Hunting is not a seasonal sideline for me. It has been my livelihood for over ten years. And that shapes my attitude toward both our hunters and the game we hunt. Shane Wilkins
Washington state is absolutely teaming with black bears. The last count by the Washington State Fish & Game Dept had estimates over 25,000. That was in 1997. I’m sure that over ten years later the population is much higher.  | We hunt by spot and stalk. Baiting and the use of hounds is illegal now. Back in the day of hounds it was not uncommon for me to put three a night up a tree. I couldn’t even begin to tell you how many bears & cougars I’ve put up a tree. The knowledge I gained from running dogs is my number one asset to success.
Shane Wilkins |
Washington State is unique in that there are many color phase opportunities. Our hunters have taken blacks, blonds, browns & cinnamons over the years.
Our standard hunt is 5 days long. Most hunters are done within a couple days though. We strive for a bear that will weigh over 300lbs and is a male. I weigh all my bears on a scale.
5 day Black Bear Hunt $1995
Your trip includes all airport pickups and returns at the Portland Airport.Meals and drinks.Trophy prep and meat drop off for processing at Gartneers Meats in Portland. 5 days lodging. Knowledgeable Guide. (Me)
|  |  | Black bear are not that hard to put down. However we want to anchor them and don’t want to go after a wounded bear. I recommend a 270 win and up. Good bullets and the ability to take a shot out to 350 yards. Most shots are taken either across a clear cut or down in a canyon. I recommend a bipod a well. Shot placement is the key!
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Hunting in Washington State has a added bonus. When a hunter buys a black bear tag he receives a cougar tag free of charge. Washington’s cougar population is getting out of hand. It’s up to us hunters to manage them. If we don’t no one else will. So, when you purchase a bear tag for $219 non res or $21.90 res you get a cougar tag. I have cut as many as nine tracks in one night when we ran hounds. So don’t think it can’t happen. We have taken quite a few cats over the years.
We love our bow hunters! So don’t take me wrong guys! I just can’t book a bow hunter on our bear hunts because of our methods. I know one can harvest a bear by spot and stalk with a bow but I’m afraid you might not. My success rate has been 100% for the last six years. Our hunts are better left up to the rifle and black powder hunters. However, one can always stumble into a bear while on one of our other hunts. We took a nice bear with a bow in 2008 while elk hunting.
We start our hunts in August. Washington State has a very liberal bear season. We can hunt the bears all the way till Nov 15th. The bears will be hitting the clear cuts in hopes of finding berry patches. They are in a scramble to pack on the winter fat. Knowledge of where to find the berry patches is key. You have to be able to know what patch is ripe and when. That’s where my years of experience pays off big-time!
|  |  | Bear hunting is not that physically demanding. It takes patients, persistence and good shot placement! Anyone that can shoot and had has patients can hunt with me. Kids 12 and up are more than welcome to hunt. Women as well. This is truly one hunt that can be a family event. I thoroughly enjoy the reaction and high fives of a successful hunter or huntress! Call me and lets get your hunt going.
Shane Wilkins
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