Hiking in bear country?!?

[Brians356]

The fam has talked me into a vacation to Montana, now I find out that a shed hunter was killed about a week ago by a grizzly in the same place we are headed.

Authorities not looking for bear suspected in fatal attack​

Authorities not looking for bear suspected in fatal attack

BILLINGS, Mont. — Authorities in Montana have not tried to track down a grizzly bear suspected in the fatal mauling of a hiker last week because it did not appear

lmtribune.com

-

 

[bpd459]

Greetings,
This has been an interesting thread. I spend 5-6 weeks a year in NW MT and NW WY. I have seen Grizzlies and Black bears for 40+ years. I've been bluff charged by Black bears twice. I used to carry a Ruger Blackhawk .41mag. I have updated to a Glock 20, with 16, 200gr Underwood hardcast in the gun, a spare magazine of the same ammo and a can of bear spray. I spent a week in GNP last September, on the North fork, fly fishing. We had G bear prints in the sand bars in the morning. Though I wish I had an 870 on my shoulder, I was comfortable with my choice.
Take care,
John

 

[BOLTED]

Bears are hungry, and they have hard heads. Dont try to stop a bear by shooting in the head. Most rounds will skip off the skull. Grizzles are not the only bear to be nervous about. Talk to a ranger at a ranger station near where you are planning to go, they will be the most knowledgeable about how to be safe. Letting the rangers know how many in your group, where you will be and when you are expected to be back is a good way to

My dad was a guide for many years in the Selway Bitterroot area, and a stomach shot was the preferred area to shoot at any hungry bear. Next was a leg or lung to slow the creature down. Always plan on running downhill if you are being chased, they will catch you right away if you run uphill. Bear spray and bells have also saved lives.

45-70 is the guide gun of choice with a 500 grain bullet. A 44 on the hip as well. Take a med kit or two, or three with clotting agent and a tourniquet. A good knife is a must.

Your food will attract any bear, above all, learn how to store and dispose of food well away from your camp. You are NOT the top of the food chain out there, so.... head on a swivel my friend. Just make sure all persons in your party know what to look for and what to look out for. Also, FIRST AID TRAINING FOR ALL!! A tourniquet doesn't help if your bleeding out and the wife or kids don't know what to do.

D

 

[DocCarbon]

IF one is in Bear Country BE PREPARED for the worst and Pray for the Best .

One thing I've not seen mentioned and IF anyone has and I failed to read it ,MY apologies in advance .

Bears are PROTECTED ,which simply means there are MORE of them and an encounter is far more likely than not ;these days .

While hunting in N Calif. one Deer season in the Trinity Nat. forest , I came across #3 Bears so fricken close I could have Spit on two . O dark hundred a hunting group 0f #5 ,we split into individual paths . I had spied a short trail the evening before ,so as to make a Ridge assault as day light broke . Well You know how it is nature called and I stopped beside a big fir tree ,rest My rifle ; Drop Trou and proceed less than one minute one of the smaller bushes starts moving . OH baby did I pinch it off in a hurry !!!.
As I'm getting my pants back on and moving towards the fir tree where MY rifle was parked ,the BIG bush stands up as well as the 3 Rd. smaller bush .

I walk off back the way I came ,it's now just about light so I stop . Sure enough I can make out a Cinnamon Black bear and her two cubs going up the hillside ,the path I WAS going to go .

That damn Bear and her cubs dogged Me the entire morning and finally went over the ridge about 1:30 PM .
She paralleled ME for 6 Hr. staying 50 75 yd above Me ,and I do me where I went SHE followed !.
Needless to say didn't see a single deer the entire day .

I remind myself every time I'm hunting ,things could have gone terribly wrong and I could of might have been but thankfully ALL was well that Morning !. IF anyone is ever in doubt YES THEY DO IN HUGE PILES !.

 

[INTJ]

So what is the ratio of bear encounters to bear attacks?

 

[L.Sherm]

So what is the ratio of bear encounters to bear attacks?

I doudt any percentage would be accurate because I believe that not all encounters are reported.
I guess better define " encounter" also.

 

[JFrank]

So what is the ratio of bear encounters to bear attacks?

Blaine
I have never encountered a Grizzly beyond the tracks next to the cabin however I have with several blacks at 30 yards or so, one is dead the others ran off although I had a distinct feeling I was being flanked once. It becomes an normal thing for us.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

On my Alaska trips, I carry a Satin Nickled Smith model 58. .41 Mag 4" fixed sights in a cross draw holster.
On the waist belt of my pack. it's in the open with nothing to slow my draw.

 

[Elwood]

Never get out of the boat (Apocalypse)

 

[INTJ]

I doudt any percentage would be accurate because I believe that not all encounters are reported.
I guess better define " encounter" also.

Blaine
I have never encountered a Grizzly beyond the tracks next to the cabin however I have with several blacks at 30 yards or so, one is dead the others ran off although I had a distinct feeling I was being flanked once. It becomes an normal thing for us.

My point is that actual bear attacks are extremely rare, even though bear encounters are frequent. We don't need to defend against bear encounters.

