Post by: rasbo on May 15, 2012, 05:48:56 AM
Post by: ICEMAN on May 15, 2012, 05:57:42 AM
A fast animal that has teeth and claws.... we should all take note. I don't lose any sleep over it, I do not feel they are at all interested in coming at or after me, but shoot one and then go into a thicket after it, yeah, this makes the hair on the back of my neck stick up...
I am not generally not their prey but they would surely rip me up quick in an attempt to get out or put me down temporarily to get the cubs to safety... something to be concerned about.
Had one sniff at me thru my tent on a solo hunt trip once....spooky. Never had one close on my while hunting, at least that I knew of... :yike:
Post by: D-Rock425 on May 15, 2012, 06:08:57 AM
Post by: grundy53 on May 15, 2012, 06:15:17 AM
Post by: woodman on May 15, 2012, 06:19:43 AM
I get lots of pictures with them by trail cam and hand held cameras. I have been charged by them and even been swatted at by one. One thing I did learn was that they mostly do shy away from you if they see you but not always. One of the first times that I was photographing bears I ran into one while very far from my vehicle. I took it's picture while it stopped and looked at me, then it started to come to me. I took another picture and it stopped for a moment and then kept on coming towards me. I figured that it was close enough, so I started waving my arms and telling it to go away. It just kept on coming to me, I was pretty surprised at it's behaviour. Well I had a 357 with me that had 6 bullets in it, I figured that it had only one warning shot coming and the rest would be to stop it. When I fired a warning shot, it took off like a race horse. Man they can move fast, faster that you think they can by far.
I love seeing them and being around them and feel very fortunate to be able to find them and watch them. As I type this I just decided that I am going to head for the hills and see if I can get some more pics today. :)
Post by: Woodchuck on May 15, 2012, 06:50:19 AM
Post by: h2ofowlr on May 15, 2012, 08:03:26 AM
Post by: JohnVH on May 15, 2012, 08:11:13 AM
Post by: Broken Arrow on May 15, 2012, 08:24:24 AM
Post by: Skillet on May 15, 2012, 08:29:14 AM
Post by: runamuk on May 15, 2012, 08:32:22 AM
Post by: Huntbear on May 15, 2012, 09:05:23 AM
Fear them? Nope..
Post by: Gringo31 on May 15, 2012, 09:12:21 AM
Post by: Kain on May 15, 2012, 11:13:59 AM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on May 15, 2012, 12:01:57 PM
A .22 pistol.
Reasons:
1. Small, light weight, easy to carry.
2. Mild report and almost non-existant recoil.
3. Affordable ammo so can practice with alot without breaking the bank.
4. When your hunting partner is shot in the knee/shin area with a .22, the resulting thrashing and flopping around on the ground along with the high-pitched screamming like a little girl, not only will distract what may be a threat to you, but can also double as an attractant for predators allowing a chance at an additional trophy.
Post by: coachcw on May 15, 2012, 12:06:27 PM
Post by: bullchaser on May 15, 2012, 12:08:47 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi298.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fmm275%2Fmattandmelody%2FCIMG1865.jpg&hash=e2bbc8571518e0a0d997ca6e507f1a082af50df1)
Post by: Alchase on May 15, 2012, 12:29:18 PM
Then I watched a special on "Predatory black bears" that was on TV about 10 years ago. They had actual footage of how a predatory black bear behaves! That really opened my eyes. The dang things just won't quit until they eat you or you kill them. They said they are 1/1000 so I may never come across a bear like that. I will always remember the look in the eyes of the predatory bears they showed. They all had the "I'm going to eat you, and there is nothing you can do about it" look, lol.
I also saw a smaller black bear shot in the heart, but it took it a while to die. In that time it proceeded to tear up every huck and salal bush and snap off tons of alders within a 20 yard radius before he finally died. The damage was impressive! I darn sure would not have liked to be within his sight during that maelstrom.
I think they are awesome animals that deserve our respect.
Post by: woodman on May 15, 2012, 01:10:19 PM
Sometimes in the middle of the night I get the creeps but most of my hunting is done alone. Lots of calling. Walking hours and hours in the dark and naps against a stumps and I never even think about bears or cats.
Kain, I was napping against a stump a few years ago and a very large cougar came to me. I truly believe it was my steady snoring that called it in. I had to kill it within 30' of me.
Post by: Huntboy on May 15, 2012, 01:14:44 PM
I respect them and what they are capable of....:yeah:
Fear them? Nope..
Post by: Kain on May 15, 2012, 01:15:07 PM
Sometimes in the middle of the night I get the creeps but most of my hunting is done alone. Lots of calling. Walking hours and hours in the dark and naps against a stumps and I never even think about bears or cats.
Kain, I was napping against a stump a few years ago and a very large cougar came to me. I truly believe it was my steady snoring that called it in. I had to kill it within 30' of me.
