Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: MerriamMagician on May 09, 2018, 09:22:07 AM

Title: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: MerriamMagician on May 09, 2018, 09:22:07 AM: Hey everyone. :hello: For the first time in my life I’ve drawn a WA spring bear tag for the huckleberry unit. My only previous spring bear hunt experience was a single weekend in Idaho last year. I didn’t find any bears in that trip. Normally most of my time in the spring is invested in turkey hunting. This year, we have most of our turkey hunting wrapped up and are ready to focus on bears! I’ve spent tons of time in the huckleberry for deer and turkeys, but never bears. This should be a fun adventure for sure. I’m headed up this weekend and likely every weekend after until we find one. Weather forecast is looking pretty good next 3 weeks. If anyone has been seeing bears out and about I would appreciate any feedback or tips. Other Huckleberry tagholders, feel free to post your stories and adventures on this thread. Let’s get some bears down!!
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: CaNINE on May 09, 2018, 10:45:08 AM: The bears I saw two weeks ago in the Huckleberry were hanging around the 2800' level. Probably want to hang close to that elevation to start with.
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: renrutbocaj on May 09, 2018, 12:29:17 PM: I too have a Huckleberry spring tag. Actually saw a nice cinnamon one last night while I was doing work on a clients property. Didnt have my rifle on me and probably wouldnt be very professional of me to shoot one on his property.

Hopefully after this busy upcoming weekend I will get some opportunities to get out and find one.

Good Luck
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: puckkeeper28 on May 09, 2018, 12:32:44 PM: The sign I’ve seen has been below 3000’ as well. Haven’t seen a ton, but have seen some. No bear sightings yet.

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Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: colersu22 on May 09, 2018, 04:56:06 PM: I didn’t see any sign or bears 3 weeks ago but I’m heading over this weekend again. I am hoping with the warmer weather they are out more since it was still freezing in the AM and only got to about 50 during the day.
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: elkrack on May 09, 2018, 05:33:59 PM: I’m sure there will be some bears hitting the dirt soon! Good luck over there
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: bowhunterforever on May 09, 2018, 06:15:05 PM: Good luck :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: ffbowhunter on May 09, 2018, 08:32:21 PM: Awesome country out there, best of luck I will be tagging along!
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: MerriamMagician on May 10, 2018, 07:49:50 AM: Heading out for a 3 day weekend in just a few hours :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: CAMPMEAT on May 10, 2018, 08:02:17 AM: Bring a predator call and use it. Works very well on curious bears.
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: MerriamMagician on May 14, 2018, 07:35:47 AM: Back from the first trip. Things were very slow despite great conditions and weather. Did not see a bear in 3 days of hard hunting and very little sign also. Towards the end we found a bit of droppings in one area. Will try our luck again on memorial weekend.
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: h2ofowlr on May 14, 2018, 08:28:16 AM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on May 10, 2018, 08:02:17 AM
Bring a predator call and use it. Works very well on curious bears.

Second this. :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: Gringo31 on May 20, 2018, 07:13:57 AM: Found a single track for a decent bear. Made several stands and .............

This spring bear hunting is BS! There was the voice of logic in my head that says to let the coyotes go...

Which I did! You know, giving a bear more time to come in....

Won't happen next time.

Letting coyotes go :nono:
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: MHWASH on May 20, 2018, 04:34:47 PM: Ya, I'm a bit frustrated. We hunted a spot we've hunted before with good results in the past. But things have changed since the fire, plus the timber company locked most of the area out. We saw one set of tracks and one pile scat, both about a week old.

My boys, 16 & 12 have the tags. If someone would like to throw out some ideas of where to go over Memorial Day weekend, me and the boys would appreciate it. We will be staying in our toy hauler, and are not afraid to travel off the beaten path.
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: hunter399 on May 20, 2018, 08:25:40 PM: Quote from: MHWASH on May 20, 2018, 04:34:47 PM
Ya, I'm a bit frustrated. We hunted a spot we've hunted before with good results in the past. But things have changed since the fire, plus the timber company locked most of the area out. We saw one set of tracks and one pile scat, both about a week old.

My boys, 16 & 12 have the tags. If someone would like to throw out some ideas of where to go over Memorial Day weekend, me and the boys would appreciate it. We will be staying in our toy hauler, and are not afraid to travel off the beaten path.
Pm sent. :tup:
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: MerriamMagician on May 21, 2018, 07:05:42 AM: I had about the same luck on my last trip that everyone else is also indicating to. :dunno:
I'll be back for 5 days over the holiday weekend and will try again.
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: MerriamMagician on May 24, 2018, 11:00:41 AM: Making another attempt this weekend for 4 days of hunting. Still have not seen a bear after two weekends of hunting and very little sign. Any advice would be appreciated!
Title: Re: 2018 Huckleberry spring bear thread
Post by: MooseZ25 on May 24, 2018, 01:01:14 PM: What area you headed to? Lots great hunting along the Springdale Hunters pass that is close to Ephrata.