Bear tag while Archery Elk Hunting?

[AtenJones]

I’m heading out west for my first Archery Elk Hunt this fall, and most of the units I’m looking at seem to have an abundance of black bear, and they also have OTC Bear tags. I’ve thought about picking one up since I’m driving 24 hours to get there, and I’d like to at least come back with something - but I do have some second-thoughts about poking a bear with a stick. I also want to really be focused on elk, but if a bear wandered by at a reasonable range, it might be nice to have that tag in my pocket. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[6mm Remington]

Heck yes! Get the bear tag. I always get a bear tag and have it with me when hunting.

 

[Deleted member 22670]

Just a thought, if you kill a bear, that will take away that much time from trying to punch your elk tag. You'll need time for quartering it up and then what ever it takes to get it out and cooled. I learned quickly that combo hunts can spread you to thin.

If you'd be just as happy with a bear vs. an elk, then go for it.

 

[406LIFE]

We called in a blackbear openeing weekend of archery last year. Very dark timber, he was 20 yards and bearing down on me before I even heard/saw him. So...yes, get a tag.

I have a tag for everything out there: never want to miss an oppurtunity and it all goes back to conservation.

 

[ErictheRed]

Do your research on eating bear meat as close to 100% of bears over 7 years of age are infected with a worm in the meat. Idaho for instance does not require you to keep the meat.

 

[rmyoung1]

I have a friend in Colorado who has killed two black bears over 7 feet while archery elk hunting. He doesn’t regret having the tags in his pocket.

 

[SFC B]

That is how I shot mine last year. We had gone camping/scouting in the summer and saw a really nice cinnamon bear. When I went to get my OTC tag for 2nd rifle I thought to myself "Sure as shiz if I don't buy this tag a bear will walk right in front of me"......Fast forward to 10 min before dark on day 2 and Smoky walks right out into the meadow +- 110m from me. Not the same bear but still a nice chocolate male. Rug should be ready by hunting season

 

[rmyoung1]

On the other side of the coin, my brother in MT didn’t buy a mountain lion tag one year. While elk hunting, he felt like something was watching him and turned around to see a cat at 75 yards slinking through the grass towards him. It was a tense stand-off for a while, but the lion finally decided to look for easier prey. My brother always regrets not being able to shoot that thing.

 

[wannakillabigbull]

What state are you hunting? If you're going to be in Colorado you should be aware of the mandatory bear inspection. From the brochure: "Hunters must personally present bears to a CPW office for a free inspection, check report and sealing within five working days after the kill." If you plan on hunting for longer than a week and are going to be in the back country you'll need to factor that in.

I picked up an archery bear tag in 2014 during my Colorado elk hunt. It was hot and dry so my father and I sat a waterhole. Nothing much had been happening and I needed to go to the little boys room. I can't find my TP so I start digging through my pack, tossing stuff everywhere. I finally find it, stand up and take a few steps before my dad shouts "bear!" He had snuck up to the other side of the waterhole at 50 yards to get a drink. I was too busy digging through my pack for TP to notice.....

 

[MThuntr]

There may also be some hunter orange requirements depending on when and where you're hunting.

 

[Elkwhisper]

As others have stated, killing a bear may lead to eating an elk tag, based on the time needed to care for it. So ask yourself, are you ok with that? Personally I for sure am ok with that. I have killed several bears, and several elk so I my situation might be different than yours... but a bear with a bow on the ground is pretty awesome. I have done it twice.

The first bear I ever killed... maybe even the first I ever saw, was duirng an archery elk hunt. I called in a big bull for a buddy of mine, and the bull came in too fast and caught him off guard. When the bull lost interest and circled wide of us, I dropped down the hill to cut him off and started calling again. Just when I had gotten him headed my way, a bear stood up between us at maybe 80 yards. I didn't want to give up on the bull, so I kept cow calling and that bear came down the hill at be in a full out charge. First arrow caught her between the ears at 3 steps. It just glanced off, but cut her open a bit. She slammed on the brakes and turned to run away, and my second arrow landed behind her shoulder. And with the adreniline pumping, I sent one more up her tail pipe as she scampered up the hill. Whole thing from the bear standing up between me and the bull, and her piling up was maybe 25-30 seconds.

I was very GLAD to have a bear tag that day.... I was 19 years old at the time and she turned out to be a 20+ year old sow, according to MFWP. I had no clue they got that old...