Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: billythekidrock on March 30, 2009, 05:35:22 PM

Title: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on March 30, 2009, 05:35:22 PM: I will start a main thread for bear sign this spring. Pictures and a local area would be good.

Grays Harbor County. February 2009

Here are a couple pics of the largest single piece of bear dookie I have ever seen. I found these in Western WA in the first week of February 2009. The pictures don't do it justice. This thing was larger then a softball.

I noticed this while following a bobcat track across a beaver dam. I saw the fresh bobcat turds first, then I noticed the bear crap. It was at least a week old and looked a lot like domestic dog, only a lot more. It seemed to be the consistancy of moist dog food. There is a quarter on the ground for size reference.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_0515.jpg&hash=9e09627cb3aa36af441a44af1e51c407a28b7982)

A couple days later I was back and I noticed this about 5 feet away. I was shocked to say the least and surprised that I didn't notice it before. I thought we had an elephant on the loose. The round is a .243 for reference. This seemed to be the consistancy of damp pressboard.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_0528.jpg&hash=621e58a1e38199455a18c18ba7bf7fc643e591ae)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_0530.jpg&hash=d0c4915492cf134d37c56f2c210c311b5ca59cb1)
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: boneaddict on March 30, 2009, 05:47:26 PM: :yike:
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: hogsniper on March 30, 2009, 06:06:30 PM: I was up on the hill last night and didnt see any sign!! Bout 2 weeks ago I did see a track in the snow so some of them are up and out moving around!!! The rest of them should be waking up any day now! I dont know about other units but in the N. Skagit it should be easier to get around this year compared to last, as long as they give out the right keys!! I am excited to see the first one of the year!!
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: rasbo on March 30, 2009, 06:07:11 PM: good idea ya might want to get runamuck to do some field testing
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on March 30, 2009, 06:09:04 PM: Quote from: hogsniper on March 30, 2009, 06:06:30 PM
I was up on the hill last night and didnt see any sign!! Bout 2 weeks ago I did see a track in the snow so some of them are up and out moving around!!! The rest of them should be waking up any day now! I dont know about other units but in the N. Skagit it should be easier to get around this year compared to last, as long as they give out the right keys!! I am excited to see the first one of the year!!

I hope it is easy to get around up there. We will only have a short time to hunt.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Jake T on March 31, 2009, 01:09:07 PM: just spoke to the DNR guy about teh North skagit hunt. said that any star on the map will be opened by the key you get from them. verified this with the Sierra pacific guy. he said that "the key you get is a pretty good key. it should get you anywhere you want to go that is inside the hunt boundary."

so unless they are lying to me...life should be good
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: TheHunt on March 31, 2009, 03:26:43 PM: BTKR,
That is fantastic find... Who are you positioning to shoot that monster?
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: whacker1 on March 31, 2009, 03:50:16 PM: BTKR - I think he blew his cork :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on March 31, 2009, 05:22:09 PM: Yea, I think he dropped his plug. Hope to have my wife get that bear, but it is in a tough place to hunt.

Jake - Thanks for the update on keys/gates.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Pathfinder101 on March 31, 2009, 10:27:50 PM: This is awesome... I didn't get drawn for my spring bear tag, BUT WDFW CAN'T STOP ME FROM HUNTING POOP!!!!! :mgun: :whoo:

I gotta get OUT THERE!!
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: cohoho on April 04, 2009, 10:49:02 AM: Plugs I have seen are nasty blue/black/green like a new born first real turd... After licking grease for a few days they would blow their plugs right at the bait station, nasty and extremely foul smelling... I think the second was Bigfoots... :yike:
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Cascade_Sherpa on April 11, 2009, 10:00:36 AM: Definitely Sasquatch!
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Timber on April 11, 2009, 05:22:17 PM: Found some bear tracks this morning. There still is a lot of snow, but it's melting and Skunk Cabbage is starting to sprout in certain areas.

This was in Whatcom County. Elevation about 1800ft (valley floor).
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: saylean on April 11, 2009, 10:37:22 PM: skunk cabbage is all over in my hike spots...havent seen any bear sign yet, but i havent had time to scout Monroe...just gonna scout while I hunt to save a little gas. ;)
nice pics timber
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on April 12, 2009, 08:19:21 AM: The skunk cabbage has been showing down here for a month, but I haven't found any sign near it yet.
I may go out for a quick drive today.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: rasbo on April 12, 2009, 08:23:05 AM: Quote from: billythekidrock on April 12, 2009, 08:19:21 AM
The skunk cabbage has been showing down here for a month, but I haven't found any sign near it yet.
I may go out for a quick drive today.
lillies are up,skunk here to..zero sign
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Rmef360 on April 12, 2009, 08:44:15 PM: Hey my name is Dave I drew a spring bear tag for capitol forest just wandering if there is a certain area with exceptionally high bear activity. I am a seasoned bear hunter with over 20 kills just with the kids in baseball and sports this year my scouting trips have been non existant. thanks for your help
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on April 12, 2009, 08:57:09 PM: Welcome.
There are a few people here that know that unit, but I must warn you that first time posters usually get a lot of crap for asking about areas without telling a bit about themselves.

