Bear by Boat?

[Old Goat]

I am part of a boating group that is going to Tahkenitch Lake in mid October. I am wondering if it might be feasible to motor the lake edges and find a bear? It looks like in Google Earth that there are a few clear cuts that butt up to the lake, with a token tree buffer. Seems like it is in the heart of bear country. Never heard of anyone hunting like this around here. It is common in Alaska. Anyone know about bears in this area?

PS. The group will be horrified if I come back to camp with a bear on the front of my boat!!! Mostly liberals. They know I am a conservative...but this might push them over the edge. LOL. Anyone know the boating regulations...can you shoot a rifle from a boat?

[woodsy188]

As far as I know, as long as you are not "under way" (motor running) its legal. People duck hunt from a boat with a shot gun. Not sure on rifle though.
I looked through the regs and didn't see anthing about shooting a rifle from a boat.

[Elkhunter14]

I beleive that it is not legal to shoot a game mamal from a boat that has any kind of motor on it. This may not be true but I would look into it before heading out, better to be safe than sorry.

Elkhunter14

[Old Goat]

This small issue would not stop me from going either way. I will scour the regulations tonight. There has got to be some bears around the lake within walking distance of the shore. One good thing...it is all downhill to the boat if you get one!!!

[baltz526]

some lakes are no hunting areas. i would check on that also.

[Accumark Man]

I hunt this area for bears all the time. I have never seen any bears very close to the lake. As a matter of fact I don't think there are any bears at all around there!!!!

[Ni!]

Originally Posted by Accumark Man

I hunt this area for bears all the time. I have never seen any bears very close to the lake. As a matter of fact I don't think there are any bears at all around there!!!!

That's a good one. I think the legislature declared that a bear-free area so all the bears have to stay away.

You can hunt on Tahkenitch. Shooting a rifle from a boat is OK as long as you're not underway from any kind of motor or sail power. Same rules as for duck hunting. There are no real beaches on the lake, so getting to the clearcuts could be a bit of a trick. Wouldn't hurt to motor around a bit and look but I wouldn't get my hopes too high.

[Weather or Knot]

BE CARFULL! THIS IS PRIVE LAND AND THE OWNERS HIRE SECURITY TO JUST DRIVE AROUND GIVING TICKETS FOR TRESPASING. I have friend that could tell you more..... lots of areas that are not posted ont eh lake side of the property. THE security guys are not cool at all. In the past I used to hunt out there quite a bit and I did get one from a boat. You can also walk the tracks. Good Luck.


Brandon

[Half fast Toyn]

Wow.... lots of advice

My family owns a float house on the lake. This does not make the lake "PRIVATE". The float houses are licensed through the county and no more can be built without another one being removed. The boarders of most of the lake is owned by private forest company. There are no roads that circle the shore line. Hwy 101 has the only 2 boat ramps. Any security company would have to operate by boat, but I know of none. There are rough trails around parts of the lake and a R&R bridge that goes across part of the lake. The float house gets broken into by bears and people all the time. Ive seen bears on the trail around the lake and once on the R&R tressel. The lake is mediocre for bass and trout but has a decent run of silvers that I dont like to speak of.....

If killing mammals from your boat is illegal, I float the Santiam in my sled and fill my Willamette doe tag whenever im lucky enough to draw one. Come and arrest me.

There are new clearcuts in the area but the shore line is very brushy and swampy. Boat access then walking in would be the best bet.