Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: waoutdoorsman on July 02, 2008, 04:25:06 PM

Title: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: waoutdoorsman on July 02, 2008, 04:25:06 PM: The reason i was asking was because i had an encounter last season, i was "talking" to two cow elk who were no more than 50 yrds away to my right(sorry this does have to do with bears and not elk, im just setting the stage) everything was going well and i heard a third elk (or so we thought) come in about 40 yards to our left, and suddenly everything went dead quiet, and soon the smell of elk was gone, after scratching my head wondering what happened and where they went, we began to move out. I continued calling here and there like a lost cow on our way back to the main trail. And you know how you get that feeling that you are being watched, it was just like that, soon our ears confirmed it as we heard something moving through the brush really close at a 5 o clock position. I was hoping it was one of the cows, but thats when my father and i both heard a distinctive growl. The area was loaded with bear sign as well, poo, clawed trees, tracks and what not.
I dont know much about bears dietary habits, but could it be possible it was hunting us thinking we were elk? or maybe it was just curiousity and it was disappointed to find two camo humans with sharp sticks! regardless shure got the heart pumpin!
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: Timberstalker on July 02, 2008, 04:35:40 PM: Bears love elk meat.. Im sure if the opportunity presented itself, the bear is going to try and capitalize. Doesnt seem to out of the ordinary.
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: billythekidrock on July 02, 2008, 04:54:33 PM: I know they will. I have called many bears in with just a cow call. I have even walked in and spooked a bear then called it back with cow chirps.
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: Bscman on July 02, 2008, 05:54:49 PM: Wouldn't suprise me either.

I doubt that it was hunting you...perhaps interested in the noise you were making, as elk were obviously present. Curiousity more than anything, I presume.

Get a bear tag and head back this fall.
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: BC CHASER on July 02, 2008, 06:07:33 PM: An older buddy of mine saw a 400lb blackbear slam into an unsuspecting cow on snoqualime pass in the early 80s. He said she never new what hit her and was dead in seconds.
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: LongTatLaw on July 02, 2008, 06:16:25 PM: I was cow calling within minutes of the retard bear coming out at 30 yards and moving in my general direction in no real hurry... :dunno:
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: bowhuntin on July 02, 2008, 06:40:47 PM: They will prey on calves for an easy meal, I am sure everyonce in a while they prey on cows one the opportunity presents itself.

This is kind of off topic but thought it was interesting. I saw a video, I think it was on the discovery channel, but in the spring and early summer when grizzly bears prey on calfs the a grizzly sow and her young would get a calf but the cow would react by going after the sow grizzlies young and try and kill it by crushing it to death with here hooves. I wonder if they will react to a black bear sow and her young if in the same situation.
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: waoutdoorsman on July 03, 2008, 06:37:27 AM: Quote from: bowhuntin on July 02, 2008, 06:40:47 PM
They will prey on calves for an easy meal, I am sure everyonce in a while they prey on cows one the opportunity presents itself.

This is kind of off topic but thought it was interesting. I saw a video, I think it was on the discovery channel, but in the spring and early summer when grizzly bears prey on calfs the a grizzly sow and her young would get a calf but the cow would react by going after the sow grizzlies young and try and kill it by crushing it to death with here hooves. I wonder if they will react to a black bear sow and her young if in the same situation.

I knew they preyed on calves, but i wasnt sure about full grown elk. I was surprised was all-i have not had very many "bear" encounters while out in the woods compare to the rest of yall. I did have a bear tag on me, but a shot never presented itself, the undergrowth was just too thick, my adrenaline was pumpin when the distance was closing in on the cows, and the bear topped it off-but i loved every minute of it ;)

Thats interesting, theres a youtube video of a zebra doing a similiar thing to a lion, except for it is holding the lions head underwater with its hooves-amazing really
all i know is i would not want to get kicked by an elk! ouch!!!
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: GoldTip on July 03, 2008, 08:11:47 AM: I would think a black bear would come into cow calls, especially if they sounded a bit like calf calls or a lost cow. I know back home in Montana it can be like ringing a dinner bell when in Grizzly country.
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: Broken Arrow on July 03, 2008, 12:25:51 PM: Goldtip took the words from my mouth. Black bear maybe...griz...you bet ya!
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: boneaddict on July 03, 2008, 12:28:12 PM: In fact, thats the call I use to get bear......
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: bucklucky on July 03, 2008, 12:58:23 PM: Called em in with a hyperlip single in the Blues.
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: Intruder on July 08, 2008, 08:30:27 AM: They definitely will. Never witnessed it myself but I've heard of bears killin cows while calfin.
Title: Re: Do you think a bear would take on a cow elk?
Post by: Head-shot on July 09, 2008, 12:32:17 AM: Quote from: LongTatLaw on July 02, 2008, 06:16:25 PM
I was cow calling within minutes of the retard bear coming out at 30 yards and moving in my general direction in no real hurry... :dunno:
It was lost... :chuckle: