A couple of bear questions for Bear Hunt of August-September 2017

[Eric M]

I don't like using plastic bags. I think it holds the heat in.

Si when I ice the meat maybe I'll use blocks and wrap those a couple times

[WSU]

My experience has been very straightforward. Find lots off berries with lots of poop. Hunt there, kill bears. It is easy to recognize when you are in the right spot. This applies whether you are at 300' hunting in black berries or 6000' in huckleberries.

[Ridge Hunter]

Typically most people that hunt with pack goats take the goats along with them on the hunt. The goats can actually increase your odds as they look and sound similar to other animals in the woods, at least more so than us humans:) If you are going to leave them in camp I would either leave them with someone close by or have a decent portable hot fence.

For the bear hunting, if you have found sign, are away from highly traveled areas, there is a good food source, and you have a good vantage point, I would not have a problem staying in the same location for a few days, if there are other good vantage points close by I would try a few over your trip.

[Eric M]

Typically most people that hunt with pack goats take the goats along with them on the hunt. The goats can actually increase your odds as they look and sound similar to other animals in the woods, at least more so than us humans:) If you are going to leave them in camp I would either leave them with someone close by or have a decent portable hot fence.

For the bear hunting, if you have found sign, are away from highly traveled areas, there is a good food source, and you have a good vantage point, I would not have a problem staying in the same location for a few days, if there are other good vantage points close by I would try a few over your trip.

Thanks for the tips. I'm still not 100% sure I will have the goats available, especially if I go in September, which is when my friends who own goats are all in the backcountry archery hunting. Do you have any thoughts on my posting about meat care on this thread?

[Eric M]

My experience has been very straightforward. Find lots off berries with lots of poop. Hunt there, kill bears. It is easy to recognize when you are in the right spot. This applies whether you are at 300' hunting in black berries or 6000' in huckleberries.

Thanks! Any thoughts on my posting about meat care on this thread?

[syoungs]

I don't like using plastic bags. I think it holds the heat in.

Si when I ice the meat maybe I'll use blocks and wrap those a couple times

Dry ice can be a lifesaver, as well as gallon jugs full of frozen water. During hot hunts I have 1 150qt cooler with frozen milk jugs, dry ice lined on the bottom, and regular bags of ice on top of it all. It doesn't get opened until I'm refiling my food cooler with ice or I'm putting an animal in it.
I run a 150qt, 120qt, and about a 30 at. The 150 is my ice only/animal hauler.in a pinch the 120 holds animals as well, and all food goes into the small one.

[WSU]

My experience has been very straightforward. Find lots off berries with lots of poop. Hunt there, kill bears. It is easy to recognize when you are in the right spot. This applies whether you are at 300' hunting in black berries or 6000' in huckleberries.

Thanks! Any thoughts on my posting about meat care on this thread?

Honestly, I have had the best luck getting the meat off, fat off, and bear meat frozen immediately. I haven't shot one in a situation I couldn't get that done by the next morning at the latest. Getting the fat off and meat frozen has provided better results for me.

[Eric M]

I don't like using plastic bags. I think it holds the heat in.

Si when I ice the meat maybe I'll use blocks and wrap those a couple times

Dry ice can be a lifesaver, as well as gallon jugs full of frozen water. During hot hunts I have 1 150qt cooler with frozen milk jugs, dry ice lined on the bottom, and regular bags of ice on top of it all. It doesn't get opened until I'm refiling my food cooler with ice or I'm putting an animal in it.
I run a 150qt, 120qt, and about a 30 at. The 150 is my ice only/animal hauler.in a pinch the 120 holds animals as well, and all food goes into the small one.

I was looking at some bigger coolers. I'd like to buy at least one nice one that will keep ice for awhile. (Maybe a Yeti if I can afford one?) Does dry ice keep the same amount of time as regular ice? I was thinking the gallon jug idea just not sure it'll keep. My tentative plan is two weeks off M-F hunting.

[Eric M]

My experience has been very straightforward. Find lots off berries with lots of poop. Hunt there, kill bears. It is easy to recognize when you are in the right spot. This applies whether you are at 300' hunting in black berries or 6000' in huckleberries.

Thanks! Any thoughts on my posting about meat care on this thread?

Honestly, I have had the best luck getting the meat off, fat off, and bear meat frozen immediately. I haven't shot one in a situation I couldn't get that done by the next morning at the latest. Getting the fat off and meat frozen has provided better results for me.

Do you debone it as well? If you freeze it right away do you age it in the fridge when you pull  some out? Do you let it go through Rigor Mortis before freezing?

[syoungs]

Do some research on the rotomolded coolers, they are nice, but you can get the same or better performance out of a cooler that's 1/3 the cost.

igloo and Coleman make coolers that are higher end, but not rotomolded. Could pick up 2-4 of them for the price of a smaller yeti. They are easier to move when loaded, take up less space, and aren't such a target for theives

[Eric M]

Do some research on the rotomolded coolers, they are nice, but you can get the same or better performance out of a cooler that's 1/3 the cost.

igloo and Coleman make coolers that are higher end, but not rotomolded. Could pick up 2-4 of them for the price of a smaller yeti. They are easier to move when loaded, take up less space, and aren't such a target for theives

The thieving part worried me. I'll check out the igloo/Coleman. Thanks. Do you ice the hide also?

[syoungs]

Haven't shot a bear yet, but I fully intend to, as my first bear will get some sort of mount. Gotta get it cooled asap to prevent hair slipping.

[Eric M]

Haven't shot a bear yet, but I fully intend to, as my first bear will get some sort of mount. Gotta get it cooled asap to prevent hair slipping.

Well I appreciate the advice. If I get one I'll probably get the hide tanned and get the skull done.

[syoungs]

Yeah, I'll do a rug if it's the right bear, or a 1/2 mount if it won't be a good rug.
Best of luck!

[Eric M]

Yeah, I'll do a rug if it's the right bear, or a 1/2 mount if it won't be a good rug.
Best of luck!

Thanks same to you. I'll post an update here and there.