SouthBow Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 Click here if the movie does not play. Lol .I knew it. Jay, Taco you guys can do better than that, This is a Big Big Cougar. Meow Quote
Taco Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 Big big cougar huh.... think it's time to bail on this thread again.. Quote
darrinhurst Posted February 23, 2012 Posted February 23, 2012 Lol .I knew it. Jay, Taco you guys can do better than that, This is a Big Big Cougar. Meow Uh....Red Wine, A Nickelback CD and a Big Mac? Quote
Pipestoneflyguy Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 I love when an old friend stops by work and says "Dude, you gotta check out the hilarious discussion about bear safety on FFC" - Tacobreath, Tacofarts, Hawghumpa, hawgbreath...Hilarious - I wanna play too ! kay Grinr - your a buttwad dickbrain ! NOW DO ME, DO ME !!!! Quote
bigbowtrout Posted February 28, 2012 Posted February 28, 2012 buttwad dickbrain ! NOW DO ME, DO ME !!!! RearPipeblownBiGuy Quote
cgyguy Posted March 1, 2012 Posted March 1, 2012 WOW! Cool thread! My nickname is Bear and YES I do S*^t in the woods . Grinr - wow welcome to the forum - where have you been? Hunting I suppose! Your insight, knowledge, and all round great attitude, respect, dignity, and appreciation for the outdoors and other forum members is recognized as it is! By the sounds of things, you are far more experienced than any of us here (sorry Tacobreath, Hawg). Seriously Grinr, did you jump on this board to stir things up or have you been chasin bear and away in the bush for some time??? Relax, we are all here to learn, read other peoples perspectives, meet new friends, and take a little time away form the real world and share something we ALL love - fishing! If your willing to share your stories and views - great, but scrapping with everyone you come across on this board, and calling them down will lose you much respect with us other folks who are here to just enjoy the sight! This WAS great thread! Cheers!~ Quote
sldrose Posted March 9, 2012 Posted March 9, 2012 Not wanting to re-hijack this thread. or maybe this should be moved to a new post but Say you're on a river and encounter a bear at some distance and it scuffles off into the brush after seeing you. is it "safe" to keep fishing upriver? how long would you wait before continuing up river? do you put an end to the fishing and head back home? What if you're on a trail and see a bear at a couple hundred meters away? Do you just cancel you're hike or overnight trip and head back? Just looking for your thoughts and experiences. Similarly what if you see scat or tree markings? proceed or turn around. im sure that there are some braver individuals here. What curcumstances would definitely make you turn around? Carcas or fresh kill, seeing a mother and cubs at distance? the more firsthand stories you can share the better thanks Sean Quote
shaps21 Posted March 9, 2012 Posted March 9, 2012 Hi, has anyone seen any bears while fishing or camping in this area? Im thinking of doing a camping/fishing trip down there in the summer. Ive encountered black bears before but never a grizzley, any tips on what I can do if I encounter one and what can I do to Preventing me from encountering a bear? Quote
tommercik Posted March 10, 2012 Posted March 10, 2012 Not wanting to re-hijack this thread. or maybe this should be moved to a new post but Say you're on a river and encounter a bear at some distance and it scuffles off into the brush after seeing you. is it "safe" to keep fishing upriver? how long would you wait before continuing up river? do you put an end to the fishing and head back home? What if you're on a trail and see a bear at a couple hundred meters away? Do you just cancel you're hike or overnight trip and head back? Just looking for your thoughts and experiences. Similarly what if you see scat or tree markings? proceed or turn around. im sure that there are some braver individuals here. What curcumstances would definitely make you turn around? Carcas or fresh kill, seeing a mother and cubs at distance? the more firsthand stories you can share the better thanks Sean Like the man (Hawgstoppah) said in a post from way back in this thread "Be aware, make noise, carry bear spray and fish with a friend if possible". Having a second home a 10 minute walk from the Crow, I've fished it, the Castle all the way up to its origins, the Oldman, the Waterton, Belly and St. Mary's over the last 25 years. Both walking/wading and preferably (if my good bud makes it down from Edmonton) two vehicles and a loaded Metzler for multi-day float trips. So I'll add some humble thoughts about fishing down here: 1. pay attention to the wind intensity and direction (down, up, cross). Yes, there have been dead-calm days down here (on the hottest ones, no less) so a bear/cougar has a chance to hear you coming. Otherwise, pay attention to the wind and blind corners and watch the shadows. More often than not, there's a beastie in one of them. Make noise. Especially if wandering off for a bio-break. PS: if you want cougar country straight out of the movies, the lower Oldman is the place to be. 2. switch sides. I've encountered bears early in the season (hungry) and late (hungry). Not so much in the middle, although