Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Ridgerunner on June 30, 2009, 01:43:56 PM

Title: One month to go
Post by: Ridgerunner on June 30, 2009, 01:43:56 PM: I can't believe the season is only a month away, anyone else getting antsy?
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: let.it.fly on June 30, 2009, 01:46:17 PM: definetly antsy in my pantsy. cant wait
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: saylean on June 30, 2009, 01:50:18 PM: me too... ;)
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: littlebuf on June 30, 2009, 01:58:13 PM: just about as soon as big game season ends im all twitterpated about next season. ask my wife i drive her nuts, i think she looks forward to it as much as i do if ya know what i mean ;)
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearmanric on June 30, 2009, 02:52:35 PM: going to look for new area next week. cant hunt my spot's on the coast on the opener. so think i'll hit the eastside. got some cool spot's. will have the newest Foxpro. and building call's out of different wood's. going to hunt by myself. Rick :) :)
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: saylean on June 30, 2009, 03:28:16 PM: Quote from: bearmanric on June 30, 2009, 02:52:35 PM
going to look for new area next week. cant hunt my spot's on the coast on the opener. so think i'll hit the eastside. got some cool spot's. will have the newest Foxpro. and building call's out of different wood's. going to hunt by myself. Rick :) :)

that must mean your feeling better...good to hear it! Good luck all.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: WDFW-SUX on June 30, 2009, 03:29:19 PM: Yup im starting to jones bad :P
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: Houndhunter on June 30, 2009, 03:35:02 PM: heading out to my spot last day of july to august 3! and i dont have to worry bout drop camps there ;)
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: billythekidrock on June 30, 2009, 04:06:15 PM: Up until this last weekend my interest was waining...but finding sign of two different bears and seeing a third (one with collar) I am all amped up again.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: Houndhunter on June 30, 2009, 04:11:20 PM: Quote from: billythekidrock on June 30, 2009, 04:06:15 PM
Up until this last weekend my interest was waining...but finding sign of two different bears and seeing a third (one with collar) I am all amped up again.

i hope my professional caller remembers he said he would go out and do some calling with me ;)
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: billythekidrock on June 30, 2009, 04:14:22 PM: Quote from: Houndhunter on June 30, 2009, 04:11:20 PM
Quote from: billythekidrock on June 30, 2009, 04:06:15 PM
Up until this last weekend my interest was waining...but finding sign of two different bears and seeing a third (one with collar) I am all amped up again.

i hope my professional caller remembers he said he would go out and do some calling with me ;)

If he bags out on ya I may be able to fill in.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: PacificNWhunter on June 30, 2009, 09:12:35 PM: Antsy is the word..I have had the itch really bad and it's getting worse. Probably doesn't help that I missed all last year because I was in a cast...31 more days
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: zackmioli on June 30, 2009, 09:33:07 PM: very excited. going to go camping/scouting the 11th and 12th.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on June 30, 2009, 09:52:21 PM: holy crap 31 more days???? I am going nuts! Foxrpo is ready, longbow dialed in..... headed over to a spot in eastern Wa on Firday the day before it opens to pack in..... Going scouting a few times before. :drool:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: follow maggie on June 30, 2009, 10:20:51 PM: I'm getting after it for the first time this year. Can't wait.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: LongTatLaw on June 30, 2009, 10:35:35 PM: I cant wait.... :drool:

Ive been hog hunting as practice...Ive gotta get me and my fam over there by Aug 1st...I cant freaking wait! I hope to take both with a bow this year but we will see!!!!

man its needs to get here!
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: tmike on June 30, 2009, 10:43:28 PM: One was lucky the season is still a month away today. My dog got a mouth full of hair and ducked a right cross. In the yard with the kids outside playing. :yike:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearmanric on July 01, 2009, 07:48:30 AM: there every were. i'm going to stay with the coast. every year i want to try other spot's. but i know were the bear's are on the coast. and i have a cool camp to hang out at. Rick :)
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: Kain on July 02, 2009, 10:37:22 AM: This will be my first year really "hunting" for bears. I have bought tags but never really went after them. I have been doing a lot of reading, looking over aerial photos, bought some customs calls from Bearmanric, watched every video I could download or buy and have some spots in mind to start scouting. I am pretty frickin excited to get out and give it hell. Hopefully I can get my dad or brothers as interested or at least get them to go with me. :chuckle: We have always been archery deer hunters but I caught the bug hard last year when I started predator hunting. I am actually more excited for this season than I ever have been in the past. I am very lucky to have a wife that is supportive.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: SHANE(WA) on July 02, 2009, 04:25:00 PM: It doesn't take bear season to get out in the woods for me. I dunno why people get so excited, bear hides are trash right now, taxidermist won't even buy them. Well maybe a 150 lber might be okay :chuckle:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: billythekidrock on July 02, 2009, 04:40:31 PM: Quote from: SHANE(WA) on July 02, 2009, 04:25:00 PM
I dunno why people get so excited, bear hides are trash right now,

Because they taste good.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearpaw on July 02, 2009, 04:41:26 PM: I understand why you all are so excited. It's two months away over here and i am already excited to get back in the hunt.

