2021 California Bear

[David Gough]

Getting this thread started early in hoping to encourage others to pick up a bear tag this fall in California.

Just spent a day scouting and setting cameras on the east slope. All of the fresh sign was near water sources. With how dry it is I think water will be king this year.

Report how your efforts are going with scouting and hunting. I'll post pictures and video after I check cameras in a month.

 

[Huntin' Fool]

Lots of bears in the northern A zone too.

 

[sierrahunter]

This will put a major damper on things.

Sierra Pacific Industries - Recreation Access

 

[David Gough]

This will put a major damper on things.

Sierra Pacific Industries - Recreation Access

It's a bummer, but understandable. Guess those bears will get a free pass this year. Are most of those properties in B & C zone?

 

[jryoung]

It's a bummer, but understandable. Guess those bears will get a free pass this year. Are most of those properties in B & C zone?

Not sure how much is in B, I think they are mostly east of I-5, lots of land through D3-5 and 6 (in addition to C).

 

[Brandon270]

I picked up a d7 tag to go along with my usual A zone tag. I'm tempted to just buy a bear tag strictly for the chance of a random opportunity while still looking for my first buck.

 

[sierrahunter]

It's a bummer, but understandable. Guess those bears will get a free pass this year. Are most of those properties in B & C zone?

Private timber companies own land through the Sierra Nevada. It's checkerboarded with public.

 

[tanner127]

Picked up a tag last year. Never saw one, but the local radio reported a car accident because someone swerved a bear on the road the night before I was leaving. Will pick up another tag this year just in case.

 

[David Gough]

Picked up a tag last year. Never saw one, but the local radio reported a car accident because someone swerved a bear on the road the night before I was leaving. Will pick up another tag this year just in case.

I see more bears in California than I do deer.

 

[Lyfter1013]

Private timber companies own land through the Sierra Nevada. It's checkerboarded with public.

Do you have a link to a map of what properties will Be closed off? I haven’t seen one yet?

 

[sierrahunter]

Do you have a link to a map of what properties will Be closed off? I haven’t seen one yet?

Their land holdings are extensive, so there isn’t an easy map to post. OnX would tell you whose land it is. Here is a very coarse map:

Sierra Pacific Industries - Land Holdings

 

[Runnin_Chupacabra]

Going on my first bear hunt this year and stoked. Trying to decide on an area to focus on between Eastern Sierras, Tahoe NF or trinity but should be a good time. All beautiful areas

 

[David Gough]

Going on my first bear hunt this year and stoked. Trying to decide on an area to focus on between Eastern Sierras, Tahoe NF or trinity but should be a good time. All beautiful areas

I'd stick to areas you know or can scout on a regular basis.

 

[Runnin_Chupacabra]

I'd stick to areas you know or can scout on a regular basis.

I would like to but bear hunting is illegal in our local counties where we deer hunt :/

 

[David Gough]

I would like to but bear hunting is illegal in our local counties where we deer hunt :/

I hunt/scout the eastern sierra's, but from discussions with biologists the density is higher on the west slope

 

[BucksnDucks]

I see more bears in California than I do deer.

Driving during daylight this has been the same for me. I usually see more bear than legal bucks. I've spent a lot of time in the Mendocino Forest and the Plumas. There is no lack of bears, will be interesting to see if behavior changes greatly with drought and fires. I'll check back in on this thread as the season gets closer. I'm not one to give up spots but will share GPS of any bear I see.

 

[David Gough]

Driving during daylight this has been the same for me. I usually see more bear than legal bucks. I've spent a lot of time in the Mendocino Forest and the Plumas. There is no lack of bears, will be interesting to see if behavior changes greatly with drought and fires. I'll check back in on this thread as the season gets closer. I'm not one to give up spots but will share GPS of any bear I see.

There's a few spots I'm scouting. If this summer is like the last one the manzanita berries wont really have come in during archery season and the bears will stick close to water.

 

[ZMT588]

I remember seeing bears around the loon lake area every time I would drive through there to get to the Rubicon.

 

[jryoung]

Just cleared 4 days of my schedule in early July....now I can't decide what to do. Hunt the A zone opener, or go scout the Sierra....if the Sierra do info west or east. So many decisions. Have a spot in El Dorado I'd like to drop some cams, but would also like to drop some in Mono.

 

[David Gough]

Just cleared 4 days of my schedule in early July....now I can't decide what to do. Hunt the A zone opener, or go scout the Sierra....if the Sierra do info west or east. So many decisions. Have a spot in El Dorado I'd like to drop some cams, but would also like to drop some in Mono.

@Non-Lead Hunter and I put up cameras on the eastern slope in an area earlier this month. Have two more areas to check on and see what type of bear activity is there.