Not attempting to minimize a grizzly bear encounter, but we are not talking coastal brown bears in northern idaho.
"In the lower 48 States, the average weight of grizzly bears is generally 400 to 600 pounds for males and 250 to 350 pounds for females".
In Montana, two bears, estimated to be in the 800 lb range have been killed in the last several years (one by a truck, and the other shot illegally). Five or six years ago, a 450 pounder was mistakenly killed during archery season in the area we bow hunt elk in SW Montana.
FWIW, both my son and I carry S&W 329 .44 Mags while bow hunting elk in SW Montana. We never hunt alone, and are on high alert when calling and when field dressing a kill. When it comes to predator encounters, bow hunting elk is a somewhat higher risk activity than most other outdoor activities. I've never had an encounter, but personally know of others (including my son) who have been up close and personal with mountain lions, wolves and bears while bow hunting.
