Post by: bearpaw on January 27, 2010, 10:14:30 AM
http://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter/bearID/ (http://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter/bearID/)
I feel that it is irresponsible of the state to not provide a bear test to unsuspecting bear hunters. How many deer hunters buy a bear tag (just in case). How many of these hunters know that they could see a grizzly in Washington.
The first time I took the test several years ago I did not get 100%, that scared me, if I was in the wrong situation I could make a mistake and accidentally shoot a grizzly. So I took the test again to get 100%, and I take the test every year before going bear hunting, just to insure I make no mistake.
The penalty for accidentally shooting a griuzzly could cost you $10,000 or more and loss of hunting privelages for several years, why take a chance, click the link provided and take the test, it's free.
Hopefully a moderator will make this a sticky since spring bear season is approaching.
Post by: Shootmoore on January 27, 2010, 10:41:55 AM
Also just plain good info to have.
Shootmoore
Post by: GoldTip on January 27, 2010, 10:53:25 AM
Bearpaw, I grew up in Montana and my Father outfitted for Grizzlies while we could still hunt them. I've gotten a 100% on the test several different times, but some of them do make you take a pause. I also think the reason the state of WA. does not have this test is because that would be tantamount to admitting that there is a real chance you could see one in the areas you've mentioned.
Post by: Gobble Gobble on January 27, 2010, 10:55:30 AM
Post by: NWBREW on January 27, 2010, 11:04:52 AM
The property next two me is for sale....it borders where my driveway comes in. We saw some people looking at it when we were there so I called John (the local realestate guy) to see if it was sold. He told me No...what had happened was these two guys stopped and looked at it, saw a black bear, yelled at it and it ran away. No big deal. So they called john and said we like it and want to purchase it. John got all the paper work together and the guys went back out to find survay markers. When they walked back into the brush and timber they walked up on a grizz. They yelled at it but they said all it did was stare them down as they were backing out. They went back...told John what had just happened and they didn't want the property. John told me they were shaking uncontrollably.
The tavern story and John story were 2 days apart. I told John what the guy in the tavern said and all John could say was WOW be careful out there guys. Like I say I have never seen a grizz out there but I have seen some huge(and I mean huge) color phase back bears. OK it was a long story and I'll stop now....just an FYI
Post by: Snowman on January 27, 2010, 11:12:05 AM
Post by: Shootmoore on January 27, 2010, 11:17:36 AM
Shootmoore you don't have to go to MT., if you hunt NE Washington you have a good chance of finding or stumbling on one of the Big Boys, I spent essentially 15 days scouting and hunting for my moose this past summer and fall, and not only saw one, he was plenty close, but thats was my own fault. Also found plenty of sign and a fresh grizzly boundary tree. There are a lot more than people think or than I believe even the biologists know.
Bearpaw, I grew up in Montana and my Father outfitted for Grizzlies while we could still hunt them. I've gotten a 100% on the test several different times, but some of them do make you take a pause. I also think the reason the state of WA. does not have this test is because that would be tantamount to admitting that there is a real chance you could see one in the areas you've mentioned.
Oh yea I agree. Thats why I said it was just plain good info to have. I would suggest anyone that plans on bear hunting in the Northern half of the state to take the training.
Shootmoore
Post by: Bigshooter on January 27, 2010, 12:27:59 PM
Post by: Bob33 on January 27, 2010, 12:32:16 PM
The Colorado State Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising hikers, hunters, fishermen and golfers to take extra precautions and be on the alert for bears while in the Dillon, Breckenridge, and Keystone area.
They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their clothing to alert but not startle the bears unexpectedly.
They also advise you to carry pepper spray in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch for signs of bear activity.
People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear droppings.
Black bear droppings are smaller and contain berries and possibly squirrel fur.
Grizzly bear droppings have little bells in them and smell like pepper spray.
:chuckle:
Post by: kantill on January 28, 2010, 04:04:55 PM
Post by: StanwoodSpartan on February 03, 2010, 12:04:13 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 03, 2010, 05:29:02 AM
Post by: Snowman on February 03, 2010, 09:20:59 AM
Not this again
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 03, 2010, 05:34:15 PM
I think the one photo that a lot of people missed was the Sow with cubs.
