- Joined
- Jan 28, 2003
- Messages
- 13,329
Based on the bear hunters I know in the area, they have their gear sorted out and know exactly what the range is before shooting. In good weather and low winds 600 yards is completely doable with the right rifle and scope with dials and some practice, for a person who’s put in the time and effort to make that shot it’s very doable. I know very few local hunters who don’t use range finders and range dialing scopes now days. Me being one of them. My biggest problem with taking a 600 yard shot is not hitting the bear but being able to find it after it falls into the oak jungle. That stuff is miserable to move around in and it looks completely different on the ground once you get there.A lot of the 600 yard shots tend to be about half that. Most are guesstimations. Anyone who even attempts a shot over 300 yards needs confirmation from a good rangefinder.
600 yards makes me think they are not getting out of the pickup truck. I can understand that, I don't like getting too far from the beer cooIer either. But I can't imagine not being able to get much closer than that.
I can imagine it, in fact I see it all the time. To get to my favorite bear spot is a fairly difficult 2.5 to 3 mile hike at over 10,000 feet elevation. You’ll see bears out in the oak at 600+ yards all the time. Bears that there is no possible way to get closer to without blowing them out of the country.
My strong recommendation is to leave the beer cooler at home. A night of beer drinking will put a stop to your ability to operate in those conditions the next day. Because if you do shoot one it’s a long hike with about 1000’ of elevation gain to get back to the fire road with a bear skin and meat on your back. You’d best be rested and hydrated. Just sayin….
Area 33 puts around Rifle, Glenwood Springs. There is indeed some some wide open country there as H&Hhunter pointed out. I'm in the camp with the others saying to get closer if possible.
If and when you go, you're going to LOVE that country. Also, try to acclimate yourself to that altitude. Air gets thin up there when not used to it.
I’ve hunted that area and it looks much like the picture I posted above. Miles and miles of steep hill sides covered in oak brush. Prime fall bear habitat and a long shot opportunity will be a very real possibility. I’m not saying you have to take a long shot but getting closer can very often be impossible. So your choice are to take the shot or let the bear go. Passing on a long shot is often the right choice in those situations, I do it all the time, I see way more bears than I shoot.