School Me on Hunting In Grizz Country

[Irrelevant]

I figured I didn't need a new thread, so I'll comandeer this one.

When do people quit worrying about griz in the fall? I'm heading to Wyoming this evening for a cow tag. Into an area that they say doesn't have many griz but the last time I was in there there was plenty of sign. I'm not planning on the full e-fence setup, as I feel like on the edge of Dec many bears gotta be thinking about hibernating right?

 

[Nick87]

Getting there belly full right before hibernation. Good luck, sleep tight lol.

 

[KayakMacGyver]

I figured I didn't need a new thread, so I'll comandeer this one.

When do people quit worrying about griz in the fall? I'm heading to Wyoming this evening for a cow tag. Into an area that they say doesn't have many griz but the last time I was in there there was plenty of sign. I'm not planning on the full e-fence setup, as I feel like on the edge of Dec many bears gotta be thinking about hibernating right?

I have hunted elk in the fringe zones of Wyoming and never really worried about it. Then again, I have never see much sign to give me reason to be concerned.

A few weeks ago we were in Montana, around Big Sky, and I gained a whole new respect. I always practice bear safe camp protocol, no matter where I'm hunting, and never had a bear issue.

We were car camping and night 1 we brushed our teeth and spit by the car. No bear sign or anything like that, but definitely a hot zone.

We left at 8AM and came back evening of day 2 and there was Grizz bear crap EVERYWHERE, all around our parking spot. The only attractant was the toothpaste. Lesson learned, as it could have been a problem.

This is a very bear dense area and they were super active at lower elevation. Bears were clearly searching hard for the last little bit of food before hibernating.

Not sure if conditions have pushed them to hibernate, but I'd definitely heighten your awareness at the end like this.

 

[Irrelevant]

The latest I've ever seen a bear is about Nov 15th.

 

[nrpate05]

I remember in 2012 a couple guys were attacked in Grand Teton NP just a few days before Thanksgiving. It has been warm and dry (until today) in western Wyoming, so I imagine bears may be out longer. I typically haven't worried much about them this late in the fall, but you never know...

 

[huntnpack]

The latest I've ever seen a bear is about Nov 15th.

A set of fresh tracks in snow on Black Friday comes to mind from a couple years ago.

 

[WyoCoalMiner]

I figured I didn't need a new thread, so I'll comandeer this one.

When do people quit worrying about griz in the fall? I'm heading to Wyoming this evening for a cow tag. Into an area that they say doesn't have many griz but the last time I was in there there was plenty of sign. I'm not planning on the full e-fence setup, as I feel like on the edge of Dec many bears gotta be thinking about hibernating right?

I think your odds are very low of encounter but not zero. I always carry either spray or gun when hunting in potential grizz country regardless of the month. IMO, its just not that inconvenient to do so.

 

[MTLabrador]

I always plan on dealing with grizzlies all the way through November, but typically the sows and cubs will be starting to den up by now. This year has been so warm I doubt any grizzlies are denned up yet. I saw a lot of grizzly sign last week all the way up to over 9,000 feet, and the north slopes that they would usually den on have no snow cover. I also saw a black bear last week, and in that area it’s rare to see a black bear after October.

The last time we had a rifle season this warm and dry was 2016, I was walking out in the dark on my last day of hunting the weekend after Thanksgiving and had to take an alternate route due to the fresh sow and cub grizzly tracks in the trail I wanted to take. That same year a young boar broke into a few cabins south of red lodge around Christmas.

 

[Little Big Man MT Chris]

I had my 2 encounters last year in the 1st week and half of Nov , it was cold and snow was on the ground

 

[rjthehunter]

50/50 chance. You either see one, or you don't.




Latest I've run into one was mid November with 8" of fresh snow.

 

[406dn]

My brother and I generally hunt from early to mid November in grizzly country. We see their sign every year. Even this year, with no snow, we came across a pretty fresh scene of one burying an elk carcass.

I would think that this fall with the mild dry weather, there is no reason for them to den up.

 

[MTLabrador]

I’m planning a last ditch, all out death march for a bull this coming weekend, the last two days of the Montana general season, in one of the more notorious areas for G bears in the state. If I am lucky enough to kill a bull, I will damn sure be bringing my .45-70 while packing out meat.

 

[El Jason]

My habits are the same regardless of timing. Seen a lot of griz tracks in mid to late November.

 

[Miller]

 

[Miller]

View attachment 393921

N. Idaho grizz, always be aware and don't get complacent.

 

[Rack Daniels]

November 26th 2023.
Yes, They are out.