Spring Grizzly in BC?

[mtnbowhunter]

I have a spring grizzly hunt in BC this sping and could use some pointers from any of you that have hunted grizzlies in the spring in the past.  I will mainly be hunting the avalanche chutes and spot and stalking.  I need to get within 25 yards to be very confident of the shot with my recurve.  Should be quite an adventure.

[BCWILL]

I assume since the 08 draws haven't been released yet you are going through an Outfitter......or just hoping for a draw as all Grizz in BC are Limited Entry  ?

 That being the case I would contact the outfitter and get some recommendations from them....indeed a Grizz with a Bow is admirable, have Fun !   :cool:

[mtnbowhunter]

BCWILL,

Yes I am going with an outfitter and even though he has had very good luck in the past with rifle hunters he has never taken a bow hunter let alone a traditional bow hunter on a grizz hunt.  He is a very good and helpfull outfitter and I was just looking for some extra advice from someone that has done it in the past.  I have posted on a couple of different sites and have yet to have a response from anyone that has actually got one in BC in the spring with a trad bow.

[BCWILL]

Well Congrats...can't beat chasing BC Bears in the Spring Time !

   

have yet to have a response from anyone that has actually got one in BC in the spring with a trad bow.  

That would be a short list of Folks I'm sure    

if drawn I'll be out there chasing Grizz...if not Blackies again !

Best of Luck !    :cool:

[sealevel]

I have a cousin that has shot 2 with a compound . With no backup he said you have to be very pacient you need to wait for the perfect shot . If after the shot he hears or see`e you ...make sure your a$$ is clean so you can kiss it goodbye.

[mtnbowhunter]

Thanks sealevel,

Hopefully I can just get close enough for the shot.  Did your cousin happen to say the distance on his shots, and was he hunting the avalanche chutes, or along streams or what.  Any way tell him thanks for the advice I was worried that no one else had taken one with a bow in the spring, he is the only one so far that has had the experience that has offered any advice.  Again thanks alot.

[Jack Shanks]

I wouldn'y think there would be much difference in getting close to a spring grizzly verses a fall grizzly. Either way it seems they will need to be preoccupied on a food source in order to stalk close enough for a shot. Bryan Martin of Canadian Mountain Outfitters sent me a promotional DVD last year that had a few grizzly stalks on it with traditional bows. They were all fall hunts while the bears were feeding on berrys. You might be able to obtain a copy from him.

 I also will be hunting with Beaverfoot this year but for mountain goats.

[sealevel]

mtnbowhunter  the last one he shot was ateing grass on a slide shoot. He got to 30 yards he shot it from behind a bush. It was a passthough the arrow hit a rock .The bear beat the rock up tell it died. Very important to make sure the bear dosn`t know were the shot come`s from .  good luck

[mtnbowhunter]

Hi Jack,

Yea I've talked to Brian and have seen his video's and he is a great outfitter with a very good area.  The thing is all his hunts are fall and the bears are concentrated on the blueberry patches.  I think the problem in the spring will be that the bears will be constantly on the move, with no concentrated food source to hold them in one place for very long.  Hope you have a great goat hunt its a great area, about 7 hours north of our ranch, good number of goats just bring your best lungs and legs.

[mtnbowhunter]

Thanks sealevel,

Thats the kind of advice I'm looking for.  I've shot lots of black bears on the ground here at home with my bow and never had a problem or worried about them knowing where the arrow came from.  Good info. better make sure I stay still after the shot.  Thanks again!

[sealevel]

I myself have no interrest in grizz hunting .But a lifetime of working in the bush and hunting i have seen lots of bears . You will find bears in the new grass . A spring bear will be far more ocupied with good green grass in the spring then a fall bear.

[Jack Shanks]

I know it is illegal to bait but maybe you could get Troy to set up a tent to draw one in.

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=050579#000000

[mtnbowhunter]

sealevel, I know what you mean about the bears being very occupied on the spring grass, I just hope there are some big enough patches to hold them in one area long enough for a good stalk.  

Jack, if that story of Jacobs hunt doesn't get you stoked for your upcoming hunt nothing will.  Bet you cann't wait till sept., just go and run stairs every time you think you cann't bear the wait it will take your mind off of it and will help you in the end.

[Jack Shanks]

Dirk,

 Your right. Jacob's story is what got me thinking about goats again.

 This will be my third backpack Mt goat hunt in BC since 05.I missed last year as I went sheep hunting in Alaska instead. Beleive me, I know all about running up and down stairs. I turn the thought process around though. I like to think about sheep and goat hunting while I'm doing the stair workout. Kind of takes my mind off what I'm doing and puts a purpose behind it.

[sealevel]

mtnbowhunter if you are hunting 7 hours north of your ranch in idaho. should put you somewhere between canel flats and golden. I travel once in a while in the spring though there to my uncles in the yalk valley montana .If its any help to you the weather is pretty much the same .I don`t think you will have touble finding a bear . We have a explodeing grizz pop.2 years ago a grizz found a blacky i shot and eat it. That was in a corn field.

[mtnbowhunter]

Sealevel, I'm not sure which area we will be hunting in.  But its not to far from Golden.  Good to hear your grizzly pop. is doing well at least for me who is hunting them.  I also am going to be carrying a black bear tag so maybe the answer is to shoot the black bear first and see what comes to the left over entrails.  Is it legal to hunt grizz over a wild game kill in BC?

[sealevel]

illegal especaly a guided hunt.But you will not have trouble seeing bears .As long as its may or early june .

[mmgrode]

Good luck on your hunt Dirk.  Grizzlies are one of my dream hunts.  I wish you the best.  Stay safe and have a great time. Matt

[mtnbowhunter]

thanks again for the info. sealevel, are the bugs and ticks bad in May up your way, does one need a head net?
mmgrode, thanks for the thoughts, the Packers game today should be about as tough as my grizz hunt, also cann't wait to watch it.

[sealevel]

Depends on the weather nomaly no-- not where you will be hunting . But if its really warm it could be brutal . But be prepared and get a bottle of juice called   Ben`s comes in a orange bottle .