Post by: Pueblo on May 03, 2012, 12:40:28 PM
The first morning I drove until the road was snow blocked and then got out and walked up to a good glassing point. The slope of the hills prevented looking much further up into the mountains, but I could see a good ways out into the foothills I’d just come from. The hills below the snow line were mostly barren but it took less than a minute to spot my first bear up high in one of these distant draws. He was a couple of miles away on the greenest spot in an otherwise brown hillside.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FFirstView.jpg&hash=a60f7a6c17dc2353908185e503b06fd7021d4055)
I went back to the truck and drove to the area I thought to be below the bear and headed out and up into the hills. It turns out I’d picked the wrong spot, but rather than go back to the truck I side hilled around several draws to locate it. While in this ankle bend journey I saw an animal outlined at the top of a draw and pulled up the binos to take a look. A wolf! I sat down and pulled out the spotting scope for a better look and sure enough it was a somewhat scraggly grayish wolf travelling along just below the ridge. From my vantage I also could see a couple of herds of elk on an opposing hillside and see seemed content to watch them from the distance. When I got back I entered a location report with WDFW.
OK, so on to bear hunting, I could not relocate the bear so I went up on top of the ridge and peered over into the next creek canyon where I immediately spotted four bears right below me at just about 350 yards. These north slopes hade the only available cover and each ridge running north has a dry side facing northwest where as it turned out the bears tended to be. Here’s a couple of photos of the 4 bears, which turned out to be a brown phase mother, with 3 cubs, one of them a blonde.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FMomCubs2.jpg&hash=ab5be1e75d79fe484e078d5d4fc69e9c3fc43f91)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FMomCubs1.jpg&hash=303074822fefdb489742bf67325413292d328b98)
Although these were clearly last year’s cubs soon to get the boot from mom, I just couldn’t see whacking the mom, especially on day one of the hunt. The weather went from mild to cold, windy and wet…I really appreciated my Russell APXg2 clothing as it was comfortable in anything.
I ended up over the next few days seeing a total of 4 more bears, many hundreds of elk, dozens of deer and turkey (and 10 ticks crawling on various parts of my person). The elk were in large groups at tops of each plateau, enjoying the fact that no people were around to bother them which allowed me in one case to belly crawl right into the middle of a herd and get some good pics at about 50 yards. They were very surprised when I stood up!
Here’s one young one I caught coming out of a draw at about 30 yards. I assume that by hunting season many of these elk will be up higher in the Wenaha.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FYoungelk.jpg&hash=a854c1f56f91a6651610076529fbf5596a3dcb38)
Only about a third of the unit was accessible and that tended to be the more arid areas that were not the best bear habitat. As I said before the northeast slopes tended to have trees and the bears would venture out from there to feed in the open. This all was on the east side of the Blues and it was a bit behind in greening up….very few sunflowers, etc compared to the Dayton side.
This shot shows what the south facing slopes looked like….pretty dry. There were 30 or 40 sheep in this canyon, mostly just lying around in the sun, with 15 being mature rams.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FSheepCanyon.jpg&hash=981506e89d98679f880f343dc6deb35cf26b8f04)
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FSheepCanyon2.jpg&hash=68cea0e8a64e222e0261a98bbabfe3e115f5ed97)
Spotting back from that far side of the picture above, I found a bear feeding on the open slope to the left here:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FCrossCanyonBear.jpg&hash=43a71a9f3b435ca297d2fb4dbfb0dd7796fb37de)
It was too late that day to get over there but hit it at first light. I worked my way down one of the open fingers on the timbered slope and then out onto the open side so I could glass back into the various openings with the idea of setting up to do some calling. After settling in for a bit a I pulled out a Primos Coyote bear Buster and tried the shrieking rabbit. Immediately limbs started cracking both up to my left and down to my right! Over the next 15 minutes I alternately called and listened, occasionally hearing some noises; at one point I heard something like a cat yowl, or perhaps a baby bear? I’d scan the openings looking for any movement. Not seeing or hearing anything for a bit I switched to a fawn bleat with the same call…..instant action! I saw movement at the bottom of the opposite slope in a shaded opening. I pulled up the rifle and steadied it on the shooting stick looking for a bear in the scope. It took a second but then saw movement….a micro bear…a brand new little cub so cute you’d want to take him home. So knowing I wouldn’t shoot this mother unless I had to I stood up with rifle in left hand and camera in right hoping to get a photo before she knew what was up and ran. It happened super quick as she can into view up the slope on a quick trundle...a nice blonde bear popping her teeth…a bit scary….I waved my arms and she turned around inside her own skin and was out of there! No time for a picture…but a lifelong mental image. What a lot of fun!
