Post by: acspah33 on July 06, 2022, 10:01:46 AM
Happy Hunting
Post by: phildobaggins on July 06, 2022, 10:17:54 AM
Post by: acspah33 on July 06, 2022, 11:14:42 AM
I've got a spot packed with bears right now. It is between 5500-6500 ft.
Nice! You got any pictures of the bears?
Post by: phildobaggins on July 06, 2022, 11:51:02 AM
I've got a spot packed with bears right now. It is between 5500-6500 ft.
Nice! You got any pictures of the bears?
Post by: phildobaggins on July 06, 2022, 11:51:32 AM
Post by: builtfordtough on July 06, 2022, 11:59:38 AM
Post by: phildobaggins on July 06, 2022, 12:06:33 PM
Ya u do! Great pic of the bear in the tree!
:tup: :tup:
Post by: Sliverslinger on July 06, 2022, 12:40:26 PM
Post by: jasnt on July 06, 2022, 03:12:57 PM
Post by: pickardjw on July 06, 2022, 03:26:40 PM
Post by: phildobaggins on July 06, 2022, 03:28:13 PM
Post by: acspah33 on July 06, 2022, 03:46:53 PM
I've seen bears, and fresh bear sign, literally everywhere from 2000-6500 ft. I'm finding bears at 5500' on north facing slopes right now.
Interesting... I have been focusing my efforts down low where the blackberries are starting to flower. Tough part is everywhere low is thick as can be. I found bears up high (around 5,000) around this time of year the last few seasons, but come opening day, they seem to have moved presumably down lower to where the berries were. I have a few spots at different elevations and was planning to target low around the opener and follow the berries on the way up.
Post by: pickardjw on July 06, 2022, 05:35:35 PM
Post by: dmoua on July 06, 2022, 11:07:39 PM
Post by: acspah33 on July 07, 2022, 12:40:18 AM
I’ll be hanging around 3000’ come opener weekend.
Are you on the East or West side?
Post by: acspah33 on July 07, 2022, 12:46:43 AM
Post by: Onewhohikes on July 07, 2022, 05:45:04 AM
Post by: jasnt on July 07, 2022, 06:18:42 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on July 07, 2022, 03:49:06 PM
Berries are definitely behind schedule!
They sure are. But if we continue to get some moisture, it could be a bumper crop. At least for the west side blackberries.
Post by: dmoua on July 07, 2022, 09:21:04 PM
I’ll be hanging around 3000’ come opener weekend.
Are you on the East or West side?
East, always east.
Post by: jasnt on July 07, 2022, 10:12:34 PM
Berries are definitely behind schedule!I did find some hucks getting dark at 2400’ today
They sure are. But if we continue to get some moisture, it could be a bumper crop. At least for the west side blackberries.
Post by: dilleytech on July 09, 2022, 03:23:50 PM
Post by: TheSkyBuster on July 09, 2022, 04:45:30 PM
Post by: CP on July 09, 2022, 04:50:01 PM
I was out doing some pre season scouting and turned this guy up yesterday, digging stumps.
He doesn't like the way you smell.
Post by: TheSkyBuster on July 09, 2022, 04:54:37 PM
I was out doing some pre season scouting and turned this guy up yesterday, digging stumps.
He doesn't like the way you smell.
That’s actually the same facial expression my wife gets when I come home from hiking 10+ miles looking for bears in mid July.
Post by: highcountry_hunter on July 09, 2022, 09:26:42 PM
Post by: pickardjw on July 11, 2022, 10:25:53 AM
Post by: phildobaggins on July 11, 2022, 10:33:07 AM
Ran into some bear sign at 7000+ on the east side this weekend. 5-6 piles. Some a week or so old, and some "yesterday" fresh. Was a little surprised to see bear sign so high up already...
8) 8)
Post by: ganghis on July 11, 2022, 11:31:07 AM
Post by: ThurstonCokid on July 11, 2022, 11:37:50 AM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: hunter399 on July 11, 2022, 01:00:41 PM
One smaller black one and a lighter brown one.
It was neat to just watch them for a few min.
I was getting firewood then so no big deal.