hardly a fast rule, that. Late in the season, almost always on the sunny side, hunting berries in the windfree pockets (yes, there are lots of berries around here, mostly the Crow). So switch banks and carry on. Obviously after giving the bear his due and time to wander off. 3. fish alone with a buddy. Huh? If you're lucky to have a bud to do this with, make sure (especially if floating) to stop at a likely pool or lip-smackin' spot and have one of you (the guy who caught the last fish, for instance) "spot" the other, by climbing up an embankment or high spot to watch for any locals that may arrive announced. Can't tell you how many times that's paid off. 4. bears are very territorial. If you arrive first at a berry spot, they'll let you have it. Of course, you don't have a firm way of judging if you're first, but fresh berries with no signs of trampling might be one way. That said, any signs of bear such as that very trampling, carcasses (calf or cow), and/or fresh scrub piles (probably hiding fresh kill) are a sure sign to beat it out, and fast. Avalanche danger or warnings stop me dead. Bears and cougars don't. Within reason. Get out there and enjoy, safely - it's great country down here. Quote
Hawgstoppah Posted March 10, 2012 Posted March 10, 2012 Agreed, if it's a dead carcass I encounter in bear country I am gone, and fast. Quote
Taco Posted March 10, 2012 Posted March 10, 2012 Like the man (Hawgstoppah) said in a post from way back in this thread "Be aware, make noise, carry bear spray and fish with a friend if possible". Having a second home a 10 minute walk from the Crow, I've fished it, the Castle all the way up to its origins, the Oldman, the Waterton, Belly and St. Mary's over the last 25 years. Both walking/wading and preferably (if my good bud makes it down from Edmonton) two vehicles and a loaded Metzler for multi-day float trips. So I'll add some humble thoughts about fishing down here: 1. pay attention to the wind intensity and direction (down, up, cross). Yes, there have been dead-calm days down here (on the hottest ones, no less) so a bear/cougar has a chance to hear you coming. Otherwise, pay attention to the wind and blind corners and watch the shadows. More often than not, there's a beastie in one of them. Make noise. Especially if wandering off for a bio-break. PS: if you want cougar country straight out of the movies, the lower Oldman is the place to be. 2. switch sides. I've encountered bears early in the season (hungry) and late (hungry). Not so much in the middle, although hardly a fast rule, that. Late in the season, almost always on the sunny side, hunting berries in the windfree pockets (yes, there are lots of berries around here, mostly the Crow). So switch banks and carry on. Obviously after giving the bear his due and time to wander off. 3. fish alone with a buddy. Huh? If you're lucky to have a bud to do this with, make sure (especially if floating) to stop at a likely pool or lip-smackin' spot and have one of you (the guy who caught the last fish, for instance) "spot" the other, by climbing up an embankment or high spot to watch for any locals that may arrive announced. Can't tell you how many times that's paid off. 4. bears are very territorial. If you arrive first at a berry spot, they'll let you have it. Of course, you don't have a firm way of judging if you're first, but fresh berries with no signs of trampling might be one way. That said, any signs of bear such as that very trampling, carcasses (calf or cow), and/or fresh scrub piles (probably hiding fresh kill) are a sure sign to beat it out, and fast. Avalanche danger or warnings stop me dead. Bears and cougars don't. Within reason. Get out there and enjoy, safely - it's great country down here. Bingo Quote
darrinhurst Posted March 10, 2012 Posted March 10, 2012 Like the man (Hawgstoppah) said in a post from way back in this thread "Be aware, make noise, carry bear spray and fish with a friend if possible". Having a second home a 10 minute walk from the Crow, I've fished it, the Castle all the way up to its origins, the Oldman, the Waterton, Belly and St. Mary's over the last 25 years. Both walking/wading and preferably (if my good bud makes it down from Edmonton) two vehicles and a loaded Metzler for multi-day float trips. So I'll add some humble thoughts about fishing down here: 1. pay attention to the wind intensity and direction (down, up, cross). Yes, there have been dead-calm days down here (on the hottest ones, no less) so a bear/cougar has a chance to hear you coming. Otherwise, pay attention to the wind and blind corners and watch the shadows. More often than not, there's a beastie in one of them. Make noise. Especially if wandering off for a bio-break. PS: if you want cougar country straight out of the movies, the lower Oldman is the place to be. 2. switch sides. I've encountered bears early in the season (hungry) and late (hungry). Not so much in the middle, although hardly a fast rule, that. Late in the season, almost always on the sunny side, hunting berries in the windfree pockets (yes, there are lots of berries around here, mostly the Crow). So switch banks and carry on. Obviously after giving the bear his due and time to wander off. 3. fish alone with a buddy. Huh? If you're lucky to have