Post by: Rob on June 03, 2019, 08:50:04 AM
Made 4 trips to the Curlew/Kettle Falls/Republic area and spent 13 long days in the field hunting. Schedules won't allow for another trip even though the season is still open.
I can say I learned a lot about bear hunting, and a lot about unit 101.
All told I would say we spent a total of 140-150 hours in the field: 13 hours a day for the 8 full days, and 8 hours for the 5 half days we were in town. We easily drove 1,000 miles on back roads and between hunting locations (add another 2,250 miles in "commute miles" between home and the unit). In addition we hiked 5-10 miles a day and called at least 2 or 3 times a day on most days.
We laid eyes on a total of 11 bear - 2 sows, 5 cubs and 4 singles. I did not have a shot opportunity and my buddy missed one shot (Buck fever is a real bummer! He pulled an easy seated shot - shooting underneath it at 126 yards)
We saw moose, deer, coyote, turkey, and one large wolf track. We also cursed at the grouse that exploded in-front of us with no notice giving us heart-attacks.
Here are the thanks:
Big thanks to Bearpaw. Bought a set of Maps from Bearpaw and I highly recommend them. For those wondering there were 10 to 12 different locations provided with commentary and suggestions. We looked at all of them and found fresh sign in nearly every one of them. I kept in contact with Dale and provided updates on the progress of our efforts and he weighed in with additional feedback and suggestions throughout the season. Very impressed - had budget allowed we would have booked a guided hunt with him!
HUGE thanks to Tracker0721. He lives locally and reached out to us asking if we wanted any ideas. We took him up on this and he went above and beyond giving us great suggestions, and even agreeing to go out with us and show us the ropes one evening (taking some time off work to do so too!). Additionally he arranged access for passthrough of some private property so we could avoid a steep climb to a promising area. (my buddies torn meniscus thanks you!). It was while hunting with Tracker0721 that my buddy got his shot opportunity.
Also a big thanks to Campmeat. We chatted on the phone for a good hour and he provided some sound advice that put us onto some bear sightings towards the end of our trip.
General thanks to the Hunt-Wa community. Lots of info buried in former threads that we were able to mine out and use to help. Good info on hunting techniques and methods. and a shoutout to 6haase6 for info provided on his successful hunt last year. As always I am consistently impressed and humbled by the great community we have here. There are some squabbles from time to time and many of us are quite colorful individuals, but by far we are all on the same team.
Thanks for a fun, hard hunt!
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on June 03, 2019, 08:54:58 AM
But that’s best hunting, sometimes it’s easy, and sometimes it’s a bear.🤣
Post by: Rob on June 03, 2019, 09:01:07 AM
Photo of the big SOW with 2 cubs we saw near a location suggested by Campmeat. She was 1250 yards out so not the best photo (cell phone via spotting scope)
Post by: CaNINE on June 03, 2019, 09:07:50 AM
thanks for sharing Rob
Post by: pashok23 on June 04, 2019, 07:48:12 PM
Post by: Pac_NW on June 11, 2019, 08:09:42 AM
My plan with the weather is to start up high before it gets too hot, then mid day drop into some valleys with active streams.
Post by: Rob on June 11, 2019, 08:27:37 AM
Post by: dune on June 11, 2019, 10:03:53 AM
Post by: Rainier10 on June 11, 2019, 10:35:13 AM
a great example of what this forum is all about. good to see the broader team reaching out to help with guidance and direct help. :tup::yeah:
thanks for sharing Rob
Post by: 6haase6 on June 11, 2019, 11:59:16 AM
Post by: Pac_NW on June 12, 2019, 12:59:52 PM
I wouldn't worry about the heat I shot my bear in 121 at 1 PM 80 degrees 2 weeks ago fawns have dropped bears will be moving all day find big clearings glass all day should be able to get it done :hello:
Thanks dune! That's helpful
Post by: Rob on June 12, 2019, 01:22:12 PM
Sorry the info I gave didn’t pan out in a dead bear. Glad you had fun. Last year was my first time hunting in the spring and man is it fun.
Regardless the help was greatly appreciated!
Post by: Milkman on June 12, 2019, 01:53:14 PM