Post by: Grousehunter19 on October 12, 2021, 11:30:40 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on October 12, 2021, 11:38:03 AM
Most of all, just use your common sense. Bears don't play possum, if they're alive when you approach, you'll know it. Bears are tough, but they aren't super natural. Give them healthy respect, but don't be afraid of them.
Post by: trophyhunt on October 12, 2021, 11:39:22 AM
Post by: Timberstalker on October 12, 2021, 12:15:46 PM
Post by: D-Rock425 on October 12, 2021, 12:26:20 PM
Who put the class on, Inslee?:yeah:
Post by: Seabass on October 12, 2021, 12:57:56 PM
Post by: phildobaggins on October 12, 2021, 01:27:03 PM
Who put the class on, Inslee?:chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on October 12, 2021, 01:41:16 PM
Who put the class on, Inslee?
:chuckle:
Some people just have way too much fear in the woods.
Post by: Rob on October 12, 2021, 01:42:39 PM
For that individual, that may be their preferred way to approach "dangerous" game. And that is fine. I would not recommend that personally. Any animal that is down needs to be verified as dead before you touch them. For example, if you approach a deer that you think is dead, and the first thing you do is grab the rack... he may not react well if he was just stunned and the act of grabbing the rack made him come to! He may not have a mouth full of sharp teeth like a bear, but he does have a an arsenal of pokey things on his head for self defense - and I bet he would not hesitate to use them!
As noted above, the way to verify an animal is dead is to tough the eyeball. if they are alive, the eye will twitch. Then you either put another round in the animal, or wait it out.
As for safety when solo hunting, I like to carry an in-reach satellite communicator. Really nice to be able to call for assistance if you run into trouble while outside.
Post by: Chesterdog on October 12, 2021, 02:51:25 PM
Post by: buckfvr on October 12, 2021, 03:03:06 PM
Seems as though tripping/falling ( especially in snow ) is now common for me where years ago it just didnt happen. I still prefer solo as over the years most of my success and my best have been solo. 2 guys make 3 times as much noise as 1.
Funny thing is when I hunted my youngest son as a kid, I always told him to walk like an indian, referring to silent, and now the few times he and I have done any woods stuff, mostly scouting or cams and stands, he gets pithy with me and tells me to try walking like an indian.
Post by: pickardjw on October 12, 2021, 03:14:49 PM
Need to revamp my med kit though...benadryl, quik-clot and a tourniquet for sure
Post by: carpsniperg2 on October 12, 2021, 04:29:48 PM
Been Teaching Hunters Ed in the state for about 12 years. I can assure you there is no curriculum that recommends shooting a bear in the head upon approach of the body. More than likely it was an opinion of one of the instructors or someone else in the class.
For that individual, that may be their preferred way to approach "dangerous" game. And that is fine. I would not recommend that personally. Any animal that is down needs to be verified as dead before you touch them. For example, if you approach a deer that you think is dead, and the first thing you do is grab the rack... he may not react well if he was just stunned and the act of grabbing the rack made him come to! He may not have a mouth full of sharp teeth like a bear, but he does have a an arsenal of pokey things on his head for self defense - and I bet he would not hesitate to use them!
As noted above, the way to verify an animal is dead is to tough the eyeball. if they are alive, the eye will twitch. Then you either put another round in the animal, or wait it out.
As for safety when solo hunting, I like to carry an in-reach satellite communicator. Really nice to be able to call for assistance if you run into trouble while outside.
I will echo this.
Its not just for bear, deer and elk can kill people to.
There was a archery hunter killed last year in oregon that stuck a bull and walked up on it trying to put another arrow in it. The bull gored him to death.
I have walked up and plenty of animals and dangerous game and always come from behind. Make noise first, then I will touch the hind end with the barrel and then move to a postion to touch the eye.
My wife stunned a buck with a high shot. When we walked up we got about 5 yards away and I said hey real loud. I had a feeling he wasn't out but hadn't moved at all. He stood and wheeled towards us and she shot him again. I have no doubt he would have shanked someone who tried to grab him.
