Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: DOUBLELUNG on August 08, 2010, 11:54:40 PM

Title: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 08, 2010, 11:54:40 PM: Well, a lot of this isn't news to some, but thought I'd start my own thread and quit jacking others! While I've killed nuisance bears when I worked for Wyoming Game and Fish, and culvert trapped them and relocated them both there and in WA, I freely admit limited expertise about hunting them. I USED to feel pretty blase about bears - but about four years ago my wife mentioned wanting to get a rug, and I've got the itch. I've passed on 3 sows with cubs, and missed a small black one in the Blues on a spring permit hunt. I'm starting to put it together, but am also racing time, so am asking for any advice you experienced killers care to share.

My dad's genetic gift to me was Type IIa hypercholesterolemia, aka precocious familial severe, diffuse coronary artery disease. In plain speak, even though we are outwardly healthy, we develop early heart disease and die young. All of my dad's male ancestors died between 21 and 42 years of age, my dad had his first heart attack at 29, and I felt my first chest pain at 36 despite tons of medications to control numbers. (Unmedicated, my total cholesterol runs around 430, regardless of diet and exercise; with medication, the numbers are great - my cholesterol is 130-160 medicated, BUT the disease progresses rapidly anyway). In November 2007, an incident while hunting elk alone in Wyoming pretty much ended my usual m.o. of hunting. I just had my 5th coronary artery stent placed, which means this early season I have a pretty good window of moderate activity to try and get it done (i've had 3 placed in the last 14 months, so I don't think I should plan on too many more seasons).

Not looking for pity - my life has been great, and probably will be until it ends. I would really like to get my wife a bear rug this fall. I am getting fit as fast as I can, and expect to be hunting within a few weeks - realistically, I will be restricted to fairly moderate terrain within 3 miles of the truck. I do have friends to help with the packing out, fortunately.

So, bear killers, any advice is greatly appreciated. I will probably restrict myself to day trips in Chelan County, and since I've wasted most of my leave time with medical stuff, I am mostly a weekend warrior.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 09, 2010, 12:00:23 AM: we have had great luck with calling bears. find a area with good sign in it and call. best calls for us have been fawn related. fawn bawl/fawn distress. look for water and good food sources. good luck to you hope you get one :tup:
Title: Re: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 09, 2010, 12:03:25 AM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on August 09, 2010, 12:00:23 AM
we have had great luck with calling bears. find a area with good sign in it and call. best calls for us have been fawn related. fawn bawl/fawn distress. look for water and good food sources. good luck to you hope you get one :tup:
Thanks sniper. I do a mean fawn distress call, have not tried it for bears. I do have some good locations with thick cover, will give that a try.
Title: Re: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 09, 2010, 12:06:49 AM: also if the area has a good elk population sometimes just plain elk calls will call them in as well. i know a few guys that just use elk calf calls and do pretty good with it. we have a smaller number of elk so fawn has proven itself for us here. hope to get harvest done and spend sometime chasin them around i have yet to get out this year myself :bash:
Title: Re: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: Machias on August 09, 2010, 08:50:00 AM: I'd be happy to try and call one in for you, anytime you want to go and I can make it, just let me know.
Title: Re: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 09, 2010, 10:08:38 AM: Quote from: Machias on August 09, 2010, 08:50:00 AM
I'd be happy to try and call one in for you, anytime you want to go and I can make it, just let me know.
Fred, that is really generous of you. Thanks. I'll email you when I'm up to snuff.
Title: Re: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: KillerMiller on August 09, 2010, 10:19:24 AM: Give me a call and I can help. I will PM my #.
Title: Re: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: CMG on August 09, 2010, 10:22:23 AM: Quote
I'd be happy to try and call one in for you, anytime you want to go and I can make it, just let me know.

Fred, that is really generous of you. Thanks. I'll email you when I'm up to snuff.

Cool!, Great gesture and great post. That right there is what keeps this site so good!
Title: Re: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: 400out on August 09, 2010, 10:47:33 AM: Now this is pay it forward! Good luck to you and we all pray for you :hello:
Title: Re: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 09, 2010, 12:03:39 PM: Thanks all. I appreciate the offers and will take advantage of them, but am really seeking advice. Very thankful for the advice, offers of help and prayers too.
Title: Re: Figured I'd quit thread jacking and start my own! looking for advice...
Post by: smitty on August 09, 2010, 11:34:54 PM: find the berries and wait. I have always had luck early in the morning. I have heard that if you have a boat, you can go on lake chelan and find a bear.....I just thought this might be easier for ya. Good luck I think that it is great that you have got some guys on here willing to help you out. You just might take'em up on it!!! I bet those guys would like helping a fellow hunter out or else they wouldn't have volunteered! good luck to you.