 

[L.Sherm]

My point is that actual bear attacks are extremely rare, even though bear encounters are frequent. We don't need to defend against bear encounters.

Depends on the encounter and whos definition of " encounter"

 

[dellet]

My point is that actual bear attacks are extremely rare, even though bear encounters are frequent. We don't need to defend against bear encounters.

I have never been attacked by a bear, had probably 100+ encounters. I have “defended” myself each and every time. Being aware and cautious is a form of defense. Not every defense is required to be lethal.

Every single person I know that has been attacked, probably 10 or so, the attack has started with an encounter that was poorly defended.

I don’t think I have ever even read of an attack, that was not first an encounter. Not sure if it would even be possible.

 

[JFrank]

I prefer to see them before they see me. I don’t how the statistics add up.

 

[INTJ]

I have never been attacked by a bear, had probably 100+ encounters. I have “defended” myself each and every time. Being aware and cautious is a form of defense. Not every defense is required to be lethal.

Every single person I know that has been attacked, probably 10 or so, the attack has started with an encounter that was poorly defended.

I don’t think I have ever even read of an attack, that was not first an encounter. Not sure if it would even be possible.

Being aware and cautious is prevention. Defending only happens when a bear attacks. Attacks are extremely rare. So rare that if a person took no precautions they still have an extremely small chance of being attacked.

Yet some here seem to be treating encounters as attacks, which is irrational. Then again, most of what we worry about doesn't ever happen.....

 

[dellet]

Being aware and cautious is prevention. Defending only happens when a bear attacks. Attacks are extremely rare. So rare that if a person took no precautions they still have an extremely small chance of being attacked.

Yet some here seem to be treating encounters as attacks, which is irrational. Then again, most of what we worry about doesn't ever happen.....

So prevention, is not a viable form of defense.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I have never been attacked by a bear, had probably 100+ encounters. I have “defended” myself each and every time. Being aware and cautious is a form of defense. Not every defense is required to be lethal.

Every single person I know that has been attacked, probably 10 or so, the attack has started with an encounter that was poorly defended.

I don’t think I have ever even read of an attack, that was not first an encounter. Not sure if it would even be possible.

It’s non of my business but have you had to fire warning shots to prevent a possible attack?

 

[L.Sherm]

Being aware and cautious is prevention. Defending only happens when a bear attacks. Attacks are extremely rare. So rare that if a person took no precautions they still have an extremely small chance of being attacked.

Yet some here seem to be treating encounters as attacks, which is irrational. Then again, most of what we worry about doesn't ever happen.....

Obviously you've never been charged by a bear.
I will do what I deem necessary whether its an " encounter or attack"
And no I don't worry I hunt and hike every year in G- bear country

 

[dellet]

It’s non of my business but have you had to fire warning shots to prevent a possible attack?

Never.
Two closest encounters.

Stalking to with 15 yards and waiting for a black bear to move out from behind a bush so I would have more than a butt shot. Waiting in a crouched position for about 2 minutes. Out of the corner of my eye, and up hill is saw what looked like two basket balls rolling down towards me. Took a minute to click in it was a pair of cubs and I was between them and mom.

Stood up, raised my bow and day pack above my head, started talking and backing away. Mom chased the cubs up a tree, and stood woofing as I continued backing up. That ended the encounter.

Saw a black bear feeding across a clear cut, maybe 200 yards away. Decided to call instead of stalk. Played the game for about 30-40 minutes and spotted cubs. Gave it up and went to gather my stuff I had left about 25 yards behind. Right there where I left it, under a fresh steaming pile of grizzly shit. Never knew it was there.

I generally live and let live these days.

 

[JFrank]

Bear Attack Statistics: Frequency and Fatality Worldwide

What do bear attack statistics tell us about the fatality of human interactions with these wild animals? Read all the latest numbers and facts.

petpedia.co

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Bears are hungry, and they have hard heads. Dont try to stop a bear by shooting in the head. Most rounds will skip off the skull. Grizzles are not the only bear to be nervous about. Talk to a ranger at a ranger station near where you are planning to go, they will be the most knowledgeable about how to be safe. Letting the rangers know how many in your group, where you will be and when you are expected to be back is a good way to

My dad was a guide for many years in the Selway Bitterroot area, and a stomach shot was the preferred area to shoot at any hungry bear. Next was a leg or lung to slow the creature down. Always plan on running downhill if you are being chased, they will catch you right away if you run uphill. Bear spray and bells have also saved lives.

45-70 is the guide gun of choice with a 500 grain bullet. A 44 on the hip as well. Take a med kit or two, or three with clotting agent and a tourniquet. A good knife is a must.

Your food will attract any bear, above all, learn how to store and dispose of food well away from your camp. You are NOT the top of the food chain out there, so.... head on a swivel my friend. Just make sure all persons in your party know what to look for and what to look out for. Also, FIRST AID TRAINING FOR ALL!! A tourniquet doesn't help if your bleeding out and the wife or kids don't know what to do.

D

Are we still calling it a vacation? Because it’s not sounding like a vacation