Seeking Brown Bear hunting info.
Bears
I'm researching the possibility of hunting Brown Bears with my recurve. It's something I've been wanting to do for awhile. I'm interested in opinions of stalking verses baited hunts . Would the chance for success be higher on a baited hunt? I would just like the opportunity to kill a respectable bear, doesn't have to be a monster. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It seems that there was a thread a while back about several guys killing bears, baited, with trade gear. Does anyone have a link or info to that? I know these are general questions but maybe I can get started in my quest this way. Thanks
I and a friend both killed baited brown bears thee years ago with Jonah Stewart. I would say the success rate is much higher, baited vs non bait, if you go with a reputable outfitter. There baited brown bear hunts have become quit popular, and thats really kicked up he cost f them.
recent thread with some info
I don't know in which hunt you will have more opportunities to shoot a brown bear (baited or stalking), but stalking for me definitive is more exciting. Just trying to get close to a big bear and see him coming is unforgettable
I’ll get the numbers probably wrong from memory but I recently booked a trip with an outfitter who offers both
When I was vetting his camp out I asked him whether I should go on the much cheaper(like 1/2 price) spot and stalk or his baited hunt
His answer was something like the baited you have an 90% chance for a shot and a picture with a dead bear, the spot and stalk you’ll have plenty of great opportunities but it’s more of a 10-20% chance to get a picture with a dead bear. Everything has to go just right to have a successful spot and stalk with a bow
Something like that
Grizzly charged me after I shot. Turned into a 5 second sh*t show but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Grizzly charged me after I shot. Turned into a 5 second sh*t show but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
JG,
I understand and agree with the outfitter's comment. But having hunted Brown Bear/Grizz 4x and successful on one trip, I wouldn't trade that experience for anything. If you want a dead bear, by all means go on a baited hunt. But if you want the experience of a lifetime, like getting charged like we were (well maybe scratch that last part) then you have to experience a spot and stalk bear hunt.
It's the same for all dangerous game. I have no problem with hunting cape buffalo over water and bait, but for me - the experience of stalking and killing an old free-range bull on foot, was the experience of a lifetime.
Again, no issue with anyone baiting bears, buffalo, etc. I'm just saying the two experiences are not remotely similar.
I hunted my Brown Bear with a Recurve in 2012, Pete Barella was my guide, spot and stalk. Shot was between 3 & 10 yards.
I didn’t use a recurve on my s-n-s grizzly hunt, this past Spring, but I was certainly within recurve range, when I shot him. I totally agree with Pat’s sentiments. The added adrenaline rush of being on the same playing field (so to speak) was the biggest selling point on my decision to go s-n-s vs the baited route.
As noted above, I killed a brownie on a baited hunt. Never hunted them spot and stalk. The baited hunt was plenty exciting for for me. I saw numerous black bears and several browns, all at 10-30 yards. The me, that’s exciting.
Pat - I 100% agree with your comments
Grizzly on the ground gets a hat tip from me for the reasons you stated
I choose baited because of the higher success rate and my desire to get a bear. That being said if I ever do it again it will be spot and stalk for the challenge and experience.
