Took a drive up the Haul Road yesterday. Went to an old baiting station that we quite using 8 years ago. Chose this location due to the abundance of Black Bear in the area. Climbed into the old cottonwood and sat down. Seat is about 10 to 15 feet off the ground, giving a good view of a big clearing and the surrounding area. I made a series of squeeling rabbit calls then started sucking on the sow in heat call. I sat there with the call in my mouth sucking with each breath while reading a novel. This call immitates a Black Bear Sow in heat, and comes with a warning not to use in Grizzly country.
Since we had only seen Black Bear in the area I expected a bore Blackie. About an hour later my action ears picked up something walking through the dry leaves. I put the book down and started watching. I finally located the sound, and the brown back in the brush moving my way. I realised it was a Grizzly and quite sucking on the call. I also decided I wanted to be higher up the tree, and stood up. The noise of my moving set the bear off. The Grizzly burst into the clear area with teeth poping, blowing, and a growel. I got the idea this bear was aggitated and wanted to kill something. Then I saw two little fur balls close behind. Uh-Oh Sow with cubs.
She circled the area till she got to my track, then came straight to the tree and stood up. I climbed higher, as she looked at me there just a few feet above her, I felt like she could have jumped and grabbed me. I climbed higher. I yelled and threw my book at her, hitting her in the face. She tore the book apart then turned and ran off back the way she came.
I was really surprised that she had the cubs with her, everything I had been told about Grizzlies I would have thought she would have left them in a tree, but there they were. I watched her till she was out of sight, then after about 20 minutes I once again saw her climbing a hill about half a mile away. I got down and made a hurried walk to the truck.