a bud to do this with, make sure (especially if floating) to stop at a likely pool or lip-smackin' spot and have one of you (the guy who caught the last fish, for instance) "spot" the other, by climbing up an embankment or high spot to watch for any locals that may arrive announced. Can't tell you how many times that's paid off. 4. bears are very territorial. If you arrive first at a berry spot, they'll let you have it. Of course, you don't have a firm way of judging if you're first, but fresh berries with no signs of trampling might be one way. That said, any signs of bear such as that very trampling, carcasses (calf or cow), and/or fresh scrub piles (probably hiding fresh kill) are a sure sign to beat it out, and fast. Avalanche danger or warnings stop me dead. Bears and cougars don't. Within reason. Get out there and enjoy, safely - it's great country down here. Best advice I've heard regarding bears and wildlife awareness. Thanks burmis Quote
monger Posted March 10, 2012 Posted March 10, 2012 Thanks for post Burmisboy Very loud, poor singing of Nickelback songs has always kept me safe from bears as they tend to leave the area to keep from getting a headache. Quote
sldrose Posted March 12, 2012 Posted March 12, 2012 Like the man (Hawgstoppah) said in a post from way back in this thread "Be aware, make noise, carry bear spray and fish with a friend if possible". Having a second home a 10 minute walk from the Crow, I've fished it, the Castle all the way up to its origins, the Oldman, the Waterton, Belly and St. Mary's over the last 25 years. Both walking/wading and preferably (if my good bud makes it down from Edmonton) two vehicles and a loaded Metzler for multi-day float trips. So I'll add some humble thoughts about fishing down here: 1. pay attention to the wind intensity and direction (down, up, cross). Yes, there have been dead-calm days down here (on the hottest ones, no less) so a bear/cougar has a chance to hear you coming. Otherwise, pay attention to the wind and blind corners and watch the shadows. More often than not, there's a beastie in one of them. Make noise. Especially if wandering off for a bio-break. PS: if you want cougar country straight out of the movies, the lower Oldman is the place to be. 2. switch sides. I've encountered bears early in the season (hungry) and late (hungry). Not so much in the middle, although hardly a fast rule, that. Late in the season, almost always on the sunny side, hunting berries in the windfree pockets (yes, there are lots of berries around here, mostly the Crow). So switch banks and carry on. Obviously after giving the bear his due and time to wander off. 3. fish alone with a buddy. Huh? If you're lucky to have a bud to do this with, make sure (especially if floating) to stop at a likely pool or lip-smackin' spot and have one of you (the guy who caught the last fish, for instance) "spot" the other, by climbing up an embankment or high spot to watch for any locals that may arrive announced. Can't tell you how many times that's paid off. 4. bears are very territorial. If you arrive first at a berry spot, they'll let you have it. Of course, you don't have a firm way of judging if you're first, but fresh berries with no signs of trampling might be one way. That said, any signs of bear such as that very trampling, carcasses (calf or cow), and/or fresh scrub piles (probably hiding fresh kill) are a sure sign to beat it out, and fast. Avalanche danger or warnings stop me dead. Bears and cougars don't. Within reason. Get out there and enjoy, safely - it's great country down here. Thanks burmisboy Great tips Just wanted to know if a bear sighting means the end of a days fishing. Still, if i saw a bear upriver, i dont know how bold i would be to continue fishing into it's turf! Also, i know that you're supposed to make noise so you dont surprise them, but if i saw one at a distance, and it hasnt seen me, should i still be making noise? I saw this one youtube video where this group of guys saw a bear about 1.5km away, they started making noise, and the bear started running towards them. It wasnt even intimidated by the warning shots they fired, and it was far enough away not to be threatened. oh well, I guess the bears keep the fishing good by keeping away the crowds. thanks Sean Quote
tommercik Posted March 12, 2012 Posted March 12, 2012 Thanks burmisboy Great tips Just wanted to know if a bear sighting means the end of a days fishing. Still, if i saw a bear upriver, i dont know how bold i would be to continue fishing into it's turf! Also, i know that you're supposed to make noise so you dont surprise them, but if i saw one at a distance, and it hasnt seen me, should i still be making noise? I saw this one youtube video where this group of guys saw a bear about 1.5km away, they started making noise, and the bear started running towards them. It wasnt even intimidated by the warning shots they fired, and it was far enough away not to be threatened. oh well, I guess the bears keep the fishing good by keeping away the crowds. thanks Sean A bear sighting means an even more heightened sense of awareness first... then judging the circumstances second ... checking your gut (not mine, not somebody else's) third ... all of which might mean an end of day fishing. The