Southern Elk
Well-known member
I have a feeling that a bear or two is going to get shot in that area during rifle season.
Another hunter mauled
- Thread starter Coach Chris
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Straight Arrow
Well-known member
Agree and if you awaken a sleeping griz as you sneak through dense timber, he is not going to be aware of a hunting season or even care if you are packing a big hog leg pistol, he is going to react instinctively and punish you for entering his bedroom and startling him.
Doublecluck
Well-known member
It’s important to have a plan in bear country
NYyotekiller
Well-known member
That sure would be a shame! Again sarcasm .
brushcreek
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the guys that got attacked
onpoint
Well-known member
Having looked into the eyes of a lotta' G Bears just before they died, usually because they were being G Bears where humans were, I do have sympathy for the poor bastards.
Having seen dead sows' cubs languishing in a culvert trap parked in a garage for days while gubmint slackers work feverishly to find a barred and cement lifetime home for 'em, I do have sympathy for 'em.
Having seen and chatted with a guy with rods, wires and pins holding his ripped up arm together after it got tore up by a G Bear (just down the hill from where Ive shot a cow elk and had to retrieve a portion the following AM), I have sympathy for someone who gets the G Bear treatment.
Having reduced to a bunch of biological and forensic samples, a skull, and a hide, a G bear involved in a human attack - I have a little sympathy for both parties.
Actually, maybe I'd call it more empathy. Something a lotta' people don't get.
And here's a pic of the general area where the recent run-ins occurred. It's located 20 some miles from the nearest paved road, with virtually no human habitation. Only visitation. And that during about 5 months of the year. I've spent time in nooks and crannies of this country that few have ever seen. Except maybe the Peruvian sheep herders I had shared a cup of OJ with. Or maybe some other idiot looking for a stray westslope cutthroat...... That country's personal to me.
It always has been G Bear habitat. It may have been relatively unoccupied for a time - I think it's cool they're back.
To be clear, I do strongly support a G Bear hunting season - as a management and long term bear conservation tool - not to make us all safer out there.
But as already mentioned, with the growth in hunting pressure, as well as the uptick in general recreation - two summers ago I had to drive through a backcountry bike race on Monument Ridge - this is the "new normal".
And yes, there are indeed more bears. But they will lose in the long run.
HT'ers will hafta' find something to replace the "best sidearm for bear" topic.............
Having seen dead sows' cubs languishing in a culvert trap parked in a garage for days while gubmint slackers work feverishly to find a barred and cement lifetime home for 'em, I do have sympathy for 'em.
Having seen and chatted with a guy with rods, wires and pins holding his ripped up arm together after it got tore up by a G Bear (just down the hill from where Ive shot a cow elk and had to retrieve a portion the following AM), I have sympathy for someone who gets the G Bear treatment.
Having reduced to a bunch of biological and forensic samples, a skull, and a hide, a G bear involved in a human attack - I have a little sympathy for both parties.
Actually, maybe I'd call it more empathy. Something a lotta' people don't get.
And here's a pic of the general area where the recent run-ins occurred. It's located 20 some miles from the nearest paved road, with virtually no human habitation. Only visitation. And that during about 5 months of the year. I've spent time in nooks and crannies of this country that few have ever seen. Except maybe the Peruvian sheep herders I had shared a cup of OJ with. Or maybe some other idiot looking for a stray westslope cutthroat...... That country's personal to me.
It always has been G Bear habitat. It may have been relatively unoccupied for a time - I think it's cool they're back.
To be clear, I do strongly support a G Bear hunting season - as a management and long term bear conservation tool - not to make us all safer out there.
But as already mentioned, with the growth in hunting pressure, as well as the uptick in general recreation - two summers ago I had to drive through a backcountry bike race on Monument Ridge - this is the "new normal".
And yes, there are indeed more bears. But they will lose in the long run.
HT'ers will hafta' find something to replace the "best sidearm for bear" topic.............
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I would propose a counter argument, in Alaska where they are hunted regularly, they probably adjust their behavior accordingly.
I do not think there are that many people in this area at this time. Are there hunters? You betcha. But no more than I have seen anywhere else. I have hunted this area on 2 occasions. Are there bears? Heavens yes, there are bears.
No sympathy for someone who gets attacked by a bear? Well then, lets all stop recreating in most of MT, WY, and ID. Might as well close up Yellowstone and Glacier. Sheesh.
