Hunting in Grizzly Country?

[Guy Miner]

Those who have hunted in grizzly country - did the presence of grizzly bear in the area influence your choice of rifle or bullet?

I'm reminded of a Wyoming mule deer hunt, in 2009. My pard and I didn't find many mule deer in the lower, sagebrush country. So we went up near the boundary of Yellowstone National Park and hiked into a remote canyon. Eventually we each tagged mule deer, with about a three mile hike back to the truck.

We found grizzly sow and cub tracks back in there... And one deer carcass, we left overnight, after skinning and field dressing it.

We hiked back in the next morning to bone out the carcass and carry it out in our packs. Approached the carcass VERY carefully, but it turned out there was no problem.

We were carrying typical open-country mule deer rifles, my .25-06 and his .270 Win. Hardly confidence inspiring if having to deal with a ticked off grizzly. This is the same area where there have been several man vs grizzly fights.. Including the death of one man.

If I were to choose to hunt that country again - and I might someday - I'm going in with my .30-06 & 180 gr Nosler Partitions... Just in case.

What say those of you who are more experienced at hunting in grizzly country?

Regards, Guy

 

[Silent Sam]

Didn't directly affect my rifle/load choice but I felt what I had chosen was sufficient "in case". We were elk hunting high country east of Yellowstone. It did cause me to pack a Ruger Alaskan in a chesty puller rig. That's because when we were field dressing and carrying quarters out to the mules and also when riding rifles were not in our hands. The carcasses we visited afterwards were all hit by bear. I believe that in some places a gunshot is a grizzly dinner bell and even if it's not the smell of blood certainly is.

 

[Thebear_78]

Any bullet capable of killing a moose will work for griz. I don't change anything. I always have a 44 on my chest.

A little bit of situational awareness will go much farther than any amount of firepower.


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[DrMike]

Each hunt for me is in grizzly country. I can testify that when going into brush when fresh grizzly sign has been identified, almost any cartridge seems awfully small (it is better than the 3 lb. test spinning gear I was armed with on one occasion, however). Having said that, I am aware and seek to stay alert. I have been charged on two occasions by grizzlies. Fortunately, for me and for the bear, each charge was a bluff charge; other than the need for clean underwear, there was no harm to me. When skinning game, I like to have one individual have a hand on his/her rifle at all times. We are not permitted to pack handguns here in British Columbia. That could be comforting, but I have not felt it to be a serious deficit. As has been stated, any cartridge that is sufficient for a moose (and I would add elk) is sufficient for a mountain grizzly. A .243 is better than a stick in the eye if required in an emergency. I prefer a cartridge with a large frontal area if I must shoot a bear, but we don't always have the choice. Having meandered about the question, the answer to Guy's question is a qualified "Yes." The knowledge that grizzlies are present make me aware of what I am carrying. I seldom carry anything smaller than a .280, but I do have smaller rifles that I carry during late deer season (November).

 

[salmonchaser]

My BIL ranch is about 25 miles north of Yellowstone, along the river. When I've hunted there it's always been late in the season, never had an issue. He reports it has gotten just plain scary early in the season. Basic rule, no one approaches a downed animal alone.
Sixteen seasons of guiding fishermen on the Alaska peninsula have resulted in an unbelievable number of contacts with Grizzlies. What I know with certainty is you never know for sure.
Situational awareness is key.
When my attention is diverted, typically while mending a leader, that is when they show up.
Once, fishing the top end of a long grassy gravel bar one of the clients dropped his day pack on the beach. We waded in and started fishing. A few minutes later I saw the grass slightly down stream moving. I alerted my three fishermen and we watched as whatever was moving through the grass continued away from us. 40 or 50 yards down stream the bear stepped out on the beach. Had my clients day pack in his mouth. The bear had picked the pack up about 20 feet behind us.
Spooky


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[gerry]

Guy, I can say yes it does to some degree. Some areas have a lot more bears than others such as some moose spots, and most of the areas that hold goat and sheep. In those spots I usually carry my 35 Whelen and in the past a 308 Norma Mag. I have carried smaller rifles as well in those spots but that is generally what I do. One reason I haven't tried the Berger bullets and similar is also for that reason, I wouldn't trust a bullet that is designed to come apart in that situation. I would much rather carry a 270 Win with a good tough bullet like the Partition than a 300 Magnum with a Berger bullet in grizzly country. Other than that I just keep an eye out especially when we have a kill, but I'm generally relaxed out there and if a grizz shows up then we will deal with it.

