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Author Topic: Bear - kill kit question  (Read 7652 times)

Offline kselkhunter

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Bear - kill kit question
« on: August 12, 2017, 02:31:39 PM »
Hi Guys,

My question is:  Does a bear have a similar ball joint to ungulates like deer on the hind quarters?

I've watched a few youttube videos of bear butchering, etc.  But it's difficult to tell. Studying bear anatomy diagrams, it looks like it has a similar ball joint.  I'm assuming it does, but thought I'd throw this question out to the forum for those that have taken a bear in the backcountry.  I've butchered many wild and farm animals in my life, but never a bear or seen a bear butchered first hand.   

As I'm packing my daypack this afternoon in preparation for tomorrow's hunt, I'm going through my kill kit.  I have a specific knife I like to use if I know I'm likely to quarter a deer to get it out faster as it's sturdy and I can pop the ball joint on the rear legs easily.  But it's heavy, and really only purpose is for quick work of quartering due to it's size and heft.  I never use this knife if I'm de-boning.  I normally de-bone later seasons, but due to heat and or bees I sometimes quarter an animal in the early seasons to get to the cooler quicker.  If the bear doesn't have the ball joint, I'm leaving the heavy knife at home.

Thanks for any inputs.


Offline cbond3318

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2017, 03:26:54 PM »
Seemed the same to me. I went after mine just like I do a deer and it worked out fine.
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Offline carpsniperg2

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2017, 03:36:14 PM »
Will be the same as doing your deer and elk on the hip joints. The front joints are a little different on critters with paws rather then hoofs. They still shouldn't give you to much problem.

If you get the leg spread wide enough you can hit the tendon inside the joint that holds the ball in. I do it with little knives like havalons all the time. Just have to get the right angle. No need to pack a heavy knife for just those joints.
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Offline kselkhunter

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2017, 03:54:56 PM »
Thanks guys.









Offline boneaddict

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2017, 04:13:07 PM »
Basically like quartering up a human :yike:

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2017, 04:14:57 PM »
I joke because after skinning a bear Ive noted that dang, that's a little creepy. :chuckle:

Offline kselkhunter

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2017, 05:30:17 PM »
I joke because after skinning a bear Ive noted that dang, that's a little creepy. :chuckle:
I've heard that from my friends that hunt bear regularly.  Can't say I'm looking forward to that part of it.  But I loved the bear sausage they would bring me.  Thought I'd give it a try this year. 

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2017, 06:08:14 PM »
Not sure if you are hunting westside or east.  If eastside, don't be surprised how fast the hornets and Yellowjackets will be on your carcass and how much of a pain they are.  If you have allergies to them, plan accordingly.

Offline carpsniperg2

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2017, 06:12:05 PM »
 :yeah: They are always so bad in the early bear hunting and archery seasons.

True on the looking like a human as well. I know years back there was a investigation into a body in a dumpster here in town. Turned out to be a bear of course but they do look similar :yike:
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Offline tlbradford

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2017, 07:25:52 PM »
Bring a saw for the bone above the paws if you are packing out the hide for saving.  My kill kit is a saw, a single skinning knife, gloves, and game bags
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Offline fillthefreezer

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2017, 10:35:55 AM »
Bring a saw for the bone above the paws if you are packing out the hide for saving.  My kill kit is a saw, a single skinning knife, gloves, and game bags
you can easily split the wrist joint with a scalpel blade, no need for a saw

Offline tlbradford

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #11 on: August 18, 2017, 07:46:51 AM »
But the saw doesn't break and can be used on brush.  I know many love the smaller replaceable blades that are on the market these days, and I love them for detail skinning at home, I am just not a fan of them for field dressing.  That being said, splitting the wrist joint is definitely cleaner and easier.  Maybe I need to bring one out in the field to try it.  It's not like it adds any noticeable weight.
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Offline ctwiggs1

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #12 on: August 18, 2017, 08:04:30 AM »
Basically like quartering up a human :yike:

So true :chuckle:
Check out a local butcher shop and look at a hanging bear.  Creepy.

Bring a saw for the bone above the paws if you are packing out the hide for saving.  My kill kit is a saw, a single skinning knife, gloves, and game bags
you can easily split the wrist joint with a scalpel blade, no need for a saw

 :yeah:  @fillthefreezer - question for ya.  I haven't needed anything but my Havalon for deer and bear.  I am still carrying a larger kit for elk though because I've been told I'll definitely need a saw or hatchet for the pelvis.  I don't do gutless because I keep some of the organs and I keep as many bones as possible for stock.  Would you recommend a saw in my case for elk or think I'm still good?  Seems like I can always find the joint with my Havalon but maybe my inexperience with elk is speaking here.

Offline fillthefreezer

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #13 on: August 18, 2017, 09:25:34 AM »
:yeah:  @fillthefreezer - question for ya.  I haven't needed anything but my Havalon for deer and bear.  I am still carrying a larger kit for elk though because I've been told I'll definitely need a saw or hatchet for the pelvis.  I don't do gutless because I keep some of the organs and I keep as many bones as possible for stock.  Would you recommend a saw in my case for elk or think I'm still good?  Seems like I can always find the joint with my Havalon but maybe my inexperience with elk is speaking here.
its possible to gut an animal without splitting the pelvis, ill just get everything loose, sever the end of the digestive track and dislodge the gut pile, then swap gloves, for handling meat.
last year we did a moose with nothing but small knives, and it wasnt gutless. (it started gutless, then i missed going for the tenderloins, welp, time to gut this thing!!  :chuckle: :sry:)

Offline bearpaw

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #14 on: August 18, 2017, 09:31:01 AM »
I have gutted and skinned moose and elk with a pocket knife a few times. If you go just to the side of the brisket where the ribs connect with gristle you can cut along the brisket to open them up, it's a little tough but can be done. I much prefer carrying a small gerber hatchet rather than a saw when hunting elk/moose, it's quicker than sawing. Bear are not much tougher than deer and easy to do the whole animal with a pocket knife. If it's an older bear with a tough brisket just go along the side where the ribs connect.

