Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: CanIHazUrPants on June 23, 2020, 06:37:07 PM
-
So this is my first time hunting and i got the get outdoors pack in hopes i can put some meat in my freezer and pelts on my bed this year. I went scouting up in clearwater looking for good elk range and found a ton of none too subtle bear sign. It left fairly fresh piles all over the road and a few good sets of tracks.
Looks like its just running the roads mowing grass right now. I was wondering how far bears tend to roam? I found a nice stand of selectively thinned hemlock with a good bit of salal and huckleberry not even a half mile away. Is this bear likely to leave the area by the time hunting season opens?
-
Probably still be in the general area, but might check and see how close some of the shady creeks and thimbleberries are located. That first week in Aug can be really hot out.
-
He'll be close to shade and water in August and as berry patches ripen he'll forage those. Look for him in the early morning and just before dark in berry patches.
-
Thx guys. That whole area is a spaghetti of creeks, forest and logging roads. Is the bear gunna be like actually in the creek? Cuz the slopes are pretty steep so id probably have to approach from down in the creek beds if thats the case.
-
That's were I hunt there around. What every one said.
-
Usually when I see them around the creeks, it's just far enough to still be cool; but not so close that they can't hear you. Just my experience, but bears seem to be the most likely critter to spook. Deer/elk can hear you coming and they stop and wait until actually seeing you before running. Cats will have a stare down and then vanish instantly right before you get the scope on them. But bears hear a twig break and just take off.
-
Get above the creeks and glass glass glass. Watch for the tips of small trees moving when it shouldn't be. Watch the shady areas by the creeks especially in hot August weather. As the berries ripen they'll be in and out of the berry patches.
About 10.years ago I shot a nice boar that was laying on his back inside of a blueberry bush pulling branches down and stripping the berries into his month. It was less than 100yrds away from a river.
