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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: ntxtrapper]
#9198131
03/12/25 03:09 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,959
unclebubba
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,959 |
I've never hunted in bear country, but I would think I'd rather have a double action revolver than single action. When tenths of a second count, a single action is SLOOOOWWWW.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9198134
03/12/25 03:19 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,904
GusWayne
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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I’ve never been
But if I were it’d recommend a Glock 20, 10mm loaded to the gills w Buffalo Bore in a chest holster
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: AZ_Hunter_2000]
#9198141
03/12/25 03:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,155
el Rojo
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,155 |
Here's what I've done every time I've gone to grizzly/brown bear country and will continue to do so.
Remember that they can cover 10 yards in 1 second while moving in 3D and they can also be ninja quiet.
1) Check your ego. Very few of us are actually as good as we pretend to be. Seriously. 2) Be realistic with your expectations of what you actually can do. For example, most of us tend to be better served with a 9mm than a 454 Casul. 3) Practice getting off very fast, very accurate (CNS), and (eventually) multiple shots with your primary weapon. Laser trainers are excellent for this (at least shot 1) especially when combined with a charging grizzly target. This includes un-shouldering the primary weapon, loading a round, acquiring the target and getting an accurate shot off. Do multiple variants of this (including turning around to find the target) and record your time. Ultimately this will tell you what your minimum buffer zone will be in the event that you surprise a grizzly. Hard to tell the GW that you were being charged and in fear when shooting the bear 100 yards away; we're talking 10-30 yards tops before you even have a thought of needing a weapon. Don't forget to send real bullets down range using multiple targets and shot timers. You should quickly identify which part of the shooting process is taking the longest and focus on reducing that time but never put accuracy on the back burner. 4) Repeat #3 with bear spray and/or handgun and adjust accordingly (ex: holster and not sling). Don't forget to send real bullets down range using multiple targets and shot timers. You should quickly identify which part of the shooting process is taking the longest and focus on reducing that time but never put accuracy on the back burner. 5) Use purpose built ammo if using a handgun. Forget your HP or ball ammo; use Buffalo Bore hard cast or comparable. Very important to ensure that your gun will shoot it. It's all about penetration to the CNS here. 6) Just like 2 legged boogey men, grizzly are not behind every tree. Be aware and respectful but do not be overtly fearful. 7) If you have to come back to a carcass, place a few tree branches in a vertical position over the carcass. If something of size came in, the branches will likely no longer be vertical and give you a heads up. 8) Always have a weapon on you or within arms reach. Doesn't matter if you are sleeping, taking a leak, taking a dump, cleaning an animal, packing an animal, etc. Remember 10 yards in 1 second. That weapon "over there" is worthless if a situation arises. 9) Understand that they literally can go from peaceful (ex: golden retriever mode) to full-blown apex predator hell bent on your destruction in a blink of an eye. Seen this first hand and is something that I will never forget. Never underestimate their ability to take damage when they are pissed; this is why the focus on CNS. They can be dead on their feet and still maul you to death or worse before they eventually give up the ghost.
Practice, practice, practice. My target timing for #3 is 1.5 seconds with 1 shot and #4 is 2 seconds with 3 shots; all at 90% CNS hit on the first shot while wearing a 50# pack over my binocular harness while wearing a Razco holster on my chest.
What does CNS stand for?
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9198143
03/12/25 04:07 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,959
unclebubba
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 10,959 |
CNS = Central Nervous System
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: unclebubba]
#9198161
03/12/25 05:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15,771
ntxtrapper
THF Celebrity
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 15,771 |
I've never hunted in bear country, but I would think I'd rather have a double action revolver than single action. When tenths of a second count, a single action is SLOOOOWWWW. Cocking the hammer is part of my drawing process. Either one is more reliable than an auto pistol though. I've had one malfunction in a bad situation and don't need that complication in a bad bear encounter.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9198185
03/12/25 06:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,548
txtrophy85
OP
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OP
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Wytex,
It would be a self guided DIY hunt with my 18 year old son.
To the others,
My experience with big bore revolvers is once I get off the first shot it’s hard to follow up quickly with much accuracy. I can shoot my 40 or a 10 mm Glock much more accurately with speed. But as trapper pointed out, you do have the risk of a stove pipe jam. I guess if it’s your time to go, it’s your time to go.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: unclebubba]
#9198203
03/12/25 06:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,155
el Rojo
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,155 |
CNS = Central Nervous System Thanks
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9198213
03/12/25 07:16 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,249
Theringworm
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,249 |
When on my coastal Alaskan moose hunt, I felt like we broke every rule in the book for brown bear avoidance. The mess tent was 10yds from our sleeping tents. They kept food in a plastic tote. When I killed my moose, they packed the meat back and literally laid it 10 yds from the guides tent under a layer of fresh evergreen branches with a sort of trip wire fence that was rigged to make noise if a bear went through it. There wasn’t anything they did that I felt was intentionally trying to deter a bear encounter, aside from putting the food in a tote with the lid closed.
