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Author Topic: I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...  (Read 2861 times)

Offline GASoline71

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I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...
« on: August 01, 2022, 12:00:50 PM »
...but never purposely targeted bears until last year.  Ever since I've been buying deer and elk tags, I've always bough a bear and cougar tag for the "just in case" I stumble upon one, I already have a tag in my pocket.

But since the F&W commission BS that started last year we are now on a mission to fill bear tags.  Might even attempt to get over to the Blues to help deflate the predator pit.  I'm curious how many of you are in the same boat?  I'm betting there are a lot more hunters actively pursuing bears now than there was just 10 years ago.

Gary
One does not hunt in order to kill; on the contrary, one kills in order to have hunted. If one were to present the sportsman with the death of the animal as a gift he would refuse it. What he is after is having to win it, to conquer the surly brute through his own effort and skill with all the extras that this carries with it: the immersion in the countryside, the healthfulness of the exercise, the distraction from his job. ~ Jose Ortega y Gasset

Online Mfowl

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Re: I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...
« Reply #1 on: August 01, 2022, 12:03:08 PM »
 :hello:
Fish hard, hunt harder!

Offline trophyhunt

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Re: I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2022, 12:04:46 PM »
My passion for bears has always been the spring hunts, now that they took that away, I may have to focus on fall bears.  Just love those spring coats so much better, if I shoot a summer bear, I doubt I'll keep the hide which was a big part of it to me.  I've killed a few, really just want to get my new son in law a bear now.
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Offline bkaech

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Re: I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...
« Reply #3 on: August 01, 2022, 09:52:19 PM »
I've been targeting bears for around 15 years now, only in the Fall, and I LOVE IT! I definitely think there has been an increase in other bear hunters out there the past 5 or 6 years. My goal in bear hunting is simply filling the freezer. I've never kept a hide, because I am too cheap to pay for it to be tanned. I target bears because they make the best burger, and breakfast sausage I've ever eaten.

Offline Stein

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Re: I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2022, 08:41:17 AM »
I don't hunt big game in state, but have been kicking around the idea of bear hunting since it's affordable, there are plenty of bears around and the opener doesn't conflict with other hunting or fishing for the most part.  Seems like a fun way to spend a couple weekends.

Offline bullfever

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Re: I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2022, 09:25:50 AM »
While I was already hunting bears in the fall, the cancelling of the spring season gives me more motivation to fill my two tags. At least one commissioner stated his lack of support for a spring season was because we already hunt bears in the fall (yeah, nonsense), then fine I'll do that and try to do it well  :tup:

Offline GOcougsHunter

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Re: I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2022, 09:26:54 AM »
GASoline71...  I am exactly in the same frame of mind.  I will no longer pass up a bear harvest opportunity.  I will also no longer pass up coyote or bobcats and now carry a cougar tag.  I used to let them walk for fear of messing up my regular hunting.  With the "predator pit" in the entire state, I will also do my part to help deflate it regardless if it messes up my ungulate hunting.
Introduce someone new to hunting this year.

Offline HUNT-HARD

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Re: I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2022, 10:34:10 AM »
Ive been doing a bear camp with friends every year for the last twenty three years. I look forward to that week of hunting just as much as I do my elk and deer hunts.

Offline pianoman9701

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Re: I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2022, 01:38:32 PM »
I've been buying the 4 big game combo forever. This year for the first time since moving here in 1993, I'm not hunting in WA. Got a CO elk hunt and can't see putting even more money into the pockets of animal rights activists.  :dunno:
"Restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens based on the actions of criminals and madmen will have no positive effect on the future acts of criminals and madmen. It will only serve to reduce individual rights and the very security of our republic." - Pianoman

Offline boneaddict

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Re: I've Always Bought A Bear Tag...
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2022, 01:54:47 PM »
I've killed a lot of bears, to the point it has to be something special before I put it down.   I have seen one of those this year, so maybe.....

 


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