When out on a hunting trip, there are a lot of opportunities to see many different species of plants, insects and animals. Some you see may be pleasant—such as flowers, rabbits or tweeting birds—while others send a rush of adrenaline through your entire body—like bears and snakes. If you come across the former in the adrenaline-boosting category, it’s best to keep your distance, even if it’s a bear you’ve come to collect. You must remember that you are hunting in an environment that’s home to a variety of wild animals, so it’s wise to assume that everything living in the woods will do whatever it takes to protect their home and family.
Are you planning to add more bear mounts in Cody, WY to your trophy room? Whether you are a novice hunter or have experience, safety while in the wild is of the utmost importance. Here’s how to avoid a bad bear encounter when you’re out hunting:
- Don’t get too close: Bears are shy and solitary, and therefore will avoid humans. If they see, smell or hear you, they will likely turn around and walk away, unless they are protecting their young or you happen upon a bear unexpectedly. Let a too-close-for-comfort bear walk away, and track it at a distance.
- Don’t surprise a bear: Despite their size and might, bears are easily surprised. This means you don’t want to startle, corner or excite one, because it may see you as a threat to it, its young or a nearby food supply it wants, and attack.
- Read the signs in your surroundings: Whether you are in the middle of a hunt or back near your campsite, you want to be able to recognize the signs that a bear may be in the area. Not everyone knows how to identify bear scat, but a fresh pile near large bear tracks, scratched trees, destroyed logs and flipped rocks just might mean there’s a bear nearby.
- Make sure to let bears know you are near: Exercise extreme caution on windy days. The wind makes it harder for bears to smell and hear you approaching. Stay away from thick, high brush and don’t hang around along the sides of streams or bends in trails, as these conditions muffle your sounds and hide your person.
- Hunt in a large party: While solo hunting parties are for some people, if you don’t possess the experience and knowledge to survive in the wild, you are better off hunting with others. Bears are less likely to approach a large group of four or more people.
- Leave your dog at home: Consider leaving your dog at home or, at the very least, keep it securely on a leash. Your dog barking at and chasing a big angry bear could be bad news bears!
Before you head out on your trophy hunt, give us a call at Nature’s Design Taxidermy to let us know your plans for bear mounts in Cody, WY. Our exceptional taxidermists produce some of the most lifelike mounts in the country—our work will not disappoint!