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BOWHUNTERS, AVOID BECOMING THE HUNTED

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TasunkaWitko View Drop Down
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aka The Gipper

Joined: 10 June 2003
Location: Chinook Montana
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    Posted: 20 August 2006 at 10:02

BOWHUNTERS,  AVOID BECOMING THE HUNTED

             A bowhunter needs to be sneaky, with "no-scent" on, and camouflaged to look like a bush. While that’s what it takes to get close enough for a good shot with a bow and arrow, that hunter is making it hard for a bear to notice him or her.

             A bear’s usual early warning systems of sight, sound and smell can be scrambled by bowhunters, resulting in surprise encounters.

             In recent years, grizzly bear populations have expanded and these bears are re-colonizing some historic ranges. Grizzly bears are found throughout western Montana, not just the Rocky Mountain Front, Bob Marshall Wilderness complex and the Yellowstone ecosystem, and black bears range widely across Montana.

             With Montana’s bow hunting season underway, it is a good time to review the basics of hunting safely in bear country. Antelope archery season is Sept. 2-Oct. 7, and the deer and elk archery season is Sept. 2-Oct. 15.

             Here are some guidelines for archery hunters hunting in bear country.

·        Be prepared to see a bear. Mentally rehearse handling different scenarios with bears so you are better prepared.

·        Hunt with a partner. If you hunt alone, let someone know your detailed plans and have a way to periodically check in.

·        Always carry and know how to use bear pepper spray.

·        Bow hunters who harvest a deer or elk need to plan to quickly get the carcass out of the woods.

·        Carcasses left in the woods require special precautions. Carry a colored, lightweight tarp or space blanket. Put the guts on the tarp and drag them as far away from the carcass as possible. Then use the tarp to cover the carcass. This will reduce the scent trail from the guts to the carcass.

·        When you return, study the site from a safe distance for any movement or changes. When you finally approach, yell and make noises.

·        Do not attempt to frighten or haze a bear away from a carcass.

If, in spite of these precautions, a bear is found at the site eating the carcass, or a bear has covered the carcass with debris and it is not salvageable, hunters should immediately report the incident to FWP. They can contact a local warden or the nearest FWP regional office to provide a detailed description of the location and situation, so local FWP officials can follow up.

TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana

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The_Mountaineer View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote The_Mountaineer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 August 2006 at 02:35

Good advice but I don't believe the bit about dragging the guts away and hiding the carcass under a tarp.  Sure, it will decrease the likelihood of ol' Grizz or any bear of finding it but they can still smell it.

Had a friend camping one time in bear country and they took their food cooler out into the stream and weighted it down with rocks with a constant flow of water over top of it.  When they came back the bear had found it and ate the grub.  At first they thought it was a prank but when they found the cooler lodged up against the stream bank with tooth marks in containers as well as the tracks leading away, there wasn't any question.

Guess it pays to be on the overly cautious side though.

Paritur pax bello - Peace is obtained by war.
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