Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: BlackBeard31 on July 27, 2019, 08:06:00 PM
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Last 1.5-2 months I’ve been scouting for black bear, about 4-5 times a week. I always find a lot of recent sign showing, peelings, hair, scar, and tracks. So I believe at least one bear is working the area. All the signs I’ve found cover about a 1.5 mile radius and I’ve found brown and black hair in tree peelings. The catch is I haven’t been able to actually get eyes on the bear though. I’m by no means an expert bear hunter so if anyone has any pointers on how to actually spot the bear I’m all ears. Oh and I’ve read the “ultimate guide to black bear hunting” (strongly recommend) and I’m starting to try predator calls.
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I think it's hard to argue against staying in an area with recent sign. If you are going back in that often and continue to see new sign your paths just haven't crossed in my opinion. Predatory calling seems like a good option. If the moons aren't aligning for you to run into the bruin maybe a little come find me action will help. Good luck - sounds like your on the right track.
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I lot of strategy would depend on the topography and type of cover. Bears like berries, I tend to concentrate on berry patches that are ripe, but it all depends on the land. I would try to focus on a spot with feed and sit and wait, it will come by eventually. Also it never hurts to reiterate the importance of playing the wind!
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Find ripe berry patches where you can SEE. You want to up your odds by being able to see a large area. You can be in bear Central, but if you're in the timber you may never catch a glimpse. Clear-cuts and gated roads are your friends.
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Thanks for the pointers. I’ll make sure to upload a pic If I’m able to spot it
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BlackBeard, is that an Eotech on your AR in your avatar?
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Have you put cameras up to see what time there strolling thru that area?
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Find the berry patches, where you see most signs and wait there till it shows up. They usually come out right before it gets dark and make sure the wind is working in your favor, this is really important. I've missed my chance of shooting them several times because of the wind.
Good luck !
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BlackBeard, is that an Eotech on your AR in your avatar?
Yes it is
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Have you put cameras up to see what time there strolling thru that area?
No i haven’t put cameras up
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Find the berry patches, where you see most signs and wait there till it shows up. They usually come out right before it gets dark and make sure the wind is working in your favor, this is really important. I've missed my chance of shooting them several times because of the wind.
Good luck !
Thanks appreciate it!
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I say stick with it and take the advice thats given already on here. I have been hitting the same general area for 3 years now. I know I have spoiled it due to wind a time or two at least. But there is 1 clear cut, in a hell hole 2 miles behind a closed gate that i go in at. Between Aug 1 and Whenever it starts getting cold and rainy more often, I get AT LEAST 2 pics a week during daylight of bear between 2 cameras 50 yards apart on the same edge of the clearcut. Have hunted and scouted that area a lot as life permits and have yet to get eyes on any. One was in the brush 30 feet away from me off the side of the road in the dark as I was walking in once. Popped its jaw a couple times and huffed at me and took off the other direction. I say just stick with it. My plan this year is to kill as many hours as I can in the tree stand on the edge of that clear cut and hope the odds end up in my favor. Good luck.
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patience and finding spots you can sit and see some area.