I saw no more bear and didn’t have time for turkey. I’ll be back a couple of more times here in May and should be able to get higher up into the mountains and see more active bears.
One odd and disturbing thing I was this scene:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FDisturbingSight.jpg&hash=73bfd7289e707e89015a6fd66ee646da67e3eb94)
That’s 5 dead turkeys and a bear’s foreleg all hanging from a tree at an abandoned camp. I can’t imaging what went on here and have no idea whether the bear was taken in season (which started 4 days prior) or not. When I got cell service on the way out I called the poaching hotline a couple of times but only got their message to call back (or 911 if the poaching was in progress, which this was not). Don’t know if the bear take was illegal but I’m pretty sure wasting 5 turkeys is!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FTruck.jpg&hash=137ad8b66b2cffce1c4f575ad0eaa4d131f7071f)
If I have more to report I will.
Post by: Broken Arrow on May 03, 2012, 12:49:08 PM
Post by: kckrawler on May 03, 2012, 12:50:32 PM
Post by: h20hunter on May 03, 2012, 12:54:48 PM
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on May 03, 2012, 12:55:32 PM
Post by: fair-chase on May 03, 2012, 12:58:17 PM
Great post Pueblo. Good luck on your Bear Hunt!
:yeah:
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 03, 2012, 01:01:28 PM
Post by: Rufous on May 03, 2012, 01:05:31 PM
Post by: Pueblo on May 03, 2012, 01:15:21 PM
Any chance that the game was hung there to be retrieved later? That's a popular camping spot... Was any of the game tagged?
That crossed my mind but they stayed there for 2-3 days when I was there. No tags....gave me the creeps so I didn't touch. It was pretty sparse on people up there compared to later in the year. I saw two other trucks total on that road over three days. The road was blocked by snow just a 1/2 mile further.
Post by: Austrian Hunter on May 03, 2012, 01:20:45 PM
Post by: KopperBuck on May 03, 2012, 01:21:45 PM
Post by: Pueblo on May 03, 2012, 01:24:27 PM
Pueblo, welcome to Hunt WA. I really enjoyed your write up and photos. What unit were you hunting? Good luck on filling your bear tag.
Thanks Rufous...I guess I haven't posted much here. I'm pretty active over on iFish where I make a point to write up my annual deer hunts under the same screen name. I hesitate to name the unit...the guys who know, know, and I don't want to offend them by ratting it out. I think any of the Blue Mtn units would give a similar experience.
Post by: Woodchuck on May 03, 2012, 01:32:37 PM
Post by: PlateauNDN on May 03, 2012, 01:56:50 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on May 03, 2012, 02:06:30 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 03, 2012, 02:24:46 PM
Any chance that the game was hung there to be retrieved later? That's a popular camping spot... Was any of the game tagged?
That crossed my mind but they stayed there for 2-3 days when I was there. No tags....gave me the creeps so I didn't touch. It was pretty sparse on people up there compared to later in the year. I saw two other trucks total on that road over three days. The road was blocked by snow just a 1/2 mile further.
Well, if they weren't tagged, then it's absolutely a poaching violation, whether they were abandoned or not. Disgusting. If they are that stupid and overt about it, they'll eventually get caught. I'd like to see it though... >:(
Post by: hoytem on May 03, 2012, 02:29:10 PM
Post by: Machias on May 03, 2012, 02:37:49 PM
Post by: Pueblo on May 03, 2012, 04:11:52 PM
So has anyone from the WDFW contacted you yet concerning the poaching? I hope they get back to you soon and get in there to collect the evidence. Great write up. Can I make a suggestion on your calling? When calling bears make sure you call nonstop, you'll have much better luck than using the same technique you use on yotes. Bears tend to stop coming when you stop calling and lose interest.
