Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Maverick on May 16, 2011, 11:53:50 AM

Title: how to bear hunt?
Post by: Maverick on May 16, 2011, 11:53:50 AM: I've been wanting to get into bear hunting. I deer hunt along with fox, coyote, turkeys, ducks, geese, and upland game. I don't have any friends or family members that have killed a bear. So what I need to know is what kind of areas should I look? Does the time of day matter? Do I call them in or hike and spot? How easy is it while hunting to tell the differance between a boar and sow? Is the fur better in the spring or in the fall for a rug? What do I need to get started? I'd really like to try my luck at one this september. Any advice helps guys thanks!
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: BIGINNER on May 16, 2011, 11:56:20 AM: GONNA MARK THIS THREAD FOR MYSELF :)

IHAVE BEAR TAG IN MY BACK POCKET, AND DUNNO WHAT TO DO WITH IT. :chuckle:
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: bodangles on May 16, 2011, 08:04:06 PM: Spring time is always better on the hide but the bears are smaller since they have been in their den all winter. When you see one watch how they walk and how big the head looks, A large bear will rock side to side and his ears will look small. A small bear will be more active like a teenager and his body will look alot leaner. The rest is up to you, and dont worry! everyone starts out a rookie, Just have fun.
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: saylean on May 16, 2011, 08:08:58 PM: Theres a TON of info on bear hunting in the bear forum....

Find berries, find bears.
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: runamuk on May 16, 2011, 08:22:57 PM: Quote from: saylean on May 16, 2011, 08:08:58 PM
Theres a TON of info on bear hunting in the bear forum....

Find berries, find bears.

:yeah: What he said...
this will be my 3rd season after bears and hoping 3 is still my lucky number.....please please please with whip cream and cherries make this my year ....
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: Huntbear on May 16, 2011, 08:29:08 PM: Quote from: runamuk on May 16, 2011, 08:22:57 PM
Quote from: saylean on May 16, 2011, 08:08:58 PM
Theres a TON of info on bear hunting in the bear forum....

Find berries, find bears.

:yeah: What he said...
this will be my 3rd season after bears and hoping 3 is still my lucky number.....please please please with whip cream and cherries make this my year ....

x1000
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 16, 2011, 08:34:21 PM: Where are you from what area do you plan on hunting?
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: Maverick on May 16, 2011, 11:52:18 PM: I'll be hunting up in th blue mountains. I live in tricities.
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: 3nails on May 17, 2011, 05:31:52 AM: You sure picked a good year to start! This will be the best bear year since 1999. Consider a trip to the wetside if you really want one. Find berries up high that you have to hike 3+ miles in to get to and it should be a sure thing. IMO bears are by far the easiest big game animal to get.
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on May 17, 2011, 05:55:27 AM: This will be a down year for berries with the high snowpack.
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: 3nails on May 17, 2011, 06:02:42 AM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on May 17, 2011, 05:55:27 AM
This will be a down year for berries with the high snowpack.
Which is exactly why the hunting will be so good! Only the plants on the south facing slopes will produce this year which will force the bears into the open. They won't be able to feed in the timber. Also, wait until late Sept.- early Oct.
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: bear on May 17, 2011, 06:03:24 AM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on May 17, 2011, 05:55:27 AM
This will be a down year for berries with the high snowpack.
Very true, but that just means you have to find patches of berries and the bears will be more concentrated in those areas. :twocents: Bear
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: Woodchuck on May 17, 2011, 06:29:04 AM: Take a couple weekends and do some scouting and don't just stay in the mountains. Lots of open land around with lots of old wild apples and plums and that my friend is where to find the bears around here. :twocents:
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 17, 2011, 08:28:50 AM: Why would this be the best year since 99?
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: 3nails on May 17, 2011, 08:11:09 PM: Quote from: D-Rock425 on May 17, 2011, 08:28:50 AM
Why would this be the best year since 99?
That was the last time we had this kind of snowpack. (the year Baker set the record) I was still in my stage of killing 2 bears a year and that year I shot the 3rd bear I saw, a nice 300# black phase, and the 65th bear I saw, a 300+# chocolate that I called in and shot on video.
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: Bearhunter on May 17, 2011, 08:27:40 PM: As 3nails said, food sources will be limited which means bears will travel a lot more to find the high sugar content diet they need to put that fat on for the winter. This means they will spend long hours browsing on minimal feed to get enough rather than morning and evenings, they will be forced to forage longer... Calling may possibly be more productive as well if natural sources are limited, when a bear is hungry they will do what they got to do to bulk up :twocents:
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on May 17, 2011, 08:29:40 PM: With the snow pack there will be some fresh greens up high a little later chances are.
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: Maverick on May 18, 2011, 09:43:24 AM: wow lots of great advice guys! What kind of calls work great for bears? I'll admit i won't be too picky since it'll be my first bear. But I am going to spend some time up there and hopefully fill my tag this year!
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: 3nails on May 18, 2011, 08:00:22 PM: I've had success with the Primos fawn in distress. Shot a few coyotes that came in to it up there also.
Title: Re: how to bear hunt?
Post by: funkster on May 18, 2011, 08:17:47 PM: My uncle pulled the nooksack spring bear this year. We are planning on heading up tomorrow. If any of you skagit boys want to send us in the GENERAL right direction that would help us out a lot.