Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Rufous on March 27, 2010, 08:33:15 AM

Title: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on March 27, 2010, 08:33:15 AM: I am a bit ashamed. Not so much that I am not going to enjoy the heck out of this upcoming spring bear hunt. I have now gotten the spring bear tag 5 times. One of my hunting buddies has only gotten the spring bear tag once in 2004 and he now has 6 points and did not get drawn.

My first spring bear tag was in 2000 in Blue Creek. My brother also drew the tag and took a big boar but I did not fill my tag. Here is a photo of his bear which was approximately 350#:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi26.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc115%2Frufous%2Fecbigbear.jpg&hash=77b75be4ebcee50306a8c43ce3c9dde5967aab13)

Then in 2001 I drew Wenaha solo and ended up taking my biggest bear to date, a 13 year old boar that had a 20" green skull and weighed about 400#. Here is a photo of that bad boy:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi26.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc115%2Frufous%2Fbcbear01.jpg&hash=5876cc80efc2bf3e14a86f54e556d906f64032ad)

Then in 2005 my brother and I drew in Blue Creek. I took a 12 year old boar and my brother took a young bear. Here is a photo of me with my boar:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi26.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc115%2Frufous%2Fbc05bear2.jpg&hash=0ace41550c7c67a9bdf4dde476d33196b7e77e91)

Then in 2007 my brother and I drew Dayton. He took a young boar and I took this 7 year old boar with my Ruger 45 Colt:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi26.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc115%2Frufous%2Fbc07bruin1-1.jpg&hash=47a26641dcac34ad307920261c38fbf9ef1ba283)

So now my brother and I got drawn again for Dayton and I am very much excited and looking forward to the hunt. There is a ridge where I have quite often seen lots of bears feeding on the grass and the onions (later in the season). I am hoping with the mild winter I will be able to access that ridge sooner and that the onions might be ripening earlier. I took this photo of a big boar who was trailing a sow on the same ridge a couple years ago and hope I might be able to tag him this spring or one of his size:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi26.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc115%2Frufous%2Fdayridge2.jpg&hash=eb4c5747e8242bef8609672646f1fb6009f9f27e)

To all who drew the spring bear hunt I wish you the best of luck and beware the ticks. I have already pulled three off of the back of my neck this year. They were not embedded yet fortunately but I think it is going to be a very bad year for ticks.
Title: Re: Rufous' Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: yelp on March 27, 2010, 08:49:38 AM: I am calling you if I ever draw Rufous...OK! This year is going to be a screamer...early spring.
Title: Re: Rufous' Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Ridgerunner on March 27, 2010, 08:55:41 AM: beautiful color phase bears there. Would love a cool color phase bear.
Title: Re: Rufous' Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: benhuntin on March 27, 2010, 09:35:02 AM: With that kind of luck you should post pics of your Moose, Sheep and Goat hunts too. :lol4:
Title: Re: Rufous' Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: jackelope on March 27, 2010, 09:57:15 AM: Quote from: Ridgerunner on March 27, 2010, 08:55:41 AM
beautiful color phase bears there. Would love a cool color phase bear.

Well looking at those photo's, Rufous should be looking for a cool black bear. Do they have any black colored bears down in the blues?
:dunno:
Title: Re: Rufous' Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Ridgerunner on March 27, 2010, 10:06:02 AM: Rufus has the luck when it comes to drawing permits, wow!
Title: Re: Rufous' Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: saylean on March 27, 2010, 10:21:17 AM: Awesome colors on those brearskies. I remember the one with you holding your pistol. Good luck man! Try to get a black one this time...you seem to find the chocolates!
Title: Re: Rufous' Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: 180-GRAIN on March 27, 2010, 11:11:43 AM: Man those are some beautiful colored bears, been trying a long time to get one with colors like that. I guess some guys have all the luck :drool:
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on March 27, 2010, 12:02:33 PM: Yes I have been lucky and I am not even Irish. I have not yet drawn sheep or goat but here is a pic of me with my 2008 Huckleberry Range Moose, taken 10/4/08:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi26.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc115%2Frufous%2FIMG_1406.jpg&hash=ec7acc72749d30faa3321d955d083db586373db1)

And here is my brother with his moose taken in the same unit later in November of 2008:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi26.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc115%2Frufous%2FEthanMoose1.jpg&hash=403bd5d4dd174978ce0ff2a159191b9250552272)

I have taken a couple black phase black bears but none of them were in WA. I do not see very many black ones here in the blues. I would love to get one though or a blonde one which I see fairly often but have not taken yet.

