Timber Boars - An Oregon Black Bear Adventure
I felt a warm breeze across my face as the summer sunlight ripened into a dreamy gold. I could still taste the mouthful of fresh blackcap berries I munched right off the bush next to me. I heard the faint ball-busting of two of my best hunting buddies behind me as a slipped my Range Bino’s back into my Recon Bino Pack. The warm dry earth crunched beneath my flip-flop clad feet and I was surprised by the feeling of freedom afforded by the comfy gym shorts I was wearing as I hopped back in the truck. Ahead of us awaited some fresh Blacktail Deer Burgers, secured the year before by this same group, in an opulent (by my normal standards) base camp. Was this really a hunt or was I dreaming?
As an out-out-state DIY public land hunter, I can tell you that this experience is the exception, not the rule. On top of the myriad challenges of a hunter in my position, I also have the responsibility and added cost of a videographer along with me as well as a great deal of pressure I put on myself to perform and succeed at not only filling a tag on a mature animal, but also telling a compelling story of the adventure. I often hunt alone, except for my photographer, my mood is serious, our camps spartan, meals basic and I am usually cold, wet, or both. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love what I do and the challenge of it is a big part of that, but every now and then you need some type 1 fun and some good friends to help remind you what it’s all about.
If you know what you’re doing, or have good friends who do, Fall Bear Hunting in the Pacific Northwest is a great opportunity for one of the most fun big game hunts you can imagine. The tags are cheap and easy to obtain (in Oregon you can get 2), the weather is good and the country is beautiful. Not only that, opening in early August, this is a great way to extend your season, when there isn’t a whole lot else going on. Lastly, if you know how and where to look, the bear sightings can be copious, as they were on this hunt.
We spent a day and half, driving logging roads, glassing cuts and enjoying each other’s company before opening day. In that time, we saw 30+ bears and made a solid game plan for the opener. As it goes with most hunt plans, it wasn’t quite as easy as we had thought it might be headed into opening morning. There were a few unexpected surprises (like bears on our glassing spots at first light), a few botched stalks and at least one missed shot, but all was taken in stride and made for a more memorable experience.
In the end we came away with two bear tags filled and memories of one of the most fun hunts I have ever done. My buddy Josh killed an old sow on opening day that the State of Oregon officially aged at 37 years old, which is only 2 years younger than oldest wild bear ever recorded! You can watch that Hunt, part one of the 2-part series, now on my YouTube channel as well. The Next day I put my tag on a beautiful dark chocolate boar that I estimate to be around 15 years old with a 17 5/8” skull measurement. When I spotted him, he was chasing a smaller bear of his cut, biting at his haunches.
If you’re looking for a low stress, warm weather hunt with readily available tags, light hunting pressure and the opportunity for a great time with friends and family in the outdoors, you should consider Fall bear in the Pacific Northwest. If you want to get an authentic taste of just how much fun this hunt can be, watch the 2-part series on my YouTube Channel now and while you’re there please Subscribe!
Essential CANIS gear for this hunt:
Tahr Merino Short Sleeve Shirt
Tahr Merino Hooded Half-Zip Long Sleeve
Alpine Light Pants
Summit Merino Socks Mid-Height
WATCH FILM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7DbW_OrAvE
