Grizzly Encounter

[DrMike]

Noah and I went out last week. We didn't shoot any bears, but we did see three grizzlies. This breeding pair were grazing and didn't move when we got to within thirty meters of them. Typical behaviour of breeding bears. I thought I'd share a few of the photos Noah snapped with his cell phone (Why did that boy bring a cell phone for hunting, you may ask. Because he needed to text a few girls! I'm trying to refocus his attention on bears!)

The sow sat down while the boar continued grazing at first.

After that, both of them continued grazing.

We thought it was pretty cool just watching these bears. We had a young two-year-old scamper down the highway in front of us as we were headed home that evening. He stood for a moment as though he wanted to fight us, but then he decided that the Tundra was bigger than he was, so he scurried off into the bush. Love those bears.

 

[Rol_P]

Wow, Dr Mike, you were close. What made you sure the boar would not mistakenly think you were going to challenge him for the sow? Did you have a deterrent in case of such an occurrence?
Thanks for sharing and I am glad you both are safe.

 

[DrMike]

No deterrent. Noah did have my 325 WSM and a magazine of 200 grain Partitions; I had my 350 RM and a magazine of 200 grain TSX. We didn't appear to disturb them any, and they weren't even terribly interested when we moved away from them after about ten minutes or so.

 

[Rol_P]

I would consider your rifles deterrents. Is it safe to assume you were after black bear?

 

[DrMike]

I would consider your rifles deterrents. Is it safe to assume you were after black bear?

Yup. There were too many grizzlies in the area we were hunting for blacks to feel comfortable. Grizzlies numbers appear to be increasing rapidly, but the province has banned all hunting. That is what happens when government is composed of socialists and greens. Vancouver and Victoria dominate the province, and we who have to live with these bears have no voice in their management. People with fuzzy understanding of the "cute" bears living in the "Great Bear Rain Forests" and along the Rockies think they are protecting the bears. It does make for some discordant wildlife management.

 

[gerry]

Always nice to see them up close, amazing animals.

 

[ethmoid1999]

Beautiful! I like your 'bear spray'. Anyway, the liberals need to roll in sardine juice and meet them up close. I'm sure they could 'talk' to them.

 

[Thebear_78]

Always nice to get up close and observe bears. Even nicer to be able to shoot them periodically


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[Rol_P]

We had a black bear with two ear tags walk through our yard earlier this month.
When I called Wildlife to report it, as they have requested, the young female voice asked me if I had the numbers off the tags?? I informed her I did not get that close and personal. Kinda makes you wonder if the IQ reaches room temperature.

 

[salmonchaser]

Great shots, love seeing the bears.


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[truck driver]

We had a black bear with two ear tags walk through our yard earlier this month.
When I called Wildlife to report it, as they have requested, the young female voice asked me if I had the numbers off the tags?? I informed her I did not get that close and personal. Kinda makes you wonder if the IQ reaches room temperature.

No doubt she had a degree in Animal relations and thought you should be able to question the bear about it's ear tags and why it was in your yard.
Yep you can't fix stupid. >)

 

[Guy Miner]

Pretty cool encounter Mike.

A lot of folks, even hunters, have no idea that a big ol' grizz can be a pretty docile animal when well fed.

Still, caution is warranted.

Guy

 

[DrMike]

Pretty cool encounter Mike.

A lot of folks, even hunters, have no idea that a big ol' grizz can be a pretty docile animal when well fed.

Still, caution is warranted.

Guy

They need to be respected, that is for certain.

 

[ShadeTree]

Very cool Dr Mike! Only blackies where I'm at and don't get to see them often. Can't really relate to seeing a Grizzly up close and personal on a routine basis. A formidable animal in either species really. They are quite a creature.

 

[JD338]

Mike,

That was a very cool experience and one I would love to see first hand!
Glad Noah had his phone with him. Thanks for sharing.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

I'm especially thrilled that Noah had the opportunity. I really enjoy seeing how he gets into the whole wilderness experience. He didn't have to pull the trigger to experience that thrill that can never be captured sitting at home or in front of a television. He was pretty cool with everything.

 

[Thebear_78]

We just had a brownie kill a local man and attack another this week. You have to be careful with them.

https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/wildlif ... gle-river/


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[hunternyny]

Dr Mike and bear-78, thanks for the posts

Hodgeman, Bear78, Dr Mike, Gil, Cheyenne, salmonchaser-----do you guys encounter brown bears on a regular basis ? Do you carry a firearm or spray everywhere you go ---a walk, a bicycle ride, fishing, duck hunting, etc, etc. ? Does your wife carry spray in her purse ?----- or do you only see them when your hunting in the mountains.

 

[Thebear_78]

There are over 40 resident brown bear and 200+ black bear in the city limits of anchorage. I normally carry a gun almost all the time, my wife does whenever walking or hiking.

I normally carry a 357 magnum 3” 7 shot as it is very easy to carry. I’m more than likely going to pick up a 10mm at some point this summer to replace my 44.

I don’t run into bears daily but I see one at least every week or two throughout the summer and pretty regularly when fishing or hunting. I saw a good sized brown bear just N hour ago walking along the highway between ft rich and anchorage on my way back to town tonight.

The single most effective bear deterrent is easily the locking tags that AF&G hands out when you buy a bear tag. I’m not sure how they know but the chance of running into a bear when you have one of those is greatly reduced. They must be able to smell them!

I don’t ever carry spray. It’s effectiveness is questionable. Probably pretty effective on a curious or territorial bear , but doubtful on a full on predatory attack. Just had a woman killed last year near pogo mine after spraying the bear several times.

I’m of the opinion that if a bear doesn’t back down or run away from a challenge you really should kill that bear. Especially black bears. I’m speaking about bears near people not so much out in the bush. If a bear in town doesn’t show any fear of humans he WILL be a problem, there is no way around it.

That brown that killed the guy in eagle river Tuesday attacked his search part, several people, mauled one bAdly, and then got away, still at large. One of them should have shot that bear.

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[Thankful Otter]

There are over 40 resident brown bear and 200+ black bear in the city limits of anchorage. I normally carry a gun almost all the time, my wife does whenever walking or hiking.

I normally carry a 357 magnum 3” 7 shot as it is very easy to carry. I’m more than likely going to pick up a 10mm at some point this summer to replace my 44.

I don’t run into bears daily but I see one at least every week or two throughout the summer and pretty regularly when fishing or hunting. I saw a good sized brown bear just N hour ago walking along the highway between ft rich and anchorage on my way back to town tonight.

The single most effective bear deterrent is easily the locking tags that AF&G hands out when you buy a bear tag. I’m not sure how they know but the chance of running into a bear when you have one of those is greatly reduced. They must be able to smell them!

I don’t ever carry spray. It’s effectiveness is questionable. Probably pretty effective on a curious or territorial bear , but doubtful on a full on predatory attack. Just had a woman killed last year near pogo mine after spraying the bear several times.

I’m of the opinion that if a bear doesn’t back down or run away from a challenge you really should kill that bear. Especially black bears. I’m speaking about bears near people not so much out in the bush. If a bear in town doesn’t show any fear of humans he WILL be a problem, there is no way around it.

That brown that killed the guy in eagle river Tuesday attacked his search part, several people, mauled one bAdly, and then got away, still at large. One of them should have shot that bear.



John,

Bear, has given you a very accurate picture and I agree with him. I prefer a lever rifle to a handgun, but that is just personal preference, as the purpose and end result are the same.

It depends on where we are working on which color of bear we are dealing with ( white, black, brown )

We have a law here in some areas that makes it illegal to lock your car. People may need to get in your vehicle quickly if a bear shows up.