Sow and cub encounter

[Muleyman8810]

while grouse hunting yesterday my dog and I jumped a sow and cub in a creek bottom. Saw mom first, and then the cub. Mom ran first, essentially leaving the cub behind. I’m wondering is this normal? I thought a sow with cub was bad news? We were only about 20 feet from mom when she ran. Seems odd she abandoned her cub over a 60lb lab barking, no?

This is also the only trail I have to access my intended deer grounds this year, and I’m a little concerned about going back in. The bottom isn’t real wide, and heavily wooded in areas so visibility could get sketchy. Am I being overly cautious? Last thing I want is to put mamma or myself in a bad situation.

 

[mike.adams.467]

I wouldn't worry about it. I have run into several black bear sows with cubs over the years; only once did the sow act a little aggressive. That time, it was in the dark and I could see her in the headlamp, and she walked back and forth woofing, so I gave them a wide berth and went on.

 

[Jtb.kfd]

I have seen that many times with sows/cubs. I watched one sow in a river bottom spook and run up the opposite hillside. She kept stopping every 100yds and waiting. Then we saw two cubs running up the hill. When they got about 50yds from her she would bolt again. I have run into sow/cubs in the trees also where the sow bolts and the cubs run for a short bit and then go up trees. I always wondered if they were trying to lead a predator away. As for the worry about hunting through the area, I wouldn’t give it a second thought. Bears really don’t like people and if you jumped her, you most likely will never see her again.

 

[mt terry d]

Black bear mothers are notoriously scare-d-cats

Not Griz.