I have a ton of sympathy for anyone that gets on the wrong side of a grizzly. It isn't like they are looking to fight a griz! They are simply doing what humans have done for thousands of years and they pulled the bad luck card at a most inopportune time.
No sympathy for someone who gets attacked by a bear? Well then, lets all stop recreating in most of MT, WY, and ID. Might as well close up Yellowstone and Glacier. Sheesh.
I have a ton of sympathy for anyone that gets on the wrong side of a grizzly. It isn't like they are looking to fight a griz! They are simply doing what humans have done for thousands of years and they pulled the bad luck card at a most inopportune time.
T
tjones
Guest
Southern Elk
Well-known member
It's beautiful country. I have personally been charged twice by grizzlies within a few miles of where the attacks happened. It is something that you know could happen at any time, but this is where I live and the country that I know.
Panda Bear
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It happens, just part of being in the same part of the world where they exist.
The only story I read is on this post. It said he fired several shots ? At the bear ? He missed ? In the air ? maybe there is more info in a different story.
We have the right to protect ourselves and if I had the time for "several" shots, I think there would have been a dead bear. But the story posted here may not be telling us the whole story.
Also, "hunting bears" in the area will not keep this from happening in the future. At least that is our experience, maybe you guys have smarter bears
The only story I read is on this post. It said he fired several shots ? At the bear ? He missed ? In the air ? maybe there is more info in a different story.
We have the right to protect ourselves and if I had the time for "several" shots, I think there would have been a dead bear. But the story posted here may not be telling us the whole story.
Also, "hunting bears" in the area will not keep this from happening in the future. At least that is our experience, maybe you guys have smarter bears
RobG
Well-known member
That's what bear spray is for. By wounding it he made the situation much more dangerous for the next person that comes across the bear.
I understand that. I also understand efficacy of different deterrents is a hotly debated topic in many circles, and one I’m not qualified to comment on with any level of expertise. I do feel confident saying that the appropriateness of any measure in any given circumstance is dependent on many factors. I’m also sure that this man’s family is glad he’s coming home, and I pray for the safety of whoever has to figure out if this bear is in fact wounded.
Bambistew
Well-known member
Good stuff. That is some great elk country, and could use a few less hunters (not necessarily due to mauling), but out of fear of going there.
I really hope to put a hole in a g-bear this weekend. It will be quite an experience for a couple 5 and 6yo kids.
The bears are there to stay. People just have to understand what that means, and be as prepared as they can. Pretty hard to be stealthy and let bears know you are in the area at the same time.
I really hope to put a hole in a g-bear this weekend. It will be quite an experience for a couple 5 and 6yo kids.
The bears are there to stay. People just have to understand what that means, and be as prepared as they can. Pretty hard to be stealthy and let bears know you are in the area at the same time.
Straight Arrow
Well-known member
It's one thing to be a quick-draw pistolero and an accurate shooter, but facing an angry large predator ... bear or otherwise ... just might diminish skills a tad ... and with a pistol, a "tad" is a miss!
I will not criticize anyone for their method of deterrent in a moment of high stress and no time. It may simply be dictated by which hand is free at the moment (ie not carrying a bow) or more likely it will revert to your dominant hand and what is easiest for that hand to grab at the moment. Almost every account of a bear attack cites the speed at which it happens. One will not get the opportunity to think, oh, I should use bear spray so the next guy this bear might come across is safer.
As for the efficacy of spray vs pistol, I think it comes down to this. Bear spray is probably less effective but much easier to get on target. Pistols are probably more effective but harder to get on target. It comes down to personal skill and preference.
As for the efficacy of spray vs pistol, I think it comes down to this. Bear spray is probably less effective but much easier to get on target. Pistols are probably more effective but harder to get on target. It comes down to personal skill and preference.
Straight Arrow
Well-known member
This hunter was fortunate to be able to use a weapon at all. Typically the solo hunter is in big trouble as he is overwhelmed by an attacking griz. Deployment of a firearm or bear spray is usually by someone else during a bear attack, which leads to the sage advice of not hunting, hiking, or bushwhacking alone in grizzly habitat.
D
Deleted member 28227
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No one has ever been accidentally killed by their partner with bear spray...so there's that to consider as well
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