lonne

2nd Bear Attack this summer... Bear thought the guy was dead and an easy meal? I guess the first bear attack was in relatively same area (Tonto Village), and they didn't catch that bear (?), so maybe and probably the same bear... http://azgfd.net/art...ar-Payson.shtml This article shows the bite marks, looks like the bear barely scratched the surface...maybe bears like tattoos? http://www.kpho.com/story/18856410/bear-attacks-camper-in-tonto-forest-cabin

Really awesome bear !

Beautiful bear!

Sweet pics...!

Awesome and unbelievable

Tucson John. I like quads, but people run quads like crazy in Four Peaks area. Some care about oncoming vehicle others fly down the road as though they have some sort of pass to drive as fast as they want. It is unbelievable how many of them disregard their safety. The fireworks sounds nuts too. I think instead of trying to regulate stupidity they should educate more about not having unsafe camp fires or make the fines steeper. There is no solve all, unfortunately. But the actions of the stupid shouldn't affect the actions of all of us. We do live in a free country. Every year they pass more and more laws, restricting more of your freedom, many of them regulating stupidity (telling people they cannot own a chimpanzee, for example), taking away more and more of our freedom. Understand the forests are owned by all, but it seems increasingly likely unless this drought goes away soon we will not have access to the forest, period, in the summer. 1uglydude. Guess I cannot retain you? :-) Joke aside, I'm not violating the closure simply referring to those that would have enough money to hire a lawyer, do something like this, camp safely, and get the charge dismissed b/c of high paid lawyer technicality, or take advantage because they are a forest service employee, while the rest of us all suffer. 1) Closed means closed I understand this, or I would not have been so upset to post and protest 2) 23 looks great, I'll keep in mind for future. I live in Phoenix, would love to hunt that area, but base alot of decisions based upon gasoline prices and what is in my wallet. 3) Also understand this, and it's too bad. Many native americans have hunting rights, not privileges (opposite). I guess I mistook our hunting privileges as having the privilege of being able to hunt on state land as a right, when it's not. But usually hunters are considered a little more respectful of the land. Not saying they are. But I did take a hunter education course and maybe a fire safety course should be offered. Of course I understand if this was the case, Roosevelt's management wouldn't be successful as there would be too many poachers, abusers, etc. Just stating...but I do understand. 4) Never said I haven't made it out yet. In fact I put quite a bit of time scouting the area in 22 where I found bear(s), and that is why I was so upset when it was closed. Like alot of people, I've been looking for bears for a long time, was excited to have found one or some, and now this happened. I haven't been hunting bear in summer as long as you but definitely next year I'll anticipate and expect this. 5) You can call it complaining, but I prefer to call it protesting against wanting to use the land and not for ill-purpose or harm...Would you like to be out there hunting possibly now? If yes, then join me in finding out a way we can eliminate the idiots somehow that affect us all. 6) I don't disagree with you. From a legal perspective you're right. How about camping, is that a right? LOL...seriously. I don't know. I assume it is a privilege but would sure be depressed if I was next told I can't camp anywhere and it's not my right, but a privilege that can be taken away no matter how safe of a camper I am. As far as cameras go. I was scouting Mazatzals and there camping when the Sunflower fire hit and evacuated. I have a cam there also and I am now not able to get to it. Sorry to hear about your camera, did you lose it completely? The fire hadn't reached the camping area I was in but it did approx a week later. Drove by the other day and it looks awful. Instead of dealing with a $5,000 fine, I decided to scout somewhere for the weekend. Even if I had $5,000 I still would have complied. Just protesting...I feel like in 20 years many politicians will take away many things due to a stupid few...

Thanks 1uglydude. That sounds great but not how I am reading it so sure hope like you said that I'm reading it incorrectly. I assume these bears were killed in Unit 22. I'm looking at Archery Spring Bear http://www.azgfd.gov/regs/springregs.pdf page 23 (25 of 32) and it says the Archery tag for Unit 22 has Female Harvest Limit of 1. It lists Notes 1, 2, 3, 7. Note 3 says: When the number of female bears equaling the female harvest limit for a particular hunt has been reported killed, by either hunters or the Department, the unit(s) will be closed at sundown the Wednesday immediately following. Hunters are responsible for calling 1-800-970-BEAR (2327) before hunting to determine if their desired hunt unit is still open. The female harvest limit is combined for Unit 35A/35B and Fort Huachuca hunts, and both hunts will close when the female harvest limit is reached for Unit 35A/35B.

If I am understanding correctly, Spring Archery 22 would be closed because of the sow killed by the Department?

Makes sense...not sure why I did not realize this earlier, as usually they refund your money shortly after you are not drawn...guess your email got me excited about the draw results and I forgot how it usually works, as the draw results should be coming out soon. Good luck all

If successful on the draw, does the 7.50 usually come out before the tag fees? Or both at the same time?

Awesome! Sounds like a deal for an endorsement or contract for a TV advertisement on an outdoor sports channel ! :-) Exactly what kind of stand was it? Do not think I am going to go out and buy one but I've often thought about how those curved trees could be a problem...

Thanks all! If I can get to the point where I can actually see a bear in the wild I'll do my best to size him up properly and if he/she appears small and I can determine if it is a female I'll do my best to leave it alone...still working on this part. :-)

I have been following this site and forum for a long time, it is awesome... Hunted deer and elk a few times love it, last year started looking for bear. It has been a real challenge so far. Finally after lots of time on the feet hiking into some really tough places, got these pics... Cannot tell if it is the same bear, or different bears? Also the one looking at the cam definitely looks like a boar. Mean to stand in the same place as the bear standing and find out how tall it is, but guess I will have to do that on my next long hike out as I missed doing that this weekend... Any thoughts? Are they the same bear? Different? Male and a female, or two males?