Thanks for the calling tip...I'd never tried it on a bear before. I never did connect with anyone at WDFW. Once I got home and sucked into work again I just never got back to it. I had called twice when I got back into the nearest cell service and once more on the way home on Sunday and got the same message. At some point it's just too cold of an issue.
Post by: Machias on May 03, 2012, 04:22:12 PM
So has anyone from the WDFW contacted you yet concerning the poaching? I hope they get back to you soon and get in there to collect the evidence. Great write up. Can I make a suggestion on your calling? When calling bears make sure you call nonstop, you'll have much better luck than using the same technique you use on yotes. Bears tend to stop coming when you stop calling and lose interest.
Thanks for the calling tip...I'd never tried it on a bear before. I never did connect with anyone at WDFW. Once I got home and sucked into work again I just never got back to it. I had called twice when I got back into the nearest cell service and once more on the way home on Sunday and got the same message. At some point it's just too cold of an issue.
Maybe Bigtex or Outdoor Guardian and take a look at the photo and generate some interest in the WDFW.
Post by: bigpaw 77 on May 04, 2012, 09:27:19 AM
Thanks and good luck
Post by: ShaneTyTrey on May 04, 2012, 09:04:00 PM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on May 04, 2012, 09:19:35 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 08, 2012, 11:03:15 PM
WTF..So were those turkeys at least breasted out or what ...
Didn't look like it.
Post by: firefighter4607 on May 09, 2012, 04:27:00 AM
Post by: h2ofowlr on May 09, 2012, 09:37:33 PM
Post by: mfswallace on May 09, 2012, 09:42:09 PM
Post by: Pueblo on May 09, 2012, 09:50:29 PM
I should be able to get up into this area this time:
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FDSCF7139.jpg&hash=e220a798f0ec1e8f5f033c3dbf06ac2eb898d501)
I'll report after I return.
Post by: mfswallace on May 09, 2012, 09:52:16 PM
I'll be eagerly waiting
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 09, 2012, 09:58:09 PM
Post by: Rufous on May 10, 2012, 08:16:19 AM
Post by: bearpaw on May 10, 2012, 08:24:32 AM
Post by: Gringo31 on May 10, 2012, 09:52:41 AM
How hard could it be to return a damn call? :bash:
I bet if you had said it was a wolf leg this would be all over the news and a top priority.
Post by: Outdoor Guardian on May 10, 2012, 10:39:44 AM
I checked with our dispatchers and they don't have record of any voicemails about the wasted turkeys and bear paw. I'd like to get an officer out to look at the area where you found these. If you could PM me your contact info, I'll be sure to get one of our officers to check this out. I know it's been a few weeks, but there may have been additional 'disturbing' activity since you were in the area, or the local officer may know of similar activity in other nearby locations. It never hurts to look into it.
Just a reminder for folks, our poaching hotline is currently only manned Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm. Any information received after hours, on weekends, or on holidays will be responded to on the next business day. I know, it would be great if we could staff the poaching hotline 24/7, and we hope to extend the hours in the future, but we just don't have the staffing available to do it at this time.
Thanks again for the great post and the info. -OG
Post by: Machias on May 10, 2012, 10:45:27 AM
Post by: Pueblo on May 10, 2012, 11:36:02 AM
G
I checked with our dispatchers and they don't have record of any voicemails about the wasted turkeys and bear paw. I'd like to get an officer out to look at the area where you found these. If you could PM me your contact info, I'll be sure to get one of our officers to check this out. I know it's been a few weeks, but there may have been additional 'disturbing' activity since you were in the area, or the local officer may know of similar activity in other nearby locations. It never hurts to look into it.
