Montana Griz?

GrizlyHunter · Mar 19, 2006

Let's assume I draw my Montana elk license...just for a minute.

And I end up hunting in the NW corner of the state or north of th Yellowstone area.

How much do I have to worry about our friend the Griz?

GH

Zigga · Mar 19, 2006

With the name GrizlyHunter, you should be an expert.

As long as you keep your food and other smells to a minimum and keep your head out of your a$$, they are not a problem. They get into trouble when people are stupid. I see griz and wolf tracks all the time and never have problems with them. I have a great video of a young griz in the springtime coming from 500 yards to 15 yards and my partner and I pelted it with rocks. It was just curious but we did educate it a little. When I get my video off of HI 8 onto digital I will stick it on here. I hope you get drawn. Good luck! Would you be rifle or archery?

GrizlyHunter · Mar 19, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Mar-19-06 AT 12:34PM (MST)[p]Zigga,

My user name unfortunately has nothing to do with me hunting grizzly. It's a user name I established a few years ago on an atv forum that reveals my quad selection and favorite passion. (ie. Yamaha Grizzly / Hunting). It just seemed easier for me to keep my handle somewhat consistent throughout different forums. Sorry if it's misleading.

Re: my choice of weaponry I have always taken a rifle on all of my trips out west and north. I did upgrade to a Mathews Outback the year before last but that's strictly for Michigan whitetail so far. I don't know if I'm ready to bet all of my chips on my bow/ability in a hunt for elk out west. However the time of year is much preferred. Last year I was fortunate enough to hunt elk, with a rifle, in what appeared to be the peak of the rut and it was the most exciting hunt of my life!!! I have been bitten big time by the elk bug.

I take it you're familiar with MT elk hunting? How about your choice of bow vs/. rifle? I'd be interested in learning anything I can abut MT elk hunting from someone with experience.

Thanx again!

GH

Zigga · Mar 19, 2006

I have had opportunities at near 300" bulls during rifle season but always held out for Mr. Big until the last week, then I would take anything legal. I am a rifle lover and enjoy hunting in winter conditions. During bowseason is where the action is though. Last year I purchased a new Switchback and I love it. I have bowhunted for almost 20 years and always relied on the rifle season to really connect. If you want an elk then bring a rifle and get a guide if you want a big one.

If you want a wallhanger then bring your bow and get here after the 10th of September and stay for a week or two. PRACTICE A LOT!. I've been shooting a couple times a week since February. The excitement of elk within 40 yards is different than dear and can really rattle you, so practice is priority #1. I hope to take a bull with my bow every year now. Too many places to tell you and Public land is where you want to go anyway. Get in shape!

bowedark · Mar 19, 2006

Need to have bear spray & and when have your elk down, it is best to watch your back.

Also need think about getting it out as fast as possible.

Putting a soil clothing over the face to keep the birds out of the eyes < not good four your cape > will help keeping the the wolfs, coyotes & some of the bears, but not all.

GrizlyHunter · Mar 19, 2006

Zigga,

If we were to rifle hunt how are the crowds? Is it possible to hike in a few miles, get into a good area with chances at bulls, and not have to worry about bumping into a lot of other hunters? How about if we bow hunt...same question?

I've hunted in CO 5 times for elk and ran into a ton of other hunters. It was rifle both 1st & 2nd seasons. I would prefer not to be in that type of situation again.

Last year I was in NM with few other hunters which was very nice.

Zigga · Mar 19, 2006

There seems to be a lot of rifle hunters but if you hike in a few miles you will get away from the traffic. Several times I have parked at trailheads and it was like a small city. The majority of people stay on or near the trails so it is easy to get away from them and into elk/bulls. There are a lot less bowhunters though.

GrizlyHunter · Mar 19, 2006

bowedark,

That's good advice about putting something over the face to keep the birds away. I wouldn't have thought of that one.

I've done the soiled cloth before but not over the face, and I/we actually placed a "ring of urine" around a carcass that we had to leave out overnight. We had no problems. Two ridges over on the same night a young kid lost elk to yotes. He didn't do any of the above though.

Thanx for your input.

GH

Bullcan · Mar 20, 2006

Grizlyhunter, what part of Michigan are you from? I am between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.

I went to Montana last year bowhunting and had a great time, only saw one other camp when I was there. I was right in the Beartooth wilderness just north of yellowstone. I was a bit nervous about it at first but figured with all the hunting I have done in Michigan how many black bears have I seen? zero.