natives have a saying: "If a pine needle falls in the forest, the eagle will see it, the deer will hear it, the bear will smell it". So if you're on the river and there's a sighted bear, and the wind is downwind from you, odds are the bear will know you're around from your smell. That bear will be wary of you and will probably leave of its own volition. If the bear is upwind from you, now you've got some decisions to make: switch banks, approach carefully, make noise as you approach. Or call it a day if your gut tells you to. Then there's the mom-and-cub(s) combo - which to me spells "done for the day", the situation is way too unpredictable. Unless the topography is such that you can see her and her brood booting into the high country away from you. Still unpredictable cuz she can still come back. I'd rather concentrate on my fly drift. As for that youtube video, hard to comment... does sound either contrived or odd. Then again, speaking of odd, I had the great pleasure of watching (just after light conditions allowed) a mother coyote and her pup play-stalking a fawn with her mother doe. I swear both mothers knew what the game was ie "stalk/defend/learn" as the young-uns hopped back and forth over a small ridge, literally playing tag. Then they broke off and each pair went in opposite directions. Greatest cigar moment sitting on the railroad tracks for 20 minutes by the Crow I'll ever have. burmisboy The gods do not subtract from the allotted span of men's lives the hours spent in fishing [Assyrian tablet] Quote
Hawgstoppah Posted March 13, 2012 Posted March 13, 2012 I had the great pleasure of watching (just after light conditions allowed) a mother coyote and her pup play-stalking a fawn with her mother doe. I swear both mothers knew what the game was ie "stalk/defend/learn" as the young-uns hopped back and forth over a small ridge, literally playing tag. Then they broke off and each pair went in opposite directions. Greatest cigar moment sitting on the railroad tracks for 20 minutes by the Crow I'll ever have. Another good reminder of the reasons we fish. Moments like this. Quote
zed Posted March 13, 2012 Posted March 13, 2012 Thanks for post Burmisboy Very loud, poor singing of Nickelback songs has always kept me safe from bears as they tend to leave the area to keep from getting a headache. i wish nickelback would get eaten by bears Quote
hairygrump Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 A few thoughts. I spent 16 years climbing and biking in Jasper and Banff, ran into a few bears, had to change my shorts once. Pulled my bear spray once but didn't use it. As far as carrying a firearm goes, in every bear encounter I've ever had that could have gone bad, there wasn't time to unsling a shotgun, jack a round into the chamber, aim it, and hope to get an accurate shot off. Can't even imagine carrying it while fishing. Probably would have served better as a crutch in the case of a mauling. As for sharing a river or stream with a bear, let them have it. There's plenty enough holes on every river or creek to move on to something else. As to singing or shouting loudly while in bear country, why does it seem like I'm the only one doing it? I've gotten some strange looks out there when I run into other people. And I've never heard anyone else!!! Quote
Taco Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 Strange looks? Probably a clue to quit singin' Nickelback. How about some George Jones or Hank Sr.? Quote
Ricinus Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 I'm thinkin a little Ted Nugent, they'd think you armed and crazy.. Mike Quote
SanJuanWorm Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 i wish nickelback would get eaten by bears This. Quote
SanJuanWorm Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 A few thoughts. I spent 16 years climbing and biking in Jasper and Banff, ran into a few bears, had to change my shorts once. Pulled my bear spray once but didn't use it. As far as carrying a firearm goes, in every bear encounter I've ever had that could have gone bad, there wasn't time to unsling a shotgun, jack a round into the chamber, aim it, and hope to get an accurate shot off. Can't even imagine carrying it while fishing. Probably would have served better as a crutch in the case of a mauling. As for sharing a river or stream with a bear, let them have it. There's plenty enough holes on every river or creek to move on to something else. As to singing or shouting loudly while in bear country, why does it seem like I'm the only one doing it? I've gotten some strange looks out there when I run into other people. And I've never heard anyone else!!! Maxwell and I used to sing rap songs fishin on the highwood. What's more annoying than white people singing rap songs? Quote
SilverDoctor Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 Maxwell and I used to sing rap songs fishin on the highwood. What's more annoying than white people singing rap songs? Much worst than bear spray. Quote
Taco Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 I'm thinkin a little Ted Nugent, they'd think you armed and crazy.. Mike That might be a better idear, me singin' Georgy Jones would sound like somebody steppin' on a cat. Quote
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