Post by: jstamp on June 22, 2009, 04:06:58 AM
Now, judging a bear is tough, look at the ears, and overall size. I like to look at things around the bear and try to judge off of that, since i'm familiar with the area. I'm sure most guys on here will offer up some good suggestions about how to judge bears. if not just research some posts, there are several.
Post by: jstamp on June 22, 2009, 04:10:51 AM
Post by: Black Bare on June 22, 2009, 07:20:30 AM
Post by: KillBilly on June 22, 2009, 07:49:45 AM
Why do you suggest focusing your hunting during late august/early sept?
More abundant food sources....
Post by: hoytem on June 22, 2009, 09:54:37 AM
Post by: saylean on June 22, 2009, 09:58:37 AM
Post by: Alan K on June 22, 2009, 12:32:59 PM
I'm one of those newbies. I've never actually hunted specifically for bear aside from a spring bear tag I drew last year, but I still buy a tag every year incase I happen on one while deer and elk hunting.
The ones that I've seen have been feeding on grasses. This past year there was a sow and two cubs about 400 yards from my tree stand during archery elk season, and we had a sow and two cubs dart off grassy road one time while we were driving through some black reprod in Vail.
I'd love to get into actually hunting for them. It'd be another season to take advantage of in the fall.
Post by: saylean on June 22, 2009, 12:36:53 PM
Actually, I like hunting bears more than anything at the moment.
Post by: Timmybob on June 22, 2009, 11:53:05 PM
Post by: cascademountainhunter on June 22, 2009, 11:56:25 PM
Post by: Huntbear on June 23, 2009, 12:07:15 AM
Post by: jackelope on June 23, 2009, 12:14:56 AM
nice pice... kind of strange how there is a barb wire fence and road in the background.
yep he was obviously hunting a high fenced bear ranch.
not sure why the guy even tries helping folks out.
:bash:
whats a pice?
Post by: billythekidrock on June 23, 2009, 05:54:42 AM
Why do you suggest focusing your hunting during late august/early sept?
I also suggest that time frame but because there are less people in the woods. You get an opening week rush of bear hunters and then it slows down before the archery season in September.
Post by: billythekidrock on June 23, 2009, 06:00:01 AM
Thanks for the post..I am a lot like Alan K..I always buy the bear tag with my deer/elk tag, but never get a bear. This year will be my first year actually "Bear hunting". So my question is, What type of food sources should I be looking for in Aug/Sept? Thanks.....Tim
Where will you be hunting?
Obviously orchards can be great. Berry patches should be coming on as well. Grubbing activity is high at that time of year so really old cuts are a good place to look. It just depends on where you are at.
Post by: lewy on June 23, 2009, 06:18:35 AM
Post by: lewy on June 23, 2009, 06:34:24 AM
Post by: Kain on June 23, 2009, 09:56:13 AM
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,27890.0.html
Post by: Kain on June 23, 2009, 10:08:43 AM
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2vPceh7X48[/youtube]
Post by: KillBilly on June 23, 2009, 10:11:32 AM
[q]Bears are easy because they eat all the time. The only two things a guy needs to know about bears is what they are eating that time of year and that they are going to be as far away from people as possible. Probably one of the easiest animals to hunt in Washington besides goats. [/q]
Anyone wanting to learn should contact Branden, he sounds like the guy to learn from
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,28958.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,28958.0.html)
Post by: rasbo on June 23, 2009, 10:36:46 AM
I better take some bear classes..
Post by: saylean on June 23, 2009, 10:41:31 AM
Other than that, I dont think it is all that easy. Especially when you first start out.
Or you have to pack it out...
or track it...
or call one in... :chuckle:
now back to the Poo picks!
To give a tid bit of help on this (sorry for the thread Jack ;)....
Dont look for "whole bears". Bears when on all fours will be low to the ground. Even in brush 5 ft tall, you might not see much more than the brush moving when they do. In western wa, search for berry patches in the late summer/fall. Look for bits of bears in the brush, or brush movement. Listen carefully as well. You will often hear them before you ever see them.
Watch these berry patches closely for movement and then (as always) be sure of your target. Bears do not have good eye sight but can smell and hear very well.
In eastern wa, look for brushy, cooler draws and gullys. Rose hips, berries, etc.
Good luck.
Post by: rasbo on June 23, 2009, 11:09:05 AM
Post by: Branden on June 23, 2009, 11:21:16 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on June 23, 2009, 11:26:24 AM
After hunting bears for a while you can see the swagger in a mature boar, body shape and head. That may take a while, so one good way to judge size is the ears. A small bear will have a micky mouse look to it with the ears appearing to be on top of the head and large. As they mature the ears move to the side of the head. A mature boar will also get a dimple in the top of there head. I will include a picture of a big boar who's "dimple" is pretty obvious as well as his ears...hope this helps a little
That is a great looking bear. Huge head. Good post too.
Post by: saylean on June 25, 2009, 02:43:56 PM
So, keep in mind, if you just starting out hunting bears, they will often be very low to the ground and tough to spot in thick brush, so watch carefully and always always always be sure of your target. No brush shooting.
Post by: lewy on June 25, 2009, 02:46:29 PM
Post by: Machias on June 25, 2009, 03:12:43 PM
Post by: lewy on June 25, 2009, 03:18:35 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on June 25, 2009, 04:02:59 PM
No brush shooting.
Awwwww.... c'mon.... :'( ...where's your sense of adventure.... :chuckle:
Post by: saylean on June 25, 2009, 04:06:25 PM
:)
Going into thick brush after a possibly wounded bear is more than enough adventure for me. :chuckle:
Post by: Pathfinder101 on June 25, 2009, 05:38:33 PM
I was in the brush looking for my brothers bear last year, praying to god I wouldnt get brush shot (not by my brother, but any other hunter).
:)
Going into thick brush after a possibly wounded bear is more than enough adventure for me. :chuckle:
...and that's why I bowhunt for elk now... :chuckle:
Post by: zackmioli on June 26, 2009, 09:14:24 AM
Post by: littlebuf on June 26, 2009, 05:05:48 PM
I was in the brush looking for my brothers bear last year, praying to god I wouldnt get brush shot (not by my brother, but any other hunter).
:)
Going into thick brush after a possibly wounded bear is more than enough adventure for me. :chuckle:
i did that last year and i was by myself way behind a gate, the brush was sio thick it took me 20 min to go 20 feet and that was with a machete. needless to say it was a little exiting
Post by: saylean on June 26, 2009, 07:32:52 PM
Post by: billythekidrock on June 26, 2009, 08:13:59 PM
Also if you wound a bear (they dont always fall where you hit em, the tough SOB's), if it doesnt drop right away, be prepared mentally and physically to go through stuff like this...(a pic I took while looking for my bro's bear last year)...those things can hide just about anywhere in that type of stuff.
I will second that. You need to be prepared to follow through and sometimes that will take you into places you don't want to go...hunting or not. I have crawled through bear tunnels were a rifle is useless and have searched in areas where you will touch your buddy before you see him. You know it is thick when a human is standing 3 feet from you and you can't see them.
Post by: SHANE(WA) on June 26, 2009, 08:55:37 PM