Hey Kain, you said you were new to bearhunting....remember this....find the most ripe food (berries) and you will find the most bear....it has to be ripe!!!
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: Kain on July 02, 2009, 05:03:08 PM: Quote from: bearpaw on July 02, 2009, 04:41:26 PM
I understand why you all are so excited. It's two months away over here and i am already excited to get back in the hunt.

Hey Kain, you said you were new to bearhunting....remember this....find the most ripe food (berries) and you will find the most bear....it has to be ripe!!!

Thanks bearpaw! The areas I have picked out have lots of ripe berries right now. Dont know what the area will look like in a month. :dunno: Hopefully I can find the berries in a month.

I am hunting them for the meat as well. I have seen some of the resent pics form members on here and the hides look alright. If not I will do the skull up nice for my trophy.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: SHANE(WA) on July 02, 2009, 05:11:03 PM: Eat them in sept too and worth something then too. Nothing worse than shooting a giant bear in august and having to trash hide. Ask the state record holder , garbage hide . Kinda sucks .woulda been a beautiful bear come late sept
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: littlebuf on July 02, 2009, 05:24:40 PM: you don't have to rug them if there hides are bad, you can do a half mount those are cool too and not so dependent on a nice hide as a rug
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearpaw on July 02, 2009, 05:27:59 PM: shane you are right, if you're in the hunt for the hide, better to wait till late Sept for better hides. First of Sept they are not too bad. In Aug probably 50% are really poor and the rest are only acceptable at best.

But i think a lot of these guys just want to go hunting and may not even be worried about mounting the bear hide. When I was a kid my first 4 or 5 bear were only eaten. I never took anything to a taxidermist until I was 17.

shane is also right about being careful with meat. When it's hot you need to get them opened up and gutted, get the hide off, and get that meat cooled off as soon as possible. Two hours can spoil a bear. In another thread someone mentioned putting it in a creek if you need too and also getting excess fat off. All sage advice.

Good Luck Go Gettum...... :hunter:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: Kain on July 02, 2009, 06:04:34 PM: Yea I expect to be ready for the heat. I dont think there is much difference in the weather between Aug and Sept. I have hunted early archery deer and I am used to hot weather even in Sept. This is also why I HATE all the road closures in my area. When the weather is so hot you have to hunt close to your truck or a creek. Gated roads limit your hunting options for that. Personally I can not afford a mount anyways but I think Shane is right about shooting a giant and not having a good mount, that would suck. :dunno:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearmanric on July 03, 2009, 03:08:00 PM: i guess we should all join Shane in sept then. i enjoy hunting with bow Hunter's. i guided bear hunting 93 to 97. got 42 bear's. most made great rug's and ate very well. i would rather stay away from the bowhunter's. Rick
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: boneaddict on July 03, 2009, 03:47:07 PM: Kinda contemplating the whole scene. I never hunted before September for bear and didn't even like it then really. August is pitiful for hides I think and very hard to get a bear in on the Eastside without spoilage or bee issues, unless you have a walk in. I have a big color phased though and know he won't be there if I wait on him. :dunno: Plus I'll be elsewhere in September. :dunno:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearmanric on July 03, 2009, 04:28:13 PM: i'm talking the coast. even early sept when i was at usk was hot. i'll be in the wood's getting exercise. if i call a bear in it's a bonus. i dont like dealing with bowhunter's in sept. not fun. Rick
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: billythekidrock on July 03, 2009, 05:31:18 PM: I hear ya bone and if I was on the eastside or had a whopper figgured out then I would try to wait.

But on the westside August is the only time bear hunters have to themselves and all the damn bears are black. Ok, 99% of them are black. I have no use for another black mount and a near empty freezer since I had to cann all the meat after a freezer issue. :chuckle:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: actionshooter on July 03, 2009, 06:19:44 PM: I too worry about getting bears out in August, I've got 2 that were a couple of hours from the road. I had help and we hauled ass. It only take 5 minutes for the bees to find you.

