Bear hunting while scouting for archery elk

[wt]

Any thoughts or recommendations on bear or grouse hunting with a firearm while scouting for archery elk in a area open to the public. I would think that you wouldn't want to stir up the bulls more than is necessary but I would hate to not take advantage of the time in the field if some more experienced and successful elk hunters thought it was advisable.

[sebek556]

grouse i would pass up not to stir the bulls, most of the time they are easy enough to come by. but a bear i might have to drop him...

[JBR]

Since you're an archery hunter anyway, just use the bow for bear and/or grouse and no worries about stirring up the bulls...

[Button Nubbs]

if im in my elk area i dont want to shoot anything until my elk steps out. i dont want the woods smelling like death...

[wt]

All good points, thanks.

[Elkstuffer]

It depends on when you are scouting. If you are bear hunting in early to mid August the bulls are more than likely not going to be in the same areas that they will be in mid Sept. At least where I hunt elk anyway. However, a bear gut pile will definitely spook elk from my experience.

[bucklucky]

Elk arent affraid of elk gut piles though, hell they bed right next to them 

[hunter360]

I'd hunt bear while scouting for elk....don't see a problem with it

[BOWHUNTER45]

I see no problem neither but if you are a bowhunter then take your bow and for grouse buy a couple judo type tips and let them fly ...always have a judo tip in my quiver for those situations ...few years back I was hunting peaches ridge and it was opening morning for elk was headed to my honey hole and still a little dark and was headed down the trail and all the sudden I heared something snorting at me and it was coming right at me and next thing I know I was face to face with one pi$$ed off bear..I mean like arrow length away ... I yelled at it - kicked dirt at it but it was not leaving and it was a sow with cubs ...Yes not happy at all about it but I had to dispatch her because she was very pi$$ed and I was about to sheet my pants and I was by myself ..needless to say it headed my 6 day elk hunt because after cleaning up the mess and all the blood around their I figured it messed up my elk honey hole for a few days .....how about 1 foot from my broadhead ....... scary sheet their now !!

[demontang]

Ive shot a bear opening day and went in after elk and the elk wherent phased. Ive even been up shooting with my family and had elk walk out or the woods and check us out, during those months they dont seem to be to worried about gun shots to much.

[Elkrunner]

I see no problem neither but if you are a bowhunter then take your bow and for grouse buy a couple judo type tips and let them fly ...always have a judo tip in my quiver for those situations ...few years back I was hunting peaches ridge and it was opening morning for elk was headed to my honey hole and still a little dark and was headed down the trail and all the sudden I heared something snorting at me and it was coming right at me and next thing I know I was face to face with one pi$$ed off bear..I mean like arrow length away ... I yelled at it - kicked dirt at it but it was not leaving and it was a sow with cubs ...Yes not happy at all about it but I had to dispatch her because she was very pi$$ed and I was about to sheet my pants and I was by myself ..needless to say it headed my 6 day elk hunt because after cleaning up the mess and all the blood around their I figured it messed up my elk honey hole for a few days .....how about 1 foot from my broadhead ....... scary sheet their now !!

Now that is an awesome story right there. 

[hunter360]

Wow, that is a crazy story. I'm glad that hasn't happened to me!!! I was thinking more along the lines of when your scouting though, rather than when it's actually elk season.

[D-Rock425]

I think you would be fine to take a rifle along for a bear.  Most likely you are only going to shoot once if at all.  Elk hear gun shots all summer long from people up target shooting in most areas.   I don't think it would hurt a thing to bear hunt. Now grouse I wouldn't do for a few reasons it doesn't open until the 1st of September and that could be a little close to the opening of elk season.

[wt]

Thanks for taking the time, A lot of good insights, just thinking about that kind of scenario with a bear or a coug gives me the willies, I can only imagine what it gave you at the time... yikes!