Post by: Old Dog on October 12, 2021, 04:38:24 PM
Post by: Gettin Birdie on October 12, 2021, 04:54:32 PM
Post by: Oldguy on October 12, 2021, 06:04:26 PM
Post by: logola512c on October 12, 2021, 06:13:10 PM
Post by: h20hunter on October 12, 2021, 07:27:39 PM
Post by: Stein on October 12, 2021, 08:30:22 PM
For the most part, I try to be careful as the big risks in my mind are hurting a leg/ankle/foot or bleeding out. So, stop blood fast stuff and a way to call the cavalry in are at the top of the list. I'm extra careful to not take unreasonable chances hunting places where injuries are too easy like steep shale, snow over boulders, etc.
Knowing where you are is obviously important, so a backup gps for my phone is there with my truck pinned and an extra set of batteries. I also carry a power brick for my phone and after one failed I now have two. They are cheap and light. I also have extra batteries and an extra headlamp, if you consolidate everything to AAs you only need one extra set for everything.
I also have stuff for the truck, but that's no different solo - jump starter battery, extra keys, get unstuck stuff.
Finally, someone on the outside knows generally where I am as well as when to get worried along with a digital picture of my truck showing the license plate number.
Post by: krolelov on October 12, 2021, 10:33:17 PM
The skull is too important to me to shoot it, no need to. If a bear is dead, he won’t be moving, I’ve never seen one not dead just laying still. But, approaching a bear you shot on your own is exciting, nothing like walking up on a deer/elk. Just have your gun ready, safety off, and put the barrel on his eye. Don’t worry, if it moves, the gun will go off before you know it! :chuckle: I solo hunt alone 99% of the time, I love it! You get more out of it, it’s quiet, no one to tell you different on your thoughts of where to go, what to do. It’s very hard work if/when you are successful, but very rewarding. Just relax, make a good shot and enjoy the solitude !
Post by: dilleytech on October 13, 2021, 05:28:55 PM
Post by: GWP on October 13, 2021, 06:17:00 PM
One thought....once you shoot be prepared as you can me. Meaning....do you have time to track, gut, deal with, pack out, call in support, cut, clean, cool down etc the critter. Imo, hunting is nothing.....being successful is hard work after one lil ol trigger pull.
The reason I stopped hunting big fur critters.
After a long day ‘hiking with hunting gear’, bow in this case, I called in a nice deer late in the day. It had been raining light all day and I was wet and tired.
Went to full draw and thought about all the work that would start as soon as I released. Yelled instead and watched it bound off. Figured if it was not worth the work any more it was time to hang it up.
May go again at some point. Got a ‘new’ Buddy with lots of Elk on his land and an invite. I would just have to share some.
I WILL NOT pay for processing my critter. That is part of the ‘work’. Elk are a LOT of work to process.
You DO need to consider what happens ‘after’. Particularly if you are way back and remote.
Have spent from nearly a day dragging a critter (with another person) to having a deer roll down a hill on to the side of a road. That one was 45 min from parking to start hunting to heading out with the gutted deer! My partner only got one boot on!
Can’t count on an easy time.
Post by: dilleytech on October 14, 2021, 11:06:21 AM
One thought....once you shoot be prepared as you can me. Meaning....do you have time to track, gut, deal with, pack out, call in support, cut, clean, cool down etc the critter. Imo, hunting is nothing.....being successful is hard work after one lil ol trigger pull.
The reason I stopped hunting big fur critters.
After a long day ‘hiking with hunting gear’, bow in this case, I called in a nice deer late in the day. It had been raining light all day and I was wet and tired.
Went to full draw and thought about all the work that would start as soon as I released. Yelled instead and watched it bound off. Figured if it was not worth the work any more it was time to hang it up.
May go again at some point. Got a ‘new’ Buddy with lots of Elk on his land and an invite. I would just have to share some.
I WILL NOT pay for processing my critter. That is part of the ‘work’. Elk are a LOT of work to process.
You DO need to consider what happens ‘after’. Particularly if you are way back and remote.
Have spent from nearly a day dragging a critter (with another person) to having a deer roll down a hill on to the side of a road. That one was 45 min from parking to start hunting to heading out with the gutted deer! My partner only got one boot on!
Can’t count on an easy time.
