Hunting tips in grizzly country

[stoneramhunter]

I have several tips when hunting in grizzly country whether it was hunting sheep moose elk caribou deer.
I wont include them all at once here but spread them over a course of time.

My first tip has saved me trouble with grizzlies on several occasions over the 50 years ive been hunting in the back country where the kill was not readily visible from a distance.

After the kill and if its necessary to go back and get my pack horses or come back for another load of meat back packing . I would always cut a tall branch 8 ft plus the higher the better or I use one of my walking sticks put a ribbon or plastic bag on it on it and stick it in the meat . When I return im cautious and look for the pole if its moving or down which you can see from a distance be aware its very likely a bear is on the kill. I have come back on kills that had a grizzly on the meat. it saved me from a unnecessary encounter. One of my hunting partners 20 years ago could of used that advice .He had shot a moose at kluchesi lake , while dressing it out he heard a elk bugle went after it no luck when he returned to his moose he surprised a grizzly on it . He managed to get a shot into the charging bear hitting it. The bear stumbled but carried on with the attack. He unfortunately didn't pull the bolt all the way back and loaded the empty shell back in the chamber. He waited the bear circled him and charged again . When the bear was a few feet away and he pulled the trigger click nothing. The bear severely mauled him and he lost consciousness . when he awoke the bear was dead on top of him bled out from the first shot. His buddy found him shortly thereafter and packed him back to Kluchesis lake and fortunate for Him a doctor was at the lake about to go out on a guided hunt. he basically saved his life he had lost a lot of blood. They transported him to the hospital by helicopter.
So back to my Tip. what happened to friend happened in seconds if he had a pole and ribbon in the moose he would of seen it swaying or down and he could of avoided being mauled. so if you have limited visibility to your kill this tip might help. . Ill post another one shortly and if you Have a tip throw it in.

[Treed]

That is a great tip. I work in grizz country but don’t typically hunt in it. For bears in general, I try to move the meat a few hundred metres from the kill site into an open area. The pole is a great idea to see if something is messing with the meat.

[HarryToolips]

Great tips guys, thank you...glad your friend survived there Stoneram...where I usually hunt fortunately there is not a very big griz pop.....

[RJHunter]

Thanks for sharing, great tip.

[jac]

Good tip thanks !!

[dru88]

Thanks Stoneramhunter can't wait for some more great tips.

[Ride Red]

Great tip. We will flag brush tops in tight areas around carcass and always try to gain a high point to view. Once in closer I try to throw a few rocks to see if anything moves. Been charged a few times and it’s not fun.

[jamfarm]

I carry 2 Pack Alarms in my pack when elk hunting. When an animal is down a perimeter gets set up so I know if something is coming in.

[decker9]

Excellent tip srh!

Though they get joked about, bear bells are something that’s often on my pack and my dogs. Not so much above timberline, but their certainly making noise on our way up through the timber. Who knows, maybe they'v saved us an issue and we will never know.

It’s a difficult task raising a good dog, but with persistence, their an amazing tool/hunting partner who’s always watching your back too.

[Ride Red]

Excellent tip srh!

Though they get joked about, bear bells are something that’s often on my pack and my dogs. Not so much above timberline, but their certainly making noise on our way up through the timber. Who knows, maybe they'v saved us an issue and we will never know.

It’s a difficult task raising a good dog, but with persistence, their an amazing tool/hunting partner who’s always watching your back too.

I’ve run into guys with dogs/packs and have been impressed with how good they behave. And nothing like a sharp set of ears by your side.

[wideopenthrottle]

come from up wind (so he smells you) or from downwind (so he is unaware of your approach) what is your opinions on approach/returning to the kill

[stoneramhunter]

come from up wind (so he smells you) or from downwind (so he is unaware of your approach) what is your opinions on approach/returning to the kill

Anything you can do to be cautious but know that a grizzly will defend its kill that it has now claimed. even if they smell you thats not a guarantee they will abandon the kill.

