Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

I am going to Colorado for public elk hunt with the bowfor a week. My main concern is bear. Gizzley bear to be exact. I know nothing about these animals. Are they populated in CO? What are the chances of encountering one? is there information or links someone could provide so that I can read up and know what i am getting into. Should i bring a side arm? (even though it would problably just piss the thing off evenmore) Thanks for any information provided.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Grizzly in Colorado? Man the heck you been smokin!?! We may get a few once in a Great while that travel out of state but there hasnt been a sighting report in a long while.

You sure you know exactly what an elk looks like? We dont need any more you out of state hunters shooting our moose!

Better double check and see what state you are actually hunting that have these grizzly bears.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

That is just down out and funny.:D

Bobby

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Good question Non Typ and FG be nice. No griz's in Colorado but you can expect to see some very large black bears some of which might be cinnamon in color. They will usually run when they see or smell you but caution must be used if you are camping. Any wilderness camping trip should be using bear proof methods with food and garbage.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

I sure wouldn't be caught in the mountains with just a sharp stick. I always carry my wheelgun on my hip...even if I'm just scoutin.

Brett

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

If you really are worried go out and get yourself a pistol. I have a .357 mag and i chamber a 220 grain bear round. .357 might even be a little small, get a .44 mag or the Ruger Alaskan. But i think you will be fine without one as almost all bears in CO are black bears.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

I wouldn't worry about Grizzly even though an outfitter was mauled by one years ago. I would worry about the big *****cats that follow us around. Nice compact semi-auto in .40 or 45 will do wonders for the things that go bump in the dark.;)

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Better to have a side arm than not. Just be carefull about concealed weapon laws and hunting regs, check if it is legal to be packing while bow hunting, and proper transporting of the side arm (state bulls in some areas lock you up first and sort it out latter when you have a loaded gun in reach). I am usually more worried about stumbling on Joe blows Meth or Pot operation than being attacked by a four legged predator. I do prefer to be on top of the food chain, and without a fire arm man is about 4 links down the chain in this neck of the woods.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Last confirmed grizzly bear sighting in CO was 40 years ago.....its dead. Your biggest fears of big game hunting in CO should come from two sources.
1. your fellow humans are far more dangerous than any bears we have (we only have black bears here).

2. getting lost...most hunters that have problems here start by getting lost

My neighbors dog is more dangerous than all the bears and cats you could find in the state.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

there's been rumors/sightings of griz in CO, I think up north near the border, though I think no documented cases, though they seem to be migrating, so there may be 1 or 2 in CO, really wouldn't worry, but get some pepper spray if you are, think it works on black bears too/other animals. More effect than a sidearm, but have either if you're uncomfy.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Ed Wiseman Toneda OUtftters was mauled by a grizzly in 1980 in COLORADO. That was more then a sighting and it happened 28 years ago. There is evidence they are back in the state real good evidence.


That is until the bear or cat decides to take you. I have yet to run into an outfitter in Co that was not packing a handgun during archery ELk and Deer season.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

I would be more worried/concerned about a cat before a dang bear in co. I wonder how many have had a chance to pounce on me and you haven't a clue. There is an old loggin trail here that I call cougar point. I don't seem em, but they are there with tracks in the snow or mud. I know they are there, so I respect the cats and bears but I think the biggest concern with hunting in the bush is your own ability that will beat you up before a dang ole bear or cat.;) Good luck.

Bobby

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Bears don't attack between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 PM So leave and return to camp between those hours and you will be fine.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

The odds are better a safe will fall from a passing airplane and land on my head.
I don't need an outfitter, I was born just outside of Pagosa Springs...I know the story.
Being attacked by any wild animal whilst I was big game hunting in CO wouldn't even be on my "Top Ten" list of things to worry about.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

If your really worried about bears, get some pepper spray and some small bells to attach to your clothing to alert bears to your presence....If you happen across some bear scat, there is an easy way to determine if it is black bear or grizzly. Black bear scat has seeds in it and smells like berries. Griz scat has bells in it and smells like pepper...

If you do decide to pack a pistol, make sure you file off the front sight...that way it won't hurt as much when the griz shoves it up your backside....