I asked about this “lack of concern”. Their rationale was they had a better chance of preventing the bear from walking off with camp food, harvested meat, or the skull/antlers if it were close by, than if it were far away. Their mentality was not preventing the encounter but preventing the pillaging. No matter how high you put something in a tree, they can get it, so what’s the point. Bears are gonna do what bears do, more or less. I have seen this mentality almost exclusively by Alaskans. Never seen or heard it in the lower 48.
It wouldn’t be my approach but…..it’s theirs and has been for decades.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: Theringworm]
#9198247
03/12/25 10:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 15,211
don k
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 15,211 |
When on my coastal Alaskan moose hunt, I felt like we broke every rule in the book for brown bear avoidance. The mess tent was 10yds from our sleeping tents. They kept food in a plastic tote. When I killed my moose, they packed the meat back and literally laid it 10 yds from the guides tent under a layer of fresh evergreen branches with a sort of trip wire fence that was rigged to make noise if a bear went through it. There wasn’t anything they did that I felt was intentionally trying to deter a bear encounter, aside from putting the food in a tote with the lid closed.
I asked about this “lack of concern”. Their rationale was they had a better chance of preventing the bear from walking off with camp food, harvested meat, or the skull/antlers if it were close by, than if it were far away. Their mentality was not preventing the encounter but preventing the pillaging. No matter how high you put something in a tree, they can get it, so what’s the point. Bears are gonna do what bears do, more or less. I have seen this mentality almost exclusively by Alaskans. Never seen or heard it in the lower 48.
It wouldn’t be my approach but…..it’s theirs and has been for decades. I never thought about it that way, but it makes sense. That is unless humans taste like chicken and that is what bears like.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: GusWayne]
#9198276
03/12/25 11:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,680
kry226
The General
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The General
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,680 |
I’ve never been
But if I were it’d recommend a Glock 20, 10mm loaded to the gills w Buffalo Bore in a chest holster
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: don k]
#9198844
03/14/25 02:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,548
txtrophy85
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,548 |
When on my coastal Alaskan moose hunt, I felt like we broke every rule in the book for brown bear avoidance. The mess tent was 10yds from our sleeping tents. They kept food in a plastic tote. When I killed my moose, they packed the meat back and literally laid it 10 yds from the guides tent under a layer of fresh evergreen branches with a sort of trip wire fence that was rigged to make noise if a bear went through it. There wasn’t anything they did that I felt was intentionally trying to deter a bear encounter, aside from putting the food in a tote with the lid closed.
I asked about this “lack of concern”. Their rationale was they had a better chance of preventing the bear from walking off with camp food, harvested meat, or the skull/antlers if it were close by, than if it were far away. Their mentality was not preventing the encounter but preventing the pillaging. No matter how high you put something in a tree, they can get it, so what’s the point. Bears are gonna do what bears do, more or less. I have seen this mentality almost exclusively by Alaskans. Never seen or heard it in the lower 48.
It wouldn’t be my approach but…..it’s theirs and has been for decades. I never thought about it that way, but it makes sense. That is unless humans taste like chicken and that is what bears like. From what I’ve read, the attitude of coastal brown bears and an interior grizzly is pretty different. The grizzly is much more agitated and aggressive on average than a coastal bear who is fat and happy on salmon
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9198861
03/14/25 03:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,302
Wytex
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 4,302 |
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#9198881
03/14/25 04:14 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,931
1860.colt
emoji colt.45
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emoji colt.45
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 13,931 |
Never done it to date but have possible in the works.
Any special precautions needed? And I don’t want to hear “ carry bear spray” Gunshots are dinner bells, just be smart and expect one to be on your kill… when you come back. Do your best to get meat a good distance away for carcass. Out side of that’s it’s be aware,  i prefure the lost/distressed method. 1) find area with lots of activity, tracks, clawmarks on trees, droppings. 2) first 3 lost/distressed shot. 3) climb a big tree & wait. 4) always carry Charmin toilet paper, prefured by bears. 
i'm postaddic
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9198885
03/14/25 04:26 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,904
GusWayne
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 11,904 |
Colt will turn you into a bear turd if you let him
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: GusWayne]
#9199178
03/15/25 04:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,548
txtrophy85
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,548 |
Colt will turn you into a bear turd if you let him I don’t claim to be a smart man, but if I do the opposite of what Colt suggests I’ll be alright
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9199298
03/15/25 11:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,525
BDB
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,525 |
I carry spray and my son carries a gun. We stay together but I have had to stay in camp a couple days with a bad knee while he goes solo. Overall, to many hunters in grizz country let the fear get the most of them. yes, take all the normal precautions mentioned already but we find ourselves eventually just hunting and not worrying to much about it. Remember, you're still more likely to get killed driving out and back than attacked by a grizz....if your bear aware. As far as spray or gun, research clearly shows spray is better in most situations. The john Wayne in most guys just want that gun though. To each his own. Hell, some carry both on them. If your rifle hunting, I'd have spray . No way in hell I'm carrying both. But a Montana GW told me he carries both.