There are plenty of warnings about them when you get there, but I never saw one the week that I was there. Had the best time of my life, beautiful country. I did stay away from the organized camp grounds though, figured they may tend to go to where food has been.

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 20, 2006

Bullcan,

I'm from Novi, it's east of Lansing abour 45 minutes.

What time of year did you go last year? Did you see any elk, get any shots? How far did you have to hike in? More info please!!!

GH

drahthaar · Mar 20, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Mar-20-06 AT 01:06PM (MST)[p]Don't sleep with your food, respect the fact that they are there. More than likely they will run the other way if you get into one. My buddy has had to chase a griz off his bow-killed elk 2 of the last 4 years, it didn't want to leave but they will, makes for a little excitement.

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 20, 2006

Grizzly on my bow-killed elk = a "LOT OF EXCITEMENT" in my book.
:-o

GH

Bullcan · Mar 21, 2006

I went the end of September. I had my base camp at about 5000 feet off of a dirt road that was only a couple miles from the main(paved ) road. From there I would hike 1-2 miles a day further in. I saw quite a bit of game every day and got to within 50 yards but did not feel comfortable at that distance. I think due to the fact I was bowhunting before rifle season had a lot to do with the amount of game I saw. Saw quite a few mule deer also including a bachelor group of 4 bucks with some impressive antlers (wide racked 4x4's all of them).

It was a great learning experience and I even found some nice mule deer sheds which I was suprised they were still intact at that time of the year. Also everything you hear about good optics is true, you use your binoculars a lot out there, they are essential. Remember to bring a lot of water on your hunts every day. The first day I did not bring nearly enough and had to cut the hunt short that day to return to camp for water.

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 21, 2006

Bullcan,

It sounds like your were hunting deer...is that the case? I will be hunting elk. Did you see any, or sign?

Thanx!

GH

Bullcan · Mar 22, 2006

No, I was hunting elk, just mentioning that I saw quite a few mulies also.

Model70 · Mar 23, 2006

I would echo the statement about bringing along bear spray. It may not be as macho as a .44 magnum, but it sure sounds effective. But don't take my word for it. Get online and read up on some of the studies -- something like 94% effective in reported bear conflicts.

Zigga · Mar 23, 2006

I don't think carrying firearms as protection against bears is a good idea. A lot of people disagree but I spend way more time in griz country than the average joe and bears want to get away from you at any cost. I don't want to be put in the situation of me or him but I feel there is always a way out other than killing the poor thing. Packing a firearm sucks anyway. If you kill one in self defense and don't report it, there is always a chance it will get traced back to you and if you kill one and report it then bring on the legal fees.

Bear spray tends to blow back and do more harm than good. I try to carry an airhorn that is about the same size as bear spray and the bears don't stick around. I've tried it and it works great.

missinMT · Mar 23, 2006

Same experience with the spray. Kicked my a@# just as bad!! NEVER thought of the air horn. That sounds like it will work! Tell us more.

drahthaar · Mar 24, 2006

>I don't think carrying firearms as
>protection against bears is a
>good idea.

Many would agree actually.

A lot
>of people disagree but I
>spend way more time in
>griz country than the average
>joe and bears want to
>get away from you at
>any cost.

Yes, Griz everywhere where I hunt, and yes they have all but once ran the other way when alerted to my presence.

I don't
>want to be put in
>the situation of me or
>him but I feel there
>is always a way out
>other than killing the poor
>thing.

There is nothing "poor" about a g-bear. Especially a sow with cubs.

Packing a firearm
>sucks anyway.

I carry a .44 and bear spray. And don't really even know either one is there.

If you
>kill one in self defense
>and don't report it, there
>is always a chance it
>will get traced back to
>you and if you kill
>one and report it then
>bring on the legal fees.

If I am attacked or charged, the last thing on my mind is a game warden or legal fees.
>
>
>Bear spray tends to blow back
>and do more harm than
>good. I try to
>carry an airhorn that is
>about the same size as
>bear spray and the bears
>don't stick around. I've
>tried it and it works
>great.

The airhorn is a good idea, I guess. I have seen bear spray perform, and it works. My number one job is to make it home to my kids safely, that is why I carry matches and extra food. Odds of me getting lost are about as nil as getting attacked by a bear, but there is always a chance, I want to be prepared to have a fighting chance against that once in a lifetime bear that you surprise or get between her and her cubs and doesn't run the other way, and there is no man that can fight a bear and win with just his hands.