In all seriousness though, if CO doesn't allow you to pack a pistol during archery season, then pack some "bear" pepper spray. It will be usefull with any troublesome predator. Just make sure you are upwind when using it or you'll be just seasoning yourself.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Unfortunately or fortunately I have seen large predators and lots of them (bears) where I hunt in Colorado and especially during Archery/Muzzleloader Season. If you did some research( doubt a know it all like yourself doesn't need ) to Black Bears attack more humans then Grizzlies do and by a large margin.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Take a slow person with you and put bells on his feet.As long as you can out run him you will be fine.After he gets ate the bells will be in bear,so you will have warning when bear is coming.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

where ya see 'em...in books

I am all about research. I do know enough to know that being afraid of bears while hunting in CO is silly compared to the other much higher risk issues.

I did not suggest that "I knew it all" I will suggest I have common sense. And apparently its not common for you.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

You stated that a grizzly sighting had not happened in 40 years but I corrected you on that one. You know @@&& about any big predators obviously.


that's funny real funny

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Obviously you are from around here..........

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

No thank God I am not from that state although I have very good friends that call it home. I have spent hard earned money there as well and will probably continue to do so in the future. I do know what a Bear looks like and a Cougar and not from looking at some book like you insinuated.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

don't hurt your arm pattin yourself on the back..........

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Don't stop now guys, I just made some popcorn. Oldelk, its your turn now.:D;)

Bobby

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

I was sitting in campeating lunch several years ago and had a bear skirt the back side of the meadow that we were camped on. I never saw it but from the depth of its roar it certainly wasn't a small bear. It roared for about 20 minutes as it walked the back side of that 200ish acre meadow. It was close enough to the horsesto make me grab my rifle and sit at a vantage point whereI could watch the horses grazing in the meadow.

Twoyears later wehad a very large bear get into our camp prior to the start of Elk season when we were pre packing in camp. Thankfully wewerent there.

The next yearmy father had a small bear walk to about 30 yards behind him while he was sitting under a treewaiting on passingelk. Thankfully it was a small bear and not a large sow with cubs. When he turned to see what was walking behind him it ran off.

The next year we had at least one bear eat my fathers cow that he had hung in a tree while he was down the mountain. It, or they,came in and ate the entire elk.

Lastseasonmy fatherhad a bear climb the tree and take one of the rear quarters and eat it.

Other members of the camp have seen other bears as they were out away from camp hunting and bear scat and sign scattered across the mountain. We have yet to actually see a cat but we have seen sign a few times through out the years.

So, When I am elk hunting in Colorado I am packing something other than my bow. Personally, I worry more about the bears than a safe falling from the sky or getting lost, or breaking a leg, or running out of food, etc... etc...

Ever since Colorado did away with the Spring season bear numbers and encounters have been steadily on the rise.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

We see "bears" all the time....most often fishing. But since the topic is 'grizzly bears' and the number of confirmed sightings is less than two in 28 years we consider that a non threat. But if you consider that during the course of one year of big game hunting and in excess of 250,000 BG hunters, there are much bigger issues.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Prior to 1997 I only carried a bow,rifle or muzzleloader when ELk hunting. I hunted a ranch near Paonia in 1997 Muzzleloader Elk and this happened while I was there.
[ol][*]A bear took a swipe at the Shower Tent tore the side and then went in and tore it to hell.[*]One of the guys came back to his ATV midday and found a bear on it attempting to eat the seat. It was a small one and it was chased away.[*]There were about 50 head of Angus cattle on the ranch. One brisk morning I came upon a dead Cow who had an obvious broken neck and her wounded calf. The Calf had rake marks across its face and an eyeball hanging out.I think I interrupted someones breakfast plans. I am thinking whatever hit them must still have been in the area. I am glad I had a muzzleloader in my hands and not a string gun. [/ol]

My brother in law lives in Southern Oregon and is a serious backpacker. He never used to carry any sort of gun on his trips but now carries a 44 revolver. Seems there is an abundance of kittie kats where he backpacks as well as bears. He has also run into illegal crop fields in the mountains when he worked for the USFS and is always on the lookout for anything of the sort when he goes camping.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

There's nowhere near enough grizzlies in CO to be concerned about. I live in Alaska and they honestly aren't even that much of a going concern up here even though we have something on the order of 97% of the U.S. grizzly population. I'm convinced you could lather yourself in peanut butter, tie a t-bone around your neck and wander around the woods up here for a long time and more than likely you'll be just fine, as long as you wear bug dope. I really think the whole "bearanoia" issue is perpetuated by the people that are trying to sell you the latest and greatest bear detracting device or the new .800 Dirty Harry Supa-Dupa Mag pistol. Shoot, Timothy Treadwell spent years and years playing grab-ass with the grizzlies in Katmai before he got chomped. I'd honestly be more concerned about encountering the Treadwell types that are a little thin in the mental marbles department than running into a bear.

