grizzly bears in idaho

[theox]

so i was wondering about the grizz pop ulation in the snake river region. and while we are at it what about the wolf population? where are the highest concentraions of both in that unit. are sidearms recomended for archery hunters?

 

[freebird63]

As far as wolves go I think they are pretty spread out, the western part of the state they are mainly North of I84, am not sure about the East part of the state. I think most of the units close to Montana & Wyoming borders you will find grizzlies, here there are several over around Henery's lake area. As far as side arms, I think everyone needs to ask themselves this question, if you suprised one at say 20 to 30 feet could you hit one running flat out and remember they can run very fast. I personally carry bear spray when ever I am in grizzly country because I know I couldn't hit one. I have been as close as 25 yards from a sow and two cubs, she knew I was there and knew I posed no threat to her or her cubs. They are amazing animals and could spend hours watching them. Remember stay safe and stay alive out there.

 

[theox]

thanks for the info. well i doubt i could get bear spray or a sidearm out but either one would make me feel much better having anyway and maybe even both. i doubt i could hit one in that rush. i miss enough shots when im not under pressure haha. thakns for the info

 

[Bullelk1]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-06-11 AT 08:51PM (MST)[p]Two of the 4 grizzlies that were on my bait last spring in Idaho. This is not the same bear, and that is a 55 gallon barrel.

Pics didn't load. Sorry, guys.

 

[freebird63]

Actually they have holsters that you strap right to your chest and all you have to do is reach down move the safety switch and point and squeeze, so its not like you would have to be digging it out of your pack. The first time I hiked in grizzly country we only had one cannister of bear spray, I wanted to go check out this spot farther out in this meadow and left the wife by a tree with the spray, looking back on that now I realize it was a stupid move because looking out over the meadow it looked flat, but was not and at any point there could have been a bear resting and I would have walked right up on it and my wife couldn't have gotten to me in time. But thankfully nothing happened, so thats why we now carry two cannisters.

 

[muleymitch]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-03-11 AT 11:52AM (MST)[p]I'm 11 years old and have been almost everywhere and never seen a grizzly or a regular bear. I don't believe you at all.
sorry but I dont at all. if i did then i probably would have seen one.

 

[mightyhunter]

This issue comes up all the time. You have to stay aware at all times when walking through grizzly bear country. Avoid places where the vegetation or terrain make for tight quarters. Be careful with your food and meat storage. Use your nose and don't stumble onto bear kills or stripped animal carcasses. If at all possible, travel or hunt in grizzly country with a buddy. While hunting, if you take an animal, try to drag it out into the open to field dress it. If I see grizzly cubs or grizzly cub tracks, I vacate the area ASAP. Many times a grizzly bear will bluff charge. I had a grizzly do this to me a few years ago and I did have enought time to aim my rifle at him. Two grizzly bears got close during the 2010 hunting season and I was able to have my rifle ready if the bear decided to charge. Each time, the bear backed off without incident. I have been told by experts if the grizzly bear appears to be yawning(I'm not kidding)you are about to be actually attacked and it is no bluff. In my opinion, if you don't think you can hit a grizzly bear with a firearm you might not want to walk into grizzly bear country. When I am hiking, but not hunting in grizzly country, I pack a Ruger Redhawk .41 Mag on my chest in a Ringler Wyoming Combination Holster. I practice pulling it from the holster. I also have bear spray. The bear spray is fine if it is functioning(test and replace it often)and the wind isn't blowing hard. Don't be stupid and put it in your backpack. It shoots a stream and not a mist. You will have to aim it for the bear's face. The bear has to be really close for pepper spray to be effective. I know a couple of people that have been mauled by grizzly bears. They both killed the bears(sows)just after being mauled or actually during the course of the mauling. The shooting of the bears was incredibly close. If you are attacked, you need to know how to cover your vitals and protect yourself. It can all happen in seconds. My feeling is don't go into grizzly bear country if you are not going to pay attention. Also, despite all the precautions you take, you can still be attacked.

 

[trophyhunter]

>LAST EDITED ON Apr-03-11
>AT 11:52?AM (MST)
>
>I'm 11 years old and have
>been almost everywhere and never
>seen a grizzly or a
>regular bear. I don't believe
>you at all.
>sorry but I dont at all.
>if i did then i
>probably would have seen one.
>


Muleymitch: That is pretty big talk for such a young inexperienced hunter? How much mountain time have you clocked at only 11 years old. Did you go out in the mountains in diapers?

mightyhunter: and others are giving you some good information that someday just might save your life from a bear. ANY BEAR..pay attention...the life you save just might be your own...At 11 years old there are many times, places and experiences you have yet to encounter. Hopefully you will never get into it with any bear let alone a Grizzz. Respect the bears and understand their nature and the threat they impose because they are so very powerful and fast.

Bear Spray to the "original question" is the best deterrant because you just need to spray them in the face. I carry a side arm as well as the bear spray on my chest holster but prefer the spray. If you shoot a Grizz up close.. odds are you won't take the bear completely down before the bear gets to you...now you have another problem dealing with one pizzed off injured bear OH @#*&%#

))))......>

 

[trophyhunter]

Muleymitch: I wasn't trying to be hard on you..Just wanted you to understand that there are many experiences you have yet to experience because you are still very young. Take advantage of ALL the experiences that these MM post on this subject. Remember just because you have not seen bears, a wolf or lion you need to always be prepared for that day and be ready to protect yourself and whom ever is with you.

So many variables..For every predator you see in the mountains there are probally a 100 of them hideing off trail watching you from off in a distance. They usually just stay frozen still in the tree's and brush or slowly sneak off before you ever even know they were there. The thing going back to being prepared goes farther than just the chance encounter. If you are going to be a good hunter you need to remember that everything in the mountains changes once you shoot a deer or elk. Sometimes those predators are real hungry. They will come in on a crippled animal spilling blood from you shot or a downed kill because pedators can smell blood a long ways off. Sometimes after you have gutted an animal and you are packing out the meat. A lion, a bear or another predator can come in on that downed game while you are away packing out meat and may be trying to get some food off your killed animal. If you are archery hunting now is when you really need that side arm pistol when you get older but for now...Seriously consider the bear spray becasue it works for most animals and humans as well. We had this very issue of a lion on a downed elk in 2009.

Good luck, always be safe and prepared when going into the mountains.

))))........>

 

[Muleys24Seven]

I'd recommend bear spray over a pistol. However, I do not recommend shooting yourself point blank in the face with bear spray while up in the mountains as I did last year...it hurts really really bad for a long long time.

 

[prn]

>I'd recommend bear spray over a
>pistol. However, I do not
>recommend shooting yourself point blank
>in the face with bear
>spray while up in the
>mountains as I did last
>year...it hurts really really bad
>for a long long time.
>

How else are you supposed to test it?

 

[muleymitch]

Trophyhunter: My dad brings a pistel every time we go anywhere we camp. As much as I want to believe that there is bears in Idaho, I've got to worry about this stupid weather.

How's weather where your from? You have snow yet? we are going to get snow by tomorrow. But overall this weather is pissing me off.

I'm going turkey hunting in a few days which is making me mad because I was supose to go tomorrow after school but it will snow, so i dont get to go for a few days.

 

[muleymitch]

well thanks for the comment. but be more nice on comments.