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Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: trophyhunt on May 31, 2017, 08:36:36 PM


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Title: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: trophyhunt on May 31, 2017, 08:36:36 PM
I'm sure you guys noticed that the 2018 spring bear info in the regs is not there and they say spring hunts will be announced in November.  Any inside info or speculation of what changes might be coming?
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: high country on May 31, 2017, 08:40:49 PM
Based on the trend,  the season will be broken up into quality, boar, and any bear hunts with a premium price for hunts during the 5/15-6/15.....basically any way to pinch more $$ out of us.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on May 31, 2017, 08:41:19 PM
Tagging.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: trophyhunt on May 31, 2017, 08:48:38 PM
I thought of a way they can make more money, it came to me after seeing a bear 500 yards in the wrong unit.  Pay an extra 16.00 for multiple units to hunt if drawn, up to 2 or three??  Your probably right high country, for options coming soon??
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: Timberstalker on May 31, 2017, 08:57:46 PM
I heard it was going to general otc for spring season. Pretty reliable source.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on May 31, 2017, 09:01:19 PM
It better.  :chuckle: I just ate the last spring bear tag ever?!?!???
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: X-Force on May 31, 2017, 09:10:27 PM
There may be some more west side units coming...
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: bobcat on May 31, 2017, 09:15:32 PM
Every GMU that has bears should have at least a few spring permits. It's ridiculous that they don't. We've had baiting and hound hunting taken away, there's no reason they can't offer a lot more spring bear permits to help make up for it.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: Duckslayer89 on May 31, 2017, 09:19:24 PM
Based on the trend,  the season will be broken up into quality, boar, and any bear hunts with a premium price for hunts during the 5/15-6/15.....basically any way to pinch more $$ out of us.

 :yeah:
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: Limhangerslayer on May 31, 2017, 10:00:21 PM
Every GMU that has bears should have at least a few spring permits. It's ridiculous that they don't. We've had baiting and hound hunting taken away, there's no reason they can't offer a lot more spring bear permits to help make up for it.
:yeah:  I agree 100%  look at the blues in Oregon and how many they still give out.  All the north central units would make great hunts.  One could only hope
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: Tbar on May 31, 2017, 10:26:34 PM
A new hunt will come, an old one will go away. 
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: trophyhunt on June 01, 2017, 05:45:32 AM
A new hunt will come, an old one will go away.
well don't leave us hanging!!
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: Duckslayer89 on June 01, 2017, 05:48:10 AM
I heard it was going to general otc for spring season. Pretty reliable source.

@timberstalker any more details on this? I think that would be awesome
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: bowhunterforever on June 01, 2017, 06:18:40 AM
Tagging
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: buglebrush on June 01, 2017, 06:22:53 AM
I heard it was going to general otc for spring season. Pretty reliable source.

If they're truly interested in management this should be the case.  I hope my pessimism is wrong...
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: grundy53 on June 01, 2017, 06:28:04 AM
Every GMU that has bears should have at least a few spring permits. It's ridiculous that they don't. We've had baiting and hound hunting taken away, there's no reason they can't offer a lot more spring bear permits to help make up for it.
Agreed

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Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: shanevg on June 01, 2017, 06:30:41 AM
I can't see them taking away the draw altogether, but hopefully every unit gets some tags. OTC would be the dream though!
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on June 01, 2017, 06:36:08 AM
Yeah. That would be awesome.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: Ripper on June 01, 2017, 07:12:22 AM
I'd be willing to pay a little extra to bait in the spring.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: ghosthunter on June 01, 2017, 07:15:55 AM
Based on the recent Loophole story.

