Grizzly Meeting !!

[Wapiti]

So I went to check a couple cameras that I had out last season and forgot about way up in the hills in my favorite elk spot. All I was thinking about was how many cool elk pictures I must have got through the winter until my cameras died.

Well I walked into a grassy clearing way in the middle of the bush and there he was in all his huge glory !!!! A Grizzly that had to be all of 600-800 lbs !! He looked right at me from a mere 40 yards and I quickly moved my eyes from his as to not pose any aggressiveness. Frozen with no gun and no bear spray !!

What else could I do.........So I talked calmly to him as I slowly backed away !! To my surprise he just stood and watched me excite the area !!!!

So what was I thinking going into my area unprepared that I know has tons of both Black and Grizzly bears ?? I clearly was way to excited to be in the woods after a long winter up here in Alberta. I will never let that happen again !

I can honestly say I was not scared or nervous at all as it happened so fast. The last thing I expected was to walk into a bear. Well as I got well away from the area I then felt my hands shaking and my knees trembling as I walked out. By the time I got back out to my truck I had calmed back down.

As for the cameras......they are still there !! I plan on going back in on the weekend to try again and this time I'll be better prepared !!

Guys please learn from my mistake. I know we are all excited to get back out there but please be prepared. I was very luck as that big Grizzly would have made quick work out me.

Trav

[Njdiverdan]

Wow! First off, way to keep your head in a tough situation. I am guessing that bear was happy eating grass that day or things could have changed pretty fast with a post hibernation hungry grizzly. For now, I only have black bear in the area I elk hunt, but there have been grizzly sightings less than 25 miles away. I know there is always a possibility, and with time it will be a reality so I always am bear ready when in the woods.

-dan

[ElkNut1]

Whoa dude, way to keep you cool & your skin. I'd be shaking a bit as well after that! Never leave home without a sidearm at minimum! Geez!!!!

ElkNut1

[Wapiti]

I wish Paul. LOL We are not allowed hand guns in Canada !!! Our stupid system calls them restricted weapons and You can only carry them from home and to the gun range. If you get caught stopping anywhere in between big troubles happen. That's if you have a restricted weapon license !! In that case I do not.

So for me it's bear spray from now on !! It seems our Grizzly population is really growing.

I usually try to check my cameras at noon. Well last year I went to check my cameras and it was 12:10. So I retrieved my camera and my dog was acting really weird and was heading back down the trail to the truck without me.......which she never does !! So I get into the truck and start flipping through the video's and there were elk every where. Then I got to the same day I was there and a Grizzly walked past my camera at 12:00 !!! Ten minutes before I got there !!! I guess my dog Tasha could still smell him in the area !!

Man the bears !!!

Trav

[Pop-r]

This brings an AWESOME point to mind that it is great to be an American & carry any kind of gun anywhere we want! I cannot imagine being restricted of such! Ludicrous! Remember to be thankful for this & the insight our forefathers had!

[Lefty]

,..... Well as I got well away from the area I then felt my hands shaking and my knees trembling as I walked out.,.....
Trav

Those are the best experiences

[Seminole]

I am going to have to unpucker now.... Good job keeping your cool.

[wawhitey]

Ridiculous that you cant carry a handgun to protect yourself. Can you carry an open sighted rifle? Auto loader maybe?

[Wapiti]

Ridiculous that you cant carry a handgun to protect yourself. Can you carry an open sighted rifle? Auto loader maybe?

Yes we can carry rifles. I prefer bear spray though. No reason other than it packs easier. I never have been a gun person.

While bow hunting I always have bear spray on my hip at all times. On this quick trip I didn't take the same pack I usually carry for some unknown reason. I guess looking back the whole trip was spur of the moment and zero planning went into it. I guess grass was on the menu and I am glad for that. On a side note I have ran into this bear before and he has always gone his own way. I believe Grizzly want very little to do with us and want to fade away into the timber, rather than conflict.

I stay very vigilant while out as I am accustomed to solo hunting and have been my whole life. Maybe this helped me in this situation ? I don't know. I wonder if I had someone else there if the bear would have felt more threatened ? Any time I have seen him I have always been alone so maybe he is used to seeing me ? I'm sure he has seen me way more times then I have seen him. I really don't know but I'm pretty sure we as hunters walk right past many animals and never even know it. What do you all think ?

Trav

[TheBuzz]

I really don't know but I'm pretty sure we as hunters walk right past many animals and never even know it. What do you all think ?

Initially, I think when I hit the woods, I am on a higher speed and have to slow down, a lot, to Natures pace. And yea, bet I get observed more by them, then the other.

[Charina]

I really don't know but I'm pretty sure we as hunters walk right past many animals and never even know it. What do you all think ?

Trav

I think that when not in stealth/hunting mode, yes we are observed more than we observe. I know it happens lots with rattle snakes. Often they stay silent letting a hiker pass by and no interaction occurs. Only when feeling threatened, or that their cover is blown do they resort to rattling. The majority I have found I spotted long before hearing. But that is because I was looking specifically for snakes. If I had not been looking, and just walking by, I would have never have known I came within sight and heat sensing range. The same applies with many other snake and lizard species as well. They often move long before I spot them, even when looking for then.

[mandrroofing]

Has anybody ever used bear spray on a bear how well does it really work?