Post by: Dbax129 on March 12, 2021, 07:42:46 PM
I drew with a buddy, both had 5 pts I think. It will be his first bear and first spring hunt in the area too. Been hunting for years just not much time on bears before. I've come close on the wet side a few times but never squeezed that trigger.
Anyway, I'm really excited to learn areas and access. I've already found a lot of state land in the unit but I am curious what other companies own the rest of thr land and how many still offer free access, if any. Cant wait!
Post by: cougforester on March 12, 2021, 08:29:12 PM
Post by: dune on March 12, 2021, 08:39:46 PM
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Post by: pd on March 12, 2021, 10:35:13 PM
Give me a call if you still remember the number.
Post by: hunter399 on March 17, 2021, 06:50:22 PM
Did very few on huntwa draw huckleberry?
Post by: HillHound on March 17, 2021, 07:14:03 PM
I’ve hunted there lots. All public land. I have taken home many turkeys and a few deer from the unit. Drew a spring tag years ago before I figured out bear hunting and it went unfilled. Since then I have filled 7 fall bear tags(not in huckleberry), 3 that I have called in so I have high hopes for the season. Planning on multiple trips. Probably some too early that will be more turkey and shed hunting. My schedule is flexible so will probably go for 2-5 days at a time depending on weather, energy, sightings, etc. I hope to hold out for a big old rutting boar, but I do know how tasty those young ones are not to mention how much easier they are to pack out, so they better not hang out too long if spotted. Good luck to everyone
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on March 17, 2021, 08:04:11 PM
Post by: Dbax129 on March 17, 2021, 08:58:30 PM
Also, I am formally volunteering my (and my friends) legs and backs for help packing out or searching for downed animals that are hard to find, if we are out there.
Let's keep this thread alive for when the season starts too and we can share info on how things are looking and success stories. Good luck everyone folks. Just got my permit in the mail today and I'm feeling pretty stoked about this hunt.
Post by: hunter399 on March 18, 2021, 10:36:33 PM
Just from my back door it looks like there is some snow up high.But we have started to see some 40-50 degree days.
Definitely snow on the north slopes with South Slope melting fast right now. With a few weeks still till it opens a lot more snow could melt. Very soft roads everywhere.
Post by: dilleytech on March 19, 2021, 08:39:43 AM
I did!
I’ve hunted there lots. All public land. I have taken home many turkeys and a few deer from the unit. Drew a spring tag years ago before I figured out bear hunting and it went unfilled. Since then I have filled 7 fall bear tags(not in huckleberry), 3 that I have called in so I have high hopes for the season. Planning on multiple trips. Probably some too early that will be more turkey and shed hunting. My schedule is flexible so will probably go for 2-5 days at a time depending on weather, energy, sightings, etc. I hope to hold out for a big old rutting boar, but I do know how tasty those young ones are not to mention how much easier they are to pack out, so they better not hang out too long if spotted. Good luck to everyone
I’m in the same position “49 degrees north.” I have killed big bears but that mid aged 200-250 pounders are perfect imo. I won’t be super picky. Anything with a nice cinnamon coat is going down. And also anything with a black coat also probably going down lol the giant bears just aren’t that much more interesting to me unless your really in need of meat. Or a rug. The impressive amount of fat of a mature bear is really appealing to me however. I live off that stuff.
Post by: HillHound on March 19, 2021, 09:31:00 AM
Post by: boneaddict on March 19, 2021, 09:40:33 AM
Post by: dilleytech on March 19, 2021, 04:39:46 PM
Yeah I feel like I’ve really been missing the boat on rendering the fat. If and when I get one this year I will be seeking some knowledge from those of you who have the process down perfect. Any body ever notice a taste difference/preference between fall and spring bear fat?
Never eaten a spring bear but fat rendering is very simple. Cut the fat into small pieces and cook it low in a big pot. You will know when the fat is done rendering by all the small crispy cracklings floating on top of the oil. Just don’t over heat the oil. As long as there’s still water in the fat evident by bubbling, then it’s pretty hard to over heat it.
Post by: Turner89 on March 30, 2021, 09:46:27 PM
Post by: HillHound on April 18, 2021, 08:39:48 PM
Post by: colersu22 on April 19, 2021, 05:47:09 PM
Post by: bearmanric on April 20, 2021, 07:45:31 AM
Post by: CJ1962 on April 20, 2021, 09:25:48 AM
Post by: Mukeymadness123 on May 03, 2021, 10:47:22 AM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on May 03, 2021, 12:06:00 PM
Post by: jrebel on May 03, 2021, 02:12:07 PM
Post by: bearpaw on May 05, 2021, 08:09:46 AM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on May 05, 2021, 03:50:50 PM
:yeah: agreed, low elevation bear are moving around, high elevation bear are still moving very little. Everyone is trying to hunt way too early, you guys should still be notching turkey tags! Give it a week or two! :twocents:
Following your advice. One more turkey weekend then up into the canyons to glass. Anyone know if you can access the area near Kentry Ridge? Haven't been up there in years and I know they closed some gates. Lots of varied land ownership there.
