GoatNuts
FNG
Hey folks,
As a WA resident I picked up a bear tag to accompany my elk tag during archery season. My elk season is over after an awesome (although unsuccessful) couple of days 12 miles deep in one of WA's wilderness areas in the South Cascades. We were in the elk the entire time, and saw several bulls (even a bruiser!) but couldn’t make it happen. I should also briefly mention I am relatively new to hunting in WA State, but not new to being in the backcountry.
So, a couple times a year I get together with a few west-side buddies for a three or four day backpacking trip. They aren’t hunters, but take up no issue with the concept. Usually we do a snow trip in the early spring and a mid-summer trip (also turns into a scouting trip for me), and this year we are adding a trip in late October. Our normal trip destinations range several miles in. Since I still have a bear tag that's good for any legal weapon and the season is open until the 15th of November I figured I'd bring a rifle (and the normal hunting gear) with me on this trip. We haven’t nailed down our trip plans or location yet, so pre-scouting isnt really an option unless we end up somewhere I've been before.
I do not have any experience with fall bear in WA. Before I start on a quest of online research I figured I'd ask a few general questions to this community. I'm looking for any tips or suggestions on how to hunt bear this time of year, including elevation range to focus on, snowfall/weather factors, food/habitat, east side vs. west side...etc.
Thanks!
GoatNuts
As a WA resident I picked up a bear tag to accompany my elk tag during archery season. My elk season is over after an awesome (although unsuccessful) couple of days 12 miles deep in one of WA's wilderness areas in the South Cascades. We were in the elk the entire time, and saw several bulls (even a bruiser!) but couldn’t make it happen. I should also briefly mention I am relatively new to hunting in WA State, but not new to being in the backcountry.
So, a couple times a year I get together with a few west-side buddies for a three or four day backpacking trip. They aren’t hunters, but take up no issue with the concept. Usually we do a snow trip in the early spring and a mid-summer trip (also turns into a scouting trip for me), and this year we are adding a trip in late October. Our normal trip destinations range several miles in. Since I still have a bear tag that's good for any legal weapon and the season is open until the 15th of November I figured I'd bring a rifle (and the normal hunting gear) with me on this trip. We haven’t nailed down our trip plans or location yet, so pre-scouting isnt really an option unless we end up somewhere I've been before.
I do not have any experience with fall bear in WA. Before I start on a quest of online research I figured I'd ask a few general questions to this community. I'm looking for any tips or suggestions on how to hunt bear this time of year, including elevation range to focus on, snowfall/weather factors, food/habitat, east side vs. west side...etc.
Thanks!
GoatNuts
