Photo Credit: byrdyak_Envato
As we scoured our best wild raspberry picking spots earlier this year we could only turn up enough of the juicy red fruit for a few handfuls, not the bucket loads we normally glean, and my thoughts immediately turned to how the hot and dry conditions which obviously affected berry harvest, would also make the bears in these mountains more desperate in the coming weeks. I wish my premonition had been wrong.
Over the summer and into the fall hunting season it is not uncommon to hear of bear attacks across the Rocky Mountain West, especially from grizzly bears. This year has been a bad one. Numerous attacks and maulings in recent weeks have proven just how desperate the bears are as they search for food and how mismanagement has created a downright dangerous environment for both humans and bears.
Several attacks in September and over the past week in the states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming have gone poorly for all involved with humans getting mauled and bears being shot to death. I don’t blame either party as recreating and hunting in grizzly country poses inherent risks these days. I blame the lack of proper grizzly bear management and the agencies involved.
The proliferation of grizzly bears in the West has reached a point where the bears have exceeded recovery goals, overloading the carrying capacity of the habitat while the Federal government turns a blind eye to the plight of the humans and bears trying to share the landscape. I also fear that the solution, a delisting of the grizzly bear and return of management to the states, will never come given today’s socio-political climate. So what’s the answer?
If you choose to recreate and hunt in grizzly country you MUST take the proper precautions. It’s not IF you’ll encounter a bear, it’s WHEN, and when that occurs you’d better have a plan. Stay calm and do not panic!
Arming yourself with either bear spray or a firearm is mandatory in today’s grizzly habitat. I carry both at all times and I’ve taught my kids how to use bear spray as they’re too little to wield a handgun. Yes, handguns are effective for stopping bears. Just ask the half-dozen or so hunters who’ve successfully done so this fall already. Bear spray can be effective and is the better option for those uncomfortable or unfamiliar with handguns. The best choice is a shotgun loaded to the gills with buckshot and/or slugs.
Understanding and implementing bear safety protocols are even more important and required by law. Click on the highlighted text for more information.
Being honest with yourself is also vital. If hunting in grizzly country is going to affect your enjoyment of the hunt or impact your hunting efficacy then perhaps hunting someplace without grizzlies is the better choice for you. Each year I answer the question of, “where should I apply to hunt elk in Wyoming?” My response always opens with the same question, “grizzlies or no grizzlies?” Be honest and choose the right unit so you can have an enjoyable hunt.
To be clear, grizzly bear encounters are not only common in much of the West’s best elk hunting country, they are to be expected. Most bears will give you a wide berth but on years like this one they are all desperate and willing to push the envelope. They will stalk you after you’ve knocked down a bull anticipating a carcass to feed on, tear into your camp and vehicle if you leave bear attractants in them, charge and attack you when they are surprised or feel threatened, and make hikes in the dark more interesting to say the least.
While there isn’t a grizzly behind every tree they are numerous, especially in areas with historically high elk and deer harvest numbers. So we need to act accordingly. Don’t hunt alone, hang your meat high and if you have to leave a carcass overnight you can expect it to be claimed by a grizz while you’re away. In that case it belongs to the bear and you’ll have to leave it be. If you are attacked you have the right to defend yourself but be prepared to endure an in depth interrogation process. Dogs and horses can be excellent bear deterrent but horses spook and injure more folks every year than bears do and dogs not accustomed to bears can be more of a liability than an asset so keep those things in mind too.
Hunting in grizzly country can be enormously rewarding but it comes with risks. Be honest with yourself, be prepared and use your head. The backcountry boogeyman is real.
Source Links
https://www.theoutdoorwire.com/releases/629c7fdf-4090-4969-8592-ca1f8951c1ee
