Elk Tactics 2017 - Episode #7

[WapitiTalk1]

Date/Time: 22 September, 2017/4:50 PM
Location: Somewhere in the elk woods
Hunt Pressure Status: Minimal
Hunt: Solo Hunt
Tag: Archery tag; any bull

Heading in for an evening hunt on this berry brushed side hill on a game trail, just this side of the brush as shown (yellow trail), you hear and visually detect movement coming down the creek as soon as you start to clear the brush, at the position shown by the yellow "Hunter" text. You're original plan was to work along the side hill/game trail another 400 yards, across a few smaller draws, to a location you've been many times before that boasts a few nice, smaller meadows on a bench complete with a few seeps and tasty wallows on the side hill above the meadows.

What do you do at this point in time, at the point you're standing, with uninvited company (unaware of your presence) lumbering down the stream 30 yards away? I've been here a few times and have the T shirts.... I know how I reacted. What have you done/would you do in this situation? Figured I'd switch things up a bit as it seems there are always threads about the best hand carried tool for big bear protection (or reaction to) while elk hunting but few threads discussing opinions/options where hunters need to formulate a plan pretty darn quickly when needed.

What's your reaction/game plan at this point in time?

White – Wind/Thermals
Yellow – Solo hunter's projected path.

Grizz.jpg (163.83 KiB) Viewed 8229 times

If you want to illustrate your plan with symbols, etc., you can save the picture to your desktop and open in MS Paint, then mark it up before you save it back to a jpg or png, then add the illustrated pic with your post.

[Wyo67]

um..

[Tigger]

Okay, I am going to need my Tshirt (sleeves) later if I make it out of here for a purpose for which they were not originally intended! Great situation by the way! I see two options.

#1, I spin around and head back the way I came from fairly quickly all the while looking over my shoulder with bear spray in hand.
Other #1, In a firm but steady voice say something along the lines of "Hey Bear, I am gonna kick your butt. Go on now". My thinking is this bear doesn't know English, so I can get away with a little humor at her expense. My point is to alert the bear to my presence and then back away slowly. Yes, in reality, it might come out something more like, "Hey Bear, I am about ready to crap my pants. Go on now".

Now I have never encountered a bear like this in the wild, so I am looking forward to the more bear-experienced guys take on this. Did I just become a bear snack?

[Old school]

Is this the spot where you are supposed to club your partner in the knee and run? Swede, I'd be careful where RJ is taking you hunting this year...

All joking aside, I hope I never face this situation, especially with my boys hunting with me. I'd probably draw my bear spray and slip back the way I just came - and very quickly!

--Mitch

[Swede]

I have no experience with Griz. I have hollered at extreme close range at big Black bears and scared them off. I would get an arrow nocked in a hurry, then holler. If the bears stands and starts popping her teeth, she gets the broadhead. If she turns away, I will leave in the other direction. Maybe I need to get some bear spray, or take my pistol so I would have more options. I have seen Griz running while in Canada. Running away from a Griz is not a viable option. You will not get far if they want you.

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

Sounds to me it was very thick where I just came from. If it wasn't I would be going back the was in came with spray and side arm in hand. Since I believe it is really thick even though there eyes aren't that good they are going to see me so when I leave and I don't want them following me in thick brush. So I am standing my ground and yelling with spray and side arm in hand. Once they leave it am staying in the open for a couple hundred yards.

[Elkhunttoo]

Great post... makes a guy think! And hope it never happens.

15 years ago I had a good friend sneak in on a grizzly on a wallow thinking it was an elk wallowing. Leads me to what my reaction would be.

Immediately my 357 is in my hand...then a couple options...my preferred option is to backup unnoticed, never turning my back and hopefully slip back unnoticed until a good safe distance. Then cleaning my pants to go to hunt a different canyon. If the bear does notice me talk as backing up slowly! A Mom with cub, if felt trapped it won't matter if you act bigger and stronger she will fight/attack anything.

30 yards is about 2 blinks of an eye for a bear... not where I want to find myself but it could happen... I grew up working and hunting in grizzly country and never used to give them much of a thought...I have changed areas and only black bears in my current area...my initial reaction would be the same for black or grizzly in this situation

[Swede]

I would hate to be in the situation RJ describes above. He hunts in Grizzly and wolf country, so I will bring my pistol with me. As far as sounding big and trying to look big around bears and lions, that is what the professionals advised Forest Service employees to do if we were caught in that situation. We were not allowed to carry a gun with us. I would venture a guess that F.S. employees in grizzly country do carry, but keep their mouth shut. We were told to never run away.
I would not debate Elkhunttoo's response. It sounds good.

[N2mywake]

I'd be gone back the way I came, Glock drawn but as quiet as possible. Luckily only black bears where we hunt. Also thankfull I'm not the slowest in our group.

[>>>---WW---->]

I'd get out my leatherman that has a file on it. Then start filing the front site off of my hand gun as quickly as possible because it is going to hurt like the dickens when momma bear shoves that think up my rear end.

[Swede]

I'd get out my leatherman that has a file on it. Then start filing the front site off of my hand gun as quickly as possible because it is going to hurt like the dickens when momma
bear shoves that think up my rear end.

This reminds me of the times I have been told about how great hollow points are. In this situation hollow points are a poor choice. If you are going to try and stop momma bear, have something that will penetrate deep. Don't go into bear country with HPs like WW just did. If you do don't forget your file.

[stringunner]

Initial response is probably not going to be what I should do, this is a great scenario for that reason.

I bet I stop, stare in disbelief, get freaked out and start running the way I just came. I hope I would handle it differently but likely that is what I do because I have never been in a situation like this before and probably to a bad end.

I hope I would be prepared with equipment and mentally to calmly follow through with what i believe should happen. Be armed with bear spray at the ready. Start talking to alert them of my presence. And walk backward. If this works, my nerves are probably shot and I live to hunt a another day.

I hunted with a guy in Wyoming a few years back that barely survived a grizz attack. He still does not venture into the woods alone or in the dark to this day. It really messed him up.

[ishy]

I'm way too comfortable in these situations after baiting for lots of years. I'd get my spray ready and start talking to them, and then just get my video camera out that I keep in a hand warmer on my waist and get some footage. One particular bait station you really couldn't see until you were about ten yards below it...not a good set up safety wise, but it has provided lots of bears. Had several hair raising trips in to that one.

[Elkhunttoo]

WW... reminds me of my uncles quote when it comes to moments like this he would always say to "stay flexible"...that way when the moment come you can put your head between your legs and kiss your rump goodbye!

Ishy, have you ever baited in grizzly country?

[ishy]

We are usually in Unit 4 in Idaho and there are a few around in about 20 years we've only had one hit. It was before trail cameras, but he left no doubt it wasn't a black bear. It looked like someone had a front loader in there for a couple hours. It was pretty impressive. None of us ever saw it though. Someone poached one within a couple miles of there a few years later.

[ishy]

One other option if your brave enough is let mom walk past and shoot the cub. I've heard they make great candy dish holders if you stuff them standing up with arms out and paws up!

[Beendare]

Assuming its in the lower 48 states........I put as much quick distance as I can between us...then bark like a dog.

The barking doesn't work as well in areas like Kodiak where they have never seen a dog....don't ask me how i know- grin