Unit 29 and bears

[Scottf]

Hi Guys, ok so I have done my scouting and have a place I think might have a deer or two near. However, now what is really eating me up is the bear talk. Do ya really have to put your food up in a tree? I mean, I'll have a ton of food stuff and who knows if ya really need to do this or not? If ya do, how does one go about this other than putting a rope in the tree and pulling it up off the ground. Do I need to buy bear spray too? Never been hunting where there were bears, so any help would help me, thanks.

 

Scott

[AZP&Y]

Scott,

 

I assume you are doing pack in style hunt? Bears have never been a problem for me over the hundreds of miles that I've packed in Az. I do take a few precautions and generally pack my food in FREEZER grade zip-lock bags. If I'm using a mtn. house or freeze dried food , I take it from the original container and seperate that into 2 portions (both in freezer zip locks). If you have perishables and are near your vehicle then food & smell won't be much of an issue if you store it in a dry box.

 

If you are going to want a secure storage method, I would suggest the Counter Assault Bear Keg - found at REI. It weighs 3lb 10oz and holds about 700 cubic. I've never been a fan of hanging my food in trees...

 

I've been to Alaska a dozen times and that is a whole different ball game and would mandate the Bear Keg, but Arizona black bears for the most part tend to be more weary- although there is that bruin that always seems to hold his ground.

 

There are really 2 goals when camping/packing in bear country:

1)We need to keep the wilderness natural for all of us to enjoy.

2)Keep human food from the animal population and let them forage for their natural foods

 

Also, I never have used bear spray- but tend to choose something a little more effective like a 30/06

 

Best of luck on your hunt and have fun!

 

AzP&Y

 

[joeybari]

i think it maybe a bit over kill be aware look for signs thats the best you can do bcs if a bear wants your food it will get it wether you put in a tree or not

[jakehaffey]

i think it maybe a bit over kill be aware look for signs thats the best you can do bcs if a bear wants your food it will get it wether you put in a tree or not

 

+1

[ghost hunter]

I've hunted 29 most of my life, seen several bears, but no problems. Keep a clean camp and keep your food stuff sealed as best you can an store inside your car, not your tent. There are tons of signs at the campgrounds explaining all of this. Skunks and racoons are probably the biggest night time scavengers you'll run into. But a good flashlite and handgun always make me feel better.

[Snapshot]

I have hunted up in unit 27 off and on for 3 decades. 27 has the highest bear concentration in the state, and I have never had a problem, with the exception of a sow and two cubs that visited camp one night, but did not cause any problems.

 

The tent I use is a big two room tent. One for sleeping, one room for cooking and the food is always in the tent. And I have had zero problems wherever I hunt. Lucky maybe?

[Scottf]

Thanks guys for all the info but, do I need to hang my food in a tree or not? If I do need to hang it, how do ya do that. I mean I'll be staying out for four or five days and I'm sure I will have a ton of stuff. Do I have to put my ice-chest up said tree too. What do you have to do, put all of that junk in some kind of cargo net or what?

 

My two boys were coming with me and we were going to have two trucks in camp. I was thinking I could put our food in the extra truck but, now my oldest can't come. So I guess we are only going to have the one truck now. So now I guess its a tree or just left in camp as is? I don't know what to think. I'm not scared about seeing a bear or anything like that, not even at night. However, while we are out hunting, no one will be in camp. If a bear was to come into camp in the day time, it would be all good for the bear if the food wasn't in the tree.

[W.O.T]

I'll be up there too on the 23rd for my 12yr olds' hunt... I plan on killin a bear, hopefully the one that you're concerned about scampers over to my place for some lead 'hot pockets'!

[Snapshot]

Your dry goods can be put in a duffel or small cooler. Tie a rope to it and throw the other end of the rope over a branch up high. Hoist your load up about ten feet and tie off the rope to the tree. Just make sure that the food is not to close to the main tree trunk as bears can climb.

 

Your perishable's would have to be put in a small cooler and done the same way. I have never done this myself, I am just repeating what I have read.

 

I think there are also bear proof coolers or lock boxes available somewhere?

 

Honestly, if it were me, I would not even worry about it!

