The encounters I have had with black bears have all been either seeing their south end going north or just curious appraisal. I have seen Grizzly tracks in the local mountains, FWP says a lone sow has had a den with cubs every year for the last 5. For some reason their genius spokesman was unable to explain how a lone sow was getting pregnant nor where her cubs were going.
Only grizzly sightings were in National Parks where they recognized they were Divas.
My son and a group of friends bow hunt elk in the Gravelly's every fall. Two years ago, they saw 8 individual grizzlys within 100 yard. The bears were very interested in the elk calls. They all carry handguns and always hunt in pairs.
Those are some very bad grizzlies to be packing and pairing up.
As people migrated West from the Midwest and the Appalachian mountains they had to quickly learn about new animal species especially the big and smaller plains meat animals. Most knew about black bears and their habits but once into the Rockies the Grizzly was a big horrendous surprise. They never ever had seen or could contemplate such a predator. Them deer rifles weren’t worth spit and trappin was fantasy. There are lots of historical documents in Western local libraries that tell about settlers suffering livestock loss and encounters with the big bears. And those who went to Dawson and further for gold we’re on the white bear’s radar a predator who didn’t eat berries just meat.
I had a chance to talk with and listen to the Craighead brothers back in the 60’s In Idaho. I saw a film of theirs of a grizzly breaking out of thick timber into a meadow with two plus feet of snow and six elk pawing for food. That bear plowed through that snow at a speed fast enough to catch a full grown cow guessing 50 yards or so . The bear literally flipped a full grown cow elk upside down and guessing broke it’s neck with its front paws. Nobody knew more about a Grizzlies in Yellowstone and Glacier Than the Craigheads but they crossed up with the Feds running the parks and the rest is history. For those who think these bears should be exterminated well then the Craigheads are the enemy otherwise like me I believe they are part of the big mountain residents
Buffalo Bore Ammunition has an excellent article posted on their site concerning stopping bears. When our son was posted on Kodiak Island, he carried a Ruger Redhawk .454 and a Mossberg 500 while hiking and fishing.
Here in Pennsylvania we only have to contend with the Black Bear. I respect but don't fear Black Bears and and comfortable carrying a heavily loaded .357. I'm not sure I want to encounter a Grizzly on his home turf on any terms.
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