Here is a 10 year old black boar I got May of 2003 in Idaho:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi26.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc115%2Frufous%2FPicture149.jpg&hash=ec4c3e9b86b4dce2320b4029d3bdd6f2a010d971)

And here is a 10 year old black boar I got in May of 2004 in southeast Alaska:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi26.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc115%2Frufous%2FPicture122.jpg&hash=ab060e1dd9728932654b6adc6f1e732c09d7d50f)
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: buckmaster_wa on March 27, 2010, 12:11:39 PM: Man your a boar killin machine. Good job.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: 180-GRAIN on March 27, 2010, 12:13:03 PM: Black phased is all I seem to find me and my fiance have taken six bears in the last three years and seem probably atleast 70 different bears all have been black. We are on the west side so it must just be in the gene pool over here, probably the same for color phased on the east side.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: winston2789 on March 27, 2010, 12:13:31 PM: Ya, those are some great animals!!! Congrats :drool: I wish I was half as lucky as you
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Firing Pin on March 27, 2010, 02:07:13 PM: Alright, I gotta ask????? Rufos you the man, and WHO do you know? The guy that pulls the numbers? :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: benhuntin on March 27, 2010, 03:11:37 PM: I was just jokin about the moose tag. You must be one lucky bugger when it comes to drawin tags. Looks like you put your time in in the woods. Congrats on the moose your sheep tag will probably be in the mail this year. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: BENCHLEG on March 27, 2010, 06:16:48 PM: nice job. but you all can see that the point system sucks . >:( >:(
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: bucklucky on March 27, 2010, 08:05:50 PM: Point system is great, at least everyone has an opportunity to draw. Just have to be one of the lucky ones ;)

Congrats Rufus! Thanks for posting all them great animals you have killed !!
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on March 27, 2010, 08:24:06 PM: I think maybe they keep giving me a spring bear tag because I tend to fill the dang thing. I cannot believe how many tags go unfilled. It is just not that hard to fill a spring bear tag and the Fish and Game presumably wants some bears dead. Just funnin' y'all a bit. ;)
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: gramps on March 27, 2010, 08:31:22 PM: Glad you got drawn again...not...just kidding. My brother and I did not draw this spring. Good hunting..I think you know where they are gonna be.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on March 27, 2010, 10:18:15 PM: I got in a 6 mile hike this afternoon in some prime bear habitat. Thought I might see one or at least some tracks but didn't. I did see some lion tracks laid down since Thursday nights snow though. It may be a bit yet before the bears are out in force over here in the Blues.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Deep Forks on March 28, 2010, 01:44:01 AM: Awesome bear :) Sure you have a little luck but I tend to think you put your time in scouting and observing they're behavoir. You have to have knowledge to continually take large boar's and the patience and persistance to not pull the trigger on sow's and small boar's. ;) Congrats. that 500 is out there waiting for you. ;)
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: high country on March 28, 2010, 07:44:17 AM: good lord I thought I was lucky at pulling tags, you DO buy lottery tickets I hope. given the track record I bet you smoke a winner.....and pull a tag next year too.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: bowhunterforever on March 28, 2010, 08:33:28 PM: Nice bears and moose! :tup:
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: finnman on March 29, 2010, 02:35:36 PM: Hate is such a strong word, but you must hate bears Rufous!!! I don't think anyone who loves them could kill that many!!! Congrats on the tag! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: whacker1 on March 29, 2010, 02:41:49 PM: wow, you need to buy a powerball, lotto, and a few scratch tickets each night when you come home from hunting. Ride the luck wave as long as you can. Great bears and pics.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on March 29, 2010, 02:59:27 PM: Finnman, it is an odd contradiction but I know you and most of the rest of you will understand it when I say I actually really like bears. I think they are an interesting animal and I get a thrill out of seeing them and watching them whether I am hunting them or not. I think they are pretty tasty too! They are my favorite animal to hunt so far for sure.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: heavy hauler on March 29, 2010, 05:35:40 PM: cool pictures for sure. will you be able to get into where you want to go hunt or will there still be to much snow?it looks like you have it figured out :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on April 03, 2010, 07:44:59 PM: Well guys despite the relatively mild winter it will be a while yet before we can access the higher elevations in the Blue Mountains. This photo was taken at 5200' elevation. I started my hike today at 4200' and ended up doing about a 4.25 mile loop.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Elkstuffer on April 04, 2010, 09:01:34 AM: Quote from: BENCHLEG on March 27, 2010, 06:16:48 PM
nice job. but you all can see that the point system sucks . >:( >:(