TimothyTreadwell · Mar 24, 2006

LAST EDITED ON Mar-24-06 AT 02:57PM (MST)[p]
> Odds of me getting
>lost are about as nil
>as getting attacked by a
>bear, but there is always
>a chance,

That's what I used to think!

I want to
>be prepared to have a
>fighting chance against that once
>in a lifetime bear that
>you surprise or get between
>her and her cubs and
>doesn't run the other way,
>and there is no man
>that can fight a bear
>and win with just his
>hands.

YES! I AGREE! I wouldn't reccommend coming between a cub and his mommy - or put my camp in the middle of a bear trail where a mean old bear almost ready to hibernate can mistake you and and your girlfriend for an easy meal.

I am appalled however at most of the attitudes towards these magnificent creatures! Air horns, bear spray, rocks and .44 magnums! Don't you know that the air horns hurt their cute little ears and the bear spray hurts their cute little eyes and rocks hurt their feelings! And .44 magnums hurt their brains, hearts, lungs, kidneys, pancreases, intestines, paws, skulls, throats, and noses! How mean! These are my friends!

Zigga - You threw rocks at my friend! His name is "Little Joe" - and oh he is just a wonderful friend! He was just curious and he probably just wanted to see who you were! I saw you through the bushes and I almost came out to "protect" him from you! What a terrible day that was!

Let me warn all of you! I am here to protect these defenseless creatures! I have my video camera and a very shrill voice when riled! I will cuss and yell at you if you so much as look at these magnificent creatures cross-eyed! How dare you! How dare you throw rocks at my friend Zigga! Shame on you! Shame on you Zigga!

Sincerely yours,
Timothy Treadwell

the only GRIZZLY MAN wondering what idiot tastes like to a bear!

GrizzlyHunter · Mar 24, 2006

Timmy,

Tell me Timmy...how long does it really take to pass entirely through a grizzly?

groundhog · Mar 30, 2006

Hey Timmy, (bobcat is that you?) In Alaska we call you "Timothy Snackwell"! I have been an Alaskan Outfitter for over twenty five years and during this time have had countless close encounters with big bears. I spend part of my season on Kodiak Island where the big bad boys live. It is my opinion that the Pepper spray is not usually very effective. It only sprays a few feet on its own so you have to have the wind at your back, blowing to the bear and then you have to hold it up in the air and hope it gets to the bear. How often is the wind blowing perfectly to the bear? Not very often!!! I have also heard of people that had it blow back into thier face and the next thing you know they are flopping around like a fish. Not good when you have a bear close by.
If he was chewing on you it would probabally work if you stuck it in his face and let him have it. Although at that point he might just consider it flavoring.

The reason we will not allow our guests to carry Pepper Spray is that there have been several cases where the spray has accidentally gone off while in an airplane. If the pilot can't see, he can't fly.
Don't ever spray pepper spray on something to keep bears away!! I have a friend that had problems with bears climbing on his float plane while he was away with guests. He decided to spray the floats to keep em off. The Bear chewed on the float and when he returned his plane was half submerged in water.
Believe it or not, throwing rocks, yelling and acting tough usually works pretty good. We carry 12 guage pump shotguns loaded with slugs for back up. Occasionally we will fire a round into the air but this is usually not that effective. The worst I was ever scared by a bear was in Montana while archery hunting. I had a small Sow black bear charge me and it didn't stop until it was about ten feet away. Talk about get your heart going. After I backed off and cleaned out my shorts I saw she had two cubs with her. When it comes to dealing with bears we have found that a little common sense goes a long way. Make noise and let them know you are coming, don't mess with their food, where they live or their offspring and you are usually ok Just my two cents. Groundhog

Roy · Mar 31, 2006

Looks like Zigga will be haunted forever by Timmy's ghost. Now that would be a good horror film - a zombie half eaten by a bear who chases guys who throw rocks at bears. Priceless!

ROY

BTW - That wasn't Bobcat I don't think - just one of his imitators or emulators.

ismith · Mar 31, 2006

Somehow I dont see how zombie bear crap could move real fast. Might be something like the blob, just kinda oooozzzzzzeeeesssss along. Probally have some blueberrys in it too.
ismith