Bivy out tempts me but fears keep me at bay

[7RemMag]

Particularly in the case of Colorado and statistically speaking, you are far more likely to be killed in a car accident on your way to hunt than you are of being killed by any of the predators that call Colorado home. Pack a handgun that you're comfortable carrying and shooting in addition to your "hunting" firearm or bow If you feel that it would make you more comfortable.

If you ask me, I'd be far more concerned with some of them creepy crawlies you fellas have down in Texas than anything that has four legs and teeth and/or claws.

 

[JohnB]

Going solo, have spent several nights in a tent here in Texas but we don’t have bears where I am (only black panthers). Also definitely a tent not a bivy sack, just meant that style of hunting.

Well if it makes you feel better you also don't have black panthers in Texas. Standard mountain lions sure but not black ones.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Planning on picking up a bear tag too so that basically guarantees I won’t see one…so there’s that

Start to get used to bivy camping now, in your home state. Start in your yard even. Just get used to being in that situation and sleeping comfortably in a bivy setup. Take it to the mountains or forests nearby. By the time you go to Colorado, you will feel at home in that system and the location won’t matter as much to you as it does now.

 

[guitarpreston]

Well if it makes you feel better you also don't have black panthers in Texas. Standard mountain lions sure but not black ones.

Sarcasm is hard to convey through text lol. In my 35 years here I have only seen a single legitimate pic of a cat at all and that was a couple months ago hit by a local police department. However there have been many many allegations.

 

[Marble]

Going solo, have spent several nights in a tent here in Texas but we don’t have bears where I am (only black panthers). Also definitely a tent not a bivy sack, just meant that style of hunting.

I've got a buddy that is an adult onset hunter. Didn't start until his mid-40s. He is petrified of bears. There has been several times where I put him in a spot to sit, and he either walks right back to the truck or gets up and moves because he saw some bear poop on the ground.

It's frustrating.

Last year, we had a bear, about a 200 pounder, come in to the property next to where we were hunting. We were bear hunting with rifles. He walked back to the truck. For the past several years, he's been really wanting to kill a bear. But I think fear just gets him.

To me, it's totally unreasonable. It's just silly to let a fear control your decisions like that. I would encourage you to follow your plan of solo camping and use logic to make your decisions, not emotions during your hunt.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[guitarpreston]

I've started to acquire some more adequate camping gear...Think I am going to have to go for it, at least a few nights depending on if I can find adequate water.

 

[Jethro]

Good luck @guitarpreston. Just keep reminding yourself 99.9% fear is all in your head. You’ll be fine.

 

[guitarpreston]

Just felt like I should update this, ended up staying out 1 night this season and in the truck 2. The night I was out a bear cruised about 250 yards from camp but miraculously didn’t eat me…got out of range before I could get in the gun, man do they move. Slept like crap but it was a start. Going out to my farm tomorrow evening to chase whitetail early Sunday morning and not wake my whole house up so I’ll get some more reps before next season. Want to go in further and spend more nights out chasing bucks

 

[Blurry1]

Congrats on putting that fear to bed. Mice sound like mountain lions in the quiet dark of the backcountry. Btw I think many of us sleep like crap the first night out but by night two I sleep like the dead.

 

[highcountrymuley]

Yes you'll be so tired on night 2 u should sleep thru anything. Sleeping with a pistol within reach (empty chamber) works for me

 

[Ron.C]

Just felt like I should update this, ended up staying out 1 night this season and in the truck 2. The night I was out a bear cruised about 250 yards from camp but miraculously didn’t eat me…got out of range before I could get in the gun, man do they move. Slept like crap but it was a start. Going out to my farm tomorrow evening to chase whitetail early Sunday morning and not wake my whole house up so I’ll get some more reps before next season. Want to go in further and spend more nights out chasing bucks

Good for you. It gets easier the more nights you spend.

Just keep the risk in perspective and try not to let your imagination turn it into something it's not.

If you are still looking for some added assurance, have a look at this product. I have one and use it when in Griz country.

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