Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: woodman on August 11, 2011, 10:23:59 PM

Title: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: woodman on August 11, 2011, 10:23:59 PM: Went out for a hike in an area that I like tonight and this little guy walked out in front of me. Never did see the mother but was sure on the alert. After a few moments, the little guy just disappeared back into the woods. It was a very cool sight for me to see. I always love to see the new replacements show up for future big guys.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: Kain on August 11, 2011, 10:27:02 PM: Thats cool. Yes I would be a little on edge until I put some distance from that little guy.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: marlin on August 11, 2011, 10:27:49 PM: Nice! I ran into a little guy like that last year in the woods.. I was a little nervous looking for momma bear, but I was heavily armed and not alone. If I was unarmed then yeah I would probably sneak very quietly away.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: marty on August 11, 2011, 10:31:40 PM: Nope!
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: Biggerhammer on August 11, 2011, 10:51:36 PM: Nope, judging by it's size. There was a good chance this time of year moma wasn't even around.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: bentley30-06 on August 12, 2011, 12:10:42 AM: No. I know that I can run faster than any of my hunting partners.... :tup:
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: 87Ford on August 12, 2011, 12:27:04 AM: No. Looks like a yearling......no mother around.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on August 12, 2011, 01:01:35 AM: Mamma was around... Just don't make the little guy squal.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: wsucowboy on August 12, 2011, 01:09:37 AM: cool encounter. I'd be nervous till I got some more distance in between me and the cub
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: zackmioli on August 12, 2011, 01:14:58 AM: excited and nervous.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: rasbo on August 12, 2011, 04:17:30 AM: only if my gun wouldnt clear the holster :chuckle:
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: KenPCPilot on August 12, 2011, 05:35:04 AM: cool avatar rasbo. are those recoil reducing pads chick is wearing on her chest.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: rasbo on August 12, 2011, 05:39:58 AM: Quote from: KenPCPilot on August 12, 2011, 05:35:04 AM
cool avatar rasbo. are those recoil reducing pads chick is wearing on her chest.
air bags, deployed, :chuckle:
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on August 12, 2011, 05:51:26 AM: Funbags assisted
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: cem3434 on August 12, 2011, 07:30:57 AM: Quote from: 87Ford on August 12, 2011, 12:27:04 AM
No. Looks like a yearling......no mother around.
:yeah:
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: woodman on August 12, 2011, 07:37:05 AM: Quote from: cem3434 on August 12, 2011, 07:30:57 AM
Quote from: 87Ford on August 12, 2011, 12:27:04 AM
No. Looks like a yearling......no mother around.
:yeah:

I would guess that this cub was between 15" and 18" tall. I think it was this years cub and would have a hard time defending itself in the woods. I thought that cubs stayed with their mothers until breeding season the following year. Maybe someone could enlighten me on this. I really don't know for sure, thanks.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: rasbo on August 12, 2011, 07:55:42 AM: Quote from: woodman on August 12, 2011, 07:37:05 AM
Quote from: cem3434 on August 12, 2011, 07:30:57 AM
Quote from: 87Ford on August 12, 2011, 12:27:04 AM
No. Looks like a yearling......no mother around.
:yeah:

I would guess that this cub was between 15" and 18" tall. I think it was this years cub and would have a hard time defending itself in the woods. I thought that cubs stayed with their mothers until breeding season the following year. Maybe someone could enlighten me on this. I really don't know for sure, thanks.
this yrs cub Joe,momma wasnt far behind or ahead the little boogers grow fast..same size as the two momma was swatting when I couldnt get my gun out of the holster :chuckle:
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: 87Ford on August 12, 2011, 07:58:18 AM: Black bear cubs are born in February which makes them approx 6 months old when that first August hunting season rolls around. They are definately with their mother that first August and den with their mother their first winter. The following August hunting season puts them at 18 months old and in the yearling age class. They are now on their own and not very wise. The question is... is that little bear 6 months old with mother lurking in the brush or 18 months old and on his own for the first time. I don't know for sure, but it appears to be a yearling to me in which case he is on his own. I've had two incounters just like this since August first. Both yearlings walked out of the brush and across the logging road never paying me any attention...not very wise. Cool experiences though.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: runamuk on August 12, 2011, 08:13:44 AM: Well I ran across one a bit bigger than that I was alone had a 410 with some #6 shot for grouse....instead of quietly minding his bizness the little fuzzball caught sight of me freaked out ran squalling up a tree in my direction.....my heart was pounding so hard and the little *censored* would not shut up....I had to walk where he had come from to get to my rig never saw or heard mama I actually think now that the one I ran into had recently left mama bear he was probably 70-80 lbs ish.... just seeing one quietly going about its business is kinda cool but mama is a worry to me.....

nice pic though.....
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: Kain on August 12, 2011, 10:22:44 AM: Judging by the space of the tire tracks in the road that looks like a very small bear.

