Standards

[S.O.B]

I'm not trying to call anyone out or anything I just see some small bears being posted, and I was just wandering if anyone else out there tries to only kill mature bears. I know people want to get a bear but are there any standards for anyone. Does anyone else pass on small bears or am I nuts. Just a question not trying to be rude?

[Gutpile]

Some care some don't. Some like to eat the small ones better, guys who've never shot one don't care most of the time.    I shot a 5 foot sow for my first this spring and I was happy as pie. I'll look for a bigger one next time but may not pass on another 5 footer. What meets your criteria for an acceptable bear?? Got pics???

[Michelle_Nelson]

I've never killed a bear.  Personally I'm not holding out for a trophy 300+ pounder for my first Bear.  I can't say I will kill the first thing that walks out.  I'm not going to kill a sow with cubs and I'm not going to shoot a cub.  Once I fill my first Bear Tag than I will be a little more selective of the next one I kill.

[saylean]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,9527.0.html

[boneaddict]

I probably won't shoot one this year unless Its huge or its exceptionally colored.  Thats just my bar though.  Any bear down is one not eating elk calves or deer, so I am happy.

[Diehard0123]

I hope to get my first bear this season, I will not be too picky for my first.  I hope its a big one but it does not matter to me.  After that I will be more selective in the size.

[MountainWalk]

With two tags, unless I come across a monster, I mostly will take a smaller meat bear first. But then again, I havent killed a bear in a few years, as I was being too picky. Maybe I wont be so picky this year/

[Ray]

I'm not going to shoot a cub. Seeing as how my truck just broke down this morning with a fried up electrical wiring setup I might not be finding anything to shoot. 

[Bscman]

 
I don't see in the regs where it says you can't shoot a small bear.

For some, I'm sure it's the excitement of actually getting the opportunity to take a bear--no matter the size. It takes more time to locate and take a bear than it does a deer, and many people will only get a handful of opportunities in their lifetime.
For others, I'm sure much of it has to do with the ability to accurately judge the size of a bear before the shot.
Beyond that, some would rather not pass up a unique color variant...no matter the size.

Personally, I'm holding out for a 300+ bear as well--and in years past I've even past up bears that would've gone 300-325.
I have no desire to take multiple bears, so I want to do it right the first time...and I'll hope I come across a monster with a white splash on it's chest. Most importantly, I want to do it with a bow...

[Ridgerunner]

For some, I'm sure it's the excitement of actually getting the opportunity to take a bear--no matter the size. It takes more time to locate and take a bear than it does a deer, and many people will only get a handful of opportunities in their lifetime.
For others, I'm sure much of it has to do with the ability to accurately judge the size of a bear before the shot.
Beyond that, some would rather not pass up a unique color variant...no matter the size.

 I agree with all of the above.  Bears can be tough to judge when you don't see alot of them and many hunters don't have regular opportunities to take bears, therefore they get trigger happy.  Nothing wrong with taking a younger bear just like there is nothing wrong with taking a spike or fork horn buck if thats what floats your boat.

[TheHunt]

I can tell you that if my son see's a boar he is going to take unless it is a cub.  Then he will pass of course.  But he could careless.

[sivart33]

so i ahve yet to shoot a bear, so why would i want to hold out on the first bear i see (female with cubs and cubs i will not) also with 2 tag hit a small one then go for the trophy.  also prove your worth to a useless comment.

[sivart33]

also if i have not noticed 2/3 bear of this year are first time bears, so why slam them for gettign out there and hunting?

[G.R.K]

so i ahve yet to shoot a bear, so why would i want to hold out on the first bear i see (female with cubs and cubs i will not) also with 2 tag hit a small one then go for the trophy.  also prove your worth to a useless comment.

          Whats the useless comment?I wish more people would pass on the small bears where i hunt.

[MountainWalk]

Obviously, there is no shortage of bears in WA state. I feel there is nothing unethical about taking a smallish bear.  There are big ones every where. Look a little harder, and you will find them. The first smallish bear not with ma, I will harvest. And I will apologize to no one.