Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: MuzzyHunter28 on May 03, 2016, 03:29:57 PM

Title: Copalis Hunt Update / Info
Post by: MuzzyHunter28 on May 03, 2016, 03:29:57 PM: Hey All,
I never claim to be a master Bear Hunter. However I have been successful in surrounding areas & my hometown (Enumclaw / Greenwater). I drew the Copalis tag this year, first time ever putting in for it. (Usually I'm going crazy over turkeys, gave up on those smart *censored*s last year) I spent a 4 day weekend in there. I brought a buddy along and we camped off the 6000 line. Spur Rd 6018. Got to use the Wall Tent so that was nice. I was thinking the unit would be fun & somewhat easy. Boy was I wrong. Turning out to be a tough hunt, but when I think about it, what hunt isn't?
Anyways, we hunted hard for 4 days, hunted from the 6006 up the 8200 & everywhere between (tried to at least). I hunt the Quinault Res with a guide in fall so I thought I wanted to stay along the boundary on the north west lines, since we see bears allover in there. My GPS & Map looks like a crime scene with all my markings....I found one scat pile & 1 fresh peel, in the thickest nastiest trail into a meadow / swamp. Even If hovered into the meadow I don't know if I would want to put a 180 Gr Nosler into any black 4 legged creature in that thick wet stuff. It would be a tough pack / track job.
We did our fair share of road hunting, walking old roads, brush kicking to find swamps, calling, sitting etc. Nothing.....Saw 1 raccoon & 2 squirrels. Didn't run into many hunters, I think 3 rigs total? However the logging operations are everywhere. You can't go anywhere with out hearing the feller buncher making 2x4's.. I did run into a guy who was hiking in behind the 6009 closed gate (I think?, I cant' Remember) He told me he saw 6 scat piles 1.25 miles in. Didn't get the time to hike in behind walk in only gates. I kept the windicator & scent killer handy. Weather was warm & sunny, that should bear killing weather! Maybe a few weeks early? Going to try to get back in around Memorial time.
I just wanted to share my story with any hunters who are heading in this weekend.

Feel free to comment & tell me I was just in the wrong spots ;) Picture of the Meadow, where I found his scat & peel. Skunk cabbage & dog hair was 5' tall in places.
Title: Re: Copalis Hunt Update / Info
Post by: MuzzyHunter28 on May 03, 2016, 03:34:54 PM: Pictures never load for me the first time.... Try again.
Title: Re: Copalis Hunt Update / Info
Post by: JimmyHoffa on May 03, 2016, 03:55:23 PM: You know, I just don't see too many bears in the bog meadows. Not sure they like the brush that grows in there much--usually small leaves with lots of little branches. Sometimes near the edges, you get more grass and then more sign. But I think peels, skunk cabbage and green grass might be the favorites right now. Are there any hills you can look down on the forest from? Some places you can get a high road and look in drainages, you'll see clusters of dead trees that are usually in a line--brown area against all the green. Seems like the bears work those same lines of trees each year, often have some kind of a hidey hole to sleep in nearby.
Title: Re: Copalis Hunt Update / Info
Post by: huntingdog16 on May 03, 2016, 06:17:01 PM: I drew copalis as well. I'm gonna be heading down for a week on the 22nd. A couple guys have said that calling them in really helps.
Title: Re: Copalis Hunt Update / Info
Post by: MuzzyHunter28 on May 04, 2016, 07:54:02 AM: That Unit is so flat & brushy not a lot of high vantage points to look in, & absolutely no drainage shoots or anything along those lines that I found at least...Your are correct, the sign I saw in that meadow was right on the edge. When the Rut kicks in I am hoping you will just start seeing the Boars walking older roads looking for Sows.
Title: Re: Copalis Hunt Update / Info
Post by: XJcoug13 on May 04, 2016, 10:44:35 AM: I've been up there about 4 times so far. I know for a fact 2 bears have been killed this spring up there, but not sure if anyone else has taken one. I think if we keep having these nice warm days, the middle to end of the season should get good!
Title: Re: Copalis Hunt Update / Info
Post by: bearmanric on May 04, 2016, 03:18:11 PM: Heading back tomorrow. Seen 4 earlier. Will be doing a bunch of calling. Rick
Title: Re: Copalis Hunt Update / Info
Post by: MuzzyHunter28 on May 05, 2016, 07:53:14 AM: "Heading back tomorrow. Seen 4 earlier. Will be doing a bunch of calling. Rick"

Rick,
I read / keep my self up to date with your posts! I saw that you said you seen 4. You must have a good spot!! I dont know if I could hold out 4 times on a spring hunt. I EAT bear. (Unless sow w/ cubs etc.) Hope you guys get into them! Please keep the thread going with updates so e can be successful this year. The timber company is making so much $$$ off us, least we could do is kill their bears for them 8)