Post by: swift on May 07, 2021, 07:22:56 AM
:yeah: agreed, low elevation bear are moving around, high elevation bear are still moving very little. Everyone is trying to hunt way too early, you guys should still be notching turkey tags! Give it a week or two! :twocents:
Following your advice. One more turkey weekend then up into the canyons to glass. Anyone know if you can access the area near Kentry Ridge? Haven't been up there in years and I know they closed some gates. Lots of varied land ownership there.
Gates are all locked now
Post by: hunter399 on May 07, 2021, 07:50:47 AM
They have been spraying all the new clearcuts .
So might wanna glass some of the clearcuts that might be a few year old.
I have a feeling that them bears can smell that spraying that there doing.
Post by: HillHound on May 13, 2021, 04:10:54 PM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on May 13, 2021, 04:14:10 PM
Post by: HillHound on May 13, 2021, 04:21:42 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on May 13, 2021, 04:25:13 PM
Post by: colersu22 on May 13, 2021, 05:38:08 PM
Post by: hunter399 on May 13, 2021, 07:58:24 PM
Post by: shmacker on May 15, 2021, 12:52:57 PM
Post by: Jharristealth on May 18, 2021, 04:39:26 PM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on May 18, 2021, 10:01:39 PM
Just got back home from spending 5 days in the unit. I saw a total of 5 bears. Passed on a 150lb jet black one the first morning. Third day I glassed up an absolute toad around a mile across the valley in the middle of a sprayed cut at 10:30 am. After navigating the landscape to get over there we were unable to relocate. The remaining 3 were a black sow with two 80 lb cinnamon cubs on the last day. I will be headed back over again in a couple weeks to try again. Also, we ran into Wanttohuntmore and his dad. It was a pleasure chatting with you guys and best of luck to your son with his tag.
Nice meeting you too! We explored further south of you, some awesome canyons but little sign. I think they need a few more years to recover. Where we saw you is probably the better location. Looking at bikes now.... ha!
Post by: trophyhunt on May 19, 2021, 06:30:13 AM
Just got back home from spending 5 days in the unit. I saw a total of 5 bears. Passed on a 150lb jet black one the first morning. Third day I glassed up an absolute toad around a mile across the valley in the middle of a sprayed cut at 10:30 am. After navigating the landscape to get over there we were unable to relocate. The remaining 3 were a black sow with two 80 lb cinnamon cubs on the last day. I will be headed back over again in a couple weeks to try again. Also, we ran into Wanttohuntmore and his dad. It was a pleasure chatting with you guys and best of luck to your son with his tag.I wouldn't be surprised if those 80lb cubs were to get ran off by mom anytime soon, I watched a sow kick the crap out of her older cub last year. I'd say you were probably good to go on that sow but I prob would have passed as well. you might see her again alone or with a boar soon.
Post by: Rob on May 19, 2021, 06:56:26 AM
The thinking is, the sow did not get bred and the bear with her was a yearling, not a fresh cub? That had not occurred to me
Post by: trophyhunt on May 19, 2021, 07:02:30 AM
Interesting. I saw a Sow with what seemed like a very large cub for this early in the year.Yeah, those cubs want to stay with mom too long. She instinctively will force them away when they are ready to mate again, or if a boar kills the younger cub she will go into heat.
The thinking is, the sow did not get bred and the bear with her was a yearling, not a fresh cub? That had not occurred to me
Post by: Seabass on May 19, 2021, 12:39:04 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on May 19, 2021, 02:04:34 PM
Post by: HillHound on May 30, 2021, 08:25:51 AM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on May 31, 2021, 01:45:51 AM
Post by: hunter399 on May 31, 2021, 05:14:05 AM
OHH $!#@.
So we grab all our stuff ,had a bunch of stuff pulled out of our packs.
We moved up the road a few hundred yards.
We could hear the cub climbing down ,sticks breaking,all that good stuff . I was pretty much ready if they decide to come up the road and continue to follow us.
We had to go back through that stretch of road to walk back out ,made a bunch of noise about an hour later when we came back through.
My son learned a few things about bear encounter.
That you don't wanna be anywhere near a tree with a cub in it!!!
I'm very glad how the situation turned out ,and that they decided to go a different direction after they reunited.
I won't play games with a bear that continues to follow me after I have made some noise and gave them plenty of space and time to move on.
With all that said ......
I do have a spring bear tag for huckleberry.
I'm gonna be taking off to get a load of firewood in a few minutes with rifle in the truck maybe I will see something.
I've been trying to stay positive about filling this tag.
But if I could just get past the spoting part so I can stalk something would be great.
Just so there's no confusion ,I always keep our food in a sealed zip lock ,and I just happened to be a bear in close proximity to where we where eating lunch. And them sandwiches went back into that ziplock in a hurry.
Post by: hunter399 on June 01, 2021, 07:56:57 AM
I get back to the road above that a shot from look down where the first bear was moma and cub standing right where the first one was .
Still watching the cut right now.
Post by: hunter399 on June 01, 2021, 08:44:51 AM
Post by: HillHound on June 01, 2021, 08:46:49 AM
Post by: hunter399 on June 01, 2021, 08:48:08 AM
Post by: hunter399 on June 01, 2021, 08:52:51 AM
That’s awesome you are seeing them.. You probably don’t need me to tell you but If you’re taking long shots make sure you support the rear of the gun as well as the front. Makes a world of difference especially at a distance when every little bit counts. But that’s easy to say and hard to do most times when they’re moving and you constantly have to reposition and have little to no time. Stick it out I’m sure you’ll see him or a different one and get another chance.I gonna just say it ,shot felt bad ,rushed,bear fever ,I blew it big time.half blonde ,half black, still watching this sow about 200 yards below me ,all chocolate ,so I know there not the same bear.
I have one day of work ,then a few more off will be back to this cut.
Post by: hunter399 on June 01, 2021, 08:56:46 AM
This is the most action I've seen all season.
Got some 1 minute vids of this sow ,I'll post up a link when I get home.
After I punch myself in the face for missing the one.
Post by: HillHound on June 01, 2021, 09:13:34 AM
Post by: hunter399 on June 01, 2021, 12:34:36 PM
Here that vid.
Stayed there awhile last I seen her ,she went to the timber line ,nursed her three cubs. I grab a drink of water from my bag and look up and they where gone.
Can't see the cubs in it. But 100% sure she is a sow.
Here is another crappy pic.
See is on her back ,white spot on her chest ,and three cubs on her.
Post by: hunter399 on June 03, 2021, 06:40:56 AM
Seen two yesterday .
One was a small one.
The other was decent ,but a little far to shoot.
I was trying to get the bog pod setup and it got to the timber to quickly.
The picture is where I'm glassing right now.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on June 03, 2021, 07:36:34 AM
Good luck and keep after it.
Post by: jrebel on June 03, 2021, 07:40:57 AM
You are in a pretty good area there, just a word of caution if you like that spot. Your picture is very revealing as to where you are.
Good luck and keep after it.
:yeah: :yeah:
As soon as I saw the pic, I said...."I know where that is!!"
I don't post pics like that after an incident in 2011 with another member trespassing and shooting a buck I had permission to hunt on private ground.
Post by: Rob on June 03, 2021, 07:44:22 AM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on June 03, 2021, 07:44:32 AM
That definitey isnt some super secret spot but it doesnt need any additional attention. :twocents:You are in a pretty good area there, just a word of caution if you like that spot. Your picture is very revealing as to where you are.
Good luck and keep after it.
:yeah: :yeah:
As soon as I saw the pic, I said...."I know where that is!!"
I don't post pics like that after an incident in 2011 with another member trespassing and shooting a buck I had permission to hunt on private ground.
Post by: downtownbrown0610 on June 03, 2021, 08:07:35 AM
Post by: hunter399 on June 03, 2021, 01:13:08 PM
I did remove the pic ,after a request from a member via PM.That definitey isnt some super secret spot but it doesnt need any additional attention. :twocents:You are in a pretty good area there, just a word of caution if you like that spot. Your picture is very revealing as to where you are.
Good luck and keep after it.
:yeah: :yeah:
As soon as I saw the pic, I said...."I know where that is!!"
I don't post pics like that after an incident in 2011 with another member trespassing and shooting a buck I had permission to hunt on private ground.
Will say though it is a very popular recreation spot for a lot of people and not just hunters.
Myself I don't really have a problem with anybody hunting that area for any open season,so.... I didn't see a problem posting it.
With all that said.....
I'm not posting any more pics to this topic,if I manage to harvest I'll post up in the 2021 bear topic.
I even seen one today ,but not in the hell canyon (that's what I call it.)
These last days are getting good. 👍
Post by: jrebel on June 03, 2021, 01:15:35 PM
I did remove the pic ,after a request from a member via PM.That definitey isnt some super secret spot but it doesnt need any additional attention. :twocents:You are in a pretty good area there, just a word of caution if you like that spot. Your picture is very revealing as to where you are.
Good luck and keep after it.
:yeah: :yeah:
As soon as I saw the pic, I said...."I know where that is!!"
I don't post pics like that after an incident in 2011 with another member trespassing and shooting a buck I had permission to hunt on private ground.
