wa spring bear 2015

[wawhitey]

Ive heard that the 2015 spring bear tags are being doubled in eastern washington this year. Anybody know where i can read this for myself? And is it supposed to be doubled in all units, meaning 121 and 117 will each have a hundred available this year?

 

[Brock A]

Ive heard that the 2015 spring bear tags are being doubled in eastern washington this year. Anybody know where i can read this for myself? And is it supposed to be doubled in all units, meaning 121 and 117 will each have a hundred available this year?

That would be sweet! Maybe call?

 

[Liljozie495]

I herd word of that from a guy at work today, I told him the same thing give Wdfw a call. That would be awesome!

 

[Gutpile]

Do you mean in addition to the added tags for 2013 or 2014? I know they raised the number of tags and lengthened the season last year or the year before but I haven't heard anything about more tags again for 2015. I kind of hope not actually. It's nice when you get drawn and there arent 20 other guys in your area mucking up the works. Probably just the state trying to get more revenue........again. LOL

 

[wawhitey]

Do you mean in addition to the added tags for 2013 or 2014? I know they raised the number of tags and lengthened the season last year or the year before but I haven't heard anything about more tags again for 2015. I kind of hope not actually. It's nice when you get drawn and there arent 20 other guys in your area mucking up the works. Probably just the state trying to get more revenue........again. LOL

Yes ive heared double for 15. I dont see hardly any spring bear hunters around here. Im guessing most of tge tags go to guys who just want to draw something and have never been to the areas and they might do a weekend at most. No other explanation as to why the success rate is so low. Guys that live 6 hours away and dont have the time to hunt the tags effectively. Dont understand why guys put in for tags for far flung areas they know damn good and well they wont be able to scout, seems like a waste.

 

[Gutpile]

I agree. They do it a lot. I get pm's all the time over at hunt wa about 121 from wet siders because I've had success there. Guys that have 1 post and just want info. so they send out pm's hoping for a honey hole never to be heard from again. Well, the bright side to that is I'll get drawn every 2 years instead of every 3. (hopefully)

 

[Brock A]

Im guessing most of tge tags go to guys who just want to draw something and have never been to the areas and they might do a weekend at most. No other explanation as to why the success rate is so low. Guys that live 6 hours away and dont have the time to hunt the tags effectively. Dont understand why guys put in for tags for far flung areas they know damn good and well they wont be able to scout, seems like a waste.

I am guilty of being 6 hours from the unit I put in for...However I am not one of the guys that will let the tag go to waste. This is true for A TON of tags in WA. Multiseason deer is a perfect example. How many of those go unsold each season...

 

[Gutpile]

Definitely. Lots of guys apply for tags they will never even try to use. The multi season is a bit different because if they draw but don't buy the tag at least it's not taking away another guys opportunity.

I'm really getting stoked for spring bear. I should draw 121 this year and just can't wait to get out there again

 

[weatherbow21]

I also put in for the tags on the opposite side of the state. I do agree though there are a ton of people who just put in just because. I'm a little bummed I'll be sitting this season out as I'll be doing a backcountry hunt in Idaho and won't be able to swing both. Part of me doesn't want anymore hunters out there but I also know there are plenty of bears and they need killed. I'd much prefer they open more spring hunts instead of just doubling tag quotas.

 

[wawhitey]

Im thinking ill draw it too. Even though i hate seeing any tag get wasted, like quality deer or things like that, this one especially bugs me cause i WANT those 50 bears killed in the spring, i think its important. Especially with the way our bears seem to go undercover september 1st with the service berries dried up. Not enough get taken in the fall

 

[wawhitey]

If you draw it gutpile post it up in this thread. Ill do likewise. Curious which others you put in for? I only put in for the huckleberry as id rather kill the bear in my main deer/ elk areas than somebody elses

 

[Gutpile]

I'll post it up. I only apply for 121 as I have good luck there and I know the area well. I've taken 5 bears in the last 6 years up there in my spot. Pretty much have them pegged in the fall it's just a matter of getting a little lucky. LOL. Typically see quite a few bears in the spring but I like to be a bit more selective in the spring. Hope to pop one with a muzzy this year.

 

[wawhitey]

I'll post it up. I only apply for 121 as I have good luck there and I know the area well. I've taken 5 bears in the last 6 years up there in my spot. Pretty much have them pegged in the fall it's just a matter of getting a little lucky. LOL. Typically see quite a few bears in the spring but I like to be a bit more selective in the spring. Hope to pop one with a muzzy this year.

well im sitting on 4 pts for this year. If you see a extend cab black tacoma parked somewhere (or a green arctic cat) during spring bear thats probably me doing what youre doing.

 

[Gutpile]

2012 Black ford F350, I'm typically tooling around from point A to B on a Red Suzuki Vinson. I'll be camping in a Blue and White 23 foot Sandstorm Toy Hauler.

 

[Mike7]

Doesn't Huckleberry have some access issues due to private land over a good portion of prime areas in the Unit? If so, I would guess that guys coming in from outside of the area may not realize that until they get there.

 

[Gutpile]

It's got quite a bit of private but also a lot of timber company and state land. Gotta do a little homework for sure

 

[wawhitey]

Doesn't Huckleberry have some access issues due to private land over a good portion of prime areas in the Unit? If so, I would guess that guys coming in from outside of the area may not realize that until they get there.

Plenty of publicly accessible land to hunt if you know how to find it. I know good places to hunt in surrounding units but rarely bother, i have more than enough to keep me busy here

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

I work in the outdoors and often see knuckleheads from Arlington, Vancouver, etc over here...drawing the tag and never having been east of Cle Elum. Then want me to spill the Magic Spot. Oh, can you turn me onto some turkeys while you're at it????? I am a bear fanatic. I was anxious to keep tabs on the bears as I have a running log of dates, location, size, time of day and color phase. I drew one tag for Spring bear in 105 and took a nice color phase bear. Was a great hunt. I'm with the other guy that would prefer it take 3-5 years to pull the tag and keep it a Quality hunt. I've been "growing" a few for my two great friends who should be coming up on drawing with 4 points.

I've seen guys from Vancouver actually try to flag down the landowner tending cattle to ask if he could shoot the sow with brand new cubs off the edge of the fields. Regardless if it's technically "legal" it leaves a pretty bad taste in the mouth. I realize we are all part of the same state, but I lived over on the Coast and hated it. And that's why I live over here now.

A spring bear here, even with some local knowledge is not a Slam Dunk by any means. Certainly not in a weekend. They're here, but if you're not here between May 13-19 it gets exponentially harder.

Or you can tip a 74lb dink like the other 90% of the guys, take some hero pics and make sure you get an open mouth mount on the Killer.

 

[wawhitey]

Yup. People just put in for the tags never having been here and expect somebody to just tell them exactly where to go. And the fact is if you give away a good bear spot youre pretty much giving away a good deer spot at the same time. I see lots of bears but still struggle with it in the fall season. Wish i could hunt spring every year. And just for the hell of it heres a good sized spring bear pic.

 

[Gutpile]

He's a dandy!!!!

@Jesse Jaymes. I shot one of those 74 pounders once HAHAHA!! I thought it was about 300 yards away. I put the crosshairs between the eyes thinking it would center punch the chest. That thing dropped like a lightening bolt hit it. I made it across the little canyon and found it and about died when I saw the size. Then I ranged it and it was 150 yards. Needless to say I hit it between the eyes. HA!!