Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: NW-GSP on April 18, 2011, 05:44:47 PM

Title: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: NW-GSP on April 18, 2011, 05:44:47 PM: I am unable to make it out till the end of the month and it is driving me crazy. Anyone having much luck finding them or any sign?
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Gutpile on April 18, 2011, 05:46:17 PM: I'm going back up Friday to see if they're out yet.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: seth30 on April 18, 2011, 06:02:17 PM: Went yote hunting yesterday, and every stump I saw was recently tore up.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: boonerboy on April 18, 2011, 06:07:22 PM: cut some fresh tracks at 4,000 feet about a week and a half ago. They are out and movin around. 8)
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: funkster on April 18, 2011, 07:29:59 PM: I have not even hit the woods yet. I spent sat/sunday shooting my muzzleloader in preparation! I am going to start with the bow then the muzzleloader then if all else fails bust out the 7mm. I am planning a 3-4 day weekday trip first week of May.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: shedcrazy on April 18, 2011, 07:53:35 PM: No tag, but have seen them and my buddies have seen a few, definately on the move
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: blindpig on April 19, 2011, 10:49:43 AM: Going to hit Kapowsin on Saturday....again, keep you posted.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: bearpaw on April 19, 2011, 11:07:52 AM: Bear are still sleeping over here, haven't even hunted them yet, and haven't seen any tracks yet.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on April 19, 2011, 04:40:16 PM: BearPaw your starting to make me nervous. :bdid:
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: bobcat on April 19, 2011, 04:46:11 PM: I saw bear tracks last Sunday while I was out checking my trail cameras. This was in the Lincoln unit, but not in the area that's open for spring bear. They're definitely moving around here.

But I would expect that activity will pick up even more in three or four more weeks.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: halflife65 on April 19, 2011, 05:00:05 PM: Currently in China and missing the first couple of weekends of season. I wonder if my spring bear tag transfers to a Panda tag? Might need to check into that...
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Jerome on April 19, 2011, 05:08:17 PM: It will pick up in May. They should really make all the permits from May 1st-June 15th.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: mulehunter on April 19, 2011, 05:58:43 PM: Quote from: bearpaw on April 19, 2011, 11:07:52 AM
Bear are still sleeping over here, haven't even hunted them yet, and haven't seen any tracks yet.

I remember Cindy permit I help u two years ago around march 15 2010 I cut a day old fresh bear trax appox 250 to 300 something.... I will give u a hints where... :drool:

Sent u pm with some idea of where u should try check it out.

Mulehunter. ;)
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: bodangles on April 19, 2011, 07:58:50 PM: I am still stuck at work! Are you guys chaseing any around kapowson. Please leave a slow dumb blind one for me since i am archeryin it, as long as its 375 plus. Good luck to you boys.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: sled on April 19, 2011, 09:56:01 PM: I went out today and saw a bear. never had a chance for a shot was gone before I could get out of the truck. Dissapointing but it looked like it was small. Atleast they are starting to move. :)
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Machias on April 19, 2011, 10:21:01 PM: Shoot it's still winter over here!!
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: crow360 on April 19, 2011, 11:31:46 PM: Heading to lincoln next week, I hope they are out and about its my only chance. Anyone else been to lincoln unit lately???
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Decker on April 21, 2011, 04:03:56 AM: Heading out with the bow today. Will chase gobblers and look for sign of grumpy pants moving.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: bearpaw on April 21, 2011, 05:40:48 AM: Quote from: Machias on April 19, 2011, 10:21:01 PM
Shoot it's still winter over here!!

Yep, snowing at my place again this morning, we've been hunting snow gobblers, no sign of any bear yet anywhere we've been, but it's supposed to start warming up and be 60 by the end of the week.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: mulehunter on April 21, 2011, 09:33:24 AM: Dang.... it would be fun to find a Sow and cubs out there in cave or stump before bear wake up. Have a safe bear hunting.

Enjoy those film.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvJRDpTUIrJI&v=vJRDpTUIrJI&gl=US (http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvJRDpTUIrJI&v=vJRDpTUIrJI&gl=US)

Mulehunter
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Todd_ID on April 22, 2011, 09:38:26 AM: Spent last couple days out in Lick Creek unit. Snowed like crazy all day Wednesday. Wind was blowing steady 30-35 all day Thursday with snowing like crazy. No sign or tracks to be found. Snow drifts still have all the roads shut at some point, so access isn't easy. Did talk to a shed hunter who had seen a couple bears out, though.