I don't think Rufous shares your opinion BENCHLEG :chuckle:

Rufous, you are a bear killing machine. Very impressive. Especially the fact that you keep pulling these tags. I have 7 points now. Hopefully I'll have the time to cash them in next year.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on April 14, 2010, 08:04:30 PM: I am totally stoked. I got permission to hunt a very large chunk of private land that has a locked gate. I have seen plenty of bears in this property while glassing from public ground over the years and have wanted to hunt it. Finally I was able to get permission. I have to work tomorrow but Friday morning I am heading up to the Dayton unit to start scouting/hunting this property. I did a pretty good hike last Saturday near this property but did not see any bears or sign of bears out yet. I did see 3 spike elk that had made it through last seasons elk hunt as well as a bunch of deer and turkeys. Good luck to all you bear hunters this opening weekend.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: hogsniper on April 14, 2010, 08:06:45 PM: Looking forward to your updates Rufous! Cant wait to see what you put down! Keep us posted!!!
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Elkstuffer on April 14, 2010, 09:41:05 PM: GOOD LUCK!!!! Rufous! Hope you get a booner. Definately keep us updated.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: bucklucky on April 15, 2010, 07:40:34 AM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: BENCHLEG on April 15, 2010, 08:40:43 PM: good luck rufous, i was in the dayton and i saw lots of onions. they were small but grub. no bears and a-lot of glassing and walking no hard feelings good luck. J
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on April 16, 2010, 03:04:21 PM: My first day of the spring bear season started out with a "WHOOSH". I was trying to negotiate this rut so I was on the left side of the road when suddenly this blasted stick met up with my front left sidewall. Hopefully Les Schwab will have me back in the mountains this evening. I stopped by and made an appt. as they were backed up. Later, Brian.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on April 17, 2010, 08:20:15 PM: Gramps joined me today and we had a very nice day together. We only saw one bear but it was a better day than yesterday's fiasco with the flat tire. The bear was several hundred yards away and across a big canyon and on the small side to boot so we just watched it feeding on the grassy slope.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: PNUTCHI on April 18, 2010, 06:56:37 PM: Good luck out there. I think you may be on to something with your idea on so many tags going your direction. :dunno:
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: gramps on April 18, 2010, 07:32:47 PM: Thanks for the invitation, Rufous. It was a good day even without any big bears..they will be there soon.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: mulehunter on April 18, 2010, 08:03:54 PM: :( Most of time thing will ALWAYS something! :bash: Sorry about it but Sure its FUN of ADVENTURE! Hope your getting Bear!! Dont give up!!!

Mulehunter ;)
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Elkstuffer on April 18, 2010, 08:46:44 PM: :DOH: What did he say?
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: BENCHLEG on April 22, 2010, 06:46:02 PM: i hope that we get a kill report this weekend. good luck :'( :'( :'( i wish i had the tag.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on April 22, 2010, 08:19:25 PM: My gramma is having her 95th birthday party Saturday so we are heading over for that. You all will have to wait for my report after we hunt the last weekend of the month. Best to you all who are out after them thar bars this weekend.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: carpsniperg2 on April 22, 2010, 08:31:41 PM: gl hope you still get into one.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on April 30, 2010, 08:00:41 PM: We went out today but did not spot any bears. I sure thought we might but it was cool and windy all day. Too early still over here. May try again tomorrow if the weather clears up. It is supposed to rain in the morning, then maybe clear up for the afternoon.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on May 07, 2010, 09:48:05 PM: I spotted what looked to be a mature boar this evening. It was about 1500 yards or so away across a big canyon. No time to get over there but I plan to go in after him in the morning and hopefully will spot it again.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: upriver on May 08, 2010, 08:01:37 AM: Good luck- go git him!
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: BLUEBULLS on May 08, 2010, 08:49:05 AM: I bet we see pictures of a Pig of a boar soon. Rufous has those bears figured out!