This will freak you out some but there are more grizz around than you would believe....yet you can hunt a whole month and never see them...just some sign of them. But make a kill and they will come. The rifle shot will attract them...your on a time watch. 200-300 yards get the meat away from carcass, and downwind from where you expect to approach meat. Don't fret it too much, you'll probably never see one
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9200104
03/18/25 02:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 101
Charlie B
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 101 |
As many have mentioned - Awareness, clean camp and appropriate distance between cooking/cleaning areas and sleeping areas if camping. Air horn, spray for deterrents, and reliable firearm that is always on you for last resort. Something like the product below is a good idea https://www.diamonddcustomleather.com/products/guides-choice-chest-holster
Last edited by Charlie B; 03/18/25 02:48 PM.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9200343
03/18/25 11:01 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 6,868
angus1956
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 6,868 |
I hunted first rifle season in September 2016 at Pacific Creek, Wyoming and it was hot (September20th). I killed my bull the night before and was headed to Jackson to put my elk in the meat locker and drove right next to this momma and twins. Rolled the window down and took these pictures, h*ll I thought I was in the zoo. These bears were in the sage brush and could have cared less that I stopped the truck and sat there. When they left they walked right behind the truck.
Last edited by angus1956; 03/18/25 11:02 PM.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9200603
03/19/25 05:35 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,254
Dave Davidson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 9,254 |
Without a sense of urgency, nothing ever happens.
Boy, if I say "sic em", you'd better look for something to bite. Sam Shelley, Rancher Muleshoe Texas 1892-1985 RIP
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9200612
03/19/25 05:47 PM
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Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 660
65x55
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 660 |
Those pictures are probably a better trophy than that elk was. I always try to keep a decent camera on hand out hunting, never know what opportunity might strike.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9200865
03/20/25 03:13 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,645
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,645 |
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9200869
03/20/25 03:17 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,645
syncerus
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,645 |
Every once in a you see something really special. On a fishing trip off of Baja, we were visited by a pod of orcas, including this little guy who came up to the boat to say hello. ![[Linked Image]](https://live.staticflickr.com/4867/46042528672_0b328b9879_b.jpg)
NRA Patriot Benefactor & DSC Lifer
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9200921
03/20/25 12:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,252
ErikL
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,252 |
Was hunting moose in Alaska a few years back, a DIY deal. We got the first bull down about 11am and it took the two of us about 8 hours to get him processed. The next morning there was a brown bear with a head the size of a basketball on the carcass across the river from camp. we hunted two more two more days. The second night after the kill i was awoken around 0200 to some sloshing around near the tent. I had a .458 win mag with open sights in my hands immediately, the .44 close by also, my buddy had a glock 40, we turned the light on and started yelling like crazy and heard it splashing off. the next day we were missing one bag of meat. Called the pilot the next day to pick up bull #1. we hunted one more day and were packing up camp and got bull #2 down. Took 9 hours to process. While floating back across the river at dusk there was a row of ~ 5 bears watching us at about 100 yards. fired a few warning shots and they split. were out the next am. Not much in the way of advice, just relating my experience. Agree with most of what's been stated above. I wouldn't let the worry about an encounter ruin the trip.
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9201422
03/21/25 05:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,831
Blank
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,831 |
On one of my earlier deer hunting trips in the Dubois area, I asked about the likelihood of seeing a bear, while I was out roaming around. Did I need to pay attention??. Everyone laughed and said "Nothing to worry about. They're all hibernating by now!!"  . Somebody needed to tell the bear. When they're close enough for your cell phone, you are already WAY too close. ![[Linked Image]](https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/pics/userpics/2025/03/full-22567-448013-dscn2418.jpeg)
Last edited by Blank; 03/21/25 05:27 PM.
Beer and whiskey, 'cause you can't drink bacon!!
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Re: Hunting in Grizzly Country
[Re: txtrophy85]
#9201508
03/21/25 10:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,614
Ramsey
Pepe' Le Pew
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Pepe' Le Pew
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,614 |
I have done a ton of research as this is on my bucket list. I would spend the time researching outfitters for this to get what you want. I would not go on a less expensive hunt or hunt from a boat. Personally I want to be out in it, camping and in the Alders. Pick your unit accordingly, and if you want a trophy bear go to Kodiak or units 10,11. Next determine the time of year you want to hunt!! Spring bears have lost up to 30% bodyweight due to hibernation, but the meat is better. Fall bears that have been on salmon for months taste bad! but are big. The cost will range all in $20,000 - $50,000 all in so get what you want!!! Good luck I know you are experienced!!
FKH!!!!
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