2016 Solo Spring Bear Hunt

[kush]

Day 1
I was all geared up and ready to go. Plan was to arrive at camp site around 5.
On the drive out saw some great county, fair amount of wildlife, birds, geese, an eagle and a heron up really close above me. And a doe along the road too.

My camp site was nice, grassy (read: soft), near a lake, secluded. Very comfortable, but not great for mosquitoes though.

I arrived around 6pm and took a look around, pitched the tent.

Lots of ducks in the water, geese nearby, but not in this spot too much it seemed.

http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/IMG_6888_zpstkribtaa.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/IMG_6888_zpstkribtaa.jpg.html)

http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/IMG_6889_zpspzwmuosp.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/IMG_6889_zpspzwmuosp.jpg.html)
I grabbed some basics and walked road the side road until dark. Was startled by a few flighty ground that didn't make a move until I was right beside them. Saw a Ptarmigan type of bird, and a rabbit also.
Only one pile of bear scat noticed on this walk.

[kush]

Day2
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/IMG_6891_zpsiyszt7dr.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/IMG_6891_zpsiyszt7dr.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/IMG_6892_zpsmxrlm2ft.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/IMG_6892_zpsmxrlm2ft.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/IMG_6895_zps6bkowkuh.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/IMG_6895_zps6bkowkuh.jpg.html)

Morn drive from about 6am,
Saw about 4 Rabbits, saw a BIG BUCK. I have very little experience, but this buck seemed twice the thickness of a spiker I saw later. His antlers seemed heavy and at least 4 inches above the ears in length, each having 2 golf ball size nubs on the end where they would be splitting. I think that's the first buck I've seen actually.

~7am - Walked a road which contained what I determined was the 'prime spot' for the hunt. It's a grassy side road with about 10 meters of grassy-ish stuff on one side of it. It that opens up into about a 50×50m grassy opening, then narrows for ~200m and again opens into a slightly smaller area. Lots of scat here, good feelings! Bear central?
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160517_082624_zpswny2jdxt.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160517_082624_zpswny2jdxt.jpg.html)

http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160517_083101_zpspdb0nhwg.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160517_083101_zpspdb0nhwg.jpg.html)
The print is wider than my hand width which is 5 inches

[kush]

The road narrowed for a couple of kms and had a couple more openings with more sign there at the end.


http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160517_090138_zpsgeuiax9c.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160517_090138_zpsgeuiax9c.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160517_091832_zpsx58baxtt.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160517_091832_zpsx58baxtt.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160517_093831_zpsm8cbeoeo.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160517_093831_zpsm8cbeoeo.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160517_102835_zps172xvra6.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160517_102835_zps172xvra6.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160517_105931_zpsrt0jhrc8.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160517_105931_zpsrt0jhrc8.jpg.html)
Saw some old deer sign, and some big and some really big prints. Are these moose prints?

Got back to car walking along same stretch. Had some food.


Around ~12 I thought I would explore a bit more, drove up high, no viewpoints from as far as I went, and road was more rough here, so i returned to my prime spot for an evening stalk.
Have the spot all picked out in my head, I'm just picturing the outcome.
*Dream sequence - Laying in wait, silent, wind in my face, a ginormous black bear woddles out of the bush, oblivious to his impending doom, plenty of time to line up perfectly, bam! drop him on the spot, no need for a body search, still light out to butcher him, sooo smooth.*


Well, we know how things actually go...


As I'm a bit early to by spot, getting settled in, checking my gear... I realize I've forgotten, at home, the battery for the infra-red laser on my long range infra red moa scope!
I'm so disappointed, but realize the ethical thing to do is pack up the hunt and return home, even if it is a few days early.
I guess I got to see some rabbits at least.

[kush]

Just kidding of course~


So there I sat, on the east side of an opening, partially in the trees, from ~7pm.
MOSQUITOES!!!
I've never experience mosquitoes like that. I covered most areas well enough with spray, but you always miss something right? And even though you're covered they still buzz and land in your face. I'm very happy I had big glasses on.
My hands got it the worst. The next morning 35 hand bites at this point.

Some squirrels chattered now and then in the forest, not right next to me, but not that far away either, so I wondered if something would come out from there or it was just me.
I stayed till black ~930.

On the way home (to camp), I saw this leg(?) bone. Didn't notice it in the morning, but it was dark.
What animal would this be from?
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160518_113944_zpsumvvr5ov.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160518_113944_zpsumvvr5ov.jpg.html)

[wideopenthrottle]

nice work getting out there on your own being relatively new to it........the tan coloured scat looks like very old moose poop...definitely a moose track ....and the bone could be bovine but only a guess..are there cattle in the area?

ps....some nice pics

[Ferenc]

A rule I go by is to take the width of a bear track.. Add one to it... It most likely will give you the approx size of the bear nose to tail ... Say 6 " wide track + 1.... 7 foot bear : )

[RiverOtter]

A rule I go by is to take the width of a bear track.. Add one to it... It most likely will give you the approx size of the bear nose to tail ... Say 6 " wide track + 1.... 7 foot bear : )
Yep. You start seeing black bear tracks north of 5"s and you're into quality bears.

Enjoying the read so far...

[srupp]

Yup..bone is beef cow....great photos...correct on the math..should be a brute bear that made that.yes that envious 7 foot black bear..
Steven

[caddisguy]

Great pics and write-up. Had to send a PM to see if I know where that is!

[TheDuke]

which backpack are you rocking there?

[kush]

The pack is a MEC Serratus 85I like it so far, but have yet to load it with an animal.More story to come...

[kush]

Day3
AM drive
Saw a couple rabbits
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160519_070601_zpshevgczzy.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160519_070601_zpshevgczzy.jpg.html)

Walked that few km good stretch with multiple areas with sign from previous day.
Checking for new sign. I thought i kicked all the scat yesterday, so it seemed that new stuff was there mostly in one of the 5 areas that had potential.
But, this time I did a more detailed scanning and kicking sweep of the scat to be sure for next visit.

A bit hard to say on age bc of the rain most nights so far, but seemed really fresh.
Saw a Ground hog type animal; I wondered what was making these tennis ball size holes.

I went to discover a new area for day.
~11am sitting in the start of side road a doe pokes her head out (~80m away), looking to see who's there. She looked kind of tatered and had 2 long horizontal scars down here side, about 5 inches apart. Would this be from mating season?

Started walking this grassy, once logged side road, with a logged hill with messy regrowth started. I got the stupid urge as usual to see what is at the top of this cut with shallow shrubs. No view, as usual. Minimal dear sign. Animals like the easy paths too! I'll try to remember next time that's always a pointless climb.
Went back to the lower grassy road, it got tight but maps said it may open up later.
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160518_140327_zps2wgsqvgx.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160518_140327_zps2wgsqvgx.jpg.html)

So followed it 1-2 km, when it got down into a creek bottom it was noticeably cooler and a lot of sign there. Scat, mowed grass, many old and new 'saplings' broken over @ ~6-7ft (may not be bear sign?).
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160518_134529_zpsnwse41fr.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160518_134529_zpsnwse41fr.jpg.html)
Bear central? It was just so thick, to the sides and stuff growing 1-3feet tall sporadically on the 'road'.How would you hunt something like this? Longest shot 20-30m.
I thought of calling with rabbit distress or fawn, but honestly was not really wanting at fast close encounter I envisioned could happen here. Being alone and lowest power on scope being 6.
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160518_141707_zps94jl3lkw.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160518_141707_zps94jl3lkw.jpg.html)
After poking around there I headed back not seeing a reason to see the rest of that old regrown cut. Got back to that area with the pointless hill and thought it might be a good spot to just sit and see what may come out. Just as was about to 'take a load off' and sit, to my right ~10ft I see this...
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160518_142025_zpsmlepyibn.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160518_142025_zpsmlepyibn.jpg.html)
Gut pile with jaw bone. And you think you're keeping your eyes open! This is also bovine? I could see old tire marks back to this spot, but i guess they could be unrelated.
How old does this gut pile look?

~2-4pm rested in car, short nap, weather cooling, so I thought I should had back towards that prime area.

[KodiakHntr]

The broken saplings are the mark of the dominant boar. He's showing other bears in the area that's his breeding territory. They stand up and reach over a shoulder to bite them and break them there.

[tuner]

Keep it coming Kush, the suspense is torture.

[kush]

~5pm going along main road
I think that's was the first time i was on this road in day light. Going very slow, Noticing sign I didn't before.
Here to my left, there is a good 10m of grass/bush then a down slope; on the right is bush and an immediate upslope.
Noticing the good 'habitat' I role the window down and am listening, hear something in thick stuff on the downslope (north) side. I decide to try calling around here, maybe something would come out.
I drive 40m or so and stop to set up to call.
I get out, turn around, BlackBear! About 50m back, at edge of brush/road, on upslope side (south).
Bino him, looks like a sure shooter. I don't have much experience, but looks BIG and thick.
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160519_142807_zps8f9ezwyv.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160519_142807_zps8f9ezwyv.jpg.html)
It was about at the far end of this photo, almost around the corner from my view.
I frantically grab needed stuff, load rifle, look again gone...
It's vanished like a tiny rabbit. What to do!?
Maybe if I call a bit it would come out?
Waiting
Calling
At some point in here he appeared briefly but then once again vanished.
Noise in the bushes up directly hill from me, huff huff, snap!
I cant see anything past 2ft into the bush.
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160519_142825_zpsjj0lr9qm.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160519_142825_zpsjj0lr9qm.jpg.html)
I quckly retreat to other side of road behind the car haha!
Waited...nothing.
Could it be same one? Didn't think so because it was about 50m different location very quickly with no noise.

After a bit, Back in car, move on, 30m further, a black head, left (downhill) side of road this time, in bushes, pops down instantly and goes into thick stuff.
Bear O'clock!?

I cant help but feel if my gear was more ready to go, and not in hiking mode I could have got it. Maybe if I just waited silently I would have had another chance instead of calling.

~6pm downpour of rain started. Went close to prime spot hoping to walk in and past it by ~7pm before wind switched.
Then when it did @7:30/8, I would still hunt back through good area until reaching my planned ambush spot on other side of opening.
Waited in car overlooking a decent grassy spot close to where i want to stalk, but headed back to camp after the heavy rain just did not let up by 8:30.
Excited to see my first bears, but 20/20 vision haunting me.
Do bears feed in a downpour?
100m into leaving I see a flash of black disappear into the bush.
~40min later, approaching camp on a side road, I see a strange reflecting pattern in the road a head, it seems to be spinning, or bouncing maybe? What is that? Oh, it's a skunk! And it's running straight down the tire tracks, at me!
Getting closer! I stop and honk the horn, it pauses, raises it's tail, struts around a bit and continues at me. Wanting NO part of this I start reversing! It's a narrow, half flooded road, in the semi dark, going in reverse. After a few more honks it goes into the bush finally. Thanks God.
At camp I realize the rain noticeably decreased in intensity. I wonder if I missed the perfect mosquito free wait on a big BB.
By the time I find and kill some tent mosquitoes the rain is heavy again.
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160519_212211_zpss8tdqvpa.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160519_212211_zpss8tdqvpa.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160519_212413_zpshovjc3u3.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160519_212413_zpshovjc3u3.jpg.html)

[kush]

Day4
6am morn drive, Light rain
Sightings: Rabbit, Doe jumping across the road, Rabbit
Young buck @25m
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160519_065418_zpsuyn8l6ob.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160519_065418_zpsuyn8l6ob.jpg.html)
Doe @100m
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/IMG_6896_zpsdal48hqh.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/IMG_6896_zpsdal48hqh.jpg.html)

Then saw 5 more Rabbits
How would you hunt these road rabbits?
The rabbits are generally running from cover to cover. Do they actually run away or just slightly into the side brush, so of you wait them out you'd get a shot when then come back?
Walk my declared prime spots,
Didn't notice any fresh sign from day/night before. I wonder if this is good bc surely they'll be back today to add to their ~15 scat piles; I wonder if being in the area too much could push them to another spot? It's 9am, what to do?

Go for a drive
10am - as cresting the road, driving into the wind, I see dark head and ears of a Black bear.
I stop