[ghost]

good thread on an important subject

[Moose63]

I heard that leaving an empty cartridge shell in the opened up carcass will keep grizz & wolves away, just from the smell.

Can't verify if it works, but it makes some sense and is not difficult to do.

[weatherbyjunkie]

I have several tips when hunting in grizzly country whether it was hunting sheep moose elk caribou deer.
I wont include them all at once here but spread them over a course of time.

My first tip has saved me trouble with grizzlies on several occasions over the 50 years ive been hunting in the back country where the kill was not readily visible from a distance.

After the kill and if its necessary to go back and get my pack horses or come back for another load of meat back packing . I would always cut a tall branch 8 ft plus the higher the better or I use one of my walking sticks put a ribbon or plastic bag on it on it and stick it in the meat . When I return im cautious and look for the pole if its moving or down which you can see from a distance be aware its very likely a bear is on the kill. I have come back on kills that had a grizzly on the meat. it saved me from a unnecessary encounter. One of my hunting partners 20 years ago could of used that advice .He had shot a moose at kluchesi lake , while dressing it out he heard a elk bugle went after it no luck when he returned to his moose he surprised a grizzly on it . He managed to get a shot into the charging bear hitting it. The bear stumbled but carried on with the attack. He unfortunately didn't pull the bolt all the way back and loaded the empty shell back in the chamber. He waited the bear circled him and charged again . When the bear was a few feet away and he pulled the trigger click nothing. The bear severely mauled him and he lost consciousness . when he awoke the bear was dead on top of him bled out from the first shot. His buddy found him shortly thereafter and packed him back to Kluchesis lake and fortunate for Him a doctor was at the lake about to go out on a guided hunt. he basically saved his life he had lost a lot of blood. They transported him to the hospital by helicopter.
So back to my Tip. what happened to friend happened in seconds if he had a pole and ribbon in the moose he would of seen it swaying or down and he could of avoided being mauled. so if you have limited visibility to your kill this tip might help. . Ill post another one shortly and if you Have a tip throw it in.








Amazing tip!! We have used that exact tip- it was first given to me by an old timer who’s hunted the Muskwa/Prophet/Besa for many decades. We use my partners blaze orange toque on top and 1 or 2 ribbons on stick. We’ll try and get glasses or a spotter on it if we can first. If possible we try and get the ponies as close as we can to a kill as well,they’ll snort and blow if there’s a bear, and usually if there is a Gbear the noise of the rigging and pack boxes scare it slightly off. Cheers stay safe

[MDR]

I have the good fortune of hunting in grizzly country wherever I go. Will definitely be using the pole tip if I ever down an animal in thick enough brush. The only hunt where I had to come back to the killsite was in open tundra so no problems with visibility there.

[dakoda62]

Not all can do it , but a good horse will likely wind or hear him before you.

[mpotzold]

If I/we have to return the next day to retrieve the animal, the immediate area where we leave it is circled with orange/red flagging at about a 1 to 2 ft. height.

When approaching the area the next day we listen/look carefully for birds & rodents & have our rifles ready for immediate action if needed.

In 55 years of big game hunting never had a problem.

My 375 H&H Win is CRF action & when bringing my 45-70 it is loaded with 540 gr.

While one does the field dressing the other one stands on guard & ready.

Remember the 2 hunters ,Shane Fumerton and William Caspell, that killed an elk in 1995 near Radium Hot Springs & were attacked by a grizz & killed while field dressing the elk.
According to Gary Shelton, Caspell’s rifle was push feed & failed him when charged.

[waserwolf]

I read in the Book Gone Huntin that the Author Pat Ferguson would hang a smelly item of clothing on the Carcass. I bet my 5 day old Boxers would keep anything away, maybe attract an eager ole Cow Moose tho ��

[Ron.C]

Great tip

Its a daunting feeling returning to a kill, especially when you hunt alone and /or in the dark. I dressed/packed an elk during bow season several years back well into the night with no firearm and there was an agressive bear in the area. I said Id never do that again.

