Recent grizzly attacks on Montana elk hunters

[msauce1]

In Washington (IE. Baker lake/Watson lakes) there has been The big brown one's since the 80's. I was making Bear proof canisters that a guide could drop in a base camp area.
I walked into an area in the dark and when I came out a different trail I came accross a culvert trap with a half of a deer. There were cameras in the trees one in front and one on the sideof the trap too. They had the trailhead marked with Dangerous bear in the area but put the signs up 15' up a tree that I didn't see going in.

 

[del2les]

What Bullet/load combo do you guys carry when archery hunting in grizzly territory? I usually carry a glock 20 10mm with 200gr wfn hardcast when I'm bow hunting in the back woods here in NH. But have been thinking lately about getting a BFR 500jrh with 5.5" barrel.

A 44 mag with 300gr LWFN hardcast, or a 5.5 inch 45LC Redhawk with 325gr LWFN loaded warm. Most times when outdoors, I am walking around with a modified Kimber 1911 45 Super loaded with 230 RFN hardcast @ 1,100fps.

 

[Joe Hooker]

There's a lot to digest in this thread.

I went on a guided elk/deer hunt on the Bob last year, the outfitter told us
of grizzlies in the area and to plan accordingly.
I'm not a fan of bear spray, weather conditions, wind etc. I brought my Ruger Alaskan.

They're not going to have a grizzly hunt until the numbers are up and sustainable, simple fact.

Now, the wolf issue, there's 1 confirmed human killed by wolves in the last
50 years, maybe longer and it was in Alaska. Ranchers are reimbursed for
any livestock killed by wolves. I know it's a pain in the *** to provide proof.
Mountain lions have killed more people.

Lastly, I'm a card carrying liberal, belonged to a union for 38 years, BLE.
Am I a snowflake? I don't think so, maybe I am.

As far as going into the wilds, be prepared, my dad used to say "if you hang
around the barbershop, your gonna get a haircut"!

That's all I got to say about that. "Forrest Gump".

 

[bigngreen]

The message to be safe in bear country is well worth the reminder.

As far as it being a bear population problem, it is arguable to say that it is more of a human population problem, when you look at data and leave out emotion.

When the biologist and bear management are pushing for hunting because the population is out of control and borderline unhealthy you know you have a bear issue not a people issue.

 

[mrcustomsteel]

I'm in Montana and I just carry bear spray unless I'm hunting then I have both. Less weight, less messy, less paperwork and more effective. You are not going to shoot at a bear on top of your kid (well maybe) but you can wash off the bear spray.

 

[Deleted member 107796]

When the biologist and bear management are pushing for hunting because the population is out of control and borderline unhealthy you know you have a bear issue not a people issue.

And the human population is in control? I think not. I agree that hunting in these areas makes sense but I refuse to deny the human factor in all of this.

 

[bigngreen]

And the human population is in control? I think not. I agree that hunting in these areas makes sense but I refuse to deny the human factor in all of this.

I don't think you quite understand the size of the area where this is happening, human density is not the issue!!

 

[LeddSlinger]

Seems the grizzly bears are attacking more frequently due to high population numbers
https://www.ammoland.com/2019/09/pi...-on-archery-hunters-in-montana/#axzz61Ie7sMsp.

There have been 3 more maulings since this one all in the same area.
Be safe all of you western hunters out there and bring plenty of pistol with you when in grizzly country.

That's why nobody in Montana carries a 9mm for bear defense. Just makes them angry getting hit with a little pea shooter like that. I have no idea where these ya-hoo outta-staters get the idea that a 9mm will suffice??? Never has anyone who lives in bear country EVER suggested to anyone that a person should carry a 9mm. Not one video or article ever taped or written will you find that ridiculous idea.

I dont carry bear spray either. Bear spray takes 2 hands to deploy and use. Way too many stories of people being mauled after deploying bear spray, just the same as that story.

Powerful handguns are the best choice. Semi autos should have a round locked and loaded in the chamber at all times while hiking and revolvers should only be double action in case a person doesnt have time to cock the hammer. If those hunters would have shot the bear multiple times with a 10mm Auto or 44 mag, it wouldnt have attacked multiple times and the wardens would have found that bear dead in the area. And if it was the same bear, then the morons using the bear spray are part of the reason the other guys got attacked later on.