A yearling cub will be much bigger than that...I think. I am no expert on judging bears though.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcbsbaltimore.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fsow-and-cub.jpg&hash=4b9da871dc685adbf1190d3ffd8b1a319678f94a)

New cubs
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_1gEW2afl7Fs%2FScXDSC5eYXI%2FAAAAAAAAAXk%2FmC7Z_X7zOM8%2Fs320%2FBlack%2Bbear%2BMama%2Band%2B4%2Bcubs1.JPG&hash=530956c82b030e897815117397ea20a130f0d864)
Yearlings still with momma. I dont think the sows run them off until they are ready to breed again. :dunno:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_1gEW2afl7Fs%2FScXEAYl8TGI%2FAAAAAAAAAX0%2FFQzoXvGXDHU%2Fs320%2FBlack%2Bbear%2BSow%2Band%2B4%2Bcubs2.JPG&hash=78968f11a76e71a5014e837c9c015bff339fdfe7)
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: rasbo on August 12, 2011, 10:36:46 AM: its not uncommon for cubs to hang out with ma for 2 yrs some as long as three but rare....she wont give them the boot till she wants to breed...one thing cool about baiting bears was you could sit and watch the difference in bears and some cool behaviors at close range.should have blown a call Joe,,that can get real exciting in a hurry :chuckle: :chuckle: this one below is a 18 month or 19 month old bear
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: woodman on August 12, 2011, 10:55:07 AM: Quote from: rasbo on August 12, 2011, 10:36:46 AM
its not uncommon for cubs to hang out with ma for 2 yrs some as long as three but rare....she wont give them the boot till she wants to breed...one thing cool about baiting bears was you could sit and watch the difference in bears and some cool behaviors at close range.should have blown a call Joe,,that can get real exciting in a hurry :chuckle: :chuckle: this one below is a 18 month or 19 month old bear

I thought about the call thing this morning and agree that it might have gotten to be a lot of fun real quick. I was not hunting, so I really was not prepared for a charging, mad mother. I do feel lucky to see all of the bears that I do see though. Starting this weekend I will be armed and have my calls and would love to see one of the big boars that I have seen earlier this year.

I appreciate everyone's responses and love learning from others experiences and knowledge.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on August 12, 2011, 05:00:46 PM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on August 12, 2011, 05:51:26 AM
Funbags assisted
[/quote

Coffee bags full..........
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on August 12, 2011, 05:41:42 PM: I wish he would change his aviator picture so I can relax ....GEEEEEEEEZ MAN :tung:
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: rasbo on August 12, 2011, 06:03:15 PM: Quote from: BOWHUNTER45 on August 12, 2011, 05:41:42 PM
I wish he would change his aviator picture so I can relax ....GEEEEEEEEZ MAN :tung:
maybe this is easier on ya :chuckle:
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on August 12, 2011, 06:05:45 PM: Quote from: rasbo on August 12, 2011, 06:03:15 PM
Quote from: BOWHUNTER45 on August 12, 2011, 05:41:42 PM
I wish he would change his aviator picture so I can relax ....GEEEEEEEEZ MAN :tung:
maybe this is easier on ya :chuckle:
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: yeah now I am running ...she looks mean but the other I may just let her kill me :chuckle: :tup:
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: b.roberts on August 12, 2011, 06:08:26 PM: I like the other avatar much better.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: danrabe on August 12, 2011, 10:22:18 PM: Seeing a young bear always makes me more cautious, I wouldnt say nervous...but cautious. I had an encounter up in Alaska on one of the long hikes I do to get away from everyone. This little guy popped out in front of me while fishing. He was standing at the only place I could cross the creek. The .41 was in the bottom of my bag (smart move), so my cousin and I decided it was time to take a break for about an hour before he moved along a little ways. Never did see momma bear, but I'm sure she was around somewhere.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on August 12, 2011, 10:33:41 PM: No.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: ML_Hunter on August 12, 2011, 11:57:20 PM: Several years ago...about in 2001 time frame, I was hiking with the boy scout troop and myself and fellow hunter were the two oldest scouts so we took the lead with our parental advisers in the rear of the group ensure no scout fell too far behind. Will and I were the only two hunters in the group although we all enjoyed the outdoors. During this hike in the Olympic Mountains, two bear cubs were playing on the trail, when I first spotted them they were about 50 yards out and I stopped in my tracks, then Will saw them and we turned our fellow hikers around and backtracked about 1/4 mile stopped and all took a break. Some of the younger scouts wanted to take a closer look when we told them why we turned the troop, but thankfully the parents were on the side of myself and Will. We continued the hike after about an hours break and Will and I were on edge for sure. Never really got nervous, but deffently cautious! Very cool sight tho and something I will never forget!
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: kglacken on August 13, 2011, 12:07:36 AM: I had a cub climb three my stand was in three years ago and he was so close i could of touched him. I held super still because mom was on the ground watching the whole thing. definitely scary :chuckle:
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: billythekidrock on September 24, 2011, 06:16:11 AM: It wouldn't bother me, but then again I have had about 5 cub/sow run ins. Mama black bears don't concern me much, but if I were in Griz country I would probably need a new pair of shorts.

Here is a pic of on of a pair of cubs (maybe 30 lbers) I ran up a tree earlier this year. I could hear mama back in the brush. I was able to get some pics and about 7 minutes of video.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fweb32.jpg&hash=67b958e22a1585e2953fccc19e96f792ea201bd4)
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: boneaddict on September 24, 2011, 06:39:28 AM: I'm around bear all the time. No need to be fearful, just respect them.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: woodman on September 24, 2011, 09:57:59 AM: Quote from: boneaddict on September 24, 2011, 06:39:28 AM
I'm around bear all the time. No need to be fearful, just respect them.

boneaddict,

I have seen many bears also. I am sure not nearly as many as you though. I have had a couple of times where they have tested me. One took a swat at me, one charged me and one really crowded me. Have you had that happen to you? When those times happened, it did not bother me so much at that moment as maybe a day later after having time to have the moment sink in. I had a large cougar stalk within 30' of me and it bothered me more the next day than the moment when it happened. I killed it and it was a 210 pound cougar.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: boneaddict on September 24, 2011, 03:48:22 PM: I've been woofed, jawsnapped and charged several times. I've been attacked once.
Title: Re: Would this bear encounter make YOU nervous?
Post by: alecvg on September 25, 2011, 10:53:56 AM: Quote from: boneaddict on September 24, 2011, 06:39:28 AM
I'm around bear all the time. No need to be fearful, just respect them.

:yeah: