Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: mathew92 on September 15, 2021, 07:54:38 PM

Title: Logging effects on Bears
Post by: mathew92 on September 15, 2021, 07:54:38 PM: Hello everyone,

New hunter here, and I have a question.
How does logging activity affect bears? Does it keep them away from the general area?

I have been scouting/hunting an area in GMU 621 on public land and today they started logging around the base of this large hill that I hike up and glass from into the surrounding clear cuts that seem a few years old.

Should I abandon this hill and look elsewhere?
Thanks,
Mathew
Title: Re: Logging effects on Bears
Post by: swampbear on September 15, 2021, 10:06:59 PM: I’ve hunted 621 since 2018 for bears. Logging in 2018/2019 (along with hunting pressure) pushed bears into the area I hunted. Then last year, no logging, but it was super hot/dry. Saw all the bears up high (above 4000 feet). This year, the remaining area around there got logged. It was also hot and dry. Seen no bears or sign. So I’ve moved on to greener pastures. I’d say try to find an area higher up in elevation above where they’re logging. Those bears might hang there.

I’ll also say, look at the success for bears in 621. It’s not that great. With all the new hunters, there’s way more hunting pressure in 621. Last year was the most people I’d seen out there. Most just walking around clueless, probably pressuring animals to stay in the dense stuff. I hunted it out of convenience (lived 10 miles from where I’d hunt). I’d say look at 624, 636, 642, 648, and 651 if it’s logistically doable for you. Especially if you buy an access permit for some of the private timber out there. I know guys who fair pretty well in those gmu’s, and tell me there’s a lot of bears in there. Hunted 624 as a youngster. Saw some nice bears and cats come out of the private timber out there.
Title: Re: Logging effects on Bears
Post by: dilleytech on September 16, 2021, 11:29:49 AM: In my experience bears become used to loud noises very quickly. And as long as it’s not going on right next to them they don’t care, logging, shooting, cherry bombs. Doesn’t even get there attention.