Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Tbjohnson on September 11, 2019, 08:56:28 PM

Title: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: Tbjohnson on September 11, 2019, 08:56:28 PM: Hi everyone. New to Washington last year and doing my first bear hunt ever, archery. I've come across a regular visitor to my trail cams and I'm looking for feedback on size - small, average, above average? We're hunting in SE unit 407? I coincidently caught my hunting partner and bear in the exact same spot and lined up and scaled the photos for a size comparison. My buddy is 5-10 and 175 lbs if that helps. I'm guessing the bear is at least 200, perhaps more? Appreciate the feedback.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: h20hunter on September 11, 2019, 08:58:42 PM: Fairly small and young but not milk on the lips. I'd shoot it.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: h20hunter on September 11, 2019, 08:59:02 PM: Sorry, I'm saying 125 lbs.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: X-Force on September 11, 2019, 09:13:00 PM: My guess is live weight 165-180
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: lewy on September 11, 2019, 09:14:16 PM: Not a real big bear but you get two tags so fill one
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: Tbjohnson on September 11, 2019, 09:24:04 PM: Not sure if this will work. Here's a video link of the critter.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4E89Q1ZjUFHaQpeV7
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: HillHound on September 12, 2019, 03:53:44 AM: I would guess Probably 125lbs. 2 1/2 years old maybe. He will be a good eater. Shoot him and go get your second tag
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: Machias on September 12, 2019, 07:18:50 AM: The "average" bear in WA is around 160 pounds for males and a tad smaller for females. Very few approach the 300 pound mark even though they all look that big. Bears are normally hard to judge unless they are really really small or just a downright toad. The vast majority of folks over estimate their size and weight. Even after many years of field judging bears and seeing bears up close, I have made a couple of really bad calls on bears....always on the bigger side than what they ended up being.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: dilleytech on September 12, 2019, 09:02:59 AM: My guess 175 ish. Plenty big enough. The smaller ones are more tender.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: Tbjohnson on September 12, 2019, 10:32:35 AM: Thanks for all the great feedback! I'll post again if we bag it and get it weighed.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: elkrack on September 13, 2019, 03:06:04 PM: Ground shrinkage is a real thing with bears! 125-140lbs
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: HikerHunter on September 13, 2019, 04:37:02 PM: Shoot, then weigh. My guess is 150 lbs.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: PastorJoel on September 15, 2019, 09:07:23 PM: Once you take the fur off there is a lot less bear there. I'd shoot it, but it's on the smaller side.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: Goshawk on September 21, 2019, 04:22:31 PM: I'd pass. You can't get big'uns by shooting little'uns.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: Bango skank on September 21, 2019, 04:24:00 PM: Quote from: Goshawk on September 21, 2019, 04:22:31 PM
I'd pass. You can't get big'uns by shooting little'uns.

Sure ya can, its called a second tag
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: wooltie on September 30, 2019, 01:11:32 PM: What is average length of a bear in WA when measured nose to tail? Just shot my first bear and I have no frame of reference re: bear size.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: PastorJoel on October 01, 2019, 12:43:46 PM: Quote from: wooltie on September 30, 2019, 01:11:32 PM
What is average length of a bear in WA when measured nose to tail? Just shot my first bear and I have no frame of reference re: bear size.

I shot a 5ft 6in (nose to tail) sow that was 7 years old. It was not with cubs.
Title: Re: Thoughts on bear size
Post by: mountainman on October 01, 2019, 07:19:47 PM: 5-5 1/2' , some smaller, some 7'+