Wiz
09-04-2019, 05:31 PM
Well today marks my second close encounter with a grizz.
Was out on a solo bow hunt in 304. After reaching the high ground shortly after sunrise, I decided to creep down the backside of a hill to get to a dugout. Plan was to creep up downwind of the dugout and hangout for a few hours to see what came by for a drink. I found a very old quad trail (hasn’t been used in a long time) that Took me through some thick mixed forest. As I was slowly walking down the steep ~70% grade, I stopped to have a listen and check my bearings. Well good thing I did, because not 30m to my 11 o’clock (just off the trail) I hear a loud thump/grunt. as I’m looking to see what made the sound a grizz stands up in the bush on its hind legs to have a look around - it’s back to me!! Big sucker... and I’m pretty sure it had Cubs with it, but I didn’t stay around to check. I quickly grabbed my bear banger (which was ready to go on my bino case) and let it fly right above me. I didn’t even look to see what the effect was as I hauled ass up that friggen 70% hill so fast I could barely breath. I Got up a little higher and shot another banger off (I always keep extra rounds in my pocket), and waited with my bear spray in case it decided to follow me.
After about 20 secs I figured I was good, so I hauled ass outta there.
Last encounter I had a buddy with me. This one was solo and about 5km in the Bush. After looking back, I figured it was a successful close encounter. I had my bear bangers ready to go screwed on and ready and I had my bear spray ready to go. I choose to leave my 19th century tech Rossi ranch hand at home today.... but sure wish our silly laws made it legal to carry a pistol while hunting for bear Defence (as a last last resort).
Did I over react? Would simply backing off, turning around and walking out been better?
I’m just happy i didn’t get closer.
Stay safe out there. Sure does seem to be a lot of grizz moving further east. At least south of Calgary anyways. Always pack bangers and spray.
Was out on a solo bow hunt in 304. After reaching the high ground shortly after sunrise, I decided to creep down the backside of a hill to get to a dugout. Plan was to creep up downwind of the dugout and hangout for a few hours to see what came by for a drink. I found a very old quad trail (hasn’t been used in a long time) that Took me through some thick mixed forest. As I was slowly walking down the steep ~70% grade, I stopped to have a listen and check my bearings. Well good thing I did, because not 30m to my 11 o’clock (just off the trail) I hear a loud thump/grunt. as I’m looking to see what made the sound a grizz stands up in the bush on its hind legs to have a look around - it’s back to me!! Big sucker... and I’m pretty sure it had Cubs with it, but I didn’t stay around to check. I quickly grabbed my bear banger (which was ready to go on my bino case) and let it fly right above me. I didn’t even look to see what the effect was as I hauled ass up that friggen 70% hill so fast I could barely breath. I Got up a little higher and shot another banger off (I always keep extra rounds in my pocket), and waited with my bear spray in case it decided to follow me.
After about 20 secs I figured I was good, so I hauled ass outta there.
Last encounter I had a buddy with me. This one was solo and about 5km in the Bush. After looking back, I figured it was a successful close encounter. I had my bear bangers ready to go screwed on and ready and I had my bear spray ready to go. I choose to leave my 19th century tech Rossi ranch hand at home today.... but sure wish our silly laws made it legal to carry a pistol while hunting for bear Defence (as a last last resort).
Did I over react? Would simply backing off, turning around and walking out been better?
I’m just happy i didn’t get closer.
Stay safe out there. Sure does seem to be a lot of grizz moving further east. At least south of Calgary anyways. Always pack bangers and spray.