 

[Thankful Otter]

Those who have hunted in grizzly country - did the presence of grizzly bear in the area influence your choice of rifle or bullet?

If I were to choose to hunt that country again - and I might someday - I'm going in with my .30-06 & 180 gr Nosler Partitions... Just in case.

Guy,

the 30-06 you speak of was the only rifle/caliber I owned for years and never had a problem. I am allowed ( trapper and wilderness ) to carry a handgun, but find they are somewhat ineffective. Usually, the only times it gets dicey is when we are skinning. However, bears, white, black, brown, are literally a part of our life and just like one gets use to the cold or heat, you also get used to living with bears.

But for anyone who wants to make sure they have enough gun when in bear country they should invest in a 348---could not resist Dr Mike

PS, Gerry akes an excellent point in regards to the bullet, regardless of the caliber carried

 

[Guy Miner]

Interesting - and I figured the elk & moose hunters among us were already well-equipped to deal with a bear if necessary.

Gerry - good point about the bullets! My .25-06 was loaded with what I considered an excellent mule deer bullet, the 115 gr Berger VLD loaded to just under 3200 fps. My pard's .270 was at least stoked with 140 grain Failsafes, a deep penetrating bullet.

And hunting elk in the Wind River range - grizzly country - another hunting buddy and I were far better armed, with a 7mm Rem mag/175 Nosler Partitions, and a Browning BLR in .358 Win. We each had big bore revolvers with us as well.

FULLY agree with "situational awareness" being key! I've been able to avoid ever having to shoot a bear for protection, despite being around them many times.

Regards, Guy

 

[preacher]

Being a native Texan ( read "no bears") whenever I am in the mountains "all" bears give me pause, ha. I've never been around any but black bear ( although it has been rumored that our DWR has allowed a few Yellowstone grizzly's in the Uintahs. I don't know, but it sure makes it exciting for me. ha I have a nice Mod 870 12ga with rifled barrel and Dixie slugs for a camp gun. I think I would take it for any meat recovery, etc if in griz country. I think I would have it slung on my back if fishing there too! ( a shiver just went up my spine! ha) Love it!

 

[alaska100]

as has been mentioned bullet choose and situation awareness are very important. We always have a 45/70 with us when fishing and after the kill when hunting, regardless of the rifles we are using when hunting. Like Cheyenne we also have a dog with us at all times which works both as an early bear alarm and sometimes even as a distractor. Our only consistent problem is handling spooked horses or mules. Brooke

I should mention the dog needs to be very well trained so as not to be barking at everything or running off into the mountains after game.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm in the same boat as a lot of the folks here... every hunt for me is in grizzly country- even potting red squirrels in my backyard!

I typically use a .300WSM or a rarely a .270 without worry about the rifle but I do use a tougher bullet than typical for the game I'm hunting.

I don't ever carry a handgun if I have a rifle. When I'm bird hunting I generally have a few slugs in the pocket... of dubious value other than mental. I do take my dog- who has a better sense of what's around than I do most of the time.

I believe that situational awareness is much more important than firepower. I don't let grizzly influence my rifle choice but I do let it influence my hunting area- I avoid heavy brushed and wooded areas whenever possible and do most of my hunting well above tree line where surprise encounters are more uncommon. Bears don't worry me, but I want to know when one is around.

 

[1100 Remington Man]

When I hunted Idaho for Elk, I never gave it a thought as I was caring a Model 70 300 H&H with Nosler 180gr AB. I did meet a Gentleman who the year before had a Grizzly walk around his camper, he was hunting with a rifle and .44 handgun across his chest.
Would I hunt Alaska with my 6mm Rem probably not. but I would with my .264 Win Mag. If there Caribou population comes back I will head north with it.

 

[gerry]

I've carried my 264 WM as well when hunting in grizzly country and felt fine about it, 130 gr Swift's were the load. One year my friend carried a 270 with 130 gr Hornady's and I carried a 260 Rem with 129 gr Hornady bullets for a sheep hunt. We did have a run in with a small but very cranky grizzly, we felt cetain we would have been able to whittle him down had it come to that :mrgreen: just about had to with that little guy......

 

[Europe]

I only use a BB gun, but I make sure it is loaded with BB;s from Woodleigh

I have never hunted the big bears alone, so whatever we were hunting in Grizzly country, others were always present and usually with a larger caliber rifle. I know the times we fished Alaska, the guide carried a large caliber rifle and did not fish, just stood guard so to speak. The largest bears I have seen were on Kodiak island and if I had been hunting them, I would want the largest caliber rifle that I could handle effectively. When we did hunt Grizzly or brown bear, I used a 375 H & H.