Well, I sort of did. Killed a Rosie bull on a local LEH. Was dressing him out, heard a snap and there was a young black bear right behind me. Once again, no gun, no spray. Yelling and screaming spooked him but he stayed withing 50 yards until I was done.

Like some others, I now carry a pack alarm in my bag. Takes about 5 minutes to snap up a 50'x50' perimeter so you can concentrate on dressing your kill. Was scary how close he got, and I still cringe to think how bad it would of been in the dark.


Used this last year on an early season solo elk hunt when I shot my bull in the last hour of legal light 4km from my truck. Once my bull was dressed, I took down the alarm, ferried the bagged meat100m from the gut pile and set up the alarm on them.

Another thing I now do, especially if alone or in the dark is talk to myself or sing a song. I want any predator to know there is more there then just a gutpile.

[JSaw]

I read in the Book Gone Huntin that the Author Pat Ferguson would hang a smelly item of clothing on the Carcass. I bet my 5 day old Boxers would keep anything away, maybe attract an eager ole Cow Moose tho ��

Good book. If I recall he also used to take a pee on the area surrounding the carcass... In his 50+ years hunting and never having an issue he could either be the luckiest guy around or maybe there is something to it.

[northof49]

Great tip

Its a daunting feeling returning to a kill, especially when you hunt alone and /or in the dark. I dressed/packed an elk during bow season several years back well into the night with no firearm and there was an agressive bear in the area. I said Id never do that again.

Well, I sort of did. Killed a Rosie bull on a local LEH. Was dressing him out, heard a snap and there was a young black bear right behind me. Once again, no gun, no spray. Yelling and screaming spooked him but he stayed withing 50 yards until I was done.

Like some others, I now carry a pack alarm in my bag. Takes about 5 minutes to snap up a 50'x50' perimeter so you can concentrate on dressing your kill. Was scary how close he got, and I still cringe to think how bad it would of been in the dark.


Used this last year on an early season solo elk hunt when I shot my bull in the last hour of legal light 4km from my truck. Once my bull was dressed, I took down the alarm, ferried the bagged meat100m from the gut pile and set up the alarm on them.

Another thing I now do, especially if alone or in the dark is talk to myself or sing a song. I want any predator to know there is more there then just a gutpile.

Truth be told the pack alarm won’t do much to afford you extra time in the case of a griz coming in to claim a kill. Once mind is set and committed they typically come hard and fast especially if you are hunched over a kill on your own.....just look like another critter feasting on it. Good idea for blackies but wouldn't rely on it much for griz....I have found BBs tend to sneak in and hold up as you describe however one in poor condition might also be tad more determined. A good idea but can also give false sense of security. I tend to stand up and have a good look and listen for about 30secs about every 1-2 minutes. My ears have saved me some grief more than once.

[Ron.C]

Truth be told the pack alarm won’t do much to afford you extra time in the case of a griz coming in to claim a kill. Once mind is set and committed they typically come hard and fast especially if you are hunched over a kill on your own......


fair enough and believe me, I have no illusions that all bears will sneak in low and slow or bolt when the alarm goes off. I completely understand and accept the risk of what I doing. But I'll take any and as much warning as I can get.

[Bluewhite'ngreen]

What about those probable electric fences that are used for in bear country. Would those be enough to keep a grizzly off of a kill?

[scttlp86]

Pack alarm has me intrigued. My only concern would be if a bear was to come in across from the unit I believe I would stand up and look at the noise therefor turning my back to the oncoming danger. Some practice with the device and your reactions might help. Has anyone used one successfully?

[MichelD]

Met a family in a travel trailer in a griz-rich part of the province in 2018. They said having a bright light on in camp all night kept the grizzly bears away.

Is this true?

I slept in my wall tent in two different spots that trip without incident (No bright night light) , but while hunting my buddy had a face-to-face with a big momma and three cubs the size of your normal black bear.

