copalis spring bear

[cohoslayer]

does anyone know if the copalis spring bear hunt is worth the 100 dollars to get the rayonier permit?

[billythekidrock]

I hunted it when it was free and when it was $25. I wouldn't pay $100.

[cohoslayer]

did u see alot of bears or just a few running down the roads?

[billythekidrock]

I missed a small one at the end of one season. While I saw some sign, I saw very few bears and the ones that were killed were rumored to be over bait or with dogs.

There are bears in there and my brother killed a nice one a few years ago with his bow while elk hunting, but it is not much of a spring area any more. Take a look at the amount of permits. F&W would not have 100 permits if success was high.

[cohoslayer]

no i guess not thanks for the info

[Bob33]

I hunted it three years ago with a friend.  We made several trips and did not see a bear.  He drew the tag last year and the year before (three years in a row).  I went down with him several times, both years.  We never saw a bear in the three years we were there.  I know there are bears there because we saw sign, but don't expect to see many.

[cohoslayer]

does anyone know if u can use bait or dogs on this hunt?

[billythekidrock]

Not legally.

[cohoslayer]

so calls is pretty much the way to go?

[billythekidrock]

For me.
But you can also sit over trails and feeding areas.

[cohoslayer]

like bear grass?

[brew]

I'm not gonna begrudge someone for putting in for a permit for additional hunting opportunities but why would someone put in for a hunt and after they were drawn then ask if it was worth paying for the permit ?  yes I know that paying $100 for the opportunity to hunt a tract of land that the timber owner wants bear damage reduced seems kind of greedy on the landowners part but why not research this before applying?  good luck if you persue the opportunity.

[billythekidrock]

like bear grass?

Any spring food source.

Grass.


Timber (this was in Copalis)


Fawning grounds.


Skunk cabbage.


Torn logs.


Find beds near food sources.


Toilets.


Devils club.


Salmon Berry.

[seth30]

that is a lot of scat!

[adamR]

the more i read these threads about copalis and kawposin i'm starting to think I am one of few that researched this hunt before I put my wife in for it... that being said does anyone know if this decreases the amount of people hunting the area... from what I've seen on here about people not knowing about or complaining about the fee it should drastically limit the pressure in that area