Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: n_mathews13 on March 19, 2016, 03:16:01 PM

Title: Spring bear elevation?
Post by: n_mathews13 on March 19, 2016, 03:16:01 PM: Got a question.
I've been bear hunting awhile now, got a few under my belt. But I have taken then all in fall at 1000feet elevation. I'm going out of state to bear hunt this may, what elevation do they like that time of year? I'm use to watching black berries and plums in the fall, so the lower the better. I'm new to spring, what's your thoughts?
Title: Re: Spring bear elevation?
Post by: Sideswipe on March 20, 2016, 07:23:57 PM: Well having taken only 5 myself I'm no expert. At 75 I sure have to conserve my energy. However, my son-law-law, who is a senior Mtn climbing guide around Mt Baker in Northern WA, he said in the Spring the bears are definitely up high in the huckleberry fields. Can't tell you the exact elevation but if you look up WA huckleberries it should tell you. On one climb he spotted a big bear digg'in up marmots in the lower highlands as he & a client descended from a climb above Marblemont

Now to contradict what I just said, I will tell you my best bear (300 # boar) was taken in the Sierra Pacific timberlands a few hundred feet above hwy 20 & the town of Hamilton on the wet side of WA. He was taken in May. The Bears were still ripping shingle-sized patches of bark off old growth stumps ( their turds were rusty brown), grass & clover at roadsides & clear cuts ( black outside & emerald green inside turds), or as some old timers swear...hunt'in the low/swampy areas where tracks are easy to read & Ursus digs up skunk cabbage roots. The roots fill their stomach but it isn't their fav fare but fills there stomach 'til the cherries & berries come.

Good luck young man. Sideswipe aka Bruce
Title: Re: Spring bear elevation?
Post by: n_mathews13 on March 22, 2016, 05:08:17 PM: Thanks for the input. I'll be close to 4000, should be ok