I would suggest posting about yourself in the "Introductions" thread in the "General" forum and maybe posting some pics and stories. That will usually grease the info wheels.

Again, welcome.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: TeacherMan on April 12, 2009, 09:03:45 PM: Not my unit but found a big pile of bear poo on the edge of a field out off Toroda creek last week. Sherman Unit. I've had a couple students see fresh bear sign out spring turkey hunting and I talked to a large land owner up in this area last week and see said he has seen two in the last week, its time :IBCOOL:.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Bama76 on April 13, 2009, 01:36:59 AM: New bear hunter here. :hello: Does this look like a peel to you fellas or maybe just diseased tree? Which species do they normally target?

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2Fwebbamatree.jpg&hash=e0db9581a28c077660398d9e2ee9f19d4c4066d7)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2Fwebbamatree2.jpg&hash=96b2454eed92e954a0bee1fe4e190d866c5a4d4f)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2Fwebbamatree3.jpg&hash=ee576ee6976ca328fa064768c12c7f70fdcb33d6)
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Skyvalhunter on April 13, 2009, 06:34:08 AM: Nice pictures Bama
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on April 13, 2009, 06:36:47 AM: Bama -

Those are not bear peels/damage. Most likely bugs or disease. Below is a link to some images of bear peels.

Bear peels
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,7247.0.html
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on April 13, 2009, 08:08:12 AM: Bama76,

What type of tree is that? Most of trees you are going to find peeled are Doug Fir. Does the peeled area have claw and teeth marks in it? If not I am leaning more to a dead tree that has lost it's bark. Maybe a bear pulled it away to get at some bugs.

I am curious to see what BTKR says if you resize the picture.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on April 13, 2009, 05:38:32 PM: Quote from: Bama76 on April 13, 2009, 01:36:59 AM
Which species do they normally target?

It can very by geographic location and even by county. Typically Doug Fir, Western Hemlock and Western Red Cedar are the top 3 but no tree species is safe.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Bama76 on April 13, 2009, 09:48:36 PM: Quote from: Michelle_Nelson on April 13, 2009, 08:08:12 AM
Bama76,

What type of tree is that? Most of trees you are going to find peeled are Doug Fir. Does the peeled area have claw and teeth marks in it? If not I am leaning more to a dead tree that has lost it's bark. Maybe a bear pulled it away to get at some bugs.

I am curious to see what BTKR says if you resize the picture.

I think it's some kind of hardwood tree. It was a little hard to tell, they were in pretty bad shape.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on April 16, 2009, 11:51:41 AM: Here are some examples of Bear peels. Took these last spring. You can see the marks on tree. The first 2 were fairly fresh (with in a week). The last one I havn't made up my mind if it was an early spring peel and the tree was just real sappy.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FDSCN0855.jpg&hash=2a181477e3b3e8c0e8503b9cae76b61a157d3a80)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FDSCN0853.jpg&hash=2fc3b7ca1a5598f5fcf0f596d3daaf6ca8986269)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FDSCN0815.jpg&hash=eb5644b3d98ca6bb5e10eea7038d14555b264678)
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Bama76 on April 17, 2009, 03:14:32 AM: Quote from: Michelle_Nelson on April 16, 2009, 11:51:41 AM
Here are some examples of Bear peels. Took these last spring. You can see the marks on tree. The first 2 were fairly fresh (with in a week). The last one I havn't made up my mind if it was an early spring peel and the tree was just real sappy.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FDSCN0855.jpg&hash=2a181477e3b3e8c0e8503b9cae76b61a157d3a80)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FDSCN0853.jpg&hash=2fc3b7ca1a5598f5fcf0f596d3daaf6ca8986269)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp115%2Fmichellestaxidermy%2FDSCN0815.jpg&hash=eb5644b3d98ca6bb5e10eea7038d14555b264678)

Thanks for helping a rookie bear chaser. :) I gotta tell you, this bear hunting is harder than hunting whitetails in the southern brush and thickets. I've been close, but it's almost like I see him in my binocs and then he vanishes when it's time to draw a bead. At least Whitetails wave goodbye :chuckle: But I'm addicted.

There's guys around here harvesting them using every questionable means known to man. Personally, I like the challenge of hunting them one on one. There's bait piles everywhere and some guys have even resorted to driving them out of the brush and then a hunter will shoot him on the run or out of a tree. Not really sure if that's ethical, but not illegal yet as far as I know. :dunno:
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: 509er on April 17, 2009, 05:05:36 AM: Here are a couple of pics of a peeled tree I found last 4th of July.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Skyvalhunter on April 17, 2009, 05:41:10 AM: Ok lets see some bears now enough stripped trees
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on April 17, 2009, 05:55:52 AM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on April 17, 2009, 05:41:10 AM
Ok lets see some bears now enough stripped trees

Yes, I agree. Or at least some peels from this year, hence the title 2009 Spring Bear Sign.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: RyanD on April 17, 2009, 11:23:23 AM: This is bear #2 for the spring. Unfortunately I don't have a spring tag and there is no hunt in this unit anyways. But good news the bears are out and feeding :). The bad news is so are the ticks!!!! :(
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: saylean on April 17, 2009, 11:26:51 AM: I hate ticks! Gawd! Not much bothers me,...heights, spiders, snakes, etc..

but parasites like ticks..(and many politicians) :chuckle:

yikes.

