[Digger]

Looks like I'm going to get to go to Idaho to hunt over hounds this spring. Without starting a big deal over how sporting it may or may not be, I have a question. What do you think is the best load for shooting a treed bear? I know you can do it with just about anything, but I wanna use the 45-70. Obviously, transferring a lot of energy right away to achieve a DRT bear would be best for safety sake. I think at treed ranges, my Piledriver Jr's will whistle right thru. Am I better with a soft tip bullet, maybe a 400gr Barnes or something of the like? All opinions except anti-hound opinions welcome, thanks, Digger

 

[Seabass]

If its legal nobody has any business to offer criticizism on ethics against you or those who hunt in this manner. Short of a head, spine shot you want something to put them down quick. A barnes O or similar I think would be ideal.

Good luck.

 

[MontanaMan]

A treed bear will probably be a fairly short range shot so something pretty soft with enough weight to still break bones sounds like just the ticket. I'd say the Speer 400 grain soft point would be just the ticket for your purpose. As far as hounds go, hunting with hounds is a time honored method and where legal there's no reason not to go ahead and enjoy it.

MM

 

[Digger]

I am in agreement with both of you, hound hunting is a great experience. I grew up hunting ***** back east thru the winter, and had a great pack of black and tans.That was back in the early eighties when a good **** brought twenty bucks in the round. We made a pretty good amount of extra money I'll tell you. We got 13 ***** in one night once. But I have never run a bear or cat, so I am very excited, what an experience this will be, and it is thru a friend, so the price is right. I agree, a fast expanding bullet should be best, maybe a 400gr something going about 1600fps or so?

 

[Rowdy]

Howdy Digger,
What part of the state?
Hunting with dogs was a real challenge, when the dogs run, you run and there’s very little flat ground in the North. Add to that now with the wolf, means you got to run faster to get to the baying dogs before they show up…

As much as I like cast bullets, I’d be shooting the factory Fed 350’s or a handloaded 300gr PT…Or the Rem 405’s…Your guide will want that bear dead by the time it hits the ground…

 

[Digger]

Howdy Digger,
What part of the state?
Hunting with dogs was a real challenge, when the dogs run, you run and there’s very little flat ground in the North. Add to that now with the wolf, means you got to run faster to get to the baying dogs before they show up…

As much as I like cast bullets, I’d be shooting the factory Fed 350’s or a handloaded 300gr PT…Or the Rem 405’s…Your guide will want that bear dead by the time it hits the ground…

Orofino area, units 10, 10a and 12 is my understanding. I have some Remington 300gr I could use, but think I'll go with something closer to 400gr. I better get my Fat A#% out and climbing some hills I think, I just dropped 40lbs, but the wind is still not up to par.

 

[Rowdy]

10 and 10A are the N. Fork of the Clearwater. Spent the last two fall seasons there, Elk River and Bertha Hill looking for a Blonde color phase, haven’t found him yet… Not real high in elevation ~5500’ but steep and rough country.

12 is the Lochsa drainage and about the same but thicker…Beautiful country.

Enjoy it ;D

 

[janott]

If it were me, I would use one of my 500 grain paper patched bullets.

 

[MontanaMan]

Those are some fine looking bullets my friend, paper patching is something I plan to learn one of these days.

MM

 

[janott]

Those are some fine looking bullets my friend, paper patching is something I plan to learn one of these days.

MM

Well your in luck my friend because the resources are right here on MO.

 

[MontanaMan]

Amen brother! When I get moved in to the new house and my loading room is set up, guess who I'm gonna be bothering?.....smile

MM

 

[Rowdy]

Is it too late to change - after seeing janott's bullet, i vote for using his. ;D
Cast of soft lead 8) of coarse

 

[MontanaMan]

I agree Rowdy that thing looks like a hammer for sure....grin.

MM

 

[janott]

Is it too late to change - after seeing janott's bullet, i vote for using his. ;D
Cast of soft lead 8) of coarse

Yes, and your right. The used bullet is the one I shot a buffalo with this month. Shot in the neck, went through the atlas bone and was recovered on the far side under the hide. That was about 18" inches of travel through meat and bone.

 

[janott]

Amen brother! When I get moved in to the new house and my loading room is set up, guess who I'm gonna be bothering?.....smile

MM

The buffalo I shot was on the Crow Reservation East of Pryor, MT. ;D

 

[JD338]

My experience has been hunting over bait.
Still short range.
Also keep in mind that some of the bigger bears don't go up a tree, they get bayed by the hounds on the ground in thick cover, rocks, brush piles, etc. Any good 300-405 gr bullet will get the job done.
Good luck on your hound hunt!

JD338

 

[white fox]

AAHHHH Elk River. Look out for them Wolfies. They like to eat anything, even Hunters. That would be has fun as bear hunting to smoke a wolf with a .45/70.

 

[Digger]

AAHHHH Elk River. Look out for them Wolfies. They like to eat anything, even Hunters. That would be has fun as bear hunting to smoke a wolf with a .45/70.

Is it true that if a wolf is posing a threat to animal or person they may be "dispatched" legally?

 

[Rowdy]

AAHHHH Elk River. Look out for them Wolfies. They like to eat anything, even Hunters. That would be has fun as bear hunting to smoke a wolf with a .45/70.

Elk River a great place ;D
I worked down there before Dworshak dam wrecked the river.

 

[Rowdy]

Is it true that if a wolf is posing a threat to animal or person they may be "dispatched" legally?

Yes ;D and please take pics
your guide will help with that call