Founder,
I do think that many Wyoming residents are not ready to be in the wilderness. The implication you made about my comments was your choice not mine. The greatest teacher of what to do and not what to do in the Wyoming wilderness comes from experience. You don't gain that experience from TV, a book, G&F lectures, pamphlets or a you tube video. It isn't gained overnight. You don't gain that knowledge from only hunting critters in Colorado, California, and Utah? This isn't Kansas. You may not get that experience hunting in the Greys. It is very dangerous hunting in those portions of Wyoming that are infested with grizzly bears. When nonresidents message me about the grizzly bears they all ask the same questions; Will the bears be out in November, do I really have to hang my meat up or where can I hunt where there are no bears? Yes, they can be out in November. I don't have a clue where you can hunt and avoid grizzly bears in NW Wyoming. That is a stupid question for this area. If you have to ask that question, you aren't ready.
Let me ask you a few questions because I believe you to be an experienced hunter; Have you ever been bluff charged by a grizzly bear? Have you ever had a grizzly bear come to a gun shot? Do you know that grizzly bear body language can often tell you about what is an aggressive posture and what is not? Have you ever had a cub grizzly bear run between you and a companion while on a trail? Have you ever checked your backtrail when hiking or hunting? You had better do this in grizzly country. Looking through your binos just isn't enough. Do you know how to store bear spray so it is still effective? Would you avoid a sow with cubs if it meant you might not be able to hunt the area you wanted? Do you believe that grizzly bears can't climb trees and therefore can get at your meat that you hung up? Are you willing to avoid certain areas that may be too overgrown for safe hunting in bear country? Are you willing to avoid areas with good hunting, where the bear population is out of control? I have a couple of areas where I won't hike or hunt. I don't have all the answers but I can tell you after many years hunting around these bears, you can't let your guard down ever. I have met many hunters, both resident and nonresident, who just don't understand that. The constant back and forth over bear spray or shooting a bear makes me laugh. Chances are that if a grizzly bear is intent on getting you, you will likely not have a chance to use either. That is also where the paying attention comes into the equation. Do I feel totally prepared to hike and hunt in grizzly bear country. Heck no. Do I think I more knowledgeable than many hunters? Yes. Could I still be mauled or killed? Yes
just sayin...mh