[Ridgehunter604]

Great tips and advice.
So for those that have faced a grizz sitting on your kill when you return.
is there any hope in trying to run it off, or do you basically have to walk away and leave your meat?

[quadrakid]

Great tips and advice.
So for those that have faced a grizz sitting on your kill when you return.
is there any hope in trying to run it off, or do you basically have to walk away and leave your meat?

I have two friends that had grizzlies charge when they were on a dead animal. Two different incidents. Both shot and killed the grizzly in close quarters. I am quite sure their answer to your question would be leave meat ASAP!!

[Arctic Lake]

Well I would probably piss my pants if a Grizzly was coming in real fast on me , so once he smelled the piss he would slam on the brakes and retreat ! But yes I have heard this !
Arctic Lake

Good book. If I recall he also used to take a pee on the area surrounding the carcass... In his 50+ years hunting and never having an issue he could either be the luckiest guy around or maybe there is something to it.

[Ride Red]

Well I would probably piss my pants if a Grizzly was coming in real fast on me , so once he smelled the piss he would slam on the brakes and retreat ! But yes I have heard this !
Arctic Lake

When charged, a whole different part of yourself comes to light. My son and I were charged about 10 years back by a large black boar. I stayed behind so he could get out safely and was able to stop this bear. It is an experience that you will play many times to see if you would have done something different. For me, I wanted my son out of harms way, that’s all I cared about was his safety. It worked out and I have another story and experience to share.

[stoneramhunter]

I have several tips when hunting in grizzly country whether it was hunting sheep moose elk caribou deer.
I wont include them all at once here but spread them over a course of time.

My first tip has saved me trouble with grizzlies on several occasions over the 50 years ive been hunting in the back country where the kill was not readily visible from a distance.



After the kill and if its necessary to go back and get my pack horses or come back for another load of meat back packing . I would always cut a tall branch 8 ft plus the higher the better or I use one of my walking sticks put a ribbon or plastic bag on it on it and stick it in the meat . When I return im cautious and look for the pole if its moving or down which you can see from a distance be aware its very likely a bear is on the kill. I have come back on kills that had a grizzly on the meat. it saved me from a unnecessary encounter. One of my hunting partners 20 years ago could of used that advice .He had shot a moose at kluchesi lake , while dressing it out he heard a elk bugle went after it no luck when he returned to his moose he surprised a grizzly on it . He managed to get a shot into the charging bear hitting it. The bear stumbled but carried on with the attack. He unfortunately didn't pull the bolt all the way back and loaded the empty shell back in the chamber. He waited the bear circled him and charged again . When the bear was a few feet away and he pulled the trigger click nothing. The bear severely mauled him and he lost consciousness . when he awoke the bear was dead on top of him bled out from the first shot. His buddy found him shortly thereafter and packed him back to Kluchesis lake and fortunate for Him a doctor was at the lake about to go out on a guided hunt. he basically saved his life he had lost a lot of blood. They transported him to the hospital by helicopter.
So back to my Tip. what happened to friend happened in seconds if he had a pole and ribbon in the moose he would of seen it swaying or down and he could of avoided being mauled. so if you have limited visibility to your kill this tip might help. . Ill post another one shortly and if you Have a tip throw it in.







as asked to post again

[.330 Dakota]

I read in the Book Gone Huntin that the Author Pat Ferguson would hang a smelly item of clothing on the Carcass. I bet my 5 day old Boxers would keep anything away, maybe attract an eager ole Cow Moose tho ��

I tried that about 5 yers ago, Lost half a mountain goat to a griz,,didnt know he was even around, I actually hung the jacket on the game bags because we were seeing wolves,,yup kept the wolves away, or maybe the bear did,,lol

[TheObserver]

Next year I may be hunting Elk where there are Grizzly, if I were to carry each sack of meat 70-100 yards or so where I can keep my eye on it at all times. Going back and forth for each meat sack so as to do it all in one trip instead of coming back and forth to the truck twice or five times, have any of you guys had problems like that while your traveling with the meat?