(that can be done with any small knife instead of a pocket knife)
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Offline ctwiggs1

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #15 on: August 18, 2017, 09:50:59 AM »
So @bearpaw and @fillthefreezer, if I'm trying to keep the pack lighter but I still want to be effective, a Havalon and hatchet should do the trick for the bigger animals? 

FYI bearpaw, I stand behind my comment on the lurker thread... I'm 10x the hunter I was before because of this site.  Thanks for the advice guys! :tup:

Thanks!!

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Offline fillthefreezer

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #16 on: August 18, 2017, 10:09:17 AM »
So @bearpaw and @fillthefreezer, if I'm trying to keep the pack lighter but I still want to be effective, a Havalon and hatchet should do the trick for the bigger animals? 

FYI bearpaw, I stand behind my comment on the lurker thread... I'm 10x the hunter I was before because of this site.  Thanks for the advice guys! :tup:

Thanks!!

Curtis
to each their own, but youll never find a hatchet in my pack. ill pick up a saw when dropping a load of meat if i want to skull cap something but thats it. deer, bear, elk, moose, i havent wished for any other tools than small knives to this point. i will say, that outdoor edge knife was superior to my havalon, side x side.

Offline bearpaw

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #17 on: August 18, 2017, 10:29:06 AM »
So @bearpaw and @fillthefreezer, if I'm trying to keep the pack lighter but I still want to be effective, a Havalon and hatchet should do the trick for the bigger animals? 

FYI bearpaw, I stand behind my comment on the lurker thread... I'm 10x the hunter I was before because of this site.  Thanks for the advice guys! :tup:

Thanks!!

Curtis

A saw or small hatchet can take care of bones and brisket on large animals easier than a knife, if you don't want the extra weight of packing either of those, a knife will easily split a bear open if you cut along the side of the brisket.
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Offline hunter399

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #18 on: August 18, 2017, 10:33:35 AM »
The only advise I can give was told to me long time ago ,by some old timers.Is if you don't debone right away and plan on draging to the truck like deer is after gutting cut down to the pelvic bone and ball joints to let meat cool,said bears hold the heat in there body better cause of fat ,and your meat will won't cool if you have to drag a long way.
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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #19 on: August 18, 2017, 10:41:18 AM »
The only advise I can give was told to me long time ago ,by some old timers.Is if you don't debone right away and plan on draging to the truck like deer is after gutting cut down to the pelvic bone and ball joints to let meat cool,said bears hold the heat in there body better cause of fat ,and your meat will won't cool if you have to drag a long way.

Their bones actually hold heat as well.  Bear is the only animal I work on deboning quickly if I am in the back 40.  If I'm closer to the truck I worry less.

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #20 on: August 18, 2017, 10:50:32 AM »
The only advise I can give was told to me long time ago ,by some old timers.Is if you don't debone right away and plan on draging to the truck like deer is after gutting cut down to the pelvic bone and ball joints to let meat cool,said bears hold the heat in there body better cause of fat ,and your meat will won't cool if you have to drag a long way.

That's true about bear holding heat and needing cooled fast, they can spoil quickly. The hide needs to come off as soon as possible and the heat needs to escape as quickly as possible. If not close to a vehicle you had better break it down, if you can't pack it all in one trip hang the rest in a shaded spot until you get back. If it's hot and there is a stream that's a great way to cool meat.
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Offline hunter399

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #21 on: August 18, 2017, 10:55:51 AM »
The old timer that told me was my dad ,when we where draging a bear out.Many years ago.
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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #22 on: August 22, 2017, 11:27:56 AM »
I much prefer the gutless method my self. I only pack a knife. No saw or hatchet. If it's hot I'll debone before packing but other wise de-boning is done at camp. Snowed on me last year while recovering my bear. 
« Last Edit: August 24, 2017, 10:24:45 AM by jasnt »
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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #23 on: August 22, 2017, 11:40:45 AM »
Carry a bottle of white vinegar with you. If you get one rub your exposed skin with it and rub some on the bear. It will keep the bees hornets and wasps away

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Offline hirshey

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #24 on: September 05, 2017, 08:04:05 AM »
Carry a bottle of white vinegar with you. If you get one rub your exposed skin with it and rub some on the bear. It will keep the bees hornets and wasps away

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Interesting! I'll have to try this... especially since a person I plan on hunting with has a pretty severe bee allergy.
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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #25 on: September 05, 2017, 11:28:12 AM »
Carry a bottle of white vinegar with you. If you get one rub your exposed skin with it and rub some on the bear. It will keep the bees hornets and wasps away

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Interesting! I'll have to try this... especially since a person I plan on hunting with has a pretty severe bee allergy.
Ha! Yes I do! I saw this tip in another thread and took note of it. ;) :tup:
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,217302.0.html
It also was a good reminder that the wasps will be out for early season, which I hadn't considered.

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #26 on: September 05, 2017, 11:32:25 AM »
Doesn't soaking the bags in vinegar give off a smell for the animals? Will it come from your pack and spook them?

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Re: Bear - kill kit question
« Reply #27 on: September 09, 2017, 06:36:48 AM »
Carry a bottle of white vinegar with you. If you get one rub your exposed skin with it and rub some on the bear. It will keep the bees hornets and wasps away

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Cool tip, thanks!

We always carried black pepper, but you still have a few ornery yellow jackets.
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