Seaching for elk paradise !!

[Wapiti]

Well as of this past year oil road closures and more hunter traffic is really pestering me and my other hunting partners.

I plan on spending the summer scouting new area's that are deeper in and harder to get into. We have never had to Bivy style hunt but it seems that is the only way to get away from all the other quads and truck guys. I do have a plan up my sleeve though as I have a small outboard river boat to access many of the places I'm talking about. I have also heard rumors of monster elk in certain areas that I will be definitely looking into and spending time in !! The river hills are all solid pines and poplar trees as far as you can see. It's a very massive area.

Grizzly bears are a real concern to us up here though and sleeping alone out there in all honesty is not very appealing to me !! But it's going to have to be done.

Ok so how would you guys go about all this scouting and what's your thoughts on bivy style hunting with Grizzlies ?

What sleeping style do you recommend ? Hammock, tarp tent and ground sheet and sleeping matt, single person tent ? Weight will be an issue walking these steep hills.

Trav

[Ben Nicholson]

I have no idea what they weight, but might want to check out an electric fence for the griz. I hunt CO so they aren't a concern for me. I've been thinking about switching to WY, but one of the things thats kept me from giving it a try are the grizzlies. I typically elk hunt alone and the thought of camping alone in grizzly country isn't to appealing to me.

[Wapiti]

Ya Ben I purchased a bear fence and will use it but I'm not sure it will stop our 1000lb Grizz !! LOL That's one tough customer !! I carry bear spray as we are not aloud hand guns for carrying as they are illegal in Canada !! I used to pack a defender but all the gear and your bow really was not feasible !! It just was to much gear to pack and took all the fun out of elk hunting.

I too will be doing all the scouting and hiking alone as my hunting partner lives 7 hours away but I want to find the elk and a bunch of good spot for this coming season !! I'll just be extra vigilant while I'm out there.

Trav

[Indian Summer]

I have a friend who guided for Prophet Muskwa outfitters in British Columbia. The griz were terrible. I might be sleeping in the boat anchored in the middle of the river!

[dreamhunter]

As far as the sleeping style ,I would certainly be sleeping with one eye open. I would also have at least a couple cans of bear spray. Not much help I know.

[Wapiti]

I have a friend who guided for Prophet Muskwa outfitters in British Columbia. The griz were terrible. I might be sleeping in the boat anchored in the middle of the river!

Yep that's only 2.5 hours from where I live !! LOL Most people do not realise our Grizzly numbers because they only see black bears !! Oh ya we have lots of them as well. In fact the Grizzly kill them for food. You just don't see the grizzly like the blacks as they are much smarter and shy !!

[mandrroofing]

Just out of curiosity, would an air horn scare away a bear? I know it would not be good for the elk but if it would work on a bear it migjt be worth carring? Just a thought? Lol I have no idea

[Wapiti]

Just out of curiosity, would an air horn scare away a bear? I know it would not be good for the elk but if it would work on a bear it migjt be worth carring? Just a thought? Lol I have no idea

That's a great question and I am not sure it's ever been tested. I know I have never heard anything. Maybe someone can chime in if they have any info.\

[Huntrgathr]

Man, that's a tough one. I've spent a fair amount of time north of the border picking mushrooms. We always carried spray obviously and wore bells or other noise makers , which you obviously can't do while hunting. I'd be most nervous about the bivy aspect. Maybe you can find a way ( boat sounds good ) to "commute" to your spot every day and still get back out to the relative safety of a car camp. Using boats or even just wading rivers often eliminates almost all of the competition from other hunters. Although , in Idaho, a lot of guys have figured out the boat-in thing and once remote areas are now just as busy as the others...

Even with spray and fence I'd be sleep deprived in just a few days.