I think it should be a requirement to get 100% correct in order to pass. If you accidentally miss a question no harm no foul. You accidentally miss identify a grizzly and shoot it your in a world of trouble. Real life isn't a test. Your not going to get off the hook because of the the 10 bear you kill only 2 were griz. There is no 80% correct in real life.
Post by: BLR 243 on February 03, 2010, 06:14:52 PM
Post by: bearpaw on February 03, 2010, 10:33:52 PM
100% on the first try. Personally I was expecting it to be harder.
I think the one photo that a lot of people missed was the Sow with cubs.
I think it should be a requirement to get 100% correct in order to pass. If you accidentally miss a question no harm no foul. You accidentally miss identify a grizzly and shoot it your in a world of trouble. Real life isn't a test. Your not going to get off the hook because of the the 10 bear you kill only 2 were griz. There is no 80% correct in real life.
I totally agree with you, there is no room for a mistake on bear identity in this day and age. :twocents:
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on February 03, 2010, 10:53:40 PM
But don't be surprised to see one of the inland Grizzleys on the wet side of the Cascades. I've seen some sign that'll make your blood curdle west of the PCT. Miles west of the PCT!
-Steve
Post by: bearpaw on February 03, 2010, 11:29:29 PM
Post by: Kain on February 04, 2010, 05:28:51 PM
Post by: bearpaw on February 04, 2010, 05:42:11 PM
People have been seeing them for years but the population still seems to be low. With all the misidentification it is really hard to know.
Very true, I can tell you this, I have been hunting bear in WA for nearly 40 years for myself and many others and I have yet to see one, yet there are confirmed sightings, video taken of Griz, and an illegal kill that was prosecuted, all within 10 miles of where I live. I only live 3 miles from town. :twocents:
Post by: KillerMiller on February 04, 2010, 06:07:27 PM
Post by: Bulldozer on February 05, 2010, 12:28:08 AM
Post by: zackmioli on February 05, 2010, 09:31:04 AM
Post by: whacker1 on February 05, 2010, 10:55:58 AM
Post by: arees on February 05, 2010, 04:51:12 PM
Post by: mattaylor81 on February 06, 2010, 04:07:45 PM
Post by: elkaholic123 on February 06, 2010, 04:22:35 PM
Post by: high country on February 06, 2010, 08:16:50 PM
Post by: toe-jam on February 06, 2010, 08:44:23 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 07, 2010, 12:12:11 PM
Post by: patton1 on February 09, 2010, 06:08:08 PM
Post by: 3dsheetmetal on February 09, 2010, 09:23:52 PM
Post by: washelkhntr on February 09, 2010, 09:25:11 PM
Post by: bearpaw on February 09, 2010, 09:29:31 PM
I suggest you tell anyone you know that hunts bear in WA to take the test.
Post by: testar77 on February 09, 2010, 09:46:58 PM
Post by: demontang on February 14, 2010, 02:49:16 PM
Post by: goodtime on February 15, 2010, 08:29:51 PM
Post by: bearpaw on February 16, 2010, 06:10:18 AM
I think there are so many bear hunters that don't even think about grizzlies when hunting. I find it actually unfair that WDFW does not have this test or a similar one posted on their website and require passage as MT does before you can purchase a bear tag. :twocents:
Every so often they do change some of the photos, it's good to take a refresher now and then. :)
Post by: high country on February 16, 2010, 08:22:12 PM
Post by: Cleve on February 23, 2010, 09:44:34 AM
Post by: bearpaw on February 23, 2010, 10:00:54 AM
when I pulled the spring tag for the northeast the first year of the draw, they sent me a video that was a good one, it was boar vs sow and grizz vs blacks. I don't know why they do not have a link on their site.
That's good, I wonder if anyone else recieved that video or if they are still sending it out.
Local warden told me about a group of grizzlies (I think he said 5) he had reports about but doubted until he saw them in an open pasture here in NE WA. This happened a couple years ago. I sometimes bear hunt the same area so we try to be very careful with identification.
Post by: AKBowman on March 06, 2010, 07:19:55 PM