Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Bango skank on May 16, 2016, 10:46:10 PM

Title: post spring bear blues
Post by: Bango skank on May 16, 2016, 10:46:10 PM: So i realized that, since my odds of drawing spring bear with one point next year are pretty slim, i wont be able to hunt bear until september 2017 thanks to our stupid 1 bear on the eastside rule, and our stupid september 1st opener. Thats almost a year and a half away. So im actually thinking about heading to the wet side to hunt in august. Here i go.... what units in the wetside should i look at? The furthest possible east the better. Something something not asking for honey holes :chuckle:
I guess i may as well say that color phases arent important to me. In all honesty id prefer a black one since ive only killed color phase bears.
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: jasnt on May 17, 2016, 05:52:33 AM: I'm in the same boat. Tagging along
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: BlackRiverTaxidermy on May 17, 2016, 07:18:44 AM: Coming to the west side is going to have its pros and cons! Pros- there's more bears here than most people realize, but it requires lots of research, hiking, and scouting like any new hunting location. Im glad to hear you don't care about a color phase cause your going to see mostly blacks, color-phase is actually a rarity on the west-side.
Cons- unless your hunting the high country of the 'West Cascades', which isn't a bad idea considering your location, your best bet is going to be to buy a land-access permit from Weyhauser, Hancock, etc.
Coastals are a decent bet, but the cover is thick and bears are hard to find. Places Lewis, Cowlitz, Thurston, hold some bears as well, but again, its LOTS of time checking clear-cuts with little reward.
If I were you I would focus on some of the West Cascade high country areas along Hwy 12 and I-90, or even the Olympics. Not going to get any more descriptive than that...as I like to hunt those areas too. You will find that ground is much more open making glassing a larger area a much better venture once you get up high. Those areas also hold huckleberries that those bears love. Here's the caviot.....those areas are frequented by lots of hikers, who tend to give you a weird look when they see a guy in camo and packing a gun, so get off the beaten trails once you gain access in the alpine meadows. In my experience those bears know where those trails are and stay well away from them. Find the valleys, meadows, and 'backside canyons' that don't have trails or camping spots. Call WDFW too! Those biologists (most of them) are a wealth of information on numbers, locations, and tips. Best of luck
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: Machias on May 17, 2016, 08:50:33 AM: Just go hunt Idaho
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: Bango skank on May 17, 2016, 09:34:09 AM: Quote from: Machias on May 17, 2016, 08:50:33 AM
Just go hunt Idaho

Next spring i will if i dont draw here, but for this fall, wetside opens a month earlier than idaho.
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: Jonathan_S on May 17, 2016, 09:39:14 AM: Did you tag out already? :dunno:
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: Bango skank on May 17, 2016, 09:40:07 AM: Ya about a week ago
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: Jonathan_S on May 17, 2016, 09:41:39 AM: Did I miss that thread? Looking...
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: Bango skank on May 17, 2016, 10:15:55 AM: Oh i posted it in the huckleberry check in thread
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: TheSkyBuster on May 17, 2016, 10:45:08 AM: Hop on hwy20 and come on over. I'll share a couple honey holes with you. :tup:
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: WSU on May 17, 2016, 11:07:57 AM: Want to trade info for roping a bear to a tree in 49 degrees for me? I'm headed over in 2 weeks
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: elktracker96 on May 18, 2016, 12:12:15 PM: Tagged out! kapowsin boar
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: Ripper on May 18, 2016, 12:32:31 PM: I can send you to a honey hole for help in 49 Deg N. There is a spot near Stevens Pass that is gated off now so it's a little hike but not bad. We just need a good Huckleberry season.
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: WSU on May 18, 2016, 12:36:18 PM: Quote from: Ripper on May 18, 2016, 12:32:31 PM
I can send you to a honey hole for help in 49 Deg N. There is a spot near Stevens Pass that is gated off now so it's a little hike but not bad. We just need a good Huckleberry season.

I already offered secret squirrel Highway 2 info in exchange for 49 degrees info.

Ripper - When are you heading over. I'd be happy to let you know what I see if you are still hunting the first week of June.
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: Ripper on May 18, 2016, 12:42:00 PM: Sorry WSU, it's a dog eat dog world we live in. :chuckle: I'll be over for 4 or 5 days over Memorial day weekend. I'd be happy to swap notes or even hunt together since I'll be hunting alone. I'll PM you my number.
Title: Re: post spring bear blues
Post by: Bango skank on May 18, 2016, 05:04:09 PM: Im really not the guy to ask about 117 spring bear, sorry. I think of all the ne units i know the least about that one. Just tend to spend my time in the other units. Been meaning to get over there and do some serious hiking and put up some cams. Maybe this summer.