Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: logola512c on August 23, 2024, 05:21:50 PM

Title: Bears in the Rain?
Post by: logola512c on August 23, 2024, 05:21:50 PM: With all the rain this week, what do folks think about whether bear hunting is good or bad in the rain? Specifically west side of the state. Cliff Gray says he's guided thousands of hunts (mostly in BC and Canada, I think -- not sure if west of the crest) and says he has never skinned a bear shot in the rain. Plenty before and after, but not during the rain storms. I've had most of my luck outside of rain, but that could be because I mostly hunt bears when it's not raining. Thoughts?

Here's his recent video about game animals and rain and snow impacts.
Title: Re: Bears in the Rain?
Post by: Beerhntr on August 26, 2024, 07:54:54 AM: I just hunted in the rain and low temps along with mist/fog. Right after the rain we saw a lot of deer/elk. The bears were not out before/during or after the rain. We were in the mountains of western Washington. The bears stayed in the timber even though the berries were thick in the open areas.

I think a lot depends on what your terrain looks like and the availability of food in the timber. If they don’t have a good reason to get wet they won’t. It seems like being wet is a pain in the ass for them. Their coats get heavy and water logged along with bringing their temps down as they dry out.

If it was 80 degrees out I think we would have seen them out in the rain but with temps in the 40’s and 50’s they avoid being wet.

This is all speculation though and only my experience. I’m sure there is a scientific explanation that is more detailed.
Title: Re: Bears in the Rain?
Post by: logola512c on August 27, 2024, 09:26:08 AM: That's kind of what I usually see too. I always try to get out for the ungulates when it's raining because they seem to always be up and moving (and walking logging roads) when it's rainy and wet.
Title: Re: Bears in the Rain?
Post by: Candcrods on August 27, 2024, 11:58:29 AM: I jumped a bear on friday out in the heavy sheet rain. The rain actually covered both of our sounds and i was only about 20 feet out when i saw him. Too small to shoot so just watched him bolt off once he realized i was standing right behind him. Hunted hard fri, sat and monday and friday evening in the rain was the only bear i saw.

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Title: Re: Bears in the Rain?
Post by: hunter399 on August 27, 2024, 12:00:14 PM: We only get ten drops of rain,then it over.
Haven't had any significant amounts of rain here.
Title: Re: Bears in the Rain?
Post by: boneaddict on August 27, 2024, 12:32:27 PM: Bear dont give a rip if it is raining or not, and would prefer it over heat these days
Title: Re: Bears in the Rain?
Post by: Twispriver on August 27, 2024, 03:05:59 PM: :yeah:

If westside bears didn't forage in the rain they would starve
Title: Re: Bears in the Rain?
Post by: hunter399 on August 27, 2024, 08:29:58 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on August 27, 2024, 12:32:27 PM
Bear dont give a rip if it is raining or not, and would prefer it over heat these days
:yeah:

I got multiple pics of bears that jumped in a creek or swamp.
Only worry a bear has is his next meal,scent in the air .
Title: Re: Bears in the Rain?
Post by: dilleytech on September 01, 2024, 11:37:58 AM: My wife shot her bear last week in the heavy rain/lightning/ thunder. Pretty wild getting a bear out of the brush in a downpour. It was also our first time trying to hunt them in the rain. Shot my bear yesterday in 100 degree heat at 4:30 pm.

Hunt when you can, they are not worth trying to predict.
Title: Re: Bears in the Rain?
Post by: logola512c on September 03, 2024, 01:07:21 PM: Quote from: dilleytech on September 01, 2024, 11:37:58 AM
My wife shot her bear last week in the heavy rain/lightning/ thunder. Pretty wild getting a bear out of the brush in a downpour. It was also our first time trying to hunt them in the rain. Shot my bear yesterday in 100 degree heat at 4:30 pm.

Hunt when you can, they are not worth trying to predict.

Nice! A family double!! Awesome.