Montana archery hunt 2020

[couesjunky]

Want to pick your brains for hunting in grizzly country.

Been going to idaho past couple of seasons and we are going to try Montana, assuming we do get a tag (have points so should be a lock for gen tag)

Areas i am looking into are on the western part of the state, some central some more south. The reports of amount of grizzlies in these areas vary and they definitely are there ;-)

I will have a 44 on my hip ( not for discussion) but would you / do you also cary spray? If an encounter does happen, god forbid, you can only grab one defense first. I am thinking stick with only gun as I am practicing extensively with it. I don’t want to shoot any grizzlies but if one comes at me , I ain’t backing down ( unless I shit myself)

Well I think the better idea is to avoid them all together .....so what have you done and what do you practice to avoid them? What are your behaviors in grizzly country that have worked?
Been reading about them a lot to understand them so if you have more info or can point me to where to get more please do.

Paul


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Definitely carry bear spray and have that be your first line of defense, if it fails be able to quickly draw you 44... obviously. Have multiple hunting buddies who are also property armed and trained. Get the meat hung up and/or out of there immediately. SAT phone and thorough first aid should always be in the pack.
This is why I like Arizona...black bears are like puppies.

Have fun!

 

[pbcarch]

Tag drawn....my buddy and I are on our way to Montana.
Thanks everyone for your feedback

Paul

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[sneaky]

I have hunted on the east side of Glacier National Park for the last 6 seasons. I'm solo about half the time. There are a ton of griz here. I've scared one off by shooting into the dirt so the gun is worth it just for that. I carry bear spray and a gun because a lot of times the wind is wrong to spray. I've heard the guides in Alaska are carrying flare guns and that seems to work pretty well too. when I walk in the morning I always Blair something on my phone until I'm close to the elk area and same thing at night

You shoot a flare gun off in Montana during archery season and you're gonna set the world on fire. Big difference in moisture between MT and Alaska.

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[backcountrypackraft]

Ya, definitely a possibility. Depends on location and the year though. But if your options are: 1)try to kill the bear- and get investigated and possibly fined, 2) spray yourself in the face and get eaten by the bear 3) shoot a flare gun and hope you can stomp out the fire after the bear leaves
.....option 3 is at least worth considering

 

[Beendare]

....
What I am looking for is DO you CHANGE the way you hunt and move around grizzly country?

Yeah, I change. I keep my head on a swivel while hiking at night or calling.

I also run a Hotwire fence in MT.

________

 

[KNOPHISH]

Will be packing spray this year for the 1st time after 2 maulings last year in Sw Mt. Have seen sign fresh enuf where the hair stood on my neck and I bailed. Been tracked by cougar also. Shot a buck that I couldn't get it out before dark. tied it to a tree and when I came back in morning it had been eaten on and tried to drag away by a couple cats.but haven't changed my hunting, suppose being ready for anything is sop.

 

[Stilpr]

great info guys, thanks for honest replies! General consensus seems to be to carry both, be vigilant, and keep a clean camp.

looks like I need to start looking for a handgun.....

 

[Praxeus]

Reading this thread with great interest as we just purchased some remote acreage in Grizz country last year.The outfitter that I bought the property from told me he has never been attacked but charged a 'bunch' of times. I dont believe that I have heard of a lot of bluff charges...doesnt matter. 10 mm 200 gr. cast bullets/ 2 cans of spray. No questions asked.

I dont believe that hunting any different is going to make a difference. As already discussed getting the meat off that carcass and outta there ASAP is critical. Lastly....as much as I love the outdoors, I just dont think its a good idea to solo hunt in Grizz country. I won't do it....

 

[TradLife406]

I'd just avoid Montana all together to be safe! Maulings are on the rise and about the only place without bears is the Breaks. Better safe than sorry!

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