Last article we looked at how the state is broken down when it comes to bear hunting. This week we give you some ideas on some of the gear you will need and the places in the state that you have the best chance at bagging a bruin.

If you are like me, any chance you get to add new gear or equipment you will take it. Of course like any good hunter knows, you must have specific bear hunting clothing, along with a dedicated bear hunting gun and knife. Seriously, many hunters who are deer or elk hunting carry a bear tag with chance they come across one while afield. All of your favorite deer and elk gear will work just fine on local bears. Since they live in the same areas that we hunt deer and elk, there is no need to run out and buy new gear, unless you are able to get away with it.

Most of the bears in our area will weigh about the same as a large muley, with a few pushing the poundage of some of our elk. Because of this your favorite deer/elk gun will work just fine on bears. Many hunters use the venerable .30-06 and this will work great on bears. The biggest thing to practice on is to get accustomed to viewing bears. When they stand broadside they appear much wider than any deer you may have shot at, but most of this will be attributed to the thick fur on their hides. It takes careful attention to watch where the bear’s shoulder blade flexes and aim for a solid heart/lung shot. Be sure to use quality bullets — the bear’s shoulder is surrounded by thick muscle and their bone structure is much stronger than deer/elk. A soundly constructed bullet is needed to penetrate the thick hide and fat, plus be able to go through bone if needed. The last thing you want is a bullet to shatter on impact and have the unenviable task of tracking a wounded bear in thick cover. Even though not as aggressive as the grizzlies, a black bear is no less dangerous when wounded. Be sure to use enough gun for the job, ensure you are proficient with that gun, and be patient for a quality shot that will result in a quick kill.

The good news for Washington hunters: we have a healthy population of bruins and finding a good area to hunt is not that hard. During the early season, you will have most of the woods to yourself, which makes for some pleasant hunting. By sheer numbers, the largest concentration of the bears is in the northeast corner of the state. Areas between Loup Loup Pass and the Idaho border are loaded with bears. There is plenty of public land in the Colville Forest and this is probably your best option for filling your tag. Along with the forest, look for areas in the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. This is a great place to scout for whitetails while hunting bears. Find one of the many berry patches and search for signs to find the hungry bears. The Blue Mountains in the Southeast corner has a healthy population of bears and if you plan on hunting elk in the area would not be a bad place to plan an early hunt. My first bear was taken just north of Winthrop along the Chewuch River. We had just packed out a deer and just happened to come across a bear in one of the blowdowns. While not as many, there are quite a few bears in the Methow Valley.

There is no need to travel over the mountains in search of a bear; we have plenty on our side as well. There are quite a few bears in the Baker Lake area. With plenty of berry fields, you can find a bruin if you are willing to work at it. My family once came across a large blackie on the road up to Anderson Lake, but plan on getting well off the road to find a bear. Many of the areas around Baker Lake are a good bet, along with National Forest Land in the Day and Finney Creek areas. Check for openings on the private timberland west of Baker near the Twin Sisters as well. If you don’t mind doing some heavy work, the peninsula has quite a large population of bears. Any of the areas along the many rivers from the coast would be a good place to start. Be prepared, the hunting on the east side will be fairly open, but on the peninsula it will be wet and thick. Shots will be well under 100 yards at times, but if you don’t mind putting in a little sweat, you can be very productive on the coast. Watch for fish runs up many of the coastal rivers and you can usually find bears in the creeks feasting on the die-off.

Whether you are a dedicated bear hunter or just buy a tag in case you see one while deer or elk hunting, take advantage of one our state’s unique hunting experiences. Remember any excuse to get out in the woods is well worth it.