You wont be able to shoot a bear unless it is in the act stripping a tree. :bash:
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: bowhunterforever on June 01, 2017, 07:16:42 AM
I'd be willing to pay a little extra to bait in the spring.
[/quote :yeah: x2
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: trophyhunt on June 01, 2017, 08:21:25 AM
So I'm probably going to get flamed for this but, I don't think an otc spring tag would be a good idea for the east side units. As open as the terrain is and the number of good bear hunters who love spring bear I think the bear population would be impacted in a bad way.  The wet side I feel can support otc spring tags, at least every unit should have permits on the west.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: Cylvertip on June 01, 2017, 08:25:07 AM
I'd be willing to pay a little extra to bait in the spring.
[/quote :yeah: x2

That's called driving to Idaho.... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: Lefty315 on June 01, 2017, 08:42:14 AM
I'd like to see the West side be OTC.   They could institute a quota system.   That may even work for some of the GMU's in the NE part of the state. 
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 01, 2017, 09:07:31 AM
It would be great if the west side went otc in spring.  I know in the GMUs I hunt, I see lots more bear in spring while the bears are still down low.  Mosquitoes aren't much of an issue early either.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: grundy53 on June 01, 2017, 09:12:16 AM


So I'm probably going to get flamed for this but, I don't think an otc spring tag would be a good idea for the east side units. As open as the terrain is and the number of good bear hunters who love spring bear I think the bear population would be impacted in a bad way.  The wet side I feel can support otc spring tags, at least every unit should have permits on the west.

The bear population could stand a dramatic impact.

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Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: wheels on June 01, 2017, 01:49:20 PM
hope more units open or general in  denser areas  if we want baiting back i think we are going to have to rally the troops
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: steeleywhopper on June 01, 2017, 03:04:25 PM


So I'm probably going to get flamed for this but, I don't think an otc spring tag would be a good idea for the east side units. As open as the terrain is and the number of good bear hunters who love spring bear I think the bear population would be impacted in a bad way.  The wet side I feel can support otc spring tags, at least every unit should have permits on the west.

The bear population could stand a dramatic impact.

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As a guy who got to hound hunt before the turd birds voted it out, I can say there's more bears here in Washington than people realize. Open it up and let us hunt!
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: trophyhunt on June 01, 2017, 04:20:09 PM
I definetly agree there are too many bears on the wet side, I just wouldn't want my blues to get over hunted.  It's a special time spring bear hunting over there, I'd like to see it left the way it is.  Just my 2 cents
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: steeleywhopper on June 01, 2017, 10:07:43 PM
I definetly agree there are too many bears on the wet side, I just wouldn't want my blues to get over hunted.  It's a special time spring bear hunting over there, I'd like to see it left the way it is.  Just my 2 cents

Those bears eat way too many elk calves. I lived in Waitsburg and I have seen the damage that those bears do to the elk over there in the Blue's. I'm sorry but when there's 18 bears working one draw where cow elk are calving it's no good for the elk.  Choot em Elizabeth Choot em!
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on June 02, 2017, 10:17:54 AM
I definetly agree there are too many bears on the wet side, I just wouldn't want my blues to get over hunted.  It's a special time spring bear hunting over there, I'd like to see it left the way it is.  Just my 2 cents

Those bears eat way too many elk calves. I lived in Waitsburg and I have seen the damage that those bears do to the elk over there in the Blue's. I'm sorry but when there's 18 bears working one draw where cow elk are calving it's no good for the elk.  Choot em Elizabeth Choot em!
I suspect (purely my own speculation) that you have hit the nail on the head.  Washington has one of the largest bear populations in the lower 48, and they take a LOT of newborn fawns and calves that could grow up to be wolf food.  Increasing the deer and elk newborn survival will provide more forage for wolves, reducing wolf-livestock conflict and allowing the numbers to increase faster toward recovery criteria.  There might even be enough deer and elk leftover for hunters to take a few more, especially if the wolves nuke the coyotes in their pack territories.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: Katmai Guy on June 02, 2017, 11:09:33 AM
I would like to see more permits for areas already being hunted and more areas opened up to spring  permit seasons, but I feel a general spring season will ruin the quality of the bear hunting experience.  My question is "why are deer and elk so much more important to have good hunting for than bears or say cougars?  It's all hunting and you can eat them all so what's the big deal?
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 04, 2017, 10:52:56 AM
A lot of suburban bear stories this year in the news.  OTC spring bear would be great. 
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 04, 2017, 10:55:02 AM
I definetly agree there are too many bears on the wet side, I just wouldn't want my blues to get over hunted.  It's a special time spring bear hunting over there, I'd like to see it left the way it is.  Just my 2 cents

LOL I highly doubt the wenaha will get over hunted.  99.99% of hunters won't make it .25 miles off the road
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: buglebrush on June 04, 2017, 11:28:56 AM
The reason they haven't gone OTC spring had nothing to do with management, and everything to do with money.   :twocents:
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: snake on June 04, 2017, 03:37:10 PM
The entire state is infested with bear.  OTC please. 
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: high country on June 05, 2017, 04:41:07 AM
The reason they haven't gone OTC spring had nothing to do with management, and everything to do with money.   :twocents:
Agreed. They could skirt this by selling a spring only tag. 6 bucks per drawing or 30 bucks per tag.....the tag would be the winner. If over harvest is a concern,  go to the late season cougar hotline type check in.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: winshooter88 on June 05, 2017, 05:36:12 AM
We talked about this a couple years ago in a GMAC meeting, the WDFW says it is worried about to much sow harvest in the spring with over the counter tags. without the use of hounds or baiting it is hard to tell sows from boars and there isn't much chance of hound hunting or baiting returning so the odds of spring over the counter bear tags is extremely slim.
Title: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 05, 2017, 06:15:21 AM
I would be insanely sad if they opened up the Blues to an OTC tag.

Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.

Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.

And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.

You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.

I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.


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Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: trophyhunt on June 05, 2017, 06:17:25 AM
I would be insanely sad if they opened up the Blues to an OTC tag.

Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.

Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.

And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.

You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.

I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.


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100% agree!
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: lewy on June 05, 2017, 07:00:21 AM
 :yeah:
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: jackmaster on June 05, 2017, 07:02:14 AM
I say if they want to make extra cash then give a baiting incentive type permit where you pay a little extra , make it where your bait station has to have a lat and long so it can be inspected (because people are disgusting and like to bait with the wrappers and crud still on it) it's the best way to keep from killing a sow with cubs this targeting just the boars or does without cubs!!
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: trophyhunt on June 05, 2017, 07:07:23 AM
I say if they want to make extra cash then give a baiting incentive type permit where you pay a little extra , make it where your bait station has to have a lat and long so it can be inspected (because people are disgusting and like to bait with the wrappers and crud still on it) it's the best way to keep from killing a sow with cubs this targeting just the boars or does without cubs!!
Baiting permits would sell like hot cakes, but not sure if they want to battle the libs and anti's on this.  We need the conservation vote to pass in this state, where 60% or more is needed to mess with hunting and fishing laws to be passed.  Like the ban on baiting and dogs.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 05, 2017, 07:08:46 AM
I say if they want to make extra cash then give a baiting incentive type permit where you pay a little extra , make it where your bait station has to have a lat and long so it can be inspected (because people are disgusting and like to bait with the wrappers and crud still on it) it's the best way to keep from killing a sow with cubs this targeting just the boars or does without cubs!!
*sows - but I think that was banned by initiative, so unless you can get enough signatures on to get another one on the ballet, and then get enough people in King County drunk/high enough to vote in your favor on election night, it isn't happening in this state.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: buglebrush on June 05, 2017, 09:40:22 PM
I would be insanely sad if they opened up the Blues to an OTC tag.

Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.

Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.

And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.

You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.

I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.


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100% Disagree on it being overhunted.  Isn't it funny how Washington and Idaho share a border, but everyone assumes that what works just across the border would never work here.  Just like the comment about too many sows getting shot.  I guess hunting just across the state line gives you super powers to discern between boars & sows.  Stop believing the lies!
Title: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 06, 2017, 05:52:43 AM
I would be insanely sad if they opened up the Blues to an OTC tag.

Trophy mentioned it above, it's a special place to hunt bears in the spring.

Part of what makes it special is the complete lack of people.

And yes, most of that is because people can't handle the country. But don't mistake that for a general population not being able too...I know lots of guys who can and do handle the Wenaha, and it would be a scenario Im not in favor of.

You think it wouldn't be over hunted, but it would. And it would lose what makes it special.

