Bear Hunting "Game Changer"

[bearpaw]

The story below made me think of two things:

1. I wonder how many spring bear hunters have taken the grizzly bear test? I had all my guides take the test again this spring until they pass with 100%. The three northwest grizzly states all offer grizzly identification tests:
https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/education/bearIdentification/
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/bear_cougar/bear/
http://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter/bearID/

2. How many bear baiters in Idaho might run into a grizzly on their bait?

I was just told a story last week about an out of the area baiter who says he accidentally shot a grizzly on his bait last fall in north Idaho! IDFG is still investigating! I haven't heard of charges being filed yet, but I expect it will happen.


"Game Changer"
The rise in grizzly bear populations is altering the way bear baiting is done.

“Slowly over time the grizzly bears are creeping in,” Arnold says. “The last few years I have had baits that grizzlies come into. As soon as a grizzly comes in, I stop baiting it.”

Arnold doesn’t want a grizzly meet-and-greet, like a few other local hunters are already carrying the scars of, but he’s still out. He doesn’t want his outdoor game to change, but he’s worried about what grizzlies might mean to his future as a hunter.

- See more at: http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/game-changers/#sthash.SixN5sCZ.dpuf

[Karl Blanchard]

Tag.  I'll be in Idaho at the end of the month

[trophyhunt]

Did I mention I really don't like grizzlies!  Just about the only thing in the woods that bothers me is a grizz.  Idaho, Wyoming should be hunting these guys.

[bearpaw]

I guess the young guy last fall walked in to his bait, saw a large bear on his bait and blasted it. It was a collared grizzly, after the animal was dead for a short time and not moving, the collar gave off a mortality signal, IDFG was there in short order.

There are griz in north Idaho, in northeast Washington, and in northwest Washington, hunters should be very certain they know the difference between blacks and grizz before they go hunting! You know the importance of safe sex, this is probably even more important than that.

Be safe, take the bear tests, pass them all with 100%! 

[Karl Blanchard]

Did I mention I really don't like grizzlies!  Just about the only thing in the woods that bothers me is a grizz.  Idaho, Wyoming should be hunting these guys.

[Badhabit]

Very Graphic photos of a guy who was mauled in Alaska. Not for faint of heart to look at.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7f3_1462381273

[daddysprad]

Our cabin in north of Usk on the east side of the river.  We had one wandering around there last spring but haven't seen him this year so far.

[tgomez]

100% Idaho, 100% Montana, can't get Washington to load up and never can for some reason it reads "couldn't load plug in."

[HUNTaHOLIC5]

Very Graphic photos of a guy who was mauled in Alaska. Not for faint of heart to look at.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7f3_1462381273

That is awful. I can't imagine the pain of something like that.

[pashok23]

Very Graphic photos of a guy who was mauled in Alaska. Not for faint of heart to look at.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7f3_1462381273

That is awful. I can't imagine the pain of something like that.

  The numbers of grizzlies are pretty high in Montana,Idaho,Wyoming , and its growing by 3% every year based on Montana Fish,Wildlife@Parks.They needs to be hunted for sure.

[Bango skank]

Didnt some moron kill a sow grizz in washington a couple years ago and got busted cause somebody saw it in the back of his truck?

[bearpaw]

Didnt some moron kill a sow grizz in washington a couple years ago and got busted cause somebody saw it in the back of his truck?

Yes, they were seen with it in the back of their truck at the motel in Ione. That's how it got reported.

[Bango skank]

Didnt some moron kill a sow grizz in washington a couple years ago and got busted cause somebody saw it in the back of his truck?

Yes, they were seen with it in the back of their truck at the motel in Ione. That's how it got reported.

Pretty amazing that they couldnt tell the difference even after they shot it, up close and personal. 

[bearpaw]

Didnt some moron kill a sow grizz in washington a couple years ago and got busted cause somebody saw it in the back of his truck?

Yes, they were seen with it in the back of their truck at the motel in Ione. That's how it got reported.

Pretty amazing that they couldnt tell the difference even after they shot it, up close and personal.

YEP, that's why I think everyone should do these tests that plan to bear hunt anywhere near grizzlies.

[MountainWalk]

Back when I was guiding and packing, some guy from Texas shot one over bait, and later was not cited and fined. Not sure where at in the Selway or Church.  Grizz give me the jeebies.  They aren't too huge, super fast and unpredictable.   I've had a few encounters, but nothing close, thank God.