Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11

Thread: Region 8 - where’s the bears?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Walnut Grove, Langley
    Posts
    105

    Region 8 - where’s the bears?

    Hi All,

    with roughly 40-50 hours scouting mostly on foot and still hunting since late august, I have seen very limited bear sign, and none on my three trail cams since mid august.

    I believe the general rule is that they are up high on north slopes eating berries, but I haven’t glassed any either.

    I am wondering if the bad berry year due to heat, and the wildfires have pushed them somewhere else. More down in ag fields / vineyards / orchards?

    really hoping to try my hand at rendering bear fat this fall.

    many advice or insight from fellow region 8 HBCers is appreciated.

  2. Site Sponsor

  3. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Posts
    37

    Re: Region 8 - where’s the bears?

    On my trail Cam in R-8 I have 4 different bears 2 of those were sows with 2 cubs each. There's one big boar around but I have never seen them while out hunting. I have mine set up on a small pond/ meadow in relatively low elevation, there is a ton of Rosehips around as well, idk if that helps you or not. I don't think there's a decline in population throughout the area. Bears are just very evasive. They're scent is probably 10x as strong as a deers and they move extremely quiet and mostly nocturnal. I imagine as the temperatures cool down they're gonna get more active in trying to bulk up for the winter. Only times I've gotten a fall bear have been in Oct/ November

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Walnut Grove, Langley
    Posts
    105

    Re: Region 8 - where’s the bears?

    Thanks for the help. I’ve been told it’s harder to target fall bear vs spring bear, as they seem to be more elusive in the Fall. I imagine rose hips would be a good food source to focus on as the weather gets cooler and their hyperphagia phase intensifies. Not interested in a salmon bear so streams in region 2 isn’t an option.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    932

    Re: Region 8 - where’s the bears?

    Behind my house in 8-15.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    8,515

    Re: Region 8 - where’s the bears?

    Some years, you run into a bear around every second corner and other times you dont see a single one in a week long hunt.
    Rosehips are definitely a prime food source right now for them.
    Drive around til you find fresh bear scat on the road, especially where rosehips grow along side of it.
    Bear wont be too far from there usually.
    They meander a lot, but along a road, they tend to just walk along grabbing rosehips for several km's.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Posts
    60

    Re: Region 8 - where’s the bears?

    North Narmata road across from every orchard there.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Changing diapers
    Posts
    1,099

    Re: Region 8 - where’s the bears?

    in my car port 8-15
    "Just ask anybody who packs a 338... the 30-06 will bounce off a grizzly!"

    "I am not here to awaken sheep, I am here to awaken sleeping lions" Husky7mm

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Surrey, BC
    Posts
    13,183

    Re: Region 8 - where’s the bears?

    They are in town this year.
    1. Human over population
    2. Government burden and overreach

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2016
    Posts
    599

    Re: Region 8 - where’s the bears?

    They are out and about fattening up before winter. You won't find them cruising roads nearly as often as in the spring. As feed dies off in the high country with recent frost and snow, you can expect to find them at lower elevations where food is still fairly plentiful.

    Have some cameras right between 2 of the major fires in R8 this year and it hasn't affected game movement whatsoever.
    "The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom."

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    region 9
    Posts
    11,528

    Re: Region 8 - where’s the bears?

    Quote Originally Posted by andrew5 View Post
    Hi All,

    with roughly 40-50 hours scouting mostly on foot and still hunting since late august, I have seen very limited bear sign, and none on my three trail cams since mid august.

    I believe the general rule is that they are up high on north slopes eating berries, but I haven’t glassed any either.

    I am wondering if the bad berry year due to heat, and the wildfires have pushed them somewhere else. More down in ag fields / vineyards / orchards?

    really hoping to try my hand at rendering bear fat this fall.

    many advice or insight from fellow region 8 HBCers is appreciated.
    As you mentioned, they are mostly down lower to my knowledge trying to fatten in ag fields, orchards, etc....very poor berry year I imagine is forcing them down to other food sources...they are giving CO's a lot of grief this year...

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •