Hood Unit spring bear

[rimrock]

O.K. I admit it I stink at bear hunting . If I’m not upland hunting I’m pretty much inept I’ve come to realize .

I applied for the new Hood Unit spring bear hunt, didn't have any points, figuring it was at least close to home if I got the tag I could cut out some time from all my commitments to hunt part of the weekends – well for better or worse I got the tag . I’ve gone out the last three Friday/Saturdays got to take the rife along last time, basically thru a dart at the unit map and ventured out. I haven’t seen a bear or sign at all. Oh well that’s hunting, but if anyone would be willing to share any info they have with this unit for good bear prospects for me to check out it would be mucho appreciated.

Of course I can trade some info about the SE part of the State for anyone interested in that region. I do a significant amount of work out of Hart Mountain and Malheur National Wildlife Refuges.

[Limbhanger]

I am no expert, but where I have found quite a bit of fresh sign was where the freshest, greenest grass is growing; protected roadsides and southfacing slopes. That should be constant no matter where you are I would think.
Santiam338 seems to be the Bear Master General, he could probably give you a tip or two.

[hrbassin]

Lived here 16 years, never seen a bear. Have heard of a lot of bears on the west side though.... My friend killed one by Lost Lake last year.

Mark

[Hunt'nFish]

Probably a tough hunt since most access is probably still snowed in. I shot a big 325 fall bear up near Rainey Lk 3-4 yrs back, but fall & spring bear hunting are worlds apart and I'm sure that's all snowed in anyway. Not much for grassy south facing slopes in that unit. Not sure what to tell ya, other than good luck. The old logging rds in cuts would be my focus I guess, always grass on roads.

Year before last I was over on the east side turkey hunting a ridge top road and had a bear make a charge at me when I yelped. Not sure if I just scared him or if he thought I (hen turkey) was an easy meal. A load of #4's in the face at 15-20paces convinced him I was NOT a hen. Scared the poop right out of me, and I don't rattle easily.
Good Luck,
Hunt'nFish

PS: Limbhanger, I'm assuming you haven't gotten lucky yet?

[Santiam338]

Don't know to much about that country up there...I have deer hunted around Parkdale on leftover deer tags though....We hunted above a huge pear orchard and had to beat the bear back with sticks to get at the deer...

Gutpiles didn't last till morning...Where they are this time of the year I don't know,but they got to be around somewhere...

Once you get the bear beat back,you can find blacktails like this...

[Limbhanger]

"Once you get the bear beat back,you can find blacktails like this..."

NICE BUCK

[gottafish]

somewhere...

Once you get the bear beat back,you can find blacktails like this...

Darn SHOW OFF

[rimrock]

Thanks fellas I appreciate the info, sounds like I have my work cut out for me in this unit. But don’t hold your breath on me beating back any bear; it looks like Santiam338 doesn’t need any help. WOW! Nice.

Hopefully we'll start seeing some posts with bagged and tagged bear from you slayers , looking forward to them. I’ll be posting shots of Mt. Hood though . Good Luck fellas and thanks again.

Oh Santiam338 LOL. Nice work!

[Ryan Pultz]

You might also try up lolo pass road if the snow melts some you can get up there woth a 4x4 there is a nice place just past the pass that the whole vally opens up in a clear cut I have seen bear tracks in there in the past. rp