{"id":111,"date":"2016-11-16T05:42:25","date_gmt":"2016-11-16T05:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tma65.com\/blog\/?p=111"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:38:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:38:21","slug":"hunting-safely-in-bear-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/hunting-safely-in-bear-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Hunting Safely in Bear Country"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/hunting-safely-in-bear-country\/#Hunting_Safely_in_Bear_Country\" >Hunting Safely in Bear Country<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/hunting-safely-in-bear-country\/#Hunting_Safely_in_Bear_Country-2\" >Hunting Safely in Bear Country<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/hunting-safely-in-bear-country\/#When_Butchering_an_Animal\" >When Butchering an Animal<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hunting_Safely_in_Bear_Country\"><\/span>Hunting Safely in Bear Country<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/all-about-hog-hunting\/\">Hunting<\/a> Safely in Bear Country. There\u2019s a sign posted at a park somewhere in British Columbia, Canada, that reads<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">I was in my mid-20s the first time I hunted in bear country. I don\u2019t believe in the Hollywood propaganda that bears are evil creatures out for human blood. I also read widely on the outdoor pursuits and know that while they are mostly scared of humans and will retreat at the first scent of man, they can also be dangerous when hungry, scared or cornered. Worst, yet, separating a sow from her cubs.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-126\" src=\"https:\/\/tma65.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/inner8-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\"><\/figure><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">I was escaping reality for a few days on the Appalachian Trail when a blackberry patch erupted in front of me and out shot a sow black bear followed by two cubs. I was more startled than scared until she stopped, some 20 yards in front of me, and stood up on her back legs. She stood in this way, looking directly at me, for what seemed like a full minute. Truth be told, it was probably more like a full second. I raised my arms and yelled, just like the thru-hiker\u2019s manual told me and with a huff she dropped back down on all fours and headed out after her cubs.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">It took a few minutes for my heart rate to return to normal. What if she had of charged? My hiking stick was no weapon. Nor was my three-inch Kershaw knife. In the <a title=\"Elk Roam West Virginia for First Time in 141 Years\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/elk-roam-west-virginia-for-first-time-in-141-years\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">years since I have encountered many more black bears in Appalachia and even a few grizzlies out west<\/a>. The more I learn about them the less they scare me though I\u2019d never turn my back on one.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">A lot of <a title=\"Best Big Game Hunting Rifles\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/best-big-game-hunting-rifles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">big game<\/a> hunters are forced to enter bear country to avoid the masses and chase after deer, elk, moose and even the bears themselves. It\u2019s an inevitable part of the <a title=\"The Growing Popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor Rifle Round\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/the-growing-popularity-of-the-6-5-creedmoor-rifle-round\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a>. The precautions we take could mean the difference between an all-too-close encounter with a bear and safely avoiding their wrath &#8211; See The Revenant.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hunting_Safely_in_Bear_Country-2\"><\/span>Hunting Safely in Bear Country<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Bears will only attack if, as we mentioned, they are threatened, scared or really hungry and you\u2019re covered in blood, guts and sinew from a recent kill. To avoid attacks, use bear spray rather than rely on a firearm. Purchasing a can of bear spray can save you a LOT of trouble later. When a bear decides to charge, it happens fast. There\u2019s not a lot of time for the big game <a title=\"30mm vs 1 Inch Rifle Scope\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/30mm-vs-1-inch-rifle-scope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunter to unshoulder a rifle<\/a> and make a stopping shot. That\u2019s a lot of pressure!<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Bear spray doesn\u2019t require precision aiming. Instead, it fans out and dilates the capillaries of the bear\u2019s eyes and causes temporary blindness plus choking and coughing. This preventative screen will allow you ample time to retreat and the bear will recover from a shot of spray whereas a bullet is whole \u2018nother story. If you <a title=\"Shooting a 22LR Rifle in a Whole New Way\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/shooting-22lr-rifle-in-a-whole-new-way\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shoot<\/a> a bear out of season or without a tag, the Fish &#038; Wildlife Service is going to have to come in and open an investigation. You can pretty much kiss your <a title=\"Getting Kids Into Hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/getting-kids-into-hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a> goodbye when this happens as the law will become priority.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Butchering_an_Animal\"><\/span>When Butchering an Animal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">The thrill of the <a title=\"Avoiding Ticks While Hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/avoiding-ticks-while-hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a> comes in many different forms. One of the most appreciated by <a title=\"big game hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/tag\/big-game-hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">big game<\/a> hunters is taking the time to recount the events that led to the kill. We like to stand around, take pictures, exchange hugs and give thanks. Then, we wield our knives and get to carving.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">In the ideal situation, especially after nightfall, there are three people involved in the butchering process. One is behind the knife. Another is holding a flashlight for the butcher and a third is keeping an eye on the surrounding area with a can of pepper spray in his hand.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">Switch every ten minutes or so if you\u2019d like, just don\u2019t let the perimeter guard get lackadaisical. <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"Hunting\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"280\">Hunting<\/a> in bear country can be dangerous, and\u00a0few things will beat smell of blood in bringing the carnivores in search of an easy meal. A grizzly bear that hasn\u2019t eaten in a few days likely won\u2019t let a few two-legged creatures stand in his way of fresh meat. Again, HAVE bear spray. Once the butchering is complete and the meat is ready to pack out, get going.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-align: justify\">It\u2019s best to never make sudden movements when encountering a bear or, better yet, don\u2019t run. Once it\u2019s incapacitated from a good dose of bear spray, then you can light a shuck out of there. If you keep the canister in a handy place on your belt on pack, use good common sense and maintain <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/tag\/situational-awareness\/\">situational awareness<\/a>, then you\u2019re never going to be in too much danger while <a title=\"hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/category\/hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunting<\/a> in bear country.<\/p><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hunting Safely in Bear Country | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12275,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2258,1],"tags":[2422,2423,2424,2425,2427,2432,2433,2435,2797,2856],"class_list":["post-111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hunting","category-uncategorized","tag-best-hunting-binoculars-canada","tag-best-hunting-rangefinder","tag-best-hunting-scope","tag-best-hunting-scopes","tag-best-hunting-sunglasses","tag-best-lens-pen","tag-best-leupold-binoculars-for-hunting","tag-best-monocular","tag-hunting","tag-hunting-safely-in-bear-country"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=111"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11561,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111\/revisions\/11561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12275"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}