Elk calling in Bear Country.

[Jasonassel]

Anyone ever have an issue with bears while calling elk?

 

[Wrench]

I've called in a huge tom while working a bull.....but no bears yet.

 

[Wapiti1]

While I won't say it is impossible, I think it is pretty unlikely. I've had a few coyotes and one mountain lion come in, but no bears.

At some point, I figure I'll call in a wolf.

Jeremy

 

[MTSasquatch]

Called in a pretty large bear last season. It can happen. He came running across and down a mountain towards the elk (me).

 

[wyoguy]

1 time in 12 years not likely but possible

 

[Castle Oak]

Three to four years ago, a hunter in SW MT was blind calling from a blowdown and got attacked by a griz. We no longer use calf sounds alone and we don't setup and cold call. But the area we hunt is loaded with griz.

 

[elkbowhuntr]

I have also called in a big Tom - no bears yet.

 

[nettereo16]

I have also called in a big Tom - no bears yet.

Don't want to derail from the bear talk but interested in hearing these stories. Imagine it would be a bit spooky...

 

[elkbowhuntr]

Don't want to derail from the bear talk but interested in hearing these stories. Imagine it would be a bit spooky...

It happened to me when I lived in Montana; I was in a saddle kneeling down bulging, making all kinds of elk sounds. Probably 10 minutes went by, Got up to move and about 10-15 yards away was a huge Tom sneaking in on me, Lets just say he seen me at the same time I seen him - he went one way and I went the other ! LOL.

 

[Jasonassel]

the reason i ask...I've called in many Grizzlies over the past 10 years on the Rocky Mountain Front. (Choteau, MT) didn't know if i was special or if we just have a lot of bears here.

 

[trevvamos]

Had a black bear in come into a cow call 3 years back, and I mean absolutely rushed in. Never a grizz though

 

[rileybassman]

I know several guys who have had wolves come in to elk calling - NW Montana

 

[MThuntr]

Happened to a friend last year. He shot said bear. A very long story that also included him having to stay the night without gear.

 

[wmr89]

I've also had a mountain lion come in. No bears though. We were in a steep ravine with a lot of ground cover and foliage. I was about 20 yard to the left of my hunting partner and all the sudden he yells for me and draws his bow. I ran over but only saw the brush moving as the lion ran away. It had gotten to about 5-10 yards before he noticed it. Shook him up pretty good.

 

[elkbowhuntr]

I know several guys who have had wolves come in to elk calling - NW Montana

I called in that big Tom just west of Marion, Mt. - Close to where you are.

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

Called in a pretty large bear last season. It can happen. He came running across and down a mountain towards the elk (me).

Same here. My buddy was making cow calls in a particularly “elky” spot and this absolute toad of a bear came in fast. I mean, like on a string. Usually when I see bears, they’re just kind of wandering around and foraging and what not, this one had a completely different attitude like I’d never seen. He was coming in hot!

He came in to about 30 yards and sensed something was up, hung up for a second, then booked it out of there as fast as he came in. If he came another 5 or 10 yards in, I would have loosed an arrow and taken him.

My buddy that was calling is a big time hound hunter, and he immediately drove all the way home and got his dogs. He came back that night, and chased that bear all night for hours, in to the morning. He said he saw it take a swipe at one of his dogs, then he called them off. The bear never would tree. He calls it tyrannosaurus bear now.

 

[rileybassman]

I called in that big Tom just west of Marion, Mt. - Close to where you are.

Same area yea... there's a lot of predators out there and it seems like the elk are getting quieter every year.

 

[P Carter]

Called a big black bear in once, it got pretty sticky!

 

[Laramie]

I have hunted elk a long time and to my knowledge have never called in a bear or a cat.

 

[400orBust]

This happened to me last year in SW MT. I was working a bull pretty close right on the edge of thick timber and using soft cow and calf calls. Things were going well and all of a sudden he just shut up like he was never there. I heard something behind me in the more open area and moving around saw a patch of yellow hair so I thought he was trying to shift around to get downwind of me. As things progressed for 30 seconds or so something wasn't "right" so I just stood up and there was a sow griz & cub not 50 yards away walking to me. I was caught off guard so took me a sec but I threw my free arm up waving it hollering as I back pedaled. She looked at me, looked around, looked at me and I clipped into my bow thinking "here it comes". As I drew she turned and started walking at a 90 from me and I kept back pedaling. She kept going but looking at me frequently. Once there was about 200 yds between us I left and kept watch over my shoulder. I typically hunt solo. I was pretty scared if I'm being honest. I've encountered griz before but they always turned and ran and it was never this close. This year I'm packing a glock 10mm. I"m encourged by those who've said its rare or unlikely....I'd like to call my experience one and done.