Hunters Need To Remember That They're In Grizzly Country

IDAHO FALLS - When a person hunts they are the one who is in control of the situation. They choose the time, place, animal and the shot. In the past, it was even a rite of passage for young native tribesmen in Canada and Alaska to kill a grizzly bear with a spear! The key was that they practiced and planned on how to control the situation. Today's hunters are infinitely better equipped when it comes to hunting, but how prepared they are for a surprise encounter with a formidable wild creature such as a grizzly bear may be another story, unless they too prepare and plan ahead. Much of IDFG's Upper Snake Region is home to black bears and today it is potentially possible that a grizzly bear could also be encountered somewhere in nearly half the region, but especially in the Island Park area, adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. As the number of hunters in the field continues to grow as the various big game seasons open, it is important for hunters to become bear smart in all their dealings, whether in the field or in camp. The neighboring states of Montana and Wyoming have higher grizzly bear densities and each year surprise encounters between hunters and bears results in grizzlies being shot. As Idaho grizzly numbers increase, the potential for such situations increases here as well. While many hunters now also carry on their belts bear spray easily able to thwart a charging bruin; their first reflex action is to use the hunting rifle they are holding in their hands when a surprise bear encounter occurs. According to Regional Conservation Educator Gregg Losinski, "This is where the difference in the level of control becomes critical. When you hunt, you make the choices. When you surprise a bear all hell breaks lose and neither the hunter, nor the bear, is completely in control." Because hunting success very often depends upon the stealth of the hunter, many of the useful tips suggested for the general outdoor enthusiast must be abandoned, but hopefully the greater amount of outdoor skills needed to hunt can help keep both people and grizzly bears safe. According to Losinski, "Common sense and awareness are among the two major keys to staying out of trouble." Hunters need to keep their eyes open for signs that a bear may be in the area. Some things such as tracks, scat piles and excavated squirrel pine cones caches are among the more obvious signs. Hunters need to use their knowledge of the outdoors to take special caution as they enter areas such as berry patches and white-bark pine stands, places that would attract bears. Gut piles, half devoured carcasses and rotten stumps that have been ripped apart are all warning signs that there are attractants in the area that might be drawing bears in. Hunters should always head into the field with a partner and have a pre-discussed plan about what to do if a bear is encountered. Of course, everyone needs to have EPA approved bear spray easily available and know how to properly use it. Once hunters have successfully harvested their big game, it is especially important to be on guard for bears that might come looking for a free meal by way of the gut pile. Performing the field dressing in a quick and clean manner is strongly advised. If meat must be left in the woods between trips to haul the rest of the animal out, it is critical to store it away from the gut pile. Remaining meat should be left in the open, so that it can be viewed from a distance upon return. Human scent and human-related objects left in the area have also been credited with helping to keep bears away from remaining meat. Since the hunt is complete, the time for stealth is over and making a lot of noise can help alert bears that you are returning to the area. Back at camp it is important that everything be kept clean and stored properly. Carcasses need to be hung well away from camp and any special forest service sanitation or food storage orders need to be followed completely. Bear spray should also be available at designated spots within the camp site. Bears are just like people in that they don't like to be surprised. Most encounters between bears and humans are not sought out by the bears, but result because a human has gotten too close before the bear became aware of their presence. Most times, the bear will move on if the human slowly and calmly exits the situation. Bears will also many times perform what is called a bluff charge. This behavior, as well as rising up on their rear legs to get a better view and smell of the situation, is often interpreted as attacks by humans. This is where humans many times respond by shooting the firearm they are carrying, rather that using bear spray or backing away from the situation. If a grizzly bear does attack, it is important that the victim does not fight back, but simply "play dead" on the ground, rolling up in a ball and protecting their vital organs. If the attacking bear is actually a black bear, then the victim should scream, punch and kick to repel the animal. For this reason, it is important that everyone venturing into the woods have a firm knowledge of bear identification. For more information about hunting in bear country a special pamphlet is available at the IDFG office in Idaho Falls or on the IDFG website at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/hunt/grizzly/grizz.pdf.