Just a reminder for folks, our poaching hotline is currently only manned Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm. Any information received after hours, on weekends, or on holidays will be responded to on the next business day. I know, it would be great if we could staff the poaching hotline 24/7, and we hope to extend the hours in the future, but we just don't have the staffing available to do it at this time.
Thanks again for the great post and the info. -OG
PM sent.
Post by: bearpaw on May 10, 2012, 11:57:31 AM
Gringo, I agree with your scenario about the wolf leg... :chuckle:
Post by: hoytem on May 10, 2012, 02:23:33 PM
Post by: Gringo31 on May 11, 2012, 10:51:08 AM
It is clear that having someone like you can fill the gaps and help us work together towards sound management and enforcement of the wildlife we care so much about.
Thanks for giving me a little hope that there are some good guys out there.
:tup:
Post by: steen on May 11, 2012, 10:16:22 PM
Post by: bigpaw 77 on May 13, 2012, 12:58:22 PM
Post by: woodywsu on May 14, 2012, 11:40:08 AM
I would encourage all to meet the local warden in your are and get his business card. The ones I know dont mind a weekend call if you need to. :twocents:
:yeah:
I have 6 gamies in my cell. They will take my call at all hours.
Post by: Pueblo on May 28, 2012, 09:02:54 AM
Saw lots of poo... sometimes 10 or so in a quarter mile of road.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FPoo.jpg&hash=dbb90f9eeca33956507a296fa430a30c92d7b5d4)
Because the snow has receded some I got higher and into better bear habitat, but it also flattened and closed up some, making the vistas smaller and less productive.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FView.jpg&hash=854bf41ac12a55ba39faca25b340ccb3e072f162)
On the first evening I spotted a huge brown colored bear on a distant hillside. I jumped in the truck and sped off to get within walking distance only to find my way blocked with snow. The next day he was back in the same spot shown in the picture below. I made a decision to drive the 30 miles down out of the mountains and then 30 back up to reach the hill he was on. I got there late in the afternoon and stayed through dark...no show. I did get to watch several bull elk and some turkeys use the meadow.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FDistantBear2.jpg&hash=1992ffc462195aa4ed8f8e6cee49e72004bf3a38)
I saw a couple of females with cubs. In shooting range of course...I sat and ate a sandwich just above this family. Watched the cubs frolic.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FMomcubs.jpg&hash=5e2f696f23b3e37c0a86c5faefdf9baf8865a299)
Just in general it was so awesome to be out in the spring weather hunting. I'll do this as often as I can draw a tag. From opening week until mid-May the difference in the plant life and the animals was shocking. In April the Elk were ragged and white and now they're sleek and brown. My unit was a foothill unit and at times snow was a big issue, I must imagine that the Wenaha East guys had a really tough go of it accessing their area.
One last shot of just how nice it was out there.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi214.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc125%2FMosierN%2FTruck-1.jpg&hash=5e229ea741c277e50d90f3da7cfced05cb4544d5)
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 28, 2012, 06:58:03 PM
Post by: Rufous on May 29, 2012, 09:53:35 AM
Post by: Pueblo on May 29, 2012, 11:02:52 AM
Pueblo, I enjoyed reading the account of your adventure. I am still trying to fill my tag in the Dayton unit. I could have shot a couple small bears this weekend but opted to let them grow up.
Good luck Rufous, you've got 48 hours so you'd better get off the computer and head out! ;) It's hard to shoot the little ones when you just know papa's somewhere nearby.
Post by: PlateauNDN on May 29, 2012, 11:59:38 AM
Post by: Machias on May 29, 2012, 09:47:49 PM
Post by: summit creek on May 30, 2012, 06:39:00 PM
hey guys did you hapen to find any shed hornsPueblo, I enjoyed reading the account of your adventure. I am still trying to fill my tag in the Dayton unit. I could have shot a couple small bears this weekend but opted to let them grow up.
Good luck Rufous, you've got 48 hours so you'd better get off the computer and head out! ;) It's hard to shoot the little ones when you just know papa's somewhere nearby.
Post by: Pueblo on May 30, 2012, 07:38:15 PM