:dunno: I like hunting in August. I put elk quarters in creeks before and I'd do it with a bear if I had too.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: billythekidrock on July 03, 2009, 06:31:19 PM: Quote from: actionshooter on July 03, 2009, 06:19:44 PM

:dunno: I like hunting in August. I put elk quarters in creeks before and I'd do it with a bear if I had too.

There are more then a couple of site members that put bears in creeks and I have done it at least a half dozen times. Never had a spoilage problem.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: boneaddict on July 03, 2009, 06:33:58 PM: I tell you what...98 degrees on a tall sage brush hill makes for some harsh bear harvesting(after the shot) conditions. "Shoot and roll"
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearmanric on July 03, 2009, 07:09:51 PM: not sure what people are saying .are we sapposed to quit bear hunting in august.Rick
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: saylean on July 03, 2009, 09:06:27 PM: everyone else can stop hunting in august...I will still be out there.. ;)
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: billythekidrock on July 03, 2009, 09:18:36 PM: Quote from: saylean on July 03, 2009, 09:06:27 PM
everyone else can stop hunting in august...I will still be out there.. ;)

Not if they take it away from us. It is very possible they will approve a season change this year that will go into affect next year. :bash:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: saylean on July 03, 2009, 09:19:55 PM: you can bet I will be first in line with a loud voice to spell out my disapproval of that BS. I fully expect it to come, for 2010, especially with the new "bear areas" on the game rules map.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: actionshooter on July 03, 2009, 10:43:46 PM: I agree, I think they will try to sneak it in this coming year. It will be because hiker pressure and they will call it a "management" decision.
But thats just my :twocents:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: tony04 on July 03, 2009, 11:52:23 PM: are the huckleberries out yet?
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: billythekidrock on July 04, 2009, 05:32:03 AM: Quote from: tony04 on July 03, 2009, 11:52:23 PM
are the huckleberries out yet?

The reds are starting in one of my areas and the blues are coming on strong.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: boneaddict on July 04, 2009, 05:36:40 AM: Quote
Not if they take it away from us. It is very possible they will approve a season change this year that will go into affect next year.

Believe it or not, eventhough I don't hunt them in August, my voice was loud in clear in opposition to their proposed change. It would actually benefit me in regards to hunting bear since I never do usually hunt them that early, but I read through their political agenda and stood strong for the rest of you guys. Once again this fall I urge everyone else to do the same.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearmanric on July 04, 2009, 07:58:49 AM: cant wait will give it my all this year. Rick :hello:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: Ridgerunner on July 04, 2009, 12:14:50 PM: If you want to hunt in August make it happen this year, I suspect it won't be available next year. :'( :'(
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: Houndhunter on July 05, 2009, 01:32:08 PM: another nice thing bout an august bear, atleast from what ive seen, they dont got all that fat on them. i saw one killed in nov and the thing had to be skinned twice, one for the hide and one for the 2in layer of fat
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: stumprat on July 05, 2009, 01:43:47 PM: Everyone stay informed. Also we need to keep calling and writing the department about August bear.

Thought I would pass along an e-mail I recieved.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul,

I spoke with Donny Martorello, Bear & Cougar Manager, regarding the 2010 bear seasons. He indicated that the WAC will be going in front of the Commission at the March and April 2010 Commission meetings. I currently do not have the dates for those meetings. Please feel free to check back with me if you have any further questions. I hope this helps to answer your question.

Thank you,

Katey Jones

Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Wildlife Program

katey.jones@dfw.wa.gov

Phone: (360) 902-2243

Fax: (360) 902-2162

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My fear was that this issue would be addressed during the fall and winter. (while we were all busy hunting).
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearmanric on July 05, 2009, 07:55:24 PM: i'm surprised the number of people thinking it's wrong Hunting bear in aug. another nail in the coffin. enjoy your year every one. i'm not into to posting any more. just going to get out enjoy what i have. few year's it will be permit only elk and deer. there disapearing to fast. Rick :) :hello:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: actionshooter on July 05, 2009, 08:19:15 PM: Quote from: bearmanric on July 05, 2009, 07:55:24 PM
i'm surprised the number of people thinking it's wrong Hunting bear in aug. another nail in the coffin. enjoy your year every one. i'm not into to posting any more. just going to get out enjoy what i have. few year's it will be permit only elk and deer. there disapearing to fast. Rick :) :hello:

Hey Rick, I didn't see anyone on this thread that was against bear hunting in August. Just that everyone agreed that if you get one you have to get it out quick :)
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: littlebuf on July 05, 2009, 08:21:11 PM: i'll be in the woods 3 am aug 1st. im all for aug bear huntin
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: 180-GRAIN on July 05, 2009, 08:42:56 PM: I have taken a bear aug 1st three out of the last four years and they have all had good hides and made great rugs. I have seen a couple bears with rubs and let them go. As far as hunting in august though I like it, its another reason to get out of the house chase after critters and get some scouting in for later seasons.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearmanric on July 05, 2009, 08:45:10 PM: sorry i felt like people were against us hunting in aug. i just dont want to lose more hunting going to miss cougar as it is. love my predator calling it's dwindeling . i just cant wait to get out and call.Rick :)
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: bearmanric on July 05, 2009, 08:47:24 PM: my biggest whining is sept going to be alot of people in the wood's. i do work very hard to stay out of the bowhunters way. Rick :)
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: actionshooter on July 05, 2009, 08:54:37 PM: Quote from: bearmanric on July 05, 2009, 08:47:24 PM
my biggest whining is sept going to be alot of people in the wood's. i do work very hard to stay out of the bowhunters way. Rick :)

Your right about that, it can be tough with the bowhunters when trying to chase bears
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: let.it.fly on July 06, 2009, 07:09:40 AM: Quote from: actionshooter on July 05, 2009, 08:54:37 PM
Quote from: bearmanric on July 05, 2009, 08:47:24 PM
my biggest whining is sept going to be alot of people in the wood's. i do work very hard to stay out of the bowhunters way. Rick :)

Your right about that, it can be tough with the bowhunters when trying to chase bears

i cant say i wouldnt be mad if i was on a stalk with my bow and someone shot my bear from 250 yrds but we all have to share the woods right. i would be mad but at the same time im sure i would help with the drag out. i mean as long as the guy was respectful.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: littlebuf on July 06, 2009, 08:41:34 PM: man im pumped up now! took the wife out scouting to in a areaive been wanting to check out and the bear sign was every where. buncha scat and i stopped counting the peels and ripped up stumps. come on aug 1st :whoo:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: robb92 on July 09, 2009, 02:52:48 PM: In Virginia I have to wait until October to hunt for black bear, the archery season runs from October 3 to Nov. 13 and the the muzzleloader season is from 31 Oct to 13 Nov, the rifle season is a little longer the end of Nov to into jan 2010. Deer season also starts late this year for archery and ml and rifle/shotgun.

I hope to get out near my grnadpas place in in Clayton when i come back next month. Fingers crossed I can tag one and then bleach the skull while I am there and put the hide in the freezer.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: Kain on July 11, 2009, 10:22:21 AM: 20 MORE DAYS!!!!!!
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: Kain on July 17, 2009, 04:49:38 PM: 15 to go. :bash: :bash: :bash: Anyone else? I have watched every youtube video I could find. Some more than once. Looked at satellite pictures until my eyes crossed. I haven't got any scouting done in a couple weeks but might try next weekend.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: billythekidrock on July 17, 2009, 05:19:06 PM: I really thought I would have one or two pinned down, but I haven't been out in a couple weeks and the last time out I couldn't find fresh sign. :bash:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: stumprat on July 17, 2009, 05:29:40 PM: Another scouting trip tomorrow!!!!!!!!! :whoo:
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: Kain on July 17, 2009, 05:31:03 PM: I found some fresh sign last time I was out. Some busted up brush and grass all around some salmon berries and one track that was a little over 4 inches wide. Of course the brush was so thick where I found the sign that I have no idea how to hunt it. Gonna try blind calling if I cant find something else.
Title: Re: Now it less than 2 weeks to go.!!!!!
Post by: HoofsandWings on July 18, 2009, 03:43:23 PM: I am going coastal. Maybe a Forks bear??
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: SFD2015 on July 19, 2009, 12:12:19 PM: This will be my first year actively bear hunting. I plan on using my Remington .300 Win Mag. Any recommendations on grain? Is my .300 Win Mag to much? How about a 7mm?

Can't wait to get out and about though. Should be heading out next week for a couple of day scouting trips.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: PacificNWhunter on July 21, 2009, 10:09:24 PM: I shoot 165's out of my .300 win mag. Go with what shoots best out of your gun. Seem's like alot of guys shoot 180's out of their .300's.
Title: Re: One month to go
Post by: HUNT on July 21, 2009, 10:14:07 PM: 180 grain bullets shoot great out of my 300 win mag.... had a hard time getting the 165's to group less than 1" @100 yrds.... But each rifle is different. Go with what works best in your rifle.