Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: rebal69972 on June 24, 2011, 04:55:14 PM

Title: looking for a place to start
Post by: rebal69972 on June 24, 2011, 04:55:14 PM: hello guys. i know this time of year there are hundreds of post from people looking for help. this one is kinda the same but different at the same time. my 12 y/o wants to go bear hunting this year and i have no idea where to start looking. i have my spot already but its archery only. i went to a few spots last year that i was told there where bear but i only saw a few sows and cubs and i was wondering if anyone could point me in a direction like all the rest I'm not looking for a honey hole just a very general area i really like to do my own scouting and i want him to learn the same thing.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 24, 2011, 05:15:28 PM: Is there an area of the state you have in mind?
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: RadSav on June 24, 2011, 05:24:30 PM: Quote from: JimmyHoffa on June 24, 2011, 05:15:28 PM
Is there an area of the state you have in mind?
:yeah:
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: bankwalker on June 24, 2011, 05:40:43 PM: i know ill be spending most of august up high in unit 460 or 335 around snoqualmie pass. been seeing tons of good sign and a few big bear this year scouting.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: RadSav on June 24, 2011, 06:06:19 PM: Head north not south from I-90. I find the population density is much better and the berry patches are more open. PCT either way off Stevens Pass good place to start as well. My best bears are from that general area.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: bankwalker on June 24, 2011, 06:12:45 PM: the general areas i have been scouting has been along the PCT aswell. just north of i90.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: rebal69972 on June 24, 2011, 06:29:48 PM: i was looking for within a couple hours of lakewood. i have scouted mossyrock and winston. a few deer and elk but no bear, same thing up on mud mountain dam road. i was thinking about going up around highway 18 but have no idea where any hunting areas are. and after spending all season last year looking and only finding a few sows with cubs, i have to admit i have no idea what I'm doing
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: ErikN on June 24, 2011, 06:41:54 PM: Unless its highly residential, I don't believe there are any archey only bear areas.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: bankwalker on June 24, 2011, 06:42:34 PM: highway 18 is good, but it gets hit hard with limited walk in spots. i did see a bear both times i hunted in last year.

you could check the greenwater area off highway 410. i know it use to be good. but i havent really been in there much over the years. i actually planned on scouting that this weekend. i think its probably better for bear then anything else these days. havent really heard any good reports for deer or elk in that area for a few years now.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: rebal69972 on June 24, 2011, 06:54:28 PM: Quote from: ErikN on June 24, 2011, 06:41:54 PM
Unless its highly residential, I don't believe there are any archey only bear areas.

I'm hunting on base and they have some strange rules to go on with the strange laws WA has :bash:
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: 3nails on June 24, 2011, 07:20:28 PM: Wow, scouting now? The areas I hunt are still completely buried in snow. The bears won't even start to show up high around here until mid August. Maybe it's different up here but scouting for bears would be like scouting for cereal at the supermarket. They'll always be in the same place. Nothing easier (besides the pack out) than killing a bear. If it's your son doing the shooting, Rebal, and you don't mind traveling to Whatcom Co. let me know and I'll pm you a great area.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: CAMPMEAT on June 24, 2011, 07:29:01 PM: How about Green Mtn out of Darrington. I hunted up there years ago with hounds ( not mine ) and was told by the dog owner it was a very good area for bears. I myself, would get as far away from the 1-5 Seattle crowd as I could. I stopped hunting that area 20 years ago because of that. Cle Elum area is only 1.25 hours away, still close to Seattle, but more relaxed I think.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: rebal69972 on June 24, 2011, 07:35:18 PM: i dont know where whatcom co is but i dont mind driving for him. he is going to be the one shooting i would like for him to do this kind of on his own. i started scouting in early feb i found some old sign but havent found anything new. i also have a few bears on my trail cams i just cant take him in there
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: rebal69972 on June 24, 2011, 07:39:13 PM: where and what is pct?
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: h20hunter on June 24, 2011, 07:49:17 PM: pct = pacific coast trail

I'm glad to see some good info and offer of assistance. This is the kind of thread I keep my eye out for and wish I could help more. The fella is just trying to get his boy on game. Good luck to you and I hope you have a good hunt. I'd like to help but my bears are busy eating my apples and beating the hell out of my cam. Sounds like you have a good handle on the areas you need to be hunting. I hope things work out and look forward to the pics.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: 3nails on June 24, 2011, 07:52:13 PM: PM sent.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 24, 2011, 07:56:42 PM: PCT--Pacific Crest Trail. Goes from someplace way up in Canada to California.
If you don't mind driving, maybe consider the coast. There's a few bears in the Wynoochee/Humptulips area bordering the National Park and the Indian Reservation.
If you and he don't mind steep hiking to get up into the high country, I'd maybe take a look at Mt Skokomish Wilderness or The Brothers Wilderness. For berries in the Olympics, most blueberries I find are in the park, but there is one area between Joyce/Seiku that has lots. I find lots of low elevation berries near roads/creeks--salmon berries and blackberries mostly. The most blackberries I find are in some old clearcuts near the Clearwater GMU. There are all kinds of roads that wind around in there with big stumps and blackberry clumps.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: bankwalker on June 24, 2011, 07:57:13 PM: Quote from: 3nails on June 24, 2011, 07:20:28 PM
Wow, scouting now? The areas I hunt are still completely buried in snow. The bears won't even start to show up high around here until mid August. Maybe it's different up here but scouting for bears would be like scouting for cereal at the supermarket. They'll always be in the same place. Nothing easier (besides the pack out) than killing a bear. If it's your son doing the shooting, Rebal, and you don't mind traveling to Whatcom Co. let me know and I'll pm you a great area.

