays make it into the RV.
yeah the tuccannon area is the worst for ticks in my opinion. Last year I was in there around this time and I had about 50 of them on me. Then I went in July and didn't get any.