Post by: zblank on June 22, 2014, 12:03:18 AM
Post by: KFhunter on June 22, 2014, 12:18:04 AM
Hi guys... I hate to ask this but as someone that usually hunts solo in the NE corner I usually try to get far away from people as I can and have gone on a couple of over nighters by myself but has anyone had any issues with bears (either blacks or griz), wolves or lions or anything else. Or does anyone have good ways to be safe on a solo backwoods overnight hunt? I feel stupid asking and I know its more mind over matter but I would love to hear your thoughts.
More grizz than ever before in the NE, more food competition too. Encounters with predators is higher of a risk now than any other time in the last several generations.
I know you ask about predators, but that's not your biggest worry. Getting lost or injured or exposed to elements is your biggest threat.
We don't know your experience level, but use caution and don't go so far from the truck. That you ask this question on this forum tells me you're pushing your luck already.
Post by: zblank on June 22, 2014, 12:31:23 AM
What I worry about is that I have seen at least 20 blacks bears and 2 griz within 100 yards in the last 2 years. Lost of Moose close, hear lots of dogs somewhat close (never cats although I know they' re around) and the worst of all... deadfall. But I'd like to get more into weekend bivy trips and wanted to hear if anyone had any issues going solo... thanks guys.
Post by: Todd_ID on June 22, 2014, 12:44:41 AM
Post by: Romulus1297 on June 22, 2014, 12:49:21 AM
Post by: KFhunter on June 22, 2014, 12:49:25 AM
When I go in I leave a map with a route marked in my truck or at home. Usually just a google earth printout with a route and also I leave a note to what channel I'll be on with my radio - I use a Garmin RINO so that would help too if S&R had a RINO with them.
Also carry a good sidearm with you. Know a guy who had to plug a cat that had snuck up on him while he was dropping a deuce over a log - 10 feet away and tail swishing back and forth while his britches were down around his knees.
Post by: Jburke on June 22, 2014, 01:25:20 AM
Just make sure you leave S&R bread crumbs, like a detailed map of where you'll be. Carry a PLB, sat phone or SPOT type device and a FRS radio.Bet he didn't have any problems pooping at least! :chuckle:
When I go in I leave a map with a route marked in my truck or at home. Usually just a google earth printout with a route and also I leave a note to what channel I'll be on with my radio - I use a Garmin RINO so that would help too if S&R had a RINO with them.
Also carry a good sidearm with you. Know a guy who had to plug a cat that had snuck up on him while he was dropping a deuce over a log - 10 feet away and tail swishing back and forth while his britches were down around his knees.
Post by: RadSav on June 22, 2014, 01:38:18 AM
I am in 100% agreement with ToddID about the dead falls. Nice to be close enough to them to cut some wood if need be. But far enough away you won't find one on your head while you are asleep.
Statistically more people are mauled by black bear in a year than grizzlies. But in most (not all) cases that is due to people who do not give them due respect. I never worry about one coming in my tent while I sleep, though I have had more than one steal my leftovers and even had one steal my blood soaked boot during the night :yike: Black bear are usually hungry, but not crazy like a griz can be.
You are also statistically more likely to be injured by your own hunting or hiking partner than injured while solo. So don't fall into the trap of thinking you need to have a partner. Solo hunting is fantastic IMO. For some reason, to me, that second night is always rough. But, after that I sleep like an old man on Valium! Peace and quiet, no complaining, no honey do, no alarm clock, no phones, no customers, no bills to pay or taxes forms to complete. It's the best thing ever from day three to about day ten. After day ten I want a working toilet!!!
While it is also a statistical fact that I am much safer in grizzly country solo than I am driving home from the corner store...I do like having a seat belt on. At home that seat belt is usually made by Ford. In grizzly country it is usually made by Mossberg, Springfield, Smith and Wesson or Ruger!
When I pack for any extended hike I always pack an emergency bivy, poncho and first aide kit first. After reading some of the stuff from the H-W Marines I will now be carrying a C-A-T on my arm as well. In 30+ years I have now had three close calls in the back country. Two solo and once with a guide. In each case having been prepared with a well stocked pack has brought me home none the worse for the adventure. A couple REALLY good pain killers and or muscle relaxers can work wonders too ;)
Post by: KFhunter on June 22, 2014, 08:34:54 PM
What's C-A-T?
Post by: Goldeneye on June 22, 2014, 08:48:03 PM
ugg.. I hate doing this...
What's C-A-T?
Could it be a "Combat Application Tourniquet"
http://combattourniquet.com/ (http://combattourniquet.com/)
Post by: RadSav on June 22, 2014, 09:07:11 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on June 22, 2014, 09:57:24 PM
Post by: MountainWalk on June 22, 2014, 11:17:00 PM
Post by: huntnnw on June 23, 2014, 05:39:27 AM
Post by: Odell on June 24, 2014, 10:12:00 PM
I never take grizzly's for granted. The one's we've been close to seem to be as unpredictable as moose. But I'm not too worried about a moose trying to kill me in my sleeping bag. Shotgun or large bore pistol is about all you can reliably do there. Even with a partner there is always a risk.
I am in 100% agreement with ToddID about the dead falls. Nice to be close enough to them to cut some wood if need be. But far enough away you won't find one on your head while you are asleep.
Statistically more people are mauled by black bear in a year than grizzlies. But in most (not all) cases that is due to people who do not give them due respect. I never worry about one coming in my tent while I sleep, though I have had more than one steal my leftovers and even had one steal my blood soaked boot during the night :yike: Black bear are usually hungry, but not crazy like a griz can be.