You stopped hunting because “it’s a lot of work”? the work is what makes it so rewarding to me.
Post by: Sundance on October 14, 2021, 01:00:49 PM
Post by: luvmystang67 on October 14, 2021, 01:28:06 PM
and when you think about taking any kind of shortcut that has a small risk, don't take it
(ie. when you think "i'll just hop off this log and I"ll probably land just fine"... dont, step down, take your time)
And don't use a havalon!
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 14, 2021, 01:34:20 PM
Post by: hunter399 on October 14, 2021, 01:38:32 PM
:yeah:x4 Inreach. Quickclot, tourniquet, lint fire starters and blast match, foil packs of cat food, 100' rope, knives, and more water than you think you need.So your telling me my 4 rounds of ammo,10' feet of paracord,and a knife are not cutting it.
Dang it :chuckle: :tung: :chuckle:
The good ol'days are gone I guess.
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 14, 2021, 01:44:44 PM
:yeah:x4 Inreach. Quickclot, tourniquet, lint fire starters and blast match, foil packs of cat food, 100' rope, knives, and more water than you think you need.So your telling me my 4 rounds of ammo,10' feet of paracord,and a knife are not cutting it.
Dang it :chuckle: :tung: :chuckle:
The good ol'days are gone I guess.
:chuckle: Not if you're old like me. In a couple of years, I'll likely add Depends to the list.
Post by: hunter399 on October 14, 2021, 01:46:10 PM
I'm laughing inside right now cause it is true for me too.:yeah:x4 Inreach. Quickclot, tourniquet, lint fire starters and blast match, foil packs of cat food, 100' rope, knives, and more water than you think you need.So your telling me my 4 rounds of ammo,10' feet of paracord,and a knife are not cutting it.
Dang it :chuckle: :tung: :chuckle:
The good ol'days are gone I guess.
:chuckle: Not if you're old like me. In a couple of years, I'll likely add Depends to the list.
Post by: hunter399 on October 14, 2021, 03:32:26 PM
Since everybody likes the tip.
I wear a belt,I've definitely have used it for multiple uses when rope wasn't available.
That's all I got.
Stay safe out there guys. :tup:
Post by: Sundance on October 14, 2021, 03:44:09 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 14, 2021, 03:46:11 PM
Post by: ganghis on October 14, 2021, 04:06:25 PM
:yeah:x4 Inreach. Quickclot, tourniquet, lint fire starters and blast match, foil packs of cat food, 100' rope, knives, and more water than you think you need.
Cat food?!
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 14, 2021, 04:09:05 PM
:yeah:x4 Inreach. Quickclot, tourniquet, lint fire starters and blast match, foil packs of cat food, 100' rope, knives, and more water than you think you need.
Cat food?!
Yep. You don't eat it until you're really hungry.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on October 14, 2021, 04:28:18 PM
Post by: hunter399 on October 14, 2021, 04:37:18 PM
I could think of a few tastier options.Ya,like tuna in foil pack ,which is kinda like cat food.
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: GWP on October 14, 2021, 04:49:12 PM
One thought....once you shoot be prepared as you can me. Meaning....do you have time to track, gut, deal with, pack out, call in support, cut, clean, cool down etc the critter. Imo, hunting is nothing.....being successful is hard work after one lil ol trigger pull.The reason I stopped hunting big fur critters.
After a long day ‘hiking with hunting gear’, bow in this case, I called in a nice deer late in the day. It had been raining light all day and I was wet and tired.
Went to full draw and thought about all the work that would start as soon as I released. Yelled instead and watched it bound off. Figured if it was not worth the work any more it was time to hang it up.
May go again at some point. Got a ‘new’ Buddy with lots of Elk on his land and an invite. I would just have to share some.
I WILL NOT pay for processing my critter. That is part of the ‘work’. Elk are a LOT of work to process.
You DO need to consider what happens ‘after’. Particularly if you are way back and remote.
Have spent from nearly a day dragging a critter (with another person) to having a deer roll down a hill on to the side of a road. That one was 45 min from parking to start hunting to heading out with the gutted deer! My partner only got one boot on!
Can’t count on an easy time.
You stopped hunting because “it’s a lot of work”? the work is what makes it so rewarding to me.