Hodgeman, Bear, Brooke, have any of you ever had to use the DLP rule ? Gerry, Dr Mike, Cheyenne, do you have the DLP rule in Canada and have you used it ?

 

[DrMike]

I only use a BB gun, but I make sure it is loaded with BB;s from Woodleigh

I have never hunted the big bears alone, so whatever we were hunting in Grizzly country, others were always present and usually with a larger caliber rifle. I know the times we fished Alaska, the guide carried a large caliber rifle and did not fish, just stood guard so to speak. The largest bears I have seen were on Kodiak island and if I had been hunting them, I would want the largest caliber rifle that I could handle effectively. When we did hunt Grizzly or brown bear, I used a 375 H & H.

Hodgeman, Bear, Brooke, have any of you ever had to use the DLP rule ? Gerry, Dr Mike, Cheyenne, do you have the DLP rule in Canada and have you used it ?

"DLP Rule?" Data Loss Prevention?

 

[Europe]

I only use a BB gun, but I make sure it is loaded with BB;s from Woodleigh

I have never hunted the big bears alone, so whatever we were hunting in Grizzly country, others were always present and usually with a larger caliber rifle. I know the times we fished Alaska, the guide carried a large caliber rifle and did not fish, just stood guard so to speak. The largest bears I have seen were on Kodiak island and if I had been hunting them, I would want the largest caliber rifle that I could handle effectively. When we did hunt Grizzly or brown bear, I used a 375 H & H.

Hodgeman, Bear, Brooke, have any of you ever had to use the DLP rule ? Gerry, Dr Mike, Cheyenne, do you have the DLP rule in Canada and have you used it ?

"DLP Rule?" Data Loss Prevention?

LOL---something the State Department needs to work on--Data Loss Prevention

I may have it wrong Dr Mike, but I think in Alaska it is "Defense of Life and Property". If you feel your life is in danger you can kill a grizzly, even if you do not have a license to hunt them. Someone from Alaska will be along to either confirm my memory or correct it.

 

[DrMike]

Well, you can kill a grizzly here in British Columbia. Likely it won't cost more than $20,000 or so to prove that it was necessary to save life and property.

Okay, that is a little extreme. A friend did kill a grizzly on his farm last spring. The bear was near some neighbour children and threatening his cattle as they were calving. The COs heard rumours of the demise of the bear and investigated. He confirmed what he did and why he did it. He managed to get off with a ticket for not reporting the death to the MoE (Ministry of Environment).

There is incredible pressure from the liberal enclaves of Vancouver and Victoria (forty percent of the population) to protect the bears. Their hands are strengthened by such great conservationists as Miley Cyrus and Leonardo DiCaprio who delight in travelling to British Columbia to inform the legislature how to manage the resource. It is almost as good as Patrick Kennedy instructing Alberta how to save the Bow River.

Technically, we have DLP rules in place. Practically, it is a dicey proposition.

 

[Thankful Otter]

[quote="DrMike"
There is incredible pressure from the liberal enclaves of Vancouver and Victoria (forty percent of the population) to protect the bears. Their hands are strengthened by such great conservationists as Miley Cyrus and Leonardo DiCaprio who delight in travelling to British Columbia to inform the legislature how to manage the resource. It is almost as good as Patrick Kennedy instructing Alberta how to save the Bow River.

Dr Mike, as you probably know we have been fighting with the Government for nearly ten years as they have been trying to stop us from selling the items made from polar bears to the international community.

We recently sent moccasins to some of the members here and at LEL who have young daughters and even thou these were made from different hides than the polar bear, we always have to jump through a ton of hoops to get them out of Canada.

Sorry Guy, a little off subject.

April, if we feel threatened we do shoot the animal, and then eat it as well as use the skin, This is allowed for us. It is not a DLP rule, it is a substance rule.

a BB gun with BB.s from Woodleigh, I see you have not lost your humor in your old age (-;

 

[salmonchaser]

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[salmonchaser]

The DLP rule does apply in Alaska. Circumstances will define the investigation. The victim, if you will, is required to salvage the head and hide, report, etc. the head and hide are surrendered to the state. My experience out in King Salmon is the troopers are pretty lenient on the defense of property aspect. I am unaware but have heard of a few defense of life cases. Also aware of one case where the bear was rolled into the river floated down to our dock. Those guys were prosecuted.


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