I wouldn't mind them throwing a few more units to spread some guys out, but don't destroy some of the best bear bear hunting this state offers.


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100% Disagree on it being overhunted.  Isn't it funny how Washington and Idaho share a border, but everyone assumes that what works just across the border would never work here.  Just like the comment about too many sows getting shot.  I guess hunting just across the state line gives you super powers to discern between boars & sows.  Stop believing the lies!

So when you go hunt Idaho do you see bears every day?

How about draw units next to general units. I mean they share a border. The hunting is probably the same right?

It's about the quality of these hunts, not just about whacking as many bears as you can.

And I'm not talking about just amount and size of bears. That place is special for its lack of other hunters, even with 50 tags.

Personally, is be ok with say 25 additional tags, but not a free for all...


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Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: jackmaster on June 06, 2017, 06:23:48 AM
I say if they want to make extra cash then give a baiting incentive type permit where you pay a little extra , make it where your bait station has to have a lat and long so it can be inspected (because people are disgusting and like to bait with the wrappers and crud still on it) it's the best way to keep from killing a sow with cubs this targeting just the boars or does without cubs!!
*sows - but I think that was banned by initiative, so unless you can get enough signatures on to get another one on the ballet, and then get enough people in King County drunk/high enough to vote in your favor on election night, it isn't happening in this state.
if memory serves me correct, which my memory sucks , wasn't that while baiting and hound hunting initiative done illegally or wasn't done correctly? I beleive the WDFW has the power to make a baiting permit season if they so desired !! I am only thinking of ways for OUR messed up money hungry department of wildlife could make more money and cut down the bear population which has exploded do to the fact that they took away or I should say allowed to be voted away the ONLY two effective ways of controlling the bear population !!
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: headshot5 on June 06, 2017, 06:41:13 AM
Quote
if memory serves me correct, which my memory sucks , wasn't that while baiting and hound hunting initiative done illegally or wasn't done correctly? I believe the WDFW has the power to make a baiting permit season if they so desired !! I am only thinking of ways for OUR messed up money hungry department of wildlife could make more money and cut down the bear population which has exploded do to the fact that they took away or I should say allowed to be voted away the ONLY two effective ways of controlling the bear population !!

Initiative 655 violated our Washington State constitution, Article 2 section 19.  It sucks, but I don't see it getting reversed.   :bash:
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: bobcat on June 06, 2017, 07:20:03 AM
I would like to see lots of spring permits in most GMU's, but not so many that it's no longer a quality hunt. The exceptions could be some of the GMU's in western Washington in which access is mostly controlled by Weyerhaeuser, Rayonier, or some other timber company. For those units, go ahead and make it an OTC spring bear hunt. The number of hunters are already being limited by the timber companies.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 06, 2017, 07:28:42 AM
I would like to see lots of spring permits in most GMU's, but not so many that it's no longer a quality hunt. The exceptions could be some of the GMU's in western Washington in which access is mostly controlled by Weyerhaeuser, Rayonier, or some other timber company. For those units, go ahead and make it an OTC spring bear hunt. The number of hunters are already being limited by the timber companies.

This is a good idea. Also limit choices to two units IMO if we do this!


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Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: ctwiggs1 on June 06, 2017, 07:29:40 AM
I would like to see lots of spring permits in most GMU's, but not so many that it's no longer a quality hunt. The exceptions could be some of the GMU's in western Washington in which access is mostly controlled by Weyerhaeuser, Rayonier, or some other timber company. For those units, go ahead and make it an OTC spring bear hunt. The number of hunters are already being limited by the timber companies.

That makes sense.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: DIYARCHERYJUNKIE on June 06, 2017, 07:58:05 AM
With the amount of logging going on in the spring good luck with any timber farms.  Way too much logging traffic to even access the la d.
Title: Re: New spring bear guidelines in 2018?
Post by: DaveMonti on June 06, 2017, 10:49:08 AM
jkThomps did some research on the Monroe Unit spring bear for next year.  Here is the discussion in another thread.  If anything, there will be a move for less spring bear hunting. 

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,210639.msg2830546.html#msg2830546 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,210639.msg2830546.html#msg2830546)

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