AK Jeff

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Soooo true AK Jeff...

The most sleepless night in the woods I ever had was after an encounter with an odd duck while high alpine lake trout fishing. I was taking a break and eating some lunch whe out of nowhere a guy appeared at my camp. He sat and shot the breeze with me for a few explaining he had been "out here" a couple months living off the land. The way he eyeballed my camp just gave me the heebee geebee's. I made an effort to "show" that I had a sidearm (I always carry one when I go into the wilderness). I hardly slept a wink the whole night, and was happy to see other fisherman show up at the lake the next day.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Any you ever see an actual grizzly in colorado? I have lived in places like steamboat springs, hunted craig, maybell, aspen area, burns, kremmling, trinidad. You know how many bears ive seen since i first went hunting with my ol pappy?

Three and two of them shouldnt be counted due to the fact that it was during the summer :D

I have been attacked by a bobcat many years ago. I now know why you should always have your back to tree while turkey callin ;)

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Hunted outside Durango a few years back 2nd Rifle season and I saw 4 bear in a weekand I had no bear tag. One was 400 lbs and not a pound less with a good size headthe others sows and smaller bear. There was bear sign everywhere and was fun seeing the bear.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

There is an area here that is loaded with griz. Thing about it is, its loaded with game too. An easy hunt loaded with game but I won't hunt it because most of the game shot is lost to a bear or you better have a partner on guard while field dressing. The shot of a rifle is a dinner bell. Dam bears figure it out when there's a shot, there is food. Common sense needs to be applied here when hunting. Somethings just ain't worth it.
I pack a 357 and bear spray and my weapon of choice is bear spray. Even a bear fatally shot can kill you. You really,really,really have to be aware of your surroundings but then again, sometimes you come across a winter runoff where you can't hear, and a thicket where you can't see 3ft, this is when your a-hole is duck tight and all of a sudden a grouse flies out from under your feet.

Bobby

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Yeah...cats are something to worry about....44mag, been followed here in California a couple of times...but in this state we can't shoot them...self defense would be OK but you had better be able to prove it.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

In hunting, as in all things, common sense should prevail.

Is there any real reason to be concerned about a grizzly bear attack in Colorado? No

Should you be aware of black bears in Colorado and take appropriate precautions? Of course.

Several hundred thousand people hunted and fished in Colorado last year. If I recall correctly, there was only one human attack last year in Colorado, many years there are none. I believe that the attack was on a nonhunter. How many hundreds of thousands of nonhunters, hikers, etc roam the Colorado woods each year? Not sure, but it is more than the number of hunters.

So, to answer your original question: Yes, you should take prudent bear precautions (have some sort of protection such as pepper spray, sidearm, etc) if it makes you feel more secure. And yes, you should store food in a non-bear accessable place other than your tent.

However, I don't live my life in fear. Who here is going to cancel your hunting trip because you are scared of the drive to Colorado? I guarantee you that the drive there and back is more dangerous than a possible bear attack. That is a fact.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Is there any real data that supports actual grizzly kills or attacts during another hunting expeditions? It seems to me that there is a bit of paranoia when hunting ingrizz county. In my lifetime I have heard of only two grizz sightings while hunting. Once in MT and the other in WY.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Direct from the Colorado Division of Wildlife... http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/SpeciesOfConcern/Mammals/GrizzlyBear.htm

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Of course, as long as you have a 243 or a 6 mm, you should be fine.....................

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Very few grizzly left in the lower 48. However it never hurts to be prepared for them or other unfriendly critter out there. If it's legal I would carry a 44 or 41 Mag handgun. I see that you are pretty new here, most of the times other members here are not a rude and know it all as a few that responded here. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

The fact that a newer member does not know if there are grizzly in the western states does not mean that he doesnt know a elk from a moose. Very rude indeed.

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

Heck James, lighten up, we got to break the new meat in and toughen em up, ;)if they can't survive a little trash talkin here and have fun with it they sure as heck are going to need to be holding there momma's hand when they come out here hunting. :D

Bobby

RE: Grizzly bear? Elk hunt in CO.. Help keep me alive
 

As long as youre not hunting Independence Pass area or the Weminuche I wouldnt worry. You sound sceered. WheneverI get sceered I just hug my Super Blackhawk and all those sceery feelins just go away. You might wanna consider that your elk rifle justmight kill the occasional errant Colo grizzly. Good luck on your grizzly hunt.