Should I worry about grizzlies?

[Huntinmechanic]

I'll be hunting elk east of YNP in October. I have many years of experience with black bears while hunting/camping. They've never been an issue. Chipmunks, mice and squirrels have been the biggest nuisances. I've hunted units in ID that have low densities of grizzly's and never really gave it much thought. I'm curious about the level of preparedness I should be striving for going into my first NW WY elk hunt. From what the biologist says and many people familiar with the unit, the grizz population is pretty high in our unit. Other than keeping a clean camp and locking food away, any other camp site precautions for grizzly's that I should consider? I've considered hanging our food, but it's a pain and I'll likely screw it up. I am dragging along a medium sized Knaack box to store our food in. Pretty sure a bear will give up before gaining entry into it.

 

[mike.adams.467]

You definitely want to be wary, particularly when hunting. I live and hunt west of YNP and run into them. Carry spray and a handgun - trust me on this one. Just be vigilant, especially if you kill something.

 

[Diamondback]

The Griz up in YNP know what hunting season is all about, a gunshot to them is ringing a dinner bell. I suggest wearing a Glock 20 or a 44 mag revolver at a minimum if you are field dressing an elk or sleeping in a spike camp.

 

[ThreeOhSeven]

Front country or back country camping?
If front country, leave everything in your truck you'll 99% be fine. If back country, definitely hang your food, sleep with your pistol and bear spray.
Short answer, yes, be worried about those brown fuckers.

 

[stalkingwolf]

Those bears in Wyoming are no joke most don't have any fear of humans whatsoever. Be vigilant and extra cautious of your dealing with a dead elk. I'll also add to hang your quarters away from the carcass and in an area you can see from quite a distance if you can't get it all out in one trip

 

[snipe10]

Yes you do! I always take my S&W Mountain Gun in 44mag with Garrett Cartridges 310 grain Hammerhead loads, and I'm still nervous!

 

[Huntinmechanic]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've got the spray and pistol covered. I will absolutely be wary in the backcountry and around kills. That's a no brainer for me. I'm particularly curious about tips and tricks for keeping a safe camp. I've spent years hunting with high densities of black bears in California and have never had an issue in my camps, back or front country. I spent 13 days in and around Glacier and Yellowstone this past June, hiking and fishing. I carried spray and my G20 everywhere. Fortunately, never had to pull either. We will be front country camping in Wyoming, likely near a developed campground unless we find a good spot away from everything. I have solar fence chargers I use for temporary fencing. I thought about bringing one and running a single ribbon around camp. However, it seems like overkill in the front country.

 

[wyosteve]

One thing that isn't thought about much is what you have in your tent that has scent. Everyone knows about food storage, but things like toothpaste, deodorant, clothes that have spilled food on them need to be secured as well. A bear's sense of smell is incredible. A few years back in elk camp, one of the other guides left a sandwich, in a zip-lock baggie, in his coat pocket. The coat was hung on a tree, but not very high. A bear (assume grizzly since we bumped one the next morning) was able to apparently smell the sandwich, dig it out of the pocket and have a snack!

 

[TaperPin]

Thanks for the advice guys. I've got the spray and pistol covered. I will absolutely be wary in the backcountry and around kills. That's a no brainer for me. I'm particularly curious about tips and tricks for keeping a safe camp. I've spent years hunting with high densities of black bears in California and have never had an issue in my camps, back or front country. I spent 13 days in and around Glacier and Yellowstone this past June, hiking and fishing. I carried spray and my G20 everywhere. Fortunately, never had to pull either. We will be front country camping in Wyoming, likely near a developed campground unless we find a good spot away from everything. I have solar fence chargers I use for temporary fencing. I thought about bringing one and running a single ribbon around camp. However, it seems like overkill in the front country.

Like wyosteve said, if it smells like food or looks like food, a bear will be interested. It’s hard to stress enough to guys that like to snack, to not allow anything edible in your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothes, or even boots. I’ve been with guys that always seem to be spilling freeze dried food all over themselves, leave stuff in their pockets, or pack at night. “Clean camps” are pretty devoid of food smells at night and are the best at not being interesting to bears, but go against what many feel is good camping food, grilling, frying, snacks by the fire, etc. I keep my camping gear away from food and food smells all year, don’t squirrel away food in pockets, keep a big ziplock with every meal bag for garbage, and at night taking the garbage bag out of the pack is easy to remember and simple.

If you want a bear in your tent leave food in the tent. It’s a story that repeats itself year after year with boring regularity. Bears know campers mean food so even if you do everything right bears will still check you out. A truck full of food still gives off a good amount of scent even if they can’t get to it. Have your buddy sleep closer to the food storage than yourself, maybe hand him a bag of Cheetos at night as he turns in for bed.