Just got back from hunting black bears on the Quinalt Indian reservation in Wash. The Quinalt is a true rainforest on the coast south of Seattle.
This is only the second year that they have held these hunts. I was a little early in the season as the bears seemed to be just starting to move around. Season is march - may.
Rain and hail mixed with sunshine and then dark clouds every couple of hours through out the day.
This is a baited hunt with a two bear limit.
Guides are new to bear hunting and will get better with experence. Lots of activity at bait sites but it seems bears feeding at night. With warmer weather bears should be more active.
First evening I sat in a ground blind. At 8:28pm a bear poked his head out of the brush looked around and ducked backed out of sight.
Wow I got a little rush and laughed at myself heart rate up and I was pleasantly surprised at how excited I got. Almost full dark and the bear stepped into the clearing. I couldn't see the cross hairs on the bear, raised the scope above the bear where I could see them dropped straight down and pulled the trigger. The bear lurched, stumbled and went into the heavy cover. It was now full dark. I went back to the blind grabbed my gear and hiked out to the logging trail. The guide came by to get me later with another hunter, when I told them I got the bear Jamie, my guide, called his dad who was picking up two other hunters to meet us. With lots of flashlights we found a good blood trail 10 yrds into the heavy brush. The bear only went about 70 yards, but it took us 45 minutes to get him out. Very swampy and muddy with lots of thick brush and old downed logs. What a mess. Nice bear mature boar 300-315 lbs very fat a little over 6' nose to tail. Next day took hide to a taxidermist and meet to a sausage deli. Having hams smoked rest into chese sauage and some pepper sauage.
Hunted next day at different blind with the same thing, bear came in at last light. This bear was diffently bigger. He kept circling in the brush never giving me a shot as I couldn't see him in scope, to dark. This bear had a 5 1/2 inch pad the one I took 4 3/4 inch .
Lots of fun. Guides invited me back as my tag is good till end of may and also for the fall season.

Hey RM007, Sounds like a bit of an "iffy" shot on that Bear. Glad it worked out for you though.

Do you believe if you had of had a HEAVY Duplex reticle that it would have helped?

Or how about one of the Illuminated Reticles that have a wide range of illumination adjustment?

Hell yes a illminated reticle would of helped. As far as an iffy shot I forgot to mention the blinds are only 10 yrds from the bait. It seemed way to close to me but guess I can't argue with success? The bear has between me and the bait a whoppin 20 ft shot. At that distance a flashlight and a slingshot would of worked

RM:

That is a nice bear you got. Congrats.

Way to go, MB. Give me a call when you get a chance. -TONY

Congrats on a succesfull hunt.

You should post some pics.

For that type of hunting I think I'd definatly go with an aimpoint or similar sighting device.


a 12ga rifled slug gun loaded with sabot slugs and topped with an aimpoint sounds like just the tool for the job.

AllanD

RM007
Good hunt and good shooting.
That must be one nice black bear. I love to hunt them.
I have used that same scope technique at "last light" a few times myself.
However let me recommend a Swarovski 1.5-6x42 with the circle dot reticle.
In situations like you were in it is worth every penny.

Congratulations on a successful hunt.

What weapon and load did you use???

Regards, D. Nelson

I used a tikka .300 wsm 180 grain bullet

I'LL see if outdoor writer will post pictures for me.

Tony I'll call you later
MB

Congratulations
Post some pics !

Good job..congrats

I live in Walla Walla, WA and bait was outlawed (along with hounds) back in 1997 if I remember correctly. Does that not apply to the Indian Reservations? Too bad you did not get a chance at that bruiser with the 5.5" pad. It would likely have squared 6.5'. Sounds like you got a good one though. I love hunting bears and am planning to do a hunt in Idaho in mid May. Bruin

Bruin

You are correct no hounds on the reservation not even to track wounded game. baiting is allowed on reservation unlike the rest of Wash.
I don't see anyone being successfull in this area with out baiting. to thick.
I had reservation permit, license and transportation permit plus a depardation permit and tag from the state of Wash. Most paperwork I've ever needed to hunt bears

RM007,

Thanks for the report. Sounds like you had a great hunt... would love to see pics if possible.

Could you give us the name and contact info for the outfitter you hunted with?

Regards,
Dave

http://www.bigbearhunting.com/index.php

This is one of the sites with info on the bear hunts. I hunted with the nephew Jamie Lorton

360 942-7765
360 875-5577
I teased hell out of Jamie i told him I look more Indian thn he does. sandy hair and red beard he's only 1/4 Quinault

How much does one of these hunts cost?

What did the hunt cost? Bruin.

cost for tags $250 1st tag $150 second tag
$1500 for guide plus accomaditions. Lots nice oceanside resorts and hotels 15 min from hunting area