[stoneramhunter]

Next year I may be hunting Elk where there are Grizzly, if I were to carry each sack of meat 70-100 yards or so where I can keep my eye on it at all times. Going back and forth for each meat sack so as to do it all in one trip instead of coming back and forth to the truck twice or five times, have any of you guys had problems like that while your traveling with the meat?

That is a lot of work more than i would like to handle taking the packs off and on numerous times when likley the distances are a mile or over unless you shoot it just a short distance from your vehicle. once the pack is on my back im even loath to rest on the way out lol

[TheObserver]

That is a lot of work more than i would like to handle taking the packs off and on numerous times when likley the distances are a mile or over unless you shoot it just a short distance from your vehicle. once the pack is on my back im even loath to rest on the way out lol

I know it is a lot, but it will be hard the other way too. Figure I could cut some time by doing it that way. I probably sling the quarters over my back and just keep the antler and meat bag with the loins, tenderloins, rib and neck meat tied to the pack so that I keep that one bag on there and only have to take/put on the pack once every mini trip

[TheObserver]

Unless I just debone the whole thing which is probably what may end up happening

[stoneramhunter]

ive deboned alot of elk and packed out on my back. Ive never packed out the meat and rack in just two trips. Meat on a mature elk is probably 200 pounds and up and the the rack i think with skull is probably 40 pounds but if you plan to cape it well its alot more. Maybe im just a sissy and take more trips:) im usualy a 3 or 4 trip pack for me. I know guys who will slam a good hundred pounds on their back but they dont want to stop and take it off and on that is a ordeal in itself. if they rest tough to get back up as well lol.

[TheObserver]

ive deboned alot of elk and packed out on my back. Ive never packed out the meat and rack in just two trips. Meat on a mature elk is probably 200 pounds and up and the the rack i think with skull is probably 40 pounds but if you plan to cape it well its alot more. Maybe im just a sissy and take more trips:) im usualy a 3 or 4 trip pack for me. I know guys who will slam a good hundred pounds on their back but they dont want to stop and take it off and on that is a ordeal in itself. if they rest tough to get back up as well lol.

If I do get an Elk this year it will be my first one, I could very well be underestimating my work and plan may not go, I may have to hang it all in a tree and make 4 trips.

What do you figure a bone in Elk quarter weighs on a 6 point, just general figure for a rear and a front?

I wanted to do it in a leap frog fashion like that every 70-100 yards so its one big trip, I would only have one quarter on my back at a time no crazy weight or doubling up or anything like that and I can see it the whole time but if its just too much I will of course scrap that idea lol

[northof49]

Over the years have typically found them to run about 140-150 bone in no hide. I split btwn 4/5 and they end up pretty even weight for front and back

[HappyJack]

Good book. If I recall he also used to take a pee on the area surrounding the carcass... In his 50+ years hunting and never having an issue he could either be the luckiest guy around or maybe there is something to it.

We hunt elk in grizz country and the fellows pee around camp, we still have grizzly and black bears coming into the camp area. So I'd say that's an old wives tale.

[hunter1947]

Put up a bear fence around your camp try to hunt with two people and alway assume there is a grizzle near you meaning always be alert carry bear spray ,bear banger at night if packing meat out leave the rifle at camp and use a 12 gauge shotgun using 3 inch slugs and SSG get a North star light that has the red dot to put at the end of the barrow of the shotgun. Have hiegpowered head lamps as well to see good at night.

[Arctic Lake]

I like these tips ! I think if it’s only 2 of you one for sure carries the 12 gauge while he has his rifle strapped to his pack . While packing out a large moose one year and several trips back and forth to get all in the truck we left a Coleman white gas lamp burning hung near the downed moose .
Arctic Lake
Put up a bear fence around your camp try to hunt with two people and alway assume there is a grizzle near you meaning always be alert carry bear spray ,bear banger at night if packing meat out leave the rifle at camp and use a 12 gauge shotgun using 3 inch slugs and SSG get a North star light that has the red dot to put at the end of the barrow of the shotgun. Have hiegpowered head lamps as well to see good at night.