Rufous, if you haven't killed one by next weekend, I'll be up there and I could show you where I saw "the one that got away" last year.

good luck and keep us posted :)
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: PacificNWhunter on May 08, 2010, 09:22:52 AM: Keep at it! You will knock one down soon!
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on May 08, 2010, 08:21:55 PM: That sucker was a no show. Maybe next weekend.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: BLKBEARKLR on May 08, 2010, 08:34:01 PM: Wow, congrats on drawing those tags. Nice pics of the bears you have taken so far, and good luck with the one you are after this year. Hope it all goes well for you.

Joe
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: shag on May 08, 2010, 08:37:54 PM: Quote from: Rufous on May 07, 2010, 09:48:05 PM
I spotted what looked to be a mature boar this evening. It was about 1500 yards or so away across a big canyon. No time to get over there but I plan to go in after him in the morning and hopefully will spot it again.

Awesome Rufous! Good chance he'll be there. Usually find em' within an hour or so.. PM sent
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 08, 2010, 10:46:55 PM: Good luck Rufous! Lotta snow up there still, looks like we got February in May... :dunno:
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: gramps on May 09, 2010, 06:26:59 PM: Good luck from B'ham...still think my trip will be delayed beyond next weekend.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: shag on May 14, 2010, 09:27:19 PM: Go Rufous!! Your pistola kill is my favorite all time bear kill...
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on May 14, 2010, 09:34:09 PM: Shag, which pistola kill? Are you referring to the one I took May of 2007 or September of 2009?

My brother took a young boar today so now we focus on finding me a mature boar. We saw a decent blonde bear today but it was too far away. I may post a photo later of my brothers bear depending on how it turned out.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: bucklucky on May 15, 2010, 07:50:50 AM: Congrats to your Bro!
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on May 15, 2010, 07:58:37 PM: We saw 5 bears today but they were either too small or too far away. Maybe next weekend I can find the big boy I am after.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: shag on May 16, 2010, 07:22:54 AM: May 2007! Didn't know about the sept 2009 kill.. Do tell... :drool:
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on May 16, 2010, 07:50:30 AM: Shag, check this link for the story and photos:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,33667.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,33667.0.html)
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: shag on May 17, 2010, 07:30:01 PM: Thanks for the link I'll check it out!
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: shag on May 18, 2010, 09:13:09 PM: Rufous, That is about as cool as it gets!! Two bears with the colt. You are the man! Very inspiring!!
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on May 21, 2010, 05:33:12 PM: Shag, yes that bear hunt of mine last fall was pretty much my finest hunting moment so far. I felt like quite the stud.

I went up Skyline Drive today and got into a friggin blizzard. It was a bust. I was able to make it about 3 miles past Paige Ridge before the snow blocked the road (at least for my truck). Weather does not look any better for tomorrow.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: BENCHLEG on May 21, 2010, 09:46:15 PM: keep at it :) YOU CAN DO IT.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on May 23, 2010, 07:40:20 AM: The weather looks decent today so I am going out after Mr. Bruiser Bruin. It will be cool but it hopefully will not rain and snow like it did Friday and most likely was doing yesterday.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: longrange7mm on May 23, 2010, 08:00:14 AM: good luck
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 23, 2010, 08:24:10 AM: I can see fresh snow from my house. Good luck man. Weird spring..
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Rufous on May 23, 2010, 08:32:08 PM: Weird spring for sure. Normally by now I would have seen dozens of bears. Today, despite a 6.25 mile hike in which I climbed from 4170' elevation up to 5250' and then back down to 3600' before climbing back up to my truck, I did not see a single bear. I glass some prime areas but the bears just were not out. I did make it up to my favorite bear ridge for the first time since spring bear season started. Back in June of 2007 I photographed this bear on the same ridge.

Then a year ago today I photoed this bear on the same ridge.

Then today on the same ridge within 50 yards of where I photoed the bear a year ago I saw this massive pile of poo. The cartridge is a 300 Win Mag. The girth on the turds was impressive. Maybe next weekend I can put my tag on this bad boy.
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 23, 2010, 10:26:21 PM: What a beast! Good luck catching up to him...
Title: Re: Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 23, 2010, 10:29:40 PM: thats a dabdy bear for sure