The ''Golden Rules" for 



retrieving game meat 



out of bear country: 



♦ When hunting in grizzly country, the golden rule 

 is " get that elk or deer out of the area as quickly 

 as possible." The longer a carcass remains lying 

 on the ground, hung up in hunting camp, or in 

 the back of a truck, the more likely it will be 

 discovered by a grizzly. The sooner elk and deer 

 are taken home and butchered, the better. 



♦ Some grizzly bears may move in the direction 

 of gunshots because they have learned to 

 associate hunting activities with a gut pile or 

 animal carcass. 



♦ Carcasses left for a period of time require special 

 precautions. Carry a colored, lightweight tarp 

 or space blanket. Put the guts on the tarp and 

 drag them as far away from the carcass as 

 possible. Then use the tarp to cover the carcass. 

 This will reduce the scent trail from the gut pile 

 to the carcass, and discourage birds and a bear's 

 attention to the carcass. Locate an observation 

 point 200 yards (if possible) away from the 

 carcass with a clear line of sight. Before 

 leaving, walk to the observation point and 

 memorize the site. 



♦ When returning, approach the carcass carefully. 

 Yell or whistle repeatedly. With binoculars study 

 the scene from the observation point and scan 

 the area for the carcass and any movement. If a 

 grizzly bear is at the site and refuses to leave or 

 the meat has been covered by a bear with debris 

 and is not salvageable, report the incident to 

 FWP. Hunters who have lost an animal to a 

 grizzly may be eligible for another license. 



♦ Do not attempt to frighten away or haze a grizzly 

 that does not leave a carcass when it becomes 

 aware of you. 



♦ If you live in grizzly country, do not hang 

 carcasses behind the house or in the garage for 

 extended periods. Big game carcasses stored 

 outside should be hung from a pulley attached 

 to a stout 1 5-foot-long "meat pole" that is at 

 least 25 feet off the ground. The lowest portion 

 of the elk or deer should be swinging from the 

 center of the pole and at least 1 feet off the 

 ground. Grizzly and black bears have been 

 known to climb trees and stand on objects in 

 order to reach attractants. 



♦ Bears are opportunists and change their 

 behavior in order to take advantage of new food 

 sources. So if you are hunting or living in 

 grizzly country, always assume that grizzlies are 

 in the area and make sure your camps, cabins 

 and homes are bear proof, and that bear 

 attractants are unavailable or contained. 



If you have questions pertaining to hunting or 



living in grizzly bear country, please call the 



nearest FWP bear management specialists 



listed below. 



Mike Model Chateau, MT 406-466-5100 

 Erik Wenum Kaiispeli, MT 406-752-5501 

 Tim Maniey Kaiispeli, MT 406-751-4584 

 Kevin Frey Bozeman, MT 406-994-3553 

 James Jonkel Missoula, MT 406-542-5508 





HOW TO 

 HUNT SAFELY 

 IN 



GRIZZLY COUNTRY 



Think gt\zz\\/ 

 and be prepared": 



^^R Grizzlies can be found throughout Western 

 Montana, not just the Rocky Mountain Front, Bob 

 Marshall Wilderness and the Yellowstone Ecosystem 

 (see map). In recent years grizzly bear populations 

 have expanded and bears are re-colonizing historic 

 ranges. 



J^^ Be aware that the act of hunting puts you at 

 risk of encountering grizzlies and that elk bugling, 

 game calls and cover scents may attract bears. 



J^^ If you hunt alone in grizzly country let 

 someone know your detailed plans and have a way 

 to periodically check in. Hunting partners should 

 share details of their hunt plans and have a check in 

 or communication system. If you feel uneasy hunting 

 alone in grizzly country, hunt side-by-side with a 

 partner. 