See that sounds like a good thing to me. :chuckle: Never said I was very smart. *adds snoring to e-caller*
Post by: carpsniperg2 on May 15, 2012, 01:44:15 PM
Post by: h20hunter on May 15, 2012, 01:50:41 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on May 15, 2012, 01:51:20 PM
Post by: boneaddict on May 15, 2012, 02:20:01 PM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 15, 2012, 02:45:24 PM
That being said, I have never had a bear act aggressively towards me otherwise. I don't much worry about them.
Cougars are a little different story though. Walking back to camp in the pitch dark under trees with thick limbs gives me the heebie-jeebies...
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on May 15, 2012, 03:43:52 PM
Post by: washelkhunter on May 15, 2012, 04:12:00 PM
Post by: gaddy on May 15, 2012, 04:29:15 PM
my only incounter with a bear was at 10'- 06 below the left eye & through the brain. after it rolled backwards it took off. glad it went the other direction because it had enough left to tear me & my bud up. took 2 more to put it down.
the scarry part is how quite they are. they are just there.
my main worry is getting between momma & cubs.
Post by: KFhunter on May 15, 2012, 04:38:12 PM
Then all the bears came in, hell I couldn't see my nose it was so black under that thick cedar canopy and no moon and no flashlight.
One came up my tree, I could hear it and feel the vibrations as it clawed its way up towards me - but I couldn't see it.
I counted 3-4 bears under me cracking bushes and sniffing around and running each other off - few huffs and jaw pops and such.
then finally I hear the truck horn out on the gravel road a good 100 yards from the bear bait - I fired off a shot in the air to scatter the bears then walked that long black walk to the truck.
Still not scared of them, but I'll keep one hand near my gun if they don't run off when they should
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 15, 2012, 04:45:22 PM
Only time I got a little worried was when I was about 14 years old and my brother put me in a tree stand over a bear bait station - then left my ass there WAY past dark.
Then all the bears came in, hell I couldn't see my nose it was so black under that thick cedar canopy and no moon and no flashlight.
One came up my tree, I could hear it and feel the vibrations as it clawed its way up towards me - but I couldn't see it.
I counted 3-4 bears under me cracking bushes and sniffing around and running each other off - few huffs and jaw pops and such.
then finally I hear the truck horn out on the gravel road a good 100 yards from the bear bait - I fired off a shot in the air to scatter the bears then walked that long black walk to the truck.
Still not scared of them, but I'll keep one hand near my gun if they don't run off when they should
Where I come from (Kettle Falls actually) we would call that a "significant emotional event" :yike:
I actually had something like that happen to me when I was about 17 (minus the tree climbing). I was set up over a bait (no tree stand, just perched on a limb) that a bear kept hitting after dark. So I decided to stay up there until one showed up. About 30 minutes after dark he did. Watched him bat around a white 5 gallon grease bucket for a while (it was a dark night, all I could see was the bucket). I waited until he left before I climbed down.
Post by: BLR 243 on May 15, 2012, 09:27:11 PM
Post by: RadSav on May 16, 2012, 04:46:02 AM
Post by: igotbigbulls on May 16, 2012, 07:15:23 AM
Post by: reagansquad on May 16, 2012, 02:10:18 PM
Bears no.....cougars YES.
Must be a UW alum...
Post by: rasbo on May 16, 2012, 02:15:11 PM
I wear a seatbelt, but I'm not afraid to drive. I lock the doors at night, but I'm not afraid I'll be killed in my sleep. I blood trail bear with a gun, but I'm not afraid to stick one with a bow at mere yards away. Riding in the truck at night while the blind angry squaw drives home after shooting a moster bear...Now that scares the wholly crap out of me!:chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: Machias on May 16, 2012, 02:59:07 PM
I wear a seatbelt, but I'm not afraid to drive. I lock the doors at night, but I'm not afraid I'll be killed in my sleep. I blood trail bear with a gun, but I'm not afraid to stick one with a bow at mere yards away. Riding in the truck at night while the blind angry squaw drives home after shooting a moster bear...Now that scares the wholly crap out of me!
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:
Post by: Wea300mag on May 16, 2012, 07:10:28 PM
Post by: Alaska316 on May 16, 2012, 11:22:30 PM
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2012, 07:02:32 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2FAntler%2520Images%2Fasshand2.jpg&hash=5ceb0b1ab99eb3a36a1ef4c00d45d86c05284433)
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2012, 07:03:27 AM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2FAntler%2520Images%2Fasshand.jpg&hash=5ac91a729c7b17212cecafda4806d978abe2e468)
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2012, 07:06:55 AM
The time I got attacked, also had to do with two bears. This time between two boars and I just happen to be between them and unaware of the events.
Another time Crap almost hit the fan was also with multiple bears......we rode our horses and mules between a boar and a sow during mating season.
The cub she was protecting.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2FAntler%2520Images%2Fupatree.jpg&hash=504b0e00b18a71691a0b65fb3acd01ec89352307)
(http://)
Post by: woodman on May 17, 2012, 07:10:46 AM
Squaring off....
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv47%2Fboneaddict%2FAntler%2520Images%2Fasshand2.jpg&hash=5ceb0b1ab99eb3a36a1ef4c00d45d86c05284433)
Great photos and nice explanation!
