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Washington Bear Guides
Washington State Black Bear Tips
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- "Black bear are where you find them" is the rule for hunting Washington State bears. HWS staff
- Glassing and Stalking are a common way to hunt bears in Washington. Look for bears feeding in the open or rooting around rotting trees. HWS staff
- It is illegal to bait bears in Washington State. HWS staff
- Look for Bear scat to determine where bears are. Bear scat will usually be substantial in volume and will contain a variety of seeds, hair, and just about anything else. HWS staff
- Bear have an excellent sense of smell. Be especially aware of your smell when in bear country. Scent tips HWS staff
- Look for Bear sign. It is very easy to tell when a bear has found a log filled with termites or other bugs. It is a good bet that your bear is somewhere close by if you happen upon a recently torn up log. HWS staff
- When hunting in the Northern parts of Washington for Bears, be aware that transient Grizzlies have been spotted. Know the difference between the Grizzly and the Black Bear. There are no hunting seasons for the Grizzly bear in Washington State. HWS staff
- Black bears are easily found in areas with significant fields of huckleberries. You can easily spot them feeding in the open during all times of the day. HWS staff
- Stands can be used for Black bears. Position the stand in travel corridors between tall timber and berry fields. Benches between two prominent hills are good places to ambush bears moving. HWS staff
- Use your hearing to locate bears. Bears who are comfortable will make a substantial amount of noise.
- Be aware of your quarry, if you have the time, wait to see if the bear you are about to shoot has cubs.
- When hunting bears, pay attention to where you are shooting, the kill zone on a bear is much different than a deer or elk. Shoot a bit lower on the shoulder than you would with a deer or elk. HWS staff
- A person would be best suited to stay away from the berry pickers and the roads, and do a lot of glassing. HWS staff
- Look in some open areas where the berries are early, like during the first part of the fall season of early August. if you can find those early patches of ripening berries, you'll find bear. HWS staff
- Hire a guide for one season. Chances are that guide will teach you more during your hunt than you would learn from years of "trying to figure it out on your own." Guides are willing to teach and are getting paid to give you all their attention. Most guides will be flattered if you continually pick their brains for information.
- Great Bear Information site North American Bear Center
- Calling of bears has been known to be effective. They are naturally very curious. A predator call (wounded rabbit, fawn bleat, etc) or the bleat of a cub bear have been known to bring in bears. HWS staff
- Bears seem to have poor eyesight. If you stand still, bears may walk right by you. HWS staff
- When hunting Eastern Washington do not be surprised to see blonde, red, or brown “black” bears. What you may mistake for a golden retriever, could be a trophy blonde bear. This is known as color phase. (verify your target before making a shot, shooting anything but what you intend is inexcusable.) HWS staff
- Look for remote apple trees to wait out a black bear. Eastern Washington is littered with apple trees in remote areas. These trees are bear magnets. HWS staff