Hunting in grizzly territory

[Fetty Wapiti]

I had a Wyoming biologist tell me if a bear claims my elk to go in there with force and push him off. Glad I've never been in that situation.

He would probably lose his job if the boss knew he told you to do that. Sounds like a huge liability and future lawsuit waiting to happen lol

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Lots of great info provided.

Before leaving the meat, put up some tree branches (think tripod or teepee) that would easily get knocked down if a big predator came in to claim the kill. Nice visual indicator.

Do what you can and just go from there. Tons of folks live, hunt, camp, hike, recreate, etc in grizzly country and the vast majority are not hyper vigilant. From a pure numbers perspective, the odds of a bluff charge/pepper spray/warning shot/getting mauled/getting killed/etc is pretty damn low.

 

[ROKnROAL]

I had a Wyoming biologist tell me if a bear claims my elk to go in there with force and push him off. Glad I've never been in that situation.

Such bad advice lol it’s like trying to take away a bone from a surly dog, except that dog weighs 800lbs and will fight to the death for it.

 

[taskswap]

I see frequent posts about folks using electric fences when camping in grizz country, especially in Alaska. Has anybody ever done that as a regular practice when field-dressing an animal? Seems like it would be a nice safety detail...

 

[Andrewlonghi]

Such bad advice lol it’s like trying to take away a bone from a surly dog, except that dog weighs 800lbs and will fight to the death for it.

While I would be really upset because it would be my first elk if I got one next year, I have no extensions of trying to get any elk back from a grizzly EVER.

 

[Dos Perros]

I'm not very smart, but I think I'd be willing to try pushing a bear off meat bags if I had two other willing dudes and an AR or a shotgun. Assuming the terrain was favorable. I would bet locals do it more than we NR's think. But like I said I'm not very smart.

 

[ROKnROAL]

I'm not very smart, but I think I'd be willing to try pushing a bear off meat bags if I had two other willing dudes and an AR or a shotgun. Assuming the terrain was favorable. I would bet locals do it more than we NR's think. But like I said I'm not very smart.

A bear on a carcass does not fall under self-defense, so if you shoot that bear, consequences are pretty severe for you and whoever you brought with you. Plus I don’t know if a 5.56 or 7.62 would really have the stopping power for a grizz

 

[Andrewlonghi]

I'm not very smart, but I think I'd be willing to try pushing a bear off meat bags if I had two other willing dudes and an AR or a shotgun. Assuming the terrain was favorable. I would bet locals do it more than we NR's think. But like I said I'm not very smart.

I kinda wondered about that myself especially if it's a big bull

 

[Deadfall]

I had a Wyoming biologist tell me if a bear claims my elk to go in there with force and push him off. Glad I've never been in that situation.

Yes absolutely. Is a must

 

[Schoolhousegrizz]

I've hunted quite a bit in Grizzly country. For me I always make noise when I'm going through thick brush. It's much easier to hunt harder with a partner. When I'm by myself I am for sure more cautious. Seen a handful while hunting, only ran into one and it ended well because I was making noise and he heard me coming long before he saw me so it was not a surprise.

 

[Deadfall]

I hunt and guide in grizzly country exclusively.
When hunting for myself I do so solo.

Personally I love the psychological side of it.

First and foremost understand you are the alpha predator. Contrary to popular opinion. Humans are not alpha predators because of our brawn. It's because of our brains!

Second. DO NOT EVER let a bear keep your animal. You run them off by whatever means necessary! For several reasons. The main one being. Grizzly bear is extremely smart. That bear has a bad encounter with human he will never forget. From that day forward that bear will stay clear. It has to be a painful negative experience. Unfortunately to many people let bears win, that's why there are so many problems these days.

This is backed up by how bears behave in different parts of grizzly country.

I suggest having a sawed off shotgun in camp and packing it to kill site. Pelt a bear with shotgun and he will immediately become a good bear.

Run hot wire around your camp. They will not penetrate it. So long as it's grounded properly and it's turned on.

If a bear comes in while you are processing a animal. Do not even bother reaching for bear spray. Fire arm. Which leads me to a overlooked point.

Firearm proficiency.
If a bear charges for real, you will get one good shot at best. The rest will be spray and pray stuff. So make sure you can draw point fire in 3 seconds or less and be spot on at 20 yards.

If you do shoot a bear, kill him. AND report it immediately. Highly recommend NOT trying to hide it.
Fish and game folks are pretty understanding. Do not lie to them.

That should be enough controversy for now.

If you wanna have a conversation or have questions shoot a pm.

 

[Dos Perros]

A bear on a carcass does not fall under self-defense, so if you shoot that bear, consequences are pretty severe for you and whoever you brought with you. Plus I don’t know if a 5.56 or 7.62 would really have the stopping power for a grizz

It's a risk for sure. I'm not averse to some intelligent risk taking.

 

[Deadfall]

The differences between black bears and grizzlies are about the same as the differences between Joe dirt and Jordan peterson

 

[Andrewlonghi]

A bear on a carcass does not fall under self-defense, so if you shoot that bear, consequences are pretty severe for you and whoever you brought with you. Plus I don’t know if a 5.56 or 7.62 would really have the stopping power for a grizz

The differences between black bears and grizzlies are about the same as the differences between Joe dirt and Jordan peterson

Definitely I run into black bears all the time. I've had a few close encounter one in the last month and it was the second closest I've ever come one one

 

[Deadfall]

When you hang a carcass, the bottom of carcass needs to be ATLEAST 10 feet off the ground.

 

[Gutshot007]

I probably would not watch "The Revenant " before heading out . Otherwise good advice above

 

[MTHokie]

I'm not very smart, but I think I'd be willing to try pushing a bear off meat bags if I had two other willing dudes and an AR or a shotgun. Assuming the terrain was favorable. I would bet locals do it more than we NR's think. But like I said I'm not very smart.

Maybe some locals do, but none that I know.

 

[Young Blood]

I probably would not watch "The Revenant " before heading out . Otherwise good advice above

Or read the book "Night of the Grizzlies"!!!

All great advice. I live in the heart of (right outside of Glacier) and pretty much only hunt in griz country. Take the basic precautions outlined above and the odds are in your favor. That being said, I still have trouble sleeping while backpacking... every little sound wakes me up and I'm listening to see if its a bear. If anyone has any recommendations on something to truly knock a guy out so they can get a good nights sleep I'm all ears. I've tried unisom with no luck.

 

[Andrewlonghi]

Or read the book "Night of the Grizzlies"!!!

All great advice. I live in the heart of (right outside of Glacier) and pretty much only hunt in griz country. Take the basic precautions outlined above and the odds are in your favor. That being said, I still have trouble sleeping while backpacking... every little sound wakes me up and I'm listening to see if its a bear. If anyone has any recommendations on something to truly knock a guy out so they can get a good nights sleep I'm all ears. I've tried unisom with no luck.

I have the old movie on VHS that's called Night Of The Grizzly. Definitely not one to watch before venturing off into the wilderness

 

[COLD SMOKE]

It's a risk for sure. I'm not averse to some intelligent risk taking.

Anecdotal but my friend fishes commercial and has family in Egegik AK, south of dillingham/ Bristol bay . It’s a native village ans hes 1/2 upik.

His stories of culling grizzlies involves ARs. And a lot of dead grizzlies.