Solo Elk Hunt in SW Montana

IDAbowhunter · Nov 9, 2009

Hi guy, just had a question for those of you who hunt in Grizzly country. Im a freshman at MSU Bozeman, and am really disappointed in my hunting season so far. I love to bow hunt for elk, but where im from (central Idaho), ive always been able to hunt alone, and not really have to worry about predators. However, I have been hunting alone a few times this year in the Madison Range, and have had a few Grizzly encounters. I dont have a sidearm, and the pepper spray seem really wimpy to me. My question is does anyone have any experience with solo backcountry hunting in the Madisons, and if so, how do you deal with Grizzlys? Is there another mountain range close by that I would have a good chance of killing a good bull, with less risk of running into Grizzlys? I want to scout really hard this summer and find a few honey holes, but I dont really like hunting with a partner, so safety is a concern. I like to do my own thing.
Thanks for any advice.

sageadvice · Nov 9, 2009

There is just no way that i'd repeatedly hunt in Griz country without a dependable sidearm on my hip. I'd recommend a 4" S&W 41 or 44 mag revolver. Much less than that and though you might be kidding yourself, you are not going to flat stop a big bear if things get up close and nasty.

Get armed, get proficient at close range, then hunt where you want!

Good luck!!
Joey

Coyote_chaser · Nov 10, 2009

I would also get some bear spray, that stuff can be very effective and preventing an attack, but I would also highly recommend a sidearm also just in case the gun dont work. Which is highly likely....

Hazmat · Nov 10, 2009

Grizz like pepper on their meals...

HAZMAT

www.muddyroad.net

patientlywaiting · Nov 10, 2009

As much as I like to hunt solo, I always make sure that when I'm hunting in country shared by the big bears I take a hunting partner. A partner that I can out run. Sorry couldn't resist..

Better get some pepper spray. As whimpy as its seems, there have been too many successful documented uses of it not to be carrying it. Seems like a pretty good insurance policy.

sawtooth · Nov 11, 2009

I would pack both the pistol and the spray. Last year I was in grizzly country in Wyoming and the wind was blowing so hard that spray would not have been effective. If you don't have a heavy caliber pistol, then you should at least have some spray. It would be better than arrows.....

Wapitihunter2 · Nov 11, 2009

There is a saying we had in Alaska. File off the front sight of your pistol so when the bear takes your gun away and rams it up your a** it won't hurt so much. 44 mags may kill a griz but not till after he is done with you. Get ahold of the Alaska Fish and Game see if you can get their info on working and camping in bear country. Clean camp, and lots of care are key.

leonard · Nov 11, 2009

I agree with the previous post; using a 44 mag at a charging bear is risky. Better firing into the air and hoping it's a false charge. I spent a month in Alaska backcountry a couple years ago and work with several retired Alaska F&G biologist and a shotgun with buckshot/slugs or a heavy cal. rifle like a .338 win. mag. is a must. I would trust my aim better shooting from the hip with a rifle than aiming with a pistol.

But with this aside, you stand more of a chance of something bad happening than a bear attack. I avoid traveling around a kill site after dark and stay downwind when approaching a kill site, leave several items of clothes at the kill site/urinate, be aware of your surroundings, sing to yourself when packing out an elk, and carry some pepper spray in a handy location. I wouldn't let hunting by yourself stop you from going out.

Leonard

wymoosehunter · Nov 11, 2009

IDABOW,
I grew up near Bozo and hunted the Madison, the Gallatin and the Front west of Great Falls. This was before bear spray and I still bowhunted alone. I didn't carry a sawed off shotgun because I just could not bring myself to destroy a nice gun and pay the Feds $200 for the privilege of having a short gun.
I lived in Alaska hunting and fishing and I carried bear spray and a shotgun or rifle. I even bowhunted for Brown Bear.
I now hunt western Wyoming and carry only bear spray if bowhunting and if rifle hunting, I hunt with a bear caliber and spray and I prefer to hunt alone.
I have had one bad encounter and it was so windy spray would not have worked (and I forgot it that day). Luckily both the bear and I can laugh about it now.
A friend of mine is one of the preeminent griz experts and has been to more mauling sites than probably anyone else and he is adamant that spray is the way to go.
Most people create the bear problems they have, but they do occur even when you do everything right, if you do go into griz country.
Forget a pistol unless you choose to use it on yourself as you are getting mauled. A 44 or bigger pistol is useless unless you get really lucky and the fact of the matter is that most people couldn't hit the brain of a bear even when they are not experiencing an adrenalin dump.
Be smart, carry spray, and hunt hard.
(I don't know why you are hunting elk in the Mad or Gal because all the big coyotes have eaten most of the elk).
WyMo

mtAl · Nov 11, 2009

If you're sleeping out there in a tent you might consider bringing a portable bear fence for some sleep insurance. I've never used one but UDAP sells them for these occasions when a bear wants to chew on you in your tent.

If I ever go back out in a bivvy I think I'll be bringing one of these, just to sleep well. I'll deal with the extra weight. My wife and I camped in the Spanish Peaks years ago right under a tree with big grizz claw marks on it and plenty of fresh bear crap (seen the morning after we set up camp). Last year, same place, TONS of grizz tracks in the snow opening day. Don't like it but you can't stay home!!

Regardless of what the experts say, there are a ton of grizz out there and its amazing we don't have more encounters.

mtdream · Nov 11, 2009

mentioned this in another thread that you posted...

but I would strongly encourage you to stay away from the South Gallatin area, as the closer you get to the park, the higher the griz population gets...the last 10 miles (as the crow flies) gets darn near close to one griz/sq. mile...Besides, this area, has nowhere near the elk population it used to have...4 years ago, hunted Taylors Fork for 8 days straight, riding horses into the deep back country, and saw ONE bull the whole time...and one cow...

in that paragraph is a few hints if you read into it...

Randy11 · Nov 12, 2009

In my opinion, you guys are more than just a little paranoid.
Yeah, you need to be smarter and never forget that you are in grizzly country, but there's no reason you can't hunt by yourself in the backcountry. Take pepper spray if it'll ease your mind a bit, but just be smart about it and you shouldn't ever have problems.

wapiti11 · Nov 12, 2009

Randy11 said it all, quit freaking out and go hunt. I grew up in west yellowstone and have always and still do bowhunt elk around there, solo. I carry a can of spray right on my back waist belt. There's always been griz around that area, not sure why people freak out about it, although it seems to keep people away during archery season, which I don't mind. Play smart, have fun...