Hunting in Grizz country
Elk
Contributors to this thread:
So when you are hunting elk in grizz country, do you go out in the dark and back in the dark?
I always go out/come back in the dark to utilize prime time in other elk areas but in all of my 3+ decades of bowhunting elk, I've never hunted them in grizz country.
You guys that hunt in those areas, do you modify your hunting strategy?
It's easier for me to go in in the dark because I know the sun is going to come up. Had a tough time hunting until last light. Totally mental but this year I'm going to try and overcome it.
Good luck
I always go in and out in the dark - while making the average amount of noise and using a flashlight. There's always a chance of running into a deaf and blind griz, but what else is one to do?
Life's never 100% safe; be prudent and go with the odds. Otherwise you might as well stay home and watch the Outdoor Channel. :)
The good part about going in when it is dark is you don't see these tracks in the mud, so it doesn't enter your mind until daylight.
Seriously, I go in when it is dark and come out in the dark. Maybe I am playing the grizzly bear lottery. If you read about me being converted to grizz turds, you know I lost the bet. Until then, I need to be where the elk are when the sun comes up.
One time while hiking in during morning darkness I walked up on a cow moose and her calf who claimed ownership of the trail. That was a far closer call with disaster than the two grizzly encounters I've had in the daylight hours. Note to self, if a cow elk wants the trail, let her have the trail.
Sometimes. The rest of the time, I go out in the dark, come back in the light, take a nap, then go back out in the light and come back in the dark.
You have got to go out in the dark. I can't imagine hunting elk any other way.
If you're really worried, just walk with your bear spray in one hand with the safety off and your thumb under the trigger. Every grizz mauling that I've read about, they were during the day.
I've now done 5 elk hunts and an additional 4 backpacking trips in lower 48 grizz areas, besides several day-hikes on scouting trips and vacations. I think the risk is over-thought and a lot of hand-wringing for minimal risk.
Had a run in with a cow moose and calf a few years back in the dark also very spooky!
I haven't hunted in grizzly country since 97. Always rode a horse til the sun came up and after dark. Bears always ran from the horses for me. Only nighttime foot encounter I had was in camp between the cook tent and sleeping tent. Got my attention.
As far as carrying bearspray cocked and unlocked. Well, I saw s guy sit down to crap once and sprayed the heck out of himself. Except for him everyone else was in stitches.
Had a guy in camp once that was so scared of bears in the dark he carried a sawed off double barrel 12ga. He got fired pretty quick before he shot somebody.
I would like to go bow hunt that country again. The dark scares me a thousand times less than a cow call.
I had a feeling the G bear stuff was over done....The only experience ive had with them was on multiple Kodiak hunts and we hike out/back in the dark there for deer..... Tho those bears are hunted.
I wouldn't be concerned until there is meat on the ground.
Grizz are no big deal so long as they don't reach in to your abdomen and pull out your spleen or take a bite out of your cerebellum.
My cerrebellum is thoroughly soaked in Microbrews so one sniff and that bear would pass
If I were the bear, I'd swirl your cranium in my paw and say, "subtle hints of chestnut and notes of current and blackberry. 92 out of 100. Microbrew drinkers are the new acorn-fed hogs."
Bears like beer, trust me.:)
Flashlight and not being overly quiet after dark should do it. Sneaking aroundi in the predawn Am. Chances are on your side you will not have a problem.
Calling, hunting and camp at night are the times I think about it.
Haven't checked the stats lately but driving to your hunt, falling off a cliff and lightening are probably still more dangerous.
I walk in the dark nearly every day I'm hunting. My run-in last year happened at 9:00 am. You never know.
Hunted in griz country last year and my friend who lives in Wyoming promised his wife he would not be out before daylight and back to camp before dark.we never saw a bear in three days of hunting but my buddy saw eight. Griz also got his meat.They also thought our bear spray was cute but rather we carry a big gun. Maybe extra cautious but they knew better than us Oregonians! Saw and was into tons of elk .
I go in the dark AM hunts---
Got a 6x6 down late evening (N. of Jackson) and by the time I got him boned off, it was pitch black with a zillion stars.
I stunk like bloody elk hiking down/out.
Every crash-n-burn thru the deadfall I heard bush-waking out freaked me out.....
Evening hunts in Grizz country---not so much anymore!! haha
Good luck, Robb
Someone gets bit nearly every year where bullelk hunts. Sometimes more than one.
carry a sidearm and bear spray. We just don't have a grizz problem anymore here Montana, we have a grizzly over population because of the liberals overview of the endangered species act. The act needs to be changed. We have our hunting plan in place and we are already being sued. The liberals will call up the federal judge Donald Molloy from Missoula to help, you watch.
So yes carry a sidearm and bear spray and don't you let anyone from back east tell you any different, be grizzly bear smart. we just had a man killed out riding his bike here in NW Montana last month.
From Ike "Every grizz mauling that I've read about, they were during the day. "
Interesting point. Never gave that much thought. Any stories out there of being mauled in the dark? Or just run-ins with griz in dark?
just keep it out of your mind !! most bear attacks are during daylight i often made it back to camp 2.8 miles at 10pm i stay out in a elk area until legal shooting time . put your bow on a back sling and walk out with handgun in your hand .