I am guessing you are a good bit younger than I am. There are a LOT of things that are becoming more like ‘work’ these days. One day, you will say that as well………
Post by: hunter399 on October 14, 2021, 06:11:25 PM
Well guys I know getting old sucks,this year my wife got me a game cart. Never needed it when I was younger.One thought....once you shoot be prepared as you can me. Meaning....do you have time to track, gut, deal with, pack out, call in support, cut, clean, cool down etc the critter. Imo, hunting is nothing.....being successful is hard work after one lil ol trigger pull.The reason I stopped hunting big fur critters.
After a long day ‘hiking with hunting gear’, bow in this case, I called in a nice deer late in the day. It had been raining light all day and I was wet and tired.
Went to full draw and thought about all the work that would start as soon as I released. Yelled instead and watched it bound off. Figured if it was not worth the work any more it was time to hang it up.
May go again at some point. Got a ‘new’ Buddy with lots of Elk on his land and an invite. I would just have to share some.
I WILL NOT pay for processing my critter. That is part of the ‘work’. Elk are a LOT of work to process.
You DO need to consider what happens ‘after’. Particularly if you are way back and remote.
Have spent from nearly a day dragging a critter (with another person) to having a deer roll down a hill on to the side of a road. That one was 45 min from parking to start hunting to heading out with the gutted deer! My partner only got one boot on!
Can’t count on an easy time.
You stopped hunting because “it’s a lot of work”? the work is what makes it so rewarding to me.
I am guessing you are a good bit younger than I am. There are a LOT of things that are becoming more like ‘work’ these days. One day, you will say that as well………
Or she is tired of bringing the radio flyer out to my rescue.
Not sure which,but I got a game cart. :dunno:
Post by: GWP on October 14, 2021, 06:49:05 PM
I am guessing I could talk her into it if I let her have ALL of the tenderloins and backstrap, like what happened last time, but maybe not.
Yes, she wrote her name on them as we were wrapping. Surprised she didn’t number them as well!
Post by: Turdle on October 14, 2021, 06:59:10 PM
Post by: hunter399 on October 14, 2021, 07:18:17 PM
Well dang, if I'm eating cat food. I would have to admit to being REALLY LOST.I was thinking the same thing,but I'm also fat and old so I might last a little while before I ate the cat food.at least dinner time or maybe breakfast cat food taco,I don't know. :chuckle: :dunno:
Post by: Grousehunter19 on October 14, 2021, 07:41:04 PM
Is there anything different safety wise you guys would do for bear hunting that you wouldn’t do for deer hunting?
Post by: h20hunter on October 14, 2021, 08:15:54 PM
Post by: Turdle on October 14, 2021, 08:22:04 PM
Post by: hunter399 on October 14, 2021, 08:38:13 PM
I hear a Whistle is a good idea..... :dunno:
I can kinda Whistle with a spent shell case,but that one died with the old guys too.
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 15, 2021, 09:34:24 AM
I could think of a few tastier options.
That's the whole point. You eat the tastier options 10-15 minutes into your hunt. Cat food is nutritious but you're not likely to take it out and woof it down the first time you stop.
Post by: wadu1 on October 15, 2021, 09:44:44 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 15, 2021, 10:10:41 AM
Post by: hunter399 on October 15, 2021, 10:16:32 AM
Foil packs, Wadu, foil packs. :chuckle:Sorry bro ,not eating cat food,all walk all night to make it home. Or intell I get cell service,not eating cat food ,I'm saving that for the covid 25 or something man.
Post by: yakimanoob on November 19, 2021, 09:35:51 AM
Shooting a downed bear in the head seems ludicrous to me. 7mm covered it well in his earlier post. They're powerful, tough animals. But they're not demons. Just keep your wits about you as you approach.
+1 for trekking poles. They're really nice to have when packing out and they're infinitely useful in an emergency (shelter, spliting hurt limbs, etc etc).
Think carefully about what would actually happen if you get hurt or have a medical emergency in the field. Make a plan and communicate it to your loved ones, and then do you best to put that out of your mind and have fun!
If you're anything like me, solo hunting is one of the great joys of life.