NW California Black Bear Hunt

[Dawnpatrol]

Looking at hunting in the Trinity Alps Wilderness summer 2011 for bucks and black bears. Anybody been in this neck of the woods? Looking for tips and tales.

Thanks

[loneviking]

Tough country to hunt in and ramble around in. Go prepared for any type of weather.  The Trinities make their own weather due to their topography and being so near to the coast.  You can get snow well into summer in the higher elevations.

Very strange country that's nothing like the Sierras. It's easy to get turned around as the terrain is so similar it's hard to find good landmarks. So, make sure you have a good map, compass and GPS if you like that.

It's also Bigfoot country with lots of sightings in those woods.  Take a heavy bow along and you might even come back famous! I'd sure take a fishing pole along if you're anywhere close to the Trinity river up in the Happy Camp or Hoopa area.  Good fishing in the river and there's some good swimming holes too.  

Have fun and good luck!

[Dawnpatrol]

All good advice. Thanks Loneviking.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Alex Give South Cox of Stalker Recurves a call PM him that is his neck woods also Camron Hanes has I book out I think it call Bowhunting Trophey Blacktails lots of good info. I have been thinking I might be heading up the way to hunt.Blake

[Mark Smeltzer]

I've hunted the area around Happy Camp quite a bit, I shot this bear up a tributary to the Klamath. Lots of Blackberry patches and green grass by the river. Tons of big bears, this was a small one.
Good luck.
Mark
 

[Mark Smeltzer]

Couldn't resist the view from my ground blind and another baer pic.
 
 

[Mark Smeltzer]

I meant Bear, LOL

[loneviking]

Great pics! I like that Happy Camp/Hoopa area. As you can see, the weeds get pretty high! Lots of good blackberry patches as well, but you'd darn well better hope you're immune to poison oak.

[Mark Smeltzer]

One evening I was able to get within 8 yrds of a big bear. No shot, too much brush and then he winded me and tore out in a big explosion. It was almost dark I started walking the trail from the river to the road and steped right over a big rattler in the trail, scared the %$^%& out of me. I got to the road to find a large Mt. Lion standind in the road. We stared at each other and he was gone in two leaps.
This all happend ina 15 minute period.
The story of shooting that bear was a crazy one too.  Fun Times!!!

[Mark Smeltzer]

Did I mention I met Big foot while i was there.
 

[Dawnpatrol]

Sweet bear with your snake stick! Looks like some great country for Yogis. I'm a bit familiar with the Marble Mountain Wilderness trail head out of Happy Camp. The pics of your bear spot look like similar territory. Thanks for sharing the bear pics.

[187BOWHUNTER]

Im headin up that way for blacktail, should I bring bear repellant, pepper spray?