We have Golden Russet Bosc pears and do not know when to pick these. We also have Asian and Bartlett, these we understand.
Asian pears we use a flashlight in the evening and when the fruit is sort of transparent they are ripe.
Bartlett, are needed to be picked before fully ripe. For the PNW we usually pick these mid August, but ours are still on the tree. When the full size fruit falls with bug damage and are turning yellow then those still on the tree, are getting close. The green color is lightening, and the spots turning brown.
Thanks
Jim
Zone 6 N. Idaho
I think that's the hardest thing about pears. They say check the neck to see if it has softened, then lift it up gently and if it comes off easily, it will be good. I have found that's not always true. Once I did that and they never ripened. The next year (last year), I waited a couple of extra weeks and they ripened perfectly. I think it is useful to look at a chart, for when that type ripens for a location, and adjust it to your location. For this year in the Willamette Valley, we are a few weeks late, so we'll have to adjust it that way.
Maybe I'm just not sensing it correctly. Maybe I'll go to France, put on a beret, talk about mysterious things and become supremely sensual and then I'll know. 
John S
PDX OR
We picked our Bartlett, just a bit late. Once they were inside, they were ripe i 1-3 days and some spoiling 
The were gritty too, and I've heard that if you pick too late, ie. let them ripen on the tree they get more gritty.
The Bosc pears were picked at a time when they were falling and the others were very easy to pick. If you lift them they snap off at or before 90 degrees from the hanging position. Now I have them in the refrigerator for a few weeks and then I will take them out and ripen. Is this correct for Bosc, are they a winter pear?
Idyllwild
simplepress
jafar
Marsha H
Viron
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