Come on warmer weather!
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: blindpig on April 25, 2011, 10:26:28 AM: went out again on Saturday, (Kapow) no bears, lots of elk, deer and one bobcat.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: beardog T on April 25, 2011, 10:42:49 AM: seen one saturday almost got him with the quad :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: HoofsandWings on April 25, 2011, 11:15:22 AM: What I find interesting is at least the guys posting here are actually hunting. I was looking at past years harvest reports and see that only half of the permit holders actually hunt.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Decker on April 25, 2011, 10:28:36 PM: One run in at about 40 yards with a nice one, but never got a shot with my bow. Found a couple piles of fresh scat in the area (see post Close Encounter). Must have been one of the first out in eastside as I covered TONS of top grade feeding/den areas and haven't found anything else. Called in two long beards in the process, one missed by my buddy with his Hoyt @ 15 yards, the other a good hit/pass-through @ 32 yards with my Diamond and a fly off the hill; before we could find it a predator ran off with it, leaving only a couple of severed wing-feathers and part of the beard.

Later that same afternoon another 'yote busted up my stalk on the bear at 40 yards. I'm going to start carrying my .204. IT'S ON WITH THE DOGS. Will be out again for three days this weekend after Yogi.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: NW-GSP on April 26, 2011, 12:09:06 PM: Decker what area are you hunting?
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: grundy53 on April 26, 2011, 12:51:35 PM: Quote from: HoofsandWings on April 25, 2011, 11:15:22 AM
What I find interesting is at least the guys posting here are actually hunting. I was looking at past years harvest reports and see that only half of the permit holders actually hunt.

Or half SAID they didn't hunt.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: HoofsandWings on April 26, 2011, 04:06:53 PM: Quote from: grundy53 on April 26, 2011, 12:51:35 PM
Quote from: HoofsandWings on April 25, 2011, 11:15:22 AM
What I find interesting is at least the guys posting here are actually hunting. I was looking at past years harvest reports and see that only half of the permit holders actually hunt.

Or half SAID they didn't hunt.
Spring bear is unique in my opinion. The drawing is only weeks prior to the opener. You've made those New Years resolutions like I am going lose weight and get in shape, or I am going to take time off work, etc? Also, you have a buddy who is all fired up about going with you if you get drawn.
Then reality hits and the buddy can't make it and you have been a couch potato all spring.
If there was a spring bear for everyone somewhere in the State, then if you did not get drawn, you still can hunt somewhere.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: BENCHLEG on April 26, 2011, 04:24:05 PM: for me my plan has been the same all-along i will go may 27 thru the weekend and that will be it. and i hope to find a small 1. good luck to all. :hello:
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: BuckHunter23 on April 26, 2011, 11:45:13 PM: Heading up to Huckleberry, May 18-22nd. Hope to have better luck this year.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Decker on April 26, 2011, 11:52:00 PM: Quote from: NW-GSP on April 26, 2011, 12:09:06 PM
Decker what area are you hunting?

Huckleberry Unit.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Wea300mag on April 27, 2011, 06:38:44 PM: I sounds like we will be getting some more Spring weather this weekend, hopefully we will start seeing some more bear success stories.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: bearpaw on April 27, 2011, 06:53:57 PM: still snowing around colville almost daily :bash:
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: NW-GSP on April 27, 2011, 07:38:58 PM: was all jacked up to go this weekend but cant go now cause work wont let me take time off due to a
a co worker failing his random u/a :'( I will have to wait two weeks to be able to make a trip over.

good news is that I will be taking over his delivery route and will now have weekends off instead of working mon,wens,fri,sat

the worst part of the whole thing is that the guy has four kids and his wife doesnt work, what a selfish thing to do, as a truck driver you are always going to be drug tested
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Jesse Jaymes on April 28, 2011, 09:53:20 AM: I've seen 16 so far this year...........no tag AGAIN. How many F'ing points does it take to draw a spring tag?

Off to Idaho tomorrow and 3 days next week. Not as easy over there.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: NW-GSP on May 01, 2011, 02:03:30 PM: Went out to the copalis area and hunted sat afternoon till two on sunday. I did not see any bear sign at all, I also tried calling a few times
With no luck. I was hoping to atleast see some bear sign on this trip but maybe its still too early?
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Gutpile on May 01, 2011, 04:21:42 PM: Just got a text from Decker. He found one and is trying to get in for the shot as we ~~speak~~ type. He also called in a Mt. Lion this weekend. :yike:
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Gutpile on May 01, 2011, 04:28:25 PM: Heres a pic he just sent me. He's on one boys and girls. :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: bowsandhose on May 01, 2011, 04:46:02 PM: :drool:
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 01, 2011, 04:49:36 PM: Looks like a nice bear! hope he can smack it :IBCOOL: Is it a choc phase, kinda looks like it in the pic?
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Gutpile on May 01, 2011, 05:09:47 PM: Not sure. Just waiting on pics and texts. Looks like it to me.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: NW-GSP on May 01, 2011, 05:15:39 PM: Quote from: Gutpile on May 01, 2011, 05:09:47 PM
Not sure. Just waiting on pics and texts. Looks like it to me.