But have been ,reloading and target shooting this month.
Just general getting stuff in order .
Filled the pickup up with gas yesterday,OMG.
This is the boys first year with a tag,so if a good opportunity comes up ,I'll let him bat first.
Post by: hunter399 on July 11, 2022, 01:13:05 PM
Seen a few patches yesterday,mostly green,with a handful of ripe ones.
Post by: Ntbutcher on July 11, 2022, 01:43:55 PM
Ran into some bear sign at 7000+ on the east side this weekend. 5-6 piles. Some a week or so old, and some "yesterday" fresh. Was a little surprised to see bear sign so high up already...
I saw one at 6800' this weekend on the eastern slopes. With the late melt out things are greening up at those elevations still. He was mowing some grass for a while before he went to take a nap. Looked like a big boy up at the top of the roost. Walked right into a little guy back in June at the same spot but half the elevation. Was probably 10 yards from him. When I interrupted him standing and licking a tree haha. We both had the same oh crap look on our face! Haha. I'll post pics later when I'm home
Post by: hunter399 on July 12, 2022, 07:55:13 AM
I will be looking for animals going and coming from water sources.
With hot weather on the way ,berrys coming in later this year mostly August and September.
Seems to me that bears will be in transition mode from grass,stumps,roots, to berrys .
Right in that opening month of season.
Post by: JeffRaines on July 20, 2022, 10:08:30 AM
I've got a spot I hunt in early August that always produces, so I'm not overly concerned about that time frame. However, a friend of mine and myself were planning a pack in high country hunt the 18th-22nd. Trying to apply the "50-60 days from melt out" rule looks like it rules out a lot of wilderness areas worth packing into. Anyone here with experience on the east slopes(or hell, west slopes too - we're open) have any input on how viable this plan is? Most of the areas with any glass-abilty are up at 4k+. This is all central/north cascades.
I'm kind of paralyzed at the moment - if its going to be more of a backpacking trip with guns I'd sooner leave the guns behind and go enjoy the high country in another fashion, or look for more low country area and involve the family.
Post by: bearmanric on July 20, 2022, 10:56:12 AM
Post by: Ntbutcher on July 21, 2022, 11:10:52 AM
I'm tagging along in here asking for some advice on this year.
I've got a spot I hunt in early August that always produces, so I'm not overly concerned about that time frame. However, a friend of mine and myself were planning a pack in high country hunt the 18th-22nd. Trying to apply the "50-60 days from melt out" rule looks like it rules out a lot of wilderness areas worth packing into. Anyone here with experience on the east slopes(or hell, west slopes too - we're open) have any input on how viable this plan is? Most of the areas with any glass-abilty are up at 4k+. This is all central/north cascades.
I'm kind of paralyzed at the moment - if its going to be more of a backpacking trip with guns I'd sooner leave the guns behind and go enjoy the high country in another fashion, or look for more low country area and involve the family.
That's a bit early in my opinion. I've been seeing bears in upper elevations right now because it's green there and berries haven't started once berries start they will move down and into timber. And they won't start coming out of the timber consistently until the blue berries at upper elevations start really going and the timber berries start fading. If they can eat in the timber they'll stay there. Not hard and fast rule, you can see them come out early and late day but makes them hard to get on. Mid September to early October is prime time for high elevation. First week of October is gang busters.
Post by: JeffRaines on July 21, 2022, 05:24:21 PM
I'm tagging along in here asking for some advice on this year.
I've got a spot I hunt in early August that always produces, so I'm not overly concerned about that time frame. However, a friend of mine and myself were planning a pack in high country hunt the 18th-22nd. Trying to apply the "50-60 days from melt out" rule looks like it rules out a lot of wilderness areas worth packing into. Anyone here with experience on the east slopes(or hell, west slopes too - we're open) have any input on how viable this plan is? Most of the areas with any glass-abilty are up at 4k+. This is all central/north cascades.
I'm kind of paralyzed at the moment - if its going to be more of a backpacking trip with guns I'd sooner leave the guns behind and go enjoy the high country in another fashion, or look for more low country area and involve the family.
