Putting The Cart Before The Horse, Bear Recovery Team . . .

[Ms Grit]

OK, so I am thinking that IF I am fortunate and blessed and do harvest a bear this season, there is no way I'm going to be able to get him out without some serious help. So I am trying to make advance preparations and put together a "Bear Recovery Team" list for just in case. If you could/would be available to help, please pm me your name and phone number so I can put it in my cell phone. Thanks in advance and of course, I would return the favor should anyone else need help getting a bear out.

[Axiom]

I was going to volunteer but, i threw my back out just thinking about it..    

[Bucksnbows]

Robin,

 

I would love to help, but the doctors still haven't cleared me to lift more than about 15 lbs.  You might consider quartering your bear which 2 hunters can easily handle and cape it out with the head (skull) still attached and that is like carrying out another quarter.  I think even a very large bear when quartered up is fairly manageable for 2 adults to handle.  I don't think you have a long haul if I got our conversation right.  It would just be multiple trips back and forth.  I can loan you a backpack frame if that helps with the quarters.  Another option is to pull a kid's plastic sled with the quarters in it even if there is no snow on the ground.  My landowner has a bunch of quads which is what I used a few seasons ago when I got my bear, but I have no trailer to put one on and come help, sorry.  

[sam3]

I wish I could be of some help as well. I don't go out for shot gun season, so being of some assistance wouldn't be until much later in the evening when I get home from work.

[Ms Grit]

Robin,

 

I would love to help, but the doctors still haven't cleared me to lift more than about 15 lbs.  You might consider quartering your bear which 2 hunters can easily handle and cape it out with the head (skull) still attached and that is like carrying out another quarter.  I think even a very large bear when quartered up is fairly manageable for 2 adults to handle.  I don't think you have a long haul if I got our conversation right.  It would just be multiple trips back and forth.  I can loan you a backpack frame if that helps with the quarters.  Another option is to pull a kid's plastic sled with the quarters in it even if there is no snow on the ground.  My landowner has a bunch of quads which is what I used a few seasons ago when I got my bear, but I have no trailer to put one on and come help, sorry.  

It really wouldn't be a long haul, unless the bear ended up down in the swamp. The most difficult part would be getting him through the maze of downed trees. I do have a deer sled and some tarps and as long as I have 4-6 guys, I think it could probably be done in half an hour or less. I just want to have things lined up and be prepared rather than be caught with a "What Do I Do Now?" situation.

[Ms Grit]

I wish I could be of some help as well. I don't go out for shot gun season, so being of some assistance wouldn't be until much later in the evening when I get home from work.

Well Sam, he (they) haven't been showing up until just around 5pm, so . . . I'll put you on the tentative, if I shoot at last light list since I know how close you are

[Haskell_Hunter]

Two important things if you whack a bear--get the bear out of the woods and the meat out of the bear.  And not necessarily in that order.  Worst case, skin and quarter the beast to get him out.

 

I'm located in Haskell (obviously), and I don't know how far I am from you.  But, if you need a hand, let me know.

[BHC]

they are truly a PIA to get out of the woods. My bear dressed out at 150# and it took me 3.5 hrs to get it out, I didn't at the time have a sled or cart. Now I have the Jet Sled

 

[Ms Grit]

they are truly a PIA to get out of the woods. My bear dressed out at 150# and it took me 3.5 hrs to get it out, I didn't at the time have a sled or cart. Now I have the Jet Sled

 

sled.jpg

I have that as well. It's what I use to haul in my bait. Fill it as much as I can and drag it in . . .

[LittleM]

It's no that bad.  We have shot three bears over the last three years.  Fill liter soda bottles, windshield wiper fluid bottles, etc. and freeze.  Once you gut the bear, stuff the cavity full of the frozen water bottles.  After about half hour they will be thawed - stuff it again.  That will cool it down from the inside.  If you need to lay it on the ground (say in a garage) for a day before taking it to a butcher, lay it on a pallet so air can flow around it.  I have done this every time and the meat is just fine.  No need to skin and quarter in the field.  You got my contact info.  We'll get it out, no problem.