Cool bear! I saw on the news they had a sow and cubs by Sammamish elementary earlier.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Bama76 on April 17, 2009, 05:22:13 PM: I am so glad somebody brought up the ticks. I got bit the other day. What does the spring bear hunter do about them? Turkey hunters don't have to worry about smell and can bathe in deet. Do you guys use anything that doesn't spook bear or is there no alternative?
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: skynyr on April 17, 2009, 05:27:20 PM: Quote from: billythekidrock on March 30, 2009, 05:35:22 PM
I will start a main thread for bear sign this spring. Pictures and a local area would be good.

Grays Harbor County. February 2009

Here are a couple pics of the largest single piece of bear dookie I have ever seen. I found these in Western WA in the first week of February 2009. The pictures don't do it justice. This thing was larger then a softball.

I noticed this while following a bobcat track across a beaver dam. I saw the fresh bobcat turds first, then I noticed the bear crap. It was at least a week old and looked a lot like domestic dog, only a lot more. It seemed to be the consistancy of moist dog food. There is a quarter on the ground for size reference.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_0515.jpg&hash=9e09627cb3aa36af441a44af1e51c407a28b7982)

A couple days later I was back and I noticed this about 5 feet away. I was shocked to say the least and surprised that I didn't notice it before. I thought we had an elephant on the loose. The round is a .243 for reference. This seemed to be the consistancy of damp pressboard.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_0528.jpg&hash=621e58a1e38199455a18c18ba7bf7fc643e591ae)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_0530.jpg&hash=d0c4915492cf134d37c56f2c210c311b5ca59cb1)

That one pile looks familiar. Wait a minute, I think that's my prairie pastry. :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Kain on April 17, 2009, 05:45:53 PM: Anything less than a buffalo would have blew out their O-ring passing that! :yike: You will know that bear when you see him. He will still be walking funny. :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Cascade_Sherpa on April 18, 2009, 03:14:46 PM: Miserable bugger probably has hemroids now also! ha ha!
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: HEADSHOT on April 19, 2009, 08:33:03 PM: loads of sign down here in the southern corner was out today scouting, of course with all the beers we have I mean bears we dont have a problem getting in to blackies......
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: arees on May 06, 2009, 11:23:26 PM: The posting of spring bear sign has been a little light so I thought I would post this picture from my other thread.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tgfoitwoods.com%2Fimages%2FBearStuff%2FNewPeel1.jpg&hash=77585e33f1a405a1866b695ed264ecf45bcfe4fa)

It is from the Monroe hunt area. The peeling has started.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on May 06, 2009, 11:34:47 PM: Thats a nice looking Bear peal right there!
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on May 07, 2009, 06:28:35 PM: A few from the last few weeks.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_5635.jpg&hash=526438dfbcfa1f291f11c5819a5d9153a452f8bd)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_5623.jpg&hash=6c331b798026c21499ac5d5b944da1f590783aea)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_5625.jpg&hash=68731d18b51fdb0b1c2fb0542268d15031eeb224)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_5536.jpg&hash=45631c3abd6e8bfa982c1646bd9446b16529089d)
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: murphyranch on May 07, 2009, 07:04:26 PM: BTKR you might want to disinfect that cell phone LOL :yike:
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on May 31, 2009, 01:07:44 PM: Here is a pile of piles :o

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FwebIMG_6081.jpg&hash=a40adaf58eb161338a88d5a7b2344537ebdd4aa6)
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: markts on May 31, 2009, 01:30:44 PM: Holly $hit :chuckle:Mark
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: bow4elk on June 02, 2009, 09:39:51 PM: Congrats!! Found some CF peels the other day while out scouting/hiking. I believe I had a sow and cubs below me at one point but I never could lay eyes on them. They were within 150 yards of the doug fir peels.
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: Timmybob on June 10, 2009, 04:51:12 PM: Hey everybody,
I'm new to the board and live in the concrete jungles of Seattle. Was out a few weeks back (South peninsula) and saw a single track and a nice peeled tree not too far from the track..After I figure out how to post pix I will throw them up..(never mind,I got it figured out, I think).This is a great site and have really been enjoying all of your post's and pix..I will say BTKR you take some of the loveliest pictures of poop that I have seen. I thought I was one the only one who has a poop gallery in my pictures folder....
Title: Re: 2009 Spring Bear Sign
Post by: billythekidrock on June 10, 2009, 05:05:41 PM: Quote from: Timmybob on June 10, 2009, 04:51:12 PM
I will say BTKR you take some of the loveliest pictures of poop that I have seen. I thought I was one the only one who has a poop gallery in my pictures folder....

Probably the nicest thing ever said to me on this site. :chuckle:
I think I will take that as a compliment. :chuckle:

Welcome. It is about time you made it over here.