Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: syoungs on January 23, 2020, 10:36:07 AM

Title: early august elevation targets for bear hunting?
Post by: syoungs on January 23, 2020, 10:36:07 AM: Hi all,
I haven't spent any time in the hills as early as august 1st. usually the first part of august is reserved to keep the wife happy with a coast trip and whatever she wants to do. This year, I will be in 101 from the 31st-9th chasing black bears.

can anyone tell me a typical elevation I should be looking for ripe berries in early august? where I am looking at being set up is between 5-6k ft, not sure if bears are frequenting that elevation, or are still lower?

Thanks for any help!
Title: Re: early august elevation targets for bear hunting?
Post by: Bango skank on January 23, 2020, 01:08:32 PM: 3500-5000 ft in early august should have good service berries, good huckleberries, and good bear activity. Weather dependent. Go get em.
Title: Re: early august elevation targets for bear hunting?
Post by: syoungs on January 23, 2020, 04:27:50 PM: Thanks Bango!
Title: Re: early august elevation targets for bear hunting?
Post by: RobinHoodlum on January 24, 2020, 06:22:17 PM: I spend a fair amount of time in the alpine that time of year and have harvested bears in early August. As already mentioned, variability in weather conditions between years can have significant influence on the stage at which berries ripen, or whether there's much of a crop at all. Secondly, while the bears love and prefer huckleberry with ripe berries, they also eat the green vegetation even when berries are under ripe or not yet present. I mostly hunt the Cascades, so maybe not as applicable over your way? Regardless, i hope you find success. Great time of year to be out!
Title: Re: early august elevation targets for bear hunting?
Post by: huntnnw on January 25, 2020, 05:46:33 AM: Bears can be from the river valley to the tops. Some of my most productive areas in that area are under 3,000’ south facing and west facing slopes
Title: Re: early august elevation targets for bear hunting?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 25, 2020, 06:03:05 AM: Watch the dry years if the berries aren't developing because of sun exposure try an area where the exposure is less and the berries might be more prevalent. If is warm they will seek shade and creek drainages.
Title: Re: early august elevation targets for bear hunting?
Post by: tgomez on January 26, 2020, 06:11:26 PM: In my bear area right around 2750 ft.
Title: Re: early august elevation targets for bear hunting?
Post by: buckfvr on January 26, 2020, 06:18:40 PM: Bear grocieries can be found from top to bottom in august......bears are where you find them.
Title: Re: early august elevation targets for bear hunting?
Post by: huntnnw on January 26, 2020, 10:02:44 PM: this past summer I ran cams in 101 up high 5,000 to 6,200 and had tons of bears through June and none on some cams by mid July. There was no food up there in the summer in those areas up high, grasses and timber
Title: Re: early august elevation targets for bear hunting?
Post by: hal on February 21, 2020, 11:11:00 AM: I can tell you we are at 3800' and our bears disappear in that time. We do not have berries in our area of #204. We have 6 bears on camera before the berries ripen than zilch.