Bear - kill kit question

[kselkhunter]

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.

[cbond3318]

Seemed the same to me. I went after mine just like I do a deer and it worked out fine.

[carpsniperg2]

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.

[kselkhunter]

Thanks guys.

[boneaddict]

Basically like quartering up a human

[boneaddict]

I joke because after skinning a bear Ive noted that dang, that's a little creepy.

[kselkhunter]

I joke because after skinning a bear Ive noted that dang, that's a little creepy.

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. 

[boneaddict]

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.

[carpsniperg2]

  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

[tlbradford]

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

[fillthefreezer]

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

[tlbradford]

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.

[ctwiggs1]

Basically like quartering up a human

So true
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

   @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.

[fillthefreezer]

  @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!!  )

[bearpaw]

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)