Will say though it is a very popular recreation spot for a lot of people and not just hunters.
Myself I don't really have a problem with anybody hunting that area for any open season,so.... I didn't see a problem posting it.
With all that said.....
I'm not posting any more pics to this topic,if I manage to harvest I'll post up in the 2021 bear topic.
I even seen one today ,but not in the hell canyon (that's what I call it.)
These last days are getting good. 👍
You will find one. The weather is right and the boars are really chasing the sows now. I have pics of boars following the ladies. Good Luck.
Post by: hunter399 on June 03, 2021, 02:22:09 PM
Thank youI did remove the pic ,after a request from a member via PM.That definitey isnt some super secret spot but it doesnt need any additional attention. :twocents:You are in a pretty good area there, just a word of caution if you like that spot. Your picture is very revealing as to where you are.
Good luck and keep after it.
:yeah: :yeah:
As soon as I saw the pic, I said...."I know where that is!!"
I don't post pics like that after an incident in 2011 with another member trespassing and shooting a buck I had permission to hunt on private ground.
Will say though it is a very popular recreation spot for a lot of people and not just hunters.
Myself I don't really have a problem with anybody hunting that area for any open season,so.... I didn't see a problem posting it.
With all that said.....
I'm not posting any more pics to this topic,if I manage to harvest I'll post up in the 2021 bear topic.
I even seen one today ,but not in the hell canyon (that's what I call it.)
These last days are getting good. 👍
You will find one. The weather is right and the boars are really chasing the sows now. I have pics of boars following the ladies. Good Luck.
My son has also kept me in a positive state Durring this hunt.
I've had some crap days early in the season,ready to throw in the towel. If I would of known that these last days ,I wouldn't of been up there so early.
Anyway I'm glad for the help and just moral support of huntwa .I'm not to big on friends,no social media,few co-worker friends but that's about it .
So Thank You guys.
Even if my tag goes unfilled, I'm pretty happy with seeing the few bears I have seen and time spent in the woods with my son.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on June 03, 2021, 02:25:25 PM
Post by: hunter399 on June 03, 2021, 02:38:28 PM
Thats what its all about man. Sounds like you are having a great time! Hope you can come up with a bear! :tup:Thank You..
And I do agree with ya on hell canyon not needing any more attention.
I can tell ya ,I haven't seen any mule deer up there.
I'm starting to think they went extinct. I didn't hunt deer at all up there last year ,just to many people looking for one buck in my opinion.
A few years ago I could go up there and count a dozen sometime two dozen mule deer ,mostly does, Durring deer season.
Now just gone all gone.
I've had trail cams in there in the past... With plenty of mule deer,and predators alike.
I don't know if it's covid19 from last caused a bunch of poaching. All the trails around the gates,ticks,wolves,
I don't really know ,but the mule deer are gone,and I won't be hunting deer up there.
Post by: hunter399 on June 06, 2021, 09:14:33 PM
Went from a 1000 degree to 0 in a hurry.
Did see a mule deer Doe on Saturday,I was wrong not extinct but not good.
Moose today
But no bears.
Post by: hunter399 on June 10, 2021, 04:55:26 AM
I said I wasn't gonna post no more pics ......sorry
Anyway went to a new area for me anyway.
Seen just about everything but a bear or moose.
A wolf ,and a few elk,some whitetail,did see a small whitey buck.
Anyway we pull up around this corner and sure as @$!# there's a wolf standing in the road.So I look through binos ,yup that's a wolf ,snap a few photos with my phone.Then I open the door of pickup to try and setup spotter it takes off.
We drive about a mile up the road and see another,but it takes off to quick ,no pics on that one.
Anyway here's the pics.
No luck on seeing another bear.
Post by: Rob on June 10, 2021, 08:22:21 AM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on June 13, 2021, 04:51:45 PM
Post by: Rob on June 13, 2021, 05:09:40 PM
Post by: HillHound on June 13, 2021, 05:20:04 PM
Well my son is eating tag soup tonight. He didn't get out as much as we hoped for due to school assignments, but we saw bear and had a good time. We did have the most amazing encounter last night though. We set up to watch a cut before dark. We were sitting in stadium chairs on the edge of a road, with our packs 6 yds behind us. See saw something at 1200 yds pop into a den. Not sure if it was a yote or bear, so I put the spotter on it and it never peeked out. While waiting 15 min for it to pop out, we heard something behind us. We both turned around and there was about a 300lb bear pawing my pack. It looked right at us with the most confused look. I whispered to load the gun (I got on his case for not having at least the mag in it while on stand). As he loaded it the bear took off. It stopped at 175 for 1/4 second than hit the trees. I've killed plenty of bear, but never had one pop up this close in the open. Quite a memory this will make.Crazy. At least he had a chance, more than some people can say. And that tag is still good starting August 1st so no need to hang his head too low