[stoneramhunter]

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/grizz_at_8ft.JPG

[RackStar]

I read in a pat Ferguson book to leave your sweaty shirt or underwear hanging from a stick so your smell is present. I’ve only had to leave 1 animal over night , can’t tell from experience if this works or not. Seemed to work for him all those years.

[stoneramhunter]

I have several tips when hunting in grizzly country whether it was hunting sheep moose elk caribou deer.
I wont include them all at once here but spread them over a course of time.

My first tip has saved me trouble with grizzlies on several occasions over the 50 years ive been hunting in the back country where the kill was not readily visible from a distance.

After the kill and if its necessary to go back and get my pack horses or come back for another load of meat back packing . I would always cut a tall branch 8 ft plus the higher the better or I use one of my walking sticks put a ribbon or plastic bag on it on it and stick it in the meat . When I return im cautious and look for the pole if its moving or down which you can see from a distance be aware its very likely a bear is on the kill. I have come back on kills that had a grizzly on the meat. it saved me from a unnecessary encounter. One of my hunting partners 20 years ago could of used that advice .He had shot a moose at kluchesi lake , while dressing it out he heard a elk bugle went after it no luck when he returned to his moose he surprised a grizzly on it . He managed to get a shot into the charging bear hitting it. The bear stumbled but carried on with the attack. He unfortunately didn't pull the bolt all the way back and loaded the empty shell back in the chamber. He waited the bear circled him and charged again . When the bear was a few feet away and he pulled the trigger click nothing. The bear severely mauled him and he lost consciousness . when he awoke the bear was dead on top of him bled out from the first shot. His buddy found him shortly thereafter and packed him back to Kluchesis lake and fortunate for Him a doctor was at the lake about to go out on a guided hunt. he basically saved his life he had lost a lot of blood. They transported him to the hospital by helicopter.
So back to my Tip. what happened to friend happened in seconds if he had a pole and ribbon in the moose he would of seen it swaying or down and he could of avoided being mauled. so if you have limited visibility to your kill this tip might help. . Ill post another one shortly and if you Have a tip throw it in.








post of mine few years ago

[Deer_Slayer]

Awesome tip. Thanks Mr. Now I just have to shoot a critter so I can test this out. Smart man you are!

[MRP]

I read in a pat Ferguson book to leave your sweaty shirt or underwear hanging from a stick so your smell is present. I’ve only had to leave 1 animal over night , can’t tell from experience if this works or not. Seemed to work for him all those years.
Not underwear but we have joked about it, used the T-shirt twice. The first time we were up a hill looking back at where we just gutted a moose, watched the bear sneak up on it then turn and run away. He did this about 6 times then disappeared. When we got back 3 hours later he was still there the moose untouched. As a bonus he packed a nice trail between the moose and the beaver pond where we got the canoe up to.

[mclarke75]

Killed a moose up the Muskwa. Packed out half of it over night with two buddies back to our camp. We put our sweaty t shirts and clothes on the rack and around to rest of the meat before we left. Pretty sure we pissed around the area too. Went back early in the morning with guns loaded and approached slowly on very high alert. The only critter on the carcass was a Martin. He must of thought he won meat lottery! Not saying our method worked but it's something and we did stink pretty bad. I think if I was to kill another big critter and had the time. I would pack up the meat in game bags and take at least a few hundred yards away from carcass. I would put it somewhere open and where I could see it the next morning when coming back in. Even somewhere u could glass down onto it. I would still again leave some clothes behind. The long branch with the flag is a great idea as well. I would do that for sure if I could. Especially in thick bush. Having a ragging fire can keep animals away too if you can get a good one going where u are. Great post. My new elk spot if full of Grizz. Have them on my trail cams.