Hunting in bear country is always an adventure and each year I hear more horror stories. Here in northwest Wyoming we are in the heart of grizzly bear habitat and this year is already shaping up to be a dangerous one. A recent mauling of a hiker in Yellowstone National Park along with numerous other close shaves related to me by local hunters point to a tense rifle season for our area as folks take to the mountains chasing elk and deer in the coming weeks.
But it’s not all about the grizzlies! I spent a week in a “no grizz” elk unit chasing bugling bulls with my bow and saw a pile of black bear sign and two separate camps that bears had destroyed, scattering cooler and truck bed contents across the landscape because folks were sloppy in keeping a clean camp and bear attractants out of reach of what are often considered, “just black bears”.
Well, I’ve got news for you – black bears vastly outnumber grizzlies across our continent and it’s highly likely that when hunting the West you’re closer than you think to a sketchy encounter. I never hunt without a handgun for protection and when in grizz territory I carry bear spray too. More important than what I carry on my person is how I keep my camp.
There are clear rules for camping in grizzly country but in places like Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains, where black bears are numerous and grizzlies just a rumor, the rules for keeping your camp are fast and loose. This leads folks to be complacent and yes, there are issues with black bears in that area. Not as prevalent as just 50 or so miles further west, but it does happen.
My point? Always keep a clean camp with food and attractants locked up and/or stored in a hardsided camper or vehicle and whenever possible in bear-proof containers like a robust YETI cooler or storage boxes. Also, have the means to deter an aggressive bear on your person! If you aren’t proficient with a handgun then bear spray is a good choice. Whenever possible I opt for a long gun though, with my .45-70 lever gun loaded with 430 grain hardcast +P loads being my first choice.
In short, keep a clean camp, hang your meat high and always be prepared to defend yourself and others. Bears get desperate this time of year trying to pack in precious calories as food sources dwindle, this desperation causes them to grow bolder than normal.
A few pointers that the crew here at Eastmans do our best to live by are as follows…
- Never hunt alone if at all possible (Horses and dogs are helpful, check legality on dogs).
- Stay clear of heavy cover where a short range encounter puts you at a disadvantage.
- Have packout help lined out ahead of time. Once an animal hits the dirt in grizz country the clock is ticking.
- Always have a way to communicate with emergency contacts (inReach, satellite texting, etc.)
- Watch for birds! Ravens and magpies flocking in a specific spot often means a carcass and if the birds are in the trees it’s likely there’s a bear on the carcass.
- Don’t panic! In bear country it’s not IF you’ll have an encounter, it’s WHEN… When it does happen, keep your cool. Things get western fast when panic takes over.
When it’s all said and done there are thousands of folks who successfully hunt in bear country each year, never having an issue with a surly bruin. Be cautious, be prepared and hunt hard!
