Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Hunterjordan21 on September 02, 2016, 05:04:04 PM

Title: Berries everywhere but no bears?
Post by: Hunterjordan21 on September 02, 2016, 05:04:04 PM: Hi all, I was up around 5500 feet these past few days bear hunting. The berries were prime! I have never seen so many berries. I was on a mountain with large Meadows on very steep hillsides. So I guess my questions are..

With all the perfect berries I didn't see any bear sign. This is a decently well known bear hunting area so I know there are bears there.

Is it worth hunting if there's no sign? Should I keep watching the area or should I quit wasting my time and focus on a new spot with sign?

Also can a hill be too steep for a bear to feed on?
Title: Re: Berries everywhere but no bears?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 02, 2016, 05:19:24 PM: I think they are fine with steep hills, as long as it isn't a cliff. I've seen bear/deer/elk tracks in some really steep stuff that I probably shouldn't go. Amazingly, though, it had been logged off before too.
Title: Re: Berries everywhere but no bears?
Post by: Jonathan_S on September 02, 2016, 05:26:51 PM: When the berries are everywhere, the Bears can be choosy about where they eat them and what time of day
Title: Re: Berries everywhere but no bears?
Post by: Hunting7mm on September 02, 2016, 05:37:13 PM: They're breaking caskara trees over where I'm at.
Title: Re: Berries everywhere but no bears?
Post by: Hunterjordan21 on September 02, 2016, 08:31:25 PM: I figured with how many berries there are this year that they might be like me trying to decide whether I should go to qfc or Safeway. Do you guys have any experience in what time of day you typically would expect them to be feeding? I have heard it can be any time of the day this time of year, is that true or are they more selective only feeding in mornings or evenings? Thanks for the help guys I've been hunting bear for 2 Years now and am trying very hard to fill my tag this year.
Title: Re: Berries everywhere but no bears?
Post by: 180-GRAIN on September 02, 2016, 08:59:24 PM: I have encountered the same thing this year in all the berry fields I have hunted. My thought is right now there are berries still in the timber down low so the bear do not need to show themselves up high quite as much yet and do not have to work as hard for food right now. Wait a couple weeks and they will be up high feeding all day trying to fatten up.
Title: Re: Berries everywhere but no bears?
Post by: Vo2max on September 02, 2016, 09:06:19 PM: Quote from: 180-GRAIN on September 02, 2016, 08:59:24 PM
I have encountered the same thing this year in all the berry fields I have hunted. My thought is right now there are berries still in the timber down low so the bear do not need to show themselves up high quite as much yet and do not have to work as hard for food right now. Wait a couple weeks and they will be up high feeding all day trying to fatten up.

Question: I'm still new to bear hunting so my apologies but, in later Sept and October, what are the Bears eating? Berries are typically gone. Thanks for the help.

Erik
Title: Re: Berries everywhere but no bears?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 02, 2016, 09:22:58 PM: Quote from: Vo2max on September 02, 2016, 09:06:19 PM
Quote from: 180-GRAIN on September 02, 2016, 08:59:24 PM
I have encountered the same thing this year in all the berry fields I have hunted. My thought is right now there are berries still in the timber down low so the bear do not need to show themselves up high quite as much yet and do not have to work as hard for food right now. Wait a couple weeks and they will be up high feeding all day trying to fatten up.

Question: I'm still new to bear hunting so my apologies but, in later Sept and October, what are the Bears eating? Berries are typically gone. Thanks for the help.

Erik
the high elevation blueberries are still found in late Sept. You might even find cranberries (bear berries) up to Nov. In mid Oct to Nov, the evergreen huckleberries are getting good. Still lots of blackberries on into late October. Also have rosehips, abandoned fruit trees and bugs. They like to get the high protein bugs so tearing up stumps. Then grass is always a biggie when green and tender.
Title: Re: Berries everywhere but no bears?
Post by: Hunterjordan21 on September 03, 2016, 12:31:04 PM: Thanks a lot guys I'll keep you posted if I can fill my tag this year or not!
Title: Re: Berries everywhere but no bears?
Post by: 180-GRAIN on September 04, 2016, 07:12:46 PM: Quote from: Vo2max on September 02, 2016, 09:06:19 PM
Quote from: 180-GRAIN on September 02, 2016, 08:59:24 PM
I have encountered the same thing this year in all the berry fields I have hunted. My thought is right now there are berries still in the timber down low so the bear do not need to show themselves up high quite as much yet and do not have to work as hard for food right now. Wait a couple weeks and they will be up high feeding all day trying to fatten up.

This year seems like it's going to be different then others. I think blueberries will be up high into October unless we get another prolonged heat wave.
Question: I'm still new to bear hunting so my apologies but, in later Sept and October, what are the Bears eating? Berries are typically gone. Thanks for the help.

Erik