i have been scouting around 300ft, and up along the snow line. really havent had a hard time finding sign.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: CAMPMEAT on June 24, 2011, 07:58:21 PM: Quote from: rebal69972 on June 24, 2011, 07:35:18 PM
i dont know where whatcom co is but i dont mind driving for him. he is going to be the one shooting i would like for him to do this kind of on his own. i started scouting in early feb i found some old sign but havent found anything new. i also have a few bears on my trail cams i just cant take him in there

Whatcom county is north where Bellingham is, right on the B.C border. Go east off of highway 410 from Chinook Pass, Packwood and Randle areas too.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: rebal69972 on June 24, 2011, 08:06:22 PM: thank you guys. we will start our scouting tomorrow. he has to get into shape also :chuckle: i love the hiking and scouting part as much as the kill. last year between bear and elk season my gps logged over 500 miles, 3 pair of boots and many many blisters. i learned my leason last year getting ready early now
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: h20hunter on June 24, 2011, 08:34:24 PM: Good for you rebel. I see plenty of theads, many i comment on, regaring oh please help me blah blah blah. I think it is good to get out, burn some leather, put the sweat to the task, and work for it. I know a guy up north that I have put in a word for and will also pm you for some extra info.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: saylean on June 25, 2011, 11:30:54 AM: Ya, any foothills outside of concrete, monroe, wooley, etc will have bears in em. I-90 can be a bit tough to find spots due to all the hikers, etc...density does seem to be a bit better the further north ya head.

Good luck with you and the boy.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: bentley30-06 on June 30, 2011, 12:49:36 AM: I have encountered a lot of bear up in snoqualmie national forest and there are a lot of berry patches in the early season. The October bears tend to hang around the salal patches. I have seen many bear up there and the elevations vary drastically. It just depends on where you want to hunt. The hunting land provides access to Eastern Washington also and has many trails. Pacific Crest Trail is one of them and a lot of bears use it as a bee hive highway. Just keep in mind the dates for east and west bear. Its not to far from Lakewood either.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: zackmioli on June 30, 2011, 12:03:06 PM: at least you saw some sows and cubs last year. i still havent even found a bear while ive been out hunting them. good luck, hope you get your boy on one this year, sounds like you are on the right track.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: sticky on June 30, 2011, 03:47:30 PM: I live in the Mossyrock GMU and there are bears all over the place but you have to find the newer clear cuts and commit to some time glassing. I like the dark steep canyons leading to a river. You might check the Tilton River drainages. Later you can look for the berries that bears love to eat.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: Tbar on June 30, 2011, 04:28:26 PM: Pm sent
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: rebal69972 on June 30, 2011, 06:17:41 PM: thanks tbar im going to give that a shot this weekend. sticky i know that theres bears in that area i just dont have enough experance to know what im doing or really how to find them i spent all season there saw sows and cubs.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: boneaddict on June 30, 2011, 06:22:55 PM: The scouting that you should be doing right now is looking for a potential food source for that time of year. Familiarize yourself with what might be available. The bear will be where the food is PERIOD. Berry crops, chokecherries, insects, fish, etc.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: billythekidrock on June 30, 2011, 06:24:23 PM: Quote from: rebal69972 on June 24, 2011, 06:54:28 PM
Quote from: ErikN on June 24, 2011, 06:41:54 PM
Unless its highly residential, I don't believe there are any archey only bear areas.

I'm hunting on base and they have some strange rules to go on with the strange laws WA has :bash:

Don't give up. There are plenty of bears on base.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: rebal69972 on June 30, 2011, 06:54:14 PM: i wouldnt normally say this but i really hope theres alot of bears so i can get past the adrinal rush. im not worried about my son so much but the addrinal rush i got last year with the first bull i saw i thought i was going to drop my bow :bash: i hope he does get like that on a bear, you know i kinda hope he does
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: Bean Counter on June 30, 2011, 06:58:44 PM: I thought it was the Pacific Crest Trail ;)
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: bankwalker on June 30, 2011, 08:12:52 PM: Quote from: rebal69972 on June 30, 2011, 06:54:14 PM
i wouldnt normally say this but i really hope theres alot of bears so i can get past the adrinal rush. im not worried about my son so much but the addrinal rush i got last year with the first bull i saw i thought i was going to drop my bow :bash: i hope he does get like that on a bear, you know i kinda hope he does

the day my blood doesnt get pumping when i see an animal hunting is the day i put my tags down. i love that adrenalin rush.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: Tbar on June 30, 2011, 08:44:33 PM: Pm sent
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: rebal69972 on July 09, 2011, 07:24:02 PM: went scouting this morning in high country with another member from here saw alot of elk and older bear sign and plenty of snow the bears wernt out up there yet but i learned alot today. now i cant waitfor season to start. Thank you to everybody.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: NaturalSelection on July 09, 2011, 08:04:25 PM: Quote from: rebal69972 on July 09, 2011, 07:24:02 PM
went scouting this morning in high country with another member from here saw alot of elk and older bear sign and plenty of snow the bears wernt out up there yet but i learned alot today. now i cant waitfor season to start. Thank you to everybody.

Indeed we had a good morning, the elk were around every corner. When the bears come out we will have some fun. Bring the boy next time we'll get him in bear mode.
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: Tbar on July 09, 2011, 08:40:05 PM: Was any of that info of Use. Hope so. Anyways good luck..
Title: Re: looking for a place to start
Post by: rebal69972 on July 09, 2011, 11:09:31 PM: my boy will be back for opening weekend we'll get him up there and in the mode. after today i cant wait. tbar yes all the info came in very helpful