Didn't Draw a Grizzly Tag This Spring

[DrMike]

Well, spring LEH tags have been drawn in BC. I didn't draw a grizzly tag. I'll try again for a fall hunt. Good luck to others who put in.

 

[wayno945]

That's unfortunate Mike. How hard is it normally to draw a grizzly tag? Do they give preference to residents up there?

 

[6mm Remington]

Fall comes and so will your tag Mike! I am only hoping that someday soon I'll get to apply for Montana for a limited permit. Even getting just the chance to apply for a tag would be something.
David

 

[gerry]

That's too bad Mike, hopefully this fall you will draw. I did not apply for spring since I tore some cartilage in my knee and it will be a long time till I can get it fixed since I can still function reasonably well.

 

[DrMike]

I'm not too bummed out. I'll be out hunting black bear.

That's unfortunate Mike. How hard is it normally to draw a grizzly tag? Do they give preference to residents up there?

There are discrimination points. That is, the system is designed to maximize the possibility of all residence who apply being drawn about every five years. My last draw was two years ago. If you are serious about hunting grizzly, you apply for some areas when the odds of being drawn are ~0.3 to 1. In other words, there are some areas that are quite inaccessible that you will get a tag if you apply. Unless I'm planning on taking off for a few weeks, I don't make those applications. I simply put in for my local area. The odds here are not terrible, however the harvest was cut back this year. Only one permit was allowed in either of the zones I applied for.

 

[wayno945]

That's good to know. I drew a spring archery bear tag here in Arizona. I already looked into hunting Kodiak Island for Browns but the wait was 2016. I haven't been able to take a black bear yet, so I think I will try to focus on that for the short term. What is your bear rifle of choice?

 

[DrMike]

What is your bear rifle of choice?

Whichever one I happen to be carrying that day. I've probably taken more black bears (and grizzlies) with a Model 94 Big Bore chambered in .356. The Whelen or the 9.3X64 will flatten bears. The 325 and the 300 WSMs are good choices. I've never felt undergunned with a .30-06, a 7mm RM or a .280. I'll likely carry either the 35 Whelen or the 9.3X64 for black bear this spring as neither has been blooded with bear.

 

[Elkman]

Thats to bad Mike, but I am sure that there will be other tags with your name on them this spring. !!!!!!

 

[Guy Miner]

Weird. I'm not hunting grizzly this year either.

Who would have figured? :grin:

 

[DrMike]

I'll put in for grizzly (and a few other game animals) this fall. I have at least one more wild venture into the northern reaches of the province at some point. I'll disappear for three or four weeks to look for one more big bear.

 

[tecumseh]

Bummer! I hope on the near future to be able to apply for a Grizzly tag in the lower 48.

 

[DrMike]

Bummer! I hope on the near future to be able to apply for a Grizzly tag in the lower 48.

I hope that will be the case, as well. We had OTC tags until c. 1994. My first hunts were conducted without a draw. Our populations are pretty strong. The major resistance to hunting grizzlies is opposition from leaf lickers living in Vancouver and Victoria. Walt Disney did the population no favours.

 

[PJGunner]

That's too bad Mike, hopefully this fall you will draw. I did not apply for spring since I tore some cartilage in my knee and it will be a long time till I can get it fixed since I can still function reasonably well.

Well, just my opinion but if you can get something done for that knee now, I'd do it. It ain't gonna get any better. I wrecked my right knee about 13 years ago and tore most of the cartilage into shreds during a deer hunt. Cost me a nice deer too. Now it's pain at some level or another every day and most hunts are now out of the question.
Paul B.

 

[gerry]

I'm on the list to get it worked on but things in the medical system go painfully slow. Next spring I hope to hunt this valley we were in last fall goat hunting, it has a massive grizzly trail and the area is well known to be a prime denning area. Low odds too so there is a good chance of drawing.

 

[SJB358]

Good luck in the Fall Mike. Hope your able to draw one of them.

Hope you heal up Gerry. Always look forward to your pictures.

 

[DrMike]

I tore some cartilage in my knee and it will be a long time till I can get it fixed since I can still function reasonably well.

For those living in the USA, "Welcome to government-run health care and rationing of health care." Wait 'til you need cataract surgery and you are put off for three years to "let it ripen." Knee surgeries can require waits of up to two years after diagnosis. Praying for your healing, Gerry; you're too young to have this problem.

 

[JD338]

Mike,

Sorry you didn't pull a spring griz tag. I hope you can pull a fall griz tag.
What will you use for grizzly medicine?

JD338

 

[DrMike]

What will you use for grizzly medicine?

JD338

I will likely use my 9.3X64, which is what I built it for. I am currently shooting 250 grain ABs in this rifle, but I've recently work with 300 grain A-Frames, which deliver a pounding at both ends of the rifle. I will not hesitate to tackle a grizz with my 325WSM and 200 grain PT or with the 35 Whelen and 225 grain PT. As far as that goes, there are no flies on the 300WSM and a 200 grain AB. Still, I'll likely carry the 9.3X64 Brenneke.

 

[6mm Remington]

Hope you get that knee taken care of Gerry. They can become problematic if not taken care of and given a chance to heal properly.

Love the picture of the valley. Man I would love just to tag along and get to "experience the country and the hunt". Beautiful!!
David

 

[DrMike]

Hope you get that knee taken care of Gerry. They can become problematic if not taken care of and given a chance to heal properly.

Love the picture of the valley. Man I would love just to tag along and get to "experience the country and the hunt". Beautiful!!
David

I'd love to have you come up and share the country one day, David. You'd find a warm welcome.