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2012, 07:17:18 AM
Somewhere out there there is a bear telling the story about when he was attacked when he was sleeping. I was shed hunting and hopped over a big downed log. Landed smack on top of a sleeping bear. LOL I went in REVERSE and he went in get the hell out of here mode. LOL
Post by: rasbo on May 17, 2012, 07:18:13 AM
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2012, 07:24:11 AM
The boar that attacked me came at an unreal pace. I knew it was coming. I went from puckering to life and death mode. He wasn't backing down. When he charged it was crazy fast....crazy fast. I hit him in the chest full speed. His momentum slammed him into me and knocked me ass over tea kettles. It knocked my hat off and thats what he pounced on. When I quit tumbling down the hill I had another round in and crossed his shoulders as he chewed on my hat. He would have ripped me a new one. Damn nice bear.
Post by: rasbo on May 17, 2012, 07:36:15 AM
Post by: fillthefreezer on May 17, 2012, 07:51:59 AM
Post by: h20hunter on May 17, 2012, 07:53:17 AM
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on May 17, 2012, 08:21:50 AM
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 17, 2012, 08:28:24 AM
i wasnt until this thread :chuckle:
:chuckle:
Cool stuff Bone. Davy Crockett's got nuthin' on you... :tup:
Post by: Machias on May 17, 2012, 08:31:47 AM
Post by: rasbo on May 17, 2012, 08:38:19 AM
Several times I have been sitting in a treestand and had a bear walk out from under my stand that I had no clue was there. My two scary situations were both with smaller bears, one while predator calling. I heard pine needles directly behind me being stepped on. All the hair on the back of my neck stood up as I knew in order to hear that, it was close. I turned and there about 10 yards away was a small bear, one that I did not want to shoot, so I spoke to it softly, it stepped forward. I stood up and squared off on it and spoke again, a little drewl dripped from it's mouth and it pinned it's ears back and took another step forward. I'm thinking crap it has no idea what I am. It got a face full of pepper spray and left. The other time was in Northern Maine. I was fishing for brook trout along the Machias River. I had a five foot ultra light spinning rod and reel and inadvertently walked between a small sow and her very young cub. She bluff charged me three times and I think I filled my shorts all three times!:chuckle: who woulda thunk prairie doggin could be so exciting :chuckle: I killed a small one that came in while calling,walked up from behind just a foot or so away,it had a bad limp,when it wiffed me it turned an put its paws on a downed log and looked at me,maybe 15 feet.I dumped it..first bear for me...It had been shot through the gut by someone,i found out after skinning it....I later found out an old ranger vet shot at one a mile or so above me that morning,Im sure it was that bear...
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2012, 09:43:00 AM
Quote
Amazing how quiet they can be... I was calf and cow calling
Had that with a grizz over in North Idaho. Calling moose and heard a twig snap behind me. Turned to have a griz standing RIGHT THERE. Felt a little naked with the longbow in hand. Thankfully he also felt a bit duped.
Post by: Machias on May 17, 2012, 10:30:20 AM
Thankfully he also felt a bit duped.
Nope he was thinking crap a Sapphire Hawk!! :)
Post by: LITTLEBUCK on May 17, 2012, 10:32:01 AM
Post by: Machias on May 17, 2012, 10:52:24 AM
I have to say Yes, and No with a healthy respect as well. Never been attacked but have had two occasion that bear were so close I could here them breath and oh the pooping of those teeth is almost to much. Both times I was in timber with 6 foot high huckleberry brush where you could see at the most 10 yards. After an encounter like that you spend the rest of the day looking behind you. The encounter that has stayed in my mind the most for over 45 years, is when I was 8 years old. My 16 year old brother, his friend and myself were 2 miles back in the woods at a small pond about an acre in size just messing around. The frogs were going crazy. We started shooting the 22 in the water to shut up the frogs, which did not work. From across the pond we hear a very low and loud growl three times. What really put the hair up on the back of our necks was the frogs in the pond went completely silent. You could hear a pin drop except for our hearts racing. As an 8 year I was scared out of my mind. What made it worse was my brother and his friend ran and left me standing there. To this day I have never forgiven him for that one. Was it a bear, more then likely due to a very large population in that area at that time. But it sure as heck was not afraid of us.
Bigfoot
Post by: LITTLEBUCK on May 17, 2012, 11:16:50 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on May 17, 2012, 11:30:45 AM
QuoteAmazing how quiet they can be... I was calf and cow calling
Had that with a grizz over in North Idaho. Calling moose and heard a twig snap behind me. Turned to have a griz standing RIGHT THERE. Felt a little naked with the longbow in hand. Thankfully he also felt a bit duped.
Did you atleast get some good pictures of him?
Post by: seth30 on May 17, 2012, 11:43:28 AM
Post by: boneaddict on May 17, 2012, 11:51:06 AM
Quote
Did you atleast get some good pictures of him?
Ah NO. Can't say that was a priority at the moment.