That's a bit early in my opinion. I've been seeing bears in upper elevations right now because it's green there and berries haven't started once berries start they will move down and into timber. And they won't start coming out of the timber consistently until the blue berries at upper elevations start really going and the timber berries start fading. If they can eat in the timber they'll stay there. Not hard and fast rule, you can see them come out early and late day but makes them hard to get on. Mid September to early October is prime time for high elevation. First week of October is gang busters.
I’ve located a few areas that were melted out mid June that should have some berries by mid august(according to the 50-60 day rule anyway) but yeah I was assuming - especially this year - that later would definitely be better. I’m just trying to work with what I got. I have a Montana elk tag I’ll be taking a load of time off for in September so I don’t think I’ll get a chance to be up there then. Maybe early October, but weather tends to be a huge factor that time of year and trying to wait for a weather opening is everything. I’ve been up there when it’s clear in October, and I’ve also been up there where it’s decent down low but absolutely socked in up high.
I’m also sorta toying with going further east - but I don’t think that area lends itself to being a hike in style hunt(Sherman area).
Post by: Ntbutcher on July 25, 2022, 09:27:25 AM
I'm tagging along in here asking for some advice on this year.
I've got a spot I hunt in early August that always produces, so I'm not overly concerned about that time frame. However, a friend of mine and myself were planning a pack in high country hunt the 18th-22nd. Trying to apply the "50-60 days from melt out" rule looks like it rules out a lot of wilderness areas worth packing into. Anyone here with experience on the east slopes(or hell, west slopes too - we're open) have any input on how viable this plan is? Most of the areas with any glass-abilty are up at 4k+. This is all central/north cascades.
I'm kind of paralyzed at the moment - if its going to be more of a backpacking trip with guns I'd sooner leave the guns behind and go enjoy the high country in another fashion, or look for more low country area and involve the family.
That's a bit early in my opinion. I've been seeing bears in upper elevations right now because it's green there and berries haven't started once berries start they will move down and into timber. And they won't start coming out of the timber consistently until the blue berries at upper elevations start really going and the timber berries start fading. If they can eat in the timber they'll stay there. Not hard and fast rule, you can see them come out early and late day but makes them hard to get on. Mid September to early October is prime time for high elevation. First week of October is gang busters.
I’ve located a few areas that were melted out mid June that should have some berries by mid august(according to the 50-60 day rule anyway) but yeah I was assuming - especially this year - that later would definitely be better. I’m just trying to work with what I got. I have a Montana elk tag I’ll be taking a load of time off for in September so I don’t think I’ll get a chance to be up there then. Maybe early October, but weather tends to be a huge factor that time of year and trying to wait for a weather opening is everything. I’ve been up there when it’s clear in October, and I’ve also been up there where it’s decent down low but absolutely socked in up high.
I’m also sorta toying with going further east - but I don’t think that area lends itself to being a hike in style hunt(Sherman area).
Sounds like you've got a spot then. I agree definitely favor those south faces early on. Look for them coming up out of the timber early morning and evening. They like those small openings and pockets. And they'll skirt the edges in the shade so be sure to keep an eye on those spots.
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 26, 2022, 06:52:55 AM
Post by: hunter399 on July 26, 2022, 08:40:21 AM
I'll be glassing some cuts .
With this heat ,who knows if anything will be moving.
Mainly hunt mornings in this heat,just so if I get lucky and spot something.
Post by: hunter399 on July 26, 2022, 11:21:35 AM
Better get it done.
Post by: dilleytech on July 27, 2022, 01:37:04 PM
I've been scouting a bit.
I'll be glassing some cuts .
With this heat ,who knows if anything will be moving.
Mainly hunt mornings in this heat,just so if I get lucky and spot something.
For whatever it’s worth in my experience the best days to hunt bears are the calmest hottest days. For whatever reason they seem to be more eager to eat during the day when it’s really hot. Maybe they would rather be eating then laying around hot and miserable?
Post by: jasnt on July 27, 2022, 02:18:25 PM
Post by: Goshawk on August 11, 2022, 08:39:04 PM
A couple of bears I’ve gotten on cam down low in the last month
That brownie would be impressive in a couple of years!