Help me get the monkey off my back...

[Stu]

So the story goes like this;

This is my fourth year trying to get a black bear without any success.
Most of my attempt on bagging one was short day trips
that were not productive at all. I finally realized that day
trips are pretty much waste of gas for city dwellers like me.
Probably all of you experienced hunters roll their eyes and think
I could have told you so, but it took me a while to realize it so go easy on me.

I heard that Clearwater is a great area to go for bears.
My new plan is to be out in the woods on Aug 31st to get familiar with the area
and be ready to hunt on Sep 1st, I'm thinking about staying for up to three nights
if necessary. I will be alone so I would prefer to be hunting close to the road, it would
be probably not a good idea to shoot the first bear miles away from the car in a rough terrain.

I've never been in the woods in Clearwater area so I pull up the trusty google earth and
quickly realize that there are a lots of logging roads in all directions around Clearwater.

Now to my dilemma, which way am I going? South? North? East? West?...
As customary on all thread where people asking for help;
"I am not looking for your honey hole, I am just looking for advice what area should I focus on".

Now that we have this out of the way;
Is it even a good idea to head there this early in the season?
Is there a better place/time I should go?

I would be gladly buying the doughnuts and coffee if someone is out for bear at the
same time and would be willing to show me the ropes.

I appreciate any help that puts me closer to that mystical furry creature.

Thank you.

[IslandWanderer]

There’s nothing wrong with day trips. In my opinion, bear hunting is mostly about right place at the right time, and glassing. Both work for cruising around on logging roads for the day (afternoon/evening). If you’re enjoying your time in the bush, then it’s not a waste of gas. My son and I got this one last November. It took a mixture of day trips and 5 day trips before we found one we wanted.

https://ibb.co/hqCMOz

https://ibb.co/hYQxwK

https://ibb.co/h3YHwK

https://ibb.co/mGsAGK

[TyTy]

Don't ever let the pressure of punching a tag detract from the enjoyment of the hunt. good times = success.

week long hunts improve your odds as you can focus on what is happening in a given area.

[butcher]

Man it will probably be real hot here during that time. Bears could be hard to come by. On the other hand if you were to get up in the high country and find some berry patches you could have success. I’d offer to show you some spots but I’ll be elk hunting. PM if you want and I’ll try to steer you right.

[Ferenc]

Boston Bar = Blackbears

[browningboy]

Boston Bar = Blackbears

yes this is true, hit the hydro road that parallels the Fraser off of Keefers

[monasheemountainman]

Don't ever let the pressure of punching a tag detract from the enjoyment of the hunt. good times = success.

week long hunts improve your odds as you can focus on what is happening in a given area.

X2 on this! Go have fun... spring for bear hunting, if you see a big one in the fall...bonus

[Stu]

There’s nothing wrong with day trips. In my opinion, bear hunting is mostly about right place at the right time, and glassing. Both work for cruising around on logging roads for the day (afternoon/evening). If you’re enjoying your time in the bush, then it’s not a waste of gas. My son and I got this one last November. It took a mixture of day trips and 5 day trips before we found one we wanted.

https://ibb.co/hqCMOz

https://ibb.co/hYQxwK

https://ibb.co/h3YHwK

https://ibb.co/mGsAGK

Nice bear IslandWanderer, thank for sharing. By waste of time I mean it depends where you live,
Driving from Vancouver it takes ~3h to get in the bush and the same time to get back, this makes
for a very long day and not much time to hunt.

Don't ever let the pressure of punching a tag detract from the enjoyment of the hunt. good times = success.

week long hunts improve your odds as you can focus on what is happening in a given area.

I do enjoy every minute I make it outdoors, but after so many years it would be nice to bring
home some meat.

yes this is true, hit the hydro road that parallels the Fraser off of Keefers

Thanks, I will look into that.

Man it will probably be real hot here during that time. Bears could be hard to come by. On the other hand if you were to get up in the high country and find some berry patches you could have success. I’d offer to show you some spots but I’ll be elk hunting. PM if you want and I’ll try to steer you right.

Thank you for the offer Butcher, the heat is something I was worried about as well.

[elch jager]

PM sent... honey hole disclosed. The locals thank you for your service... kill a bear and keep a clean campsite.

[caddisguy]

Did someone say bears? *twitches* hmm it's almost bow season. How did that happen?