Spring Bear or Fall Bear....which hunt?

WiskeyJaR · 01-10-2008, 09:22 AM

yes I know it's just 11.50 for tags

but if you had to choose between a spring hunt or a fall hunt for bear, which would you hunt and why? This being in the mid-valley/central cascade area.

Thanks folks
WiskeyJaR

Lefty · 01-10-2008, 09:29 AM

Spring if you want the rug, but I think they are easier to locate during the Fall if you just want the meat...just my .02c

ORhunter · 01-10-2008, 12:01 PM

If you have berry patches to hunt in the fall, that's the way I'd go. Otherwise a spring hunt in the NE and use a predator call or fawn bleat. Should be able to get several a day.

marked trail · 01-10-2008, 02:09 PM

It is much easier to harvest a bear in the spring, in my experience.

Blackbeardown · 01-10-2008, 06:22 PM

Spring for sure. Lotsa cabin fever going on about that time. When else can you go out and spot numerous bears on a daily basis. They are so seclusive...it is neat just to spot them. On the side...there are usually lots of elk to spot and view.

For the meat...the Fall is best. Nothing much better than a fall bear full of berries. There is an outfit in Elgin that makes the most outstanding "smoked hams" out of bear. All you do is put it in the crockpot with a mustard glaze and you will not taste much better. I would bet money on that one.

hunterharry · 01-10-2008, 07:28 PM

Spring bear for sure. If you know what your doing, you should see lots of bears.

elkthumper · 01-10-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ORhunter

If you have berry patches to hunt in the fall, that's the way I'd go. Otherwise a spring hunt in the NE and use a predator call or fawn bleat. Should be able to get several a day.

really? does it work that good in the spring????

Wheels · 01-10-2008, 08:27 PM

I like spring bear here on the west side.............I used to see a lot of bear in the fall when i was younger and hunting for deer.................once I started targeting bears in the spring, WoW........there are a lot of bears out there. They aren't spooky in the spring......a lot less hunters out there that time of year. Like said above, if you want a rug.....go spring..............if you have a good berry patch......go fall..................longer season in the fall too. Good Luck. Wheels.

WiskeyJaR · 01-10-2008, 10:03 PM

Thanks for all the Advice folks, gonna give the spring hunt a try.
Any advice for a frist timer? Gonna be hunting the N.Cascade unit, around the SweetHome area.

Jeremy · 01-11-2008, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiskeyJaR

Thanks for all the Advice folks, gonna give the spring hunt a try.
Any advice for a frist timer? Gonna be hunting the N.Cascade unit, around the SweetHome area.

Hopefully you can draw the N. Cascade tag.

Bait Bucket · 01-11-2008, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marked trail

It is much easier to harvest a bear in the spring, in my experience.

I certainly SEE a lot more in the spring!

StinkyFish · 01-11-2008, 08:01 AM

I have only hunted bears once. Last year, in the spring, NE Oregon. I was succesfull using a pred. call. I chose the spring hunt because I was told the spring bear meat was better tasting due to teh lack of movement during hibernation and the lack of fat that a fall bear can put on. Also a bear that might be feeding on spawned out fish will have a poor taste. Just what I was lead to beleive, correct me if I am wrong. Either way your first bear hunt will be one to remember.

WiskeyJaR · 01-11-2008, 08:59 AM

welp I have put in for N. Cascade at least. Anyone know when they send out the notices? I figure I got a slim chance at best.being as this is me frist year for draw.

**wonders if he could convince the game warden that the goat he had stacked out was actually a long lost pet I'ld been looking for?**

Jeremy · 01-11-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiskeyJaR

welp I have put in for N. Cascade at least. Anyone know when they send out the notices? I figure I got a slim chance at best.being as this is me frist year for draw.

**wonders if he could convince the game warden that the goat he had stacked out was actually a long lost pet I'ld been looking for?**

Results available Feb 20th usually a couple days before that online.

Don Fischer · 01-11-2008, 09:35 AM

Hey JR I just can't help it!

WiskeyJaR · 01-11-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Fischer

Hey JR I just can't help it!

Ohhhh ...where oh where

You always come up with such good pic's, Don. Thanks for stiring the blood...

Don Fischer · 01-11-2008, 10:37 AM

Was gonna answer your PM about coyote hunting. Can't remember where it was. It's on but tell me the day again. Ought to be good, you don't know what your doing and I haven't got a clue!

I got a couple good shooting rifles tho. we find one drunk in the middle of the road it's gonna die!

ORhunter · 01-11-2008, 10:43 AM

Elkthumper:

Yea, it works that good but just like fishing, it's all about location and actually having fish in the water. Everyone I've ever talked to on this subject has the most success along the Snake R. where visibility is good and sound travels a great distance. Probably not as effective in dense forest as sound travels poorly in trees and ya never know when a bear is coming in because of visibility.

WiskeyJaR · 01-11-2008, 11:16 AM

Don, this coming wednessday...16th? sent nother PM