You are also statistically more likely to be injured by your own hunting or hiking partner than injured while solo. So don't fall into the trap of thinking you need to have a partner. Solo hunting is fantastic IMO. For some reason, to me, that second night is always rough. But, after that I sleep like an old man on Valium! Peace and quiet, no complaining, no honey do, no alarm clock, no phones, no customers, no bills to pay or taxes forms to complete. It's the best thing ever from day three to about day ten. After day ten I want a working toilet!!!
While it is also a statistical fact that I am much safer in grizzly country solo than I am driving home from the corner store...I do like having a seat belt on. At home that seat belt is usually made by Ford. In grizzly country it is usually made by Mossberg, Springfield, Smith and Wesson or Ruger!
When I pack for any extended hike I always pack an emergency bivy, poncho and first aide kit first. After reading some of the stuff from the H-W Marines I will now be carrying a C-A-T on my arm as well. In 30+ years I have now had three close calls in the back country. Two solo and once with a guide. In each case having been prepared with a well stocked pack has brought me home none the worse for the adventure. A couple REALLY good pain killers and or muscle relaxers can work wonders too ;)
Great stuff, whats all in your first aid kit?
Post by: zblank on June 25, 2014, 03:40:51 PM
Can you think of anything else that would be a good idea... thanks for the input guys. Great and helpful information.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on June 25, 2014, 08:39:43 PM
If a fellow really wanted to rest his head easy and sleep with peace of mind, he could pack a short reasonable length of wide horse electric fence, four fiberglass four ft stakes and a fence charger that runs on d batteries. And a lil metal rod. It mmight amount to five or six lbs, but youll sleep well, if indeed your in big bear domains.
3.7 lb. Bear Electric Fence Kit
http://www.cabelas.com/product/UDAP-Bear-Electric-Fence/1242284.uts (http://www.cabelas.com/product/UDAP-Bear-Electric-Fence/1242284.uts)
Post by: zblank on June 25, 2014, 10:01:59 PM
Post by: RadSav on June 25, 2014, 11:46:51 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on June 26, 2014, 01:32:12 AM
I dont have spot or sat but just leave a list of coordinates with my wife and ive been abld go send a text from the field much similar to how Spot would work.
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 26, 2014, 12:58:43 PM
Occasionally I'll carry a pistol into the backcountry while scouting only. I have a weapon during season.
For my first aid kit I carry duct tape wrapped around my trekking poles, IB profin I take daily, allergy pills taken daily, 10 Benadryl, couple of Tylenol pm cold pills, and a package of quick clot.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: MountainWalk on June 27, 2014, 12:28:05 AM
Really dont think the OP meant your run of the mill blackie.
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 27, 2014, 05:32:53 AM
Chickens... Friend, you ever do much sleeping out in someplace like Afognak, or Charlie or 40 mile rivers? Grizz an browns are critters that keep your gears humming at night in the dark.. You may not be scared, but a big grizz is able to stick your pistol and all your little list up your unscared butt while you sleep.bears more than likely wont get you, but it sure can happen.More than one elk hunter has been nailed by grizz too.
Really dont think the OP meant your run of the mill blackie.
Actually he did include black bears in his question, and we aren't talking about Alaska which is a completely different monster.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on June 27, 2014, 05:57:21 AM
6 bear attacks in Washington since 1920.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: fillthefreezer on June 27, 2014, 07:13:12 AM
wolves or lions or anything else.lions on afognak, wouldnt that be something
Post by: Jingles on June 27, 2014, 08:02:55 AM
Prior to going though I do leave a general idea of where I'll be and an expected date of return, with instructions of if I'm over 24 hours late then become concerned.
Now that I am doing this trail clearing (20 Miles) by myself if I worried about the small chit I'd never get it finished.
Maybe it was the 22 years in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and spending so much time with the Marines going through their several Survival training schools but I feel more comfortable out in the wilderness by myself than I do surrounded by a bunch of city slickers that are afraid of the boogyman.
Post by: MtnMuley on June 27, 2014, 02:46:35 PM
Chickens... Friend, you ever do much sleeping out in someplace like Afognak, or Charlie or 40 mile rivers? Grizz an browns are critters that keep your gears humming at night in the dark.. You may not be scared, but a big grizz is able to stick your pistol and all your little list up your unscared butt while you sleep.bears more than likely wont get you, but it sure can happen.More than one elk hunter has been nailed by grizz too.
Really dont think the OP meant your run of the mill blackie.
Obviously he's never had an encounter with a grizz, even in country where it's highly unlikely. ;)
Post by: pd on June 27, 2014, 02:53:19 PM
Chickens... Friend, you ever do much sleeping out in someplace like Afognak, or Charlie or 40 mile rivers? Grizz an browns are critters that keep your gears humming at night in the dark.. You may not be scared, but a big grizz is able to stick your pistol and all your little list up your unscared butt while you sleep.bears more than likely wont get you, but it sure can happen.More than one elk hunter has been nailed by grizz too.
Really dont think the OP meant your run of the mill blackie.
Obviously he's never had an encounter with a grizz, even in country where it's highly unlikely. ;)
Actually, he has. Quite the experienced hunter and guide, I know that for a fact.
Post by: Crook on July 25, 2014, 02:15:37 PM
Post by: flyguide on July 28, 2014, 11:16:10 PM
My biggest fear is letting a life of adventure pass me by. I do quite a bit of Wildnerness travel solo and I need to get an App for my phone that has GPS emergency locator. I'm not afraid of bears, lions, or anything like that. I am afraid of falling on a stob and having it impale my leg or torso or something and leave me bleeding to death. Of course there is a lot of crap to worry about in life and that may be not worth worrying about. I don't know, the other thing I worry about is not punching my tag and all the money I wasted.
Post by: troyspinetar on July 29, 2014, 05:19:59 AM
Post by: xXLojackXx on July 29, 2014, 08:10:41 AM