[COUESAZ]

Just put it up in the bed of your truck. I was thinking you were talking about packing in. It does not take to much time to hoist your back pack up a tree. I do this when packing in more for skunk troubles. If i am camping in main camp with trucks i keep a clean camp and just put the ice chest in the bed of the truck that will not be going into the field. I never have food or snacks in my sleeping quarters. Then the bears never have a need to put a new door in my tent. You should be fine.

[Scottf]

Thanks guys, I'm feeling somewhat better about this trip. I have hunted all of my life but, this is a first for me to hunt in a place that had any bears. I have hunted in unit 33, 8, and some in 42 no bear or so few, ya never see them. I think I'll take my little bronco II and just keep the junk in the back when not in camp.

 

I haven't been deer hunting in almost six years. When my son was in high school we couldn't go because he was a starter on the football team and I thought I should be there for him. He and I didn't want to take him out of school so we just didn't go. Then two years of college and well things just seemed to be pasting without a thought of hunting. This past year he asked if we could go again and I said for sure.

 

We picked unit 29 because I thought we had a better chance of getting a tag for white tail. Sure enough we got our tag. We have been on two scouting trips and seen a lot of nice deer. Its a long drive from Yuma but, it give us time to talk and that's good thing now days for good old Dad. The place is full of wildlife as we have seen tons of deer, pigs, foxes and turkeys too. Last time out we also saw a set of twins fawns, right off the road. That was so cool, we couldn't take our eyes off of them!

 

My oldest son was going to go just to camp but, he got a new job and now can't come. That's really to bad as this is the first time in his 28 years he has ever wanted to go hunting or camping for that matter. Oh well a job is a good thing for that boy! Anyway, thanks so much for your help guys. Wish me luck, because I'm going to need some, after six years off.

[Guest borderboy]

Everytime I've drawn a 29 tag it's only meant one thing - Horseshoe Canyon. I've hunted that place for 30yrs. Many years ago I started staying up high for a few days at a time. I pack in and stay there. I have seen bear but have never had a problem with them. I keep my area clean, use common sense and pay attention. Years ago I spoke with a FS guy who told me of a particular bear that would break into vehicles at a campground in the Cave Creek area and take the food. He said AZGFD finally caught the oso and moved it. I think we should just be aware and take precautions as the signs and professionals say. I also keep a hefty side arm handy just in case.

Be cool and be safe amigo.

[AZantlerhead]

HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

 

I've had bear(s) sneek up on my backside to 20 ft in broad daylight just like a house cat stalkin a mouse. Wake me up countless times in the middle of the night at 10-20yds. Standoff myself, pitbull, and gun with no fear whatsoever. Umm had a Sow circle me at10- 15 ft. for 5 minutes, talk about a rush, the kind where you fear for your life to be exact. ummmmmm Had one block my trail for a few minutes while he decided to attack or retreat. Enough cave man OOGA BOOGA and knife waveing made him lose interest and Bearly move to the side of the wash so I could continue my trek.

 

Bears aren't BEARY SCARY untill that crap happens to you!!!! Just be prepared. Some people are bear magnets!!!! . Take precautions to avoid them, but don't count on it. Like I says, Be prepared. I havent had to pull the trigger in defense, but very VERY close too it, most people would have unloaded in the run-ins I've had with those cute fuzzy teddy bears . Stand your ground , to show your fear would be bad news I think.

 

Bad News Bears are no fun.

 

On the other hand my buddy has walked more miles and camped under the stars twice what I have with no aggressive bear encouters. Go Figure .

[Guest borderboy]

Years back there was a guy who videoed a black bear that was HUNTING him. It was proof to the scientific world that oso negro will hunt people. Hmm. Also years ago in National Wildlife Magazine ( I think ) there was an article about a study in the mid west about declining bird poulations. They set up cameras and guess what? The birdies were not only being eaten by predators but by WHITETAIL DEER! YES! Be good - be safe - and be sanitary. Pay attention my amigo. Cuidado and suerte.

[newazhunter]

I will be down there with a bunch of other hunters for the Nov 5 hunt. We normally hunt the portal area, but will be going into Horseshoe Canyon this year. We haven't seen any bears in our usual area but I am glad I read this. I will have my .40 instead of my .22 strapped to my side.