Bear in WA

M

Mr.Pants

New member
Hello all. This is my first year hunting and I need some guidance on a few things.

First off I am trying to figure out where to hunt black bear and how I should go about it. I have been reading as much as possible and the impression I have is that my best bet will be to find a place to prop up and glass clear cuts with berries or similar vegitation. Please add any advice if you would.

Secondly I don't know where to go hunting. I am thinking about finding places in GMU 460 but I don't have the foggiest clue on how to find state land or forest that you can legally hunt in. I purchased a Meisker(sp?) map but it is still very confusing. Is this a good unit to look in? Where can I go?

You suggestions or comments would be very much appreciated by this greenhorn. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Thank you.
 
I am as green as you are, but I'll do my best to help... we leave for bear camp Wed. night so I have done a little homework myself.

I wouldn't hunt 460, I'd go to the Olympic Peninsula... this months Washington Hunter has a great article on O.P. bears (I picked it up with my bear tag today).
It had some great information about the changes needed since hounds and baiting were banned in 1996.

The GMUs bordering the Park are your best bet, especially those along the west boundry. There are less gates on the roads over there, but with the fire danger so high expect to find many of the ones there are locked, until we can find some relief from this heat.

Drive the roads (or mtn bike the gated roads) until you find some clearcuts, which will be berry fields at this time of year (the raspberries are looking and tasting particularly good this year)... find ones that have "gone red", where the foliage has changed and with patches of yellow wood (this is a sign of turning or digging in the logs for grubs).
Clearcuts with water and shade close by are going to be the most productive.

The article also said all the O.P. bears are totally black, without any of the cinnamons or blondes, like those of the Cascades or farther east.

If you are dead set on a colored bear, I would suggest Darrington, Index, or the area around Mt Pilchuck for bears... I think you'll find a lot better land access and a whole lots less people.

I hope this helped,

Jeff
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Hey guys, your on the wrong side of the state for me to help. I'm planning my first bear camp the first weekend of Sept., although it may still be a little hot. Don't know if I want to bring my bear rifle or my 'yote rifle. Hear the Huckleberries are doing well high up. Have one buddie who saw two when picking two weeks ago. Good luck to you guys!
 
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