As for the human population. I know the area where the attacks occurred in that article. That place is completely overrun with hunters from all over the states during archery and rifle season. I wont go there anymore. Too many morons.

 

[Daves762]

I live in Southwest MT. The grizzly bear has been on the endangered species list, longer than the lifespan of any grizzly. There is no grizzly bear alive who has ever been hunted, and has no fear of man. Black bears on the other hand, run like hell any time they smell, or see humans. Because they are hunted they fear man. Although the grizzly has been delisted the enviro-terrorists have filed injunctions to stall the process of issuing tags, and opening the grizzly to hunting. I saw the exact same thing happen when I was stationed in CA with the cougar. Game warden told me one time how the cougar has decimated the ecosystem due to overpopulation. Seems lack of balance, and regulated hunting leads to the same results each time. I know I've got my spot picked out for the day I have a grizzly tag in my pocket.

 

[Daves762]

I live in Southwest MT. The grizzly bear has been on the endangered species list, longer than the lifespan of any grizzly. There is no grizzly bear alive in MT, that has ever been hunted, and has no fear of man. Black bears on the other hand, run like hell any time they smell, or see humans. Because they are hunted they fear man. Although the grizzly has been delisted the enviro-terrorists have filed injunctions to stall the process of issuing tags, and opening the grizzly to hunting. I saw the exact same thing happen when I was stationed in CA with the cougar. Game warden told me one time how the cougar has decimated the ecosystem due to overpopulation. Seems lack of balance, and regulated hunting leads to the same results each time. I know I've got my spot picked out for the day I have a grizzly tag in my pocket.

 

[bigngreen]

There's a lot to digest in this thread.

I went on a guided elk/deer hunt on the Bob last year, the outfitter told us
of grizzlies in the area and to plan accordingly.
I'm not a fan of bear spray, weather conditions, wind etc. I brought my Ruger Alaskan.

They're not going to have a grizzly hunt until the numbers are up and sustainable, simple fact.

Now, the wolf issue, there's 1 confirmed human killed by wolves in the last
50 years, maybe longer and it was in Alaska. Ranchers are reimbursed for
any livestock killed by wolves. I know it's a pain in the *Rule 4 Violation* to provide proof.
Mountain lions have killed more people.

Lastly, I'm a card carrying liberal, belonged to a union for 38 years, BLE.
Am I a snowflake? I don't think so, maybe I am.

As far as going into the wilds, be prepared, my dad used to say "if you hang
around the barbershop, your gonna get a haircut"!

That's all I got to say about that. "Forrest Gump".

The grizzly population is way beyond targets, they are in places they never have been recorded, their over populated that is why the FWP wants a season.

Getting paid for wolf kills is a joke, a friend of mine has cattle in the area of these grizzly attacks, they had a pack come through and kill 7 head and by the time they got to them the bears had been on them so no pay. They had another one killed a just before these attacks happened and when they flew it there were 9 grizz on the calf and 20 in the drainage and they got a couple wolves. The ONLY thing keeping the ungulate population from crashing is the air plane and gunning wolves, they can't keep up with them breeding right now!!
Wolves chase people all the time around here, they'll follow you our of the mountains. I'll take a Mt lion ANY day over a wolf pack!!

 

[remingtonman]

The grizzly population is way beyond targets, they are in places they never have been recorded, their over populated that is why the FWP wants a season.

Getting paid for wolf kills is a joke, a friend of mine has cattle in the area of these grizzly attacks, they had a pack come through and kill 7 head and by the time they got to them the bears had been on them so no pay. They had another one killed a just before these attacks happened and when they flew it there were 9 grizz on the calf and 20 in the drainage and they got a couple wolves. The ONLY thing keeping the ungulate population from crashing is the air plane and gunning wolves, they can't keep up with them breeding right now!!
Wolves chase people all the time around here, they'll follow you our of the mountains. I'll take a Mt lion ANY day over a wolf pack!!

Sounds like that rancher needs to do the 3S method. "Shoot,shovel & shutup". Nough said

 

[bigngreen]

Sounds like that rancher needs to do the 3S method. "Shoot,shovel & shutup". Nough said

It's always been that way, you'll never even make a dent with a rifle as nice as it sounds.

 

[Hubby45]

Big bore double action Ruger, with heavy hard cast lead bullets, carried where I can get it RIGHT NOW when I travel in Grizz country.
I also am Lucky enough to get to practice frequently.