19 replies to this topic

[Foy]

When I think back at my abject stupidity about the "total lack of precautions" hike in to Hidden Lake in late September 2018, my neck hair stands up, too.  

 

Ol' Grizz ain't getting a second chance on this old boy, however!

 

Foy

[Vic Harder]

We were up on the Gravelly Range in mid September, about a week before the attacks.  Likely talked with the hunters involved.  We were stopped for lunch and 3 quads stopped by to chat, and compare notes with each other, with us as curious witnesses.  They argued the merits of bear spray vs guns.  I think it was the young feller who I spotted packing a BIG six-shooter on his hip who may have saved his buddy that was getting his neck mauled.

 

I marvel over how different the bear stories are up in the frozen wastes of Canada (-20*C here in Calgary this morning...brrrrr).  I've been hiking and backpacking in bear country for many decades.  I sometimes carry bear spray.  No bear incidents. 

 

I liken going hunting in the fall with jumping into the ocean with a bunch of bloody meat in the water with me... sharks attack... would I be surprised at that?  Nope....

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

 

I liken going hunting in the fall with jumping into the ocean with a bunch of bloody meat in the water with me... sharks attack... would I be surprised at that?  Nope....

 

I like that Vic. That's asking to be eaten.

Frank

[Luckytibbs]

We were up on the Gravelly Range in mid September, about a week before the attacks. Likely talked with the hunters involved. We were stopped for lunch and 3 quads stopped by to chat, and compare notes with each other, with us as curious witnesses. They argued the merits of bear spray vs guns. I think it was the young feller who I spotted packing a BIG six-shooter on his hip who may have saved his buddy that was getting his neck mauled.

I marvel over how different the bear stories are up in the frozen wastes of Canada (-20*C here in Calgary this morning...brrrrr). I've been hiking and backpacking in bear country for many decades. I sometimes carry bear spray. No bear incidents.

I liken going hunting in the fall with jumping into the ocean with a bunch of bloody meat in the water with me... sharks attack... would I be surprised at that? Nope....

Good analogy. Never thought of it that way but it truly makes sense.

[cwdtmmrs]

I liken going hunting in the fall with jumping into the ocean with a bunch of bloody meat in the water with me... sharks attack... would I be surprised at that?  Nope....

 

 

Vic, I mostly agree with all of your posts, but that is just a crazy statement.

[Foy]

The grizzly contact over in the Big Hole a while back (2016?) occurred as a father and son approached a downed cow elk they had been tracking.  Grizz apparently got there first and let them know that they should not approach any closer, so they left the scene.  

 

Montana FWP has been advising hunters engaged in gutting and field dressing downed game to work in pairs with one working the carcass and the other maintaining security watch. I don't recall reading is the 3, now 4, contacts in the southern Gravellies involved downed or wounded game being tracked.

 

Foy

[ski3pin]

Bears are smart. Grizzlies in the northwest move to salmon spawning rivers in the Fall. Now they have adapted to the annual hunting seasons, gut piles and downed meat. They adapt to opportunity.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

...and the report of a rifle is an invitation to dinner in some areas.

Bears are smart. Grizzlies in the northwest move to salmon spawning rivers in the Fall. Now they have adapted to the annual hunting seasons, gut piles and downed meat. They adapt to opportunity.

[PaulT]

Not unlike the sea lions in the Willamette..  The salmon fishing guides tell their customers to remain seated fighting a fish until the fish is next to the boat and only then let the net fly. The sea lions have figured out that a flying net means a fish is availabled for theft.

 

Paul

[clikrf8]

We were in that area when those attacks happened. We were camping in the Palisades area campground when we heard from fellow campers. I really wanted to drive that ridge road in the Gravellys and explore the Centennial Valley but we decided against it. We would have probably been fine but there were many other places to check out. It is definitely on our itinerary for next fall. Be safe out there. That said, we have black bears in the private forestry lands beyond our home but I think a grizzly is more of a threat.