Where is he hunting?
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Gutpile on May 01, 2011, 05:23:20 PM: I dont know that either. Public land in 121.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: rasbo on May 01, 2011, 06:07:43 PM: Quote from: Gutpile on May 01, 2011, 04:21:42 PM
Just got a text from Decker. He found one and is trying to get in for the shot as we ~~speak~~ type. He also called in a Mt. Lion this weekend. :yike:
time thats exciting,,,
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: mulehunter on May 01, 2011, 06:13:47 PM: :drool:

Mulehunter
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: NW-GSP on May 01, 2011, 06:19:30 PM: oh man I cant wait for an update! I was didnt see a thing all weekend so I hope someone else gets one :)
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Gutpile on May 01, 2011, 06:21:26 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on May 01, 2011, 04:49:36 PM
Looks like a nice bear! hope he can smack it :IBCOOL: Is it a choc phase, kinda looks like it in the pic?

Just got word. Black with brown rump. I think he gave him the slip for now. Will keep updating if I hear more
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 01, 2011, 06:52:06 PM: That looks like a good one.. It should start getting good anytime now ... 2nd week in May is the sweet spot ... get em men !! :hello:
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 01, 2011, 07:04:21 PM: Quote from: Gutpile on May 01, 2011, 06:21:26 PM
Quote from: carpsniperg2 on May 01, 2011, 04:49:36 PM
Looks like a nice bear! hope he can smack it :IBCOOL: Is it a choc phase, kinda looks like it in the pic?

Just got word. Black with brown rump. I think he gave him the slip for now. Will keep updating if I hear more

Thanks for the update, looked like a cool color.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Decker on May 02, 2011, 01:12:35 AM: Well he didn't quite give me the slip, I followed him to his den and watched him hole up. He never came out, so I'm sure he's still there or will be close tomorrow. I came home to re-up on the undies and socks. I posted better photos of him on another thread so be sure to check out why I'll be passing on him. I was a solid 20 yards from him when I let him walk into the den with my bow drawn. I wasn't sure about the coloring on the rump, thought it was just chocolate colored there. Came home to check the photos from my Canon to find out he apparently has a balding problem? :dunno:

I DO know that while he was in his den, I heard at least one other bear just down the hill, and have identified 5 different bear from size/location of sign found.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Gutpile on May 02, 2011, 05:27:58 AM: You've got a great hunt going on this spring. I'm sure pulling for you.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Decker on May 02, 2011, 02:16:14 PM: Quote from: Gutpile on May 02, 2011, 05:27:58 AM
You've got a great hunt going on this spring. I'm sure pulling for you.

Thanks, I've been very blessed to find an area with so much activity. ...that and I've put a #$@load of miles on the boots. They aren't too happy.

I've told my wife I'm growing out my spring BEARd. It comes down when my bear does...or at the end of the season - she's rooting pretty hard for me now, too :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 02, 2011, 02:39:44 PM: :chuckle: We might have to call you grizzly adams if you hold out much longer :chuckle:
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: bearpaw on May 03, 2011, 05:43:17 AM: We've had a couple warm days, that will bring more bear out, looks like another clear day today. I am between turkey hunters now so I may go have a peak around the bear country.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: hoyt5199 on May 03, 2011, 08:34:49 AM: Well with the last couple days of being warm I figured I would have seen something. It was pretty disappointing, but I know it will happen, if the weather ever straightens up. I was planning on staying for 4 days but with the pouring rain and no sign at all, i figured id pack it up and wait a couple weeks.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: tarbabyone on May 03, 2011, 12:02:38 PM: My buddy Ghosthunter and I tried a couple of areas on Friday. Saw some fresher scat in the Skagit area but nothing other than that. Went out on Sunday for a drive and walk with the wife. No new sign located. Got all the way up to the snow line hoping to find some bear feeding on the fresh grass. No go on that. At $4.00+ a gallon I don't know if this is all worth it. Nice to get out and drive areas not normally open. I have seen deer, elk, grouse and one otter so that was fun.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: sled on May 04, 2011, 09:46:04 PM: Maybe tommorow night?
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Decker on May 06, 2011, 02:56:46 PM: Put 6+miles on the boots Wednesday, scouting more around adjacent to the ground I've been hunting. Not a single shred of bear evidence. Saw 6 moose, 4 elk, and found a nice shed but on such a nice day, the bear activity was alarmingly drab. I'm working this weekend, but with the way the weather is looking for next week, I'll be hitting it hard. I'll post up some photos of last weeks adventures soon.
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: BuckHunter23 on May 09, 2011, 02:53:39 PM: Heading over to the Huckleberry unit on Wednesday next week for my brother's hunt. Should be good times. Encouraging to hear that the weather is supposed to be better and others have seen some sign of life. Good luck everyone!
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Decker on May 10, 2011, 02:28:55 PM: Getting out for the next few days. With this weather, things are looking up :)
Title: Re: 2011 spring bear- hows everyone doing so far?
Post by: Decker on May 10, 2011, 08:53:09 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on May 02, 2011, 02:39:44 PM
:chuckle: We might have to call you grizzly adams if you hold out much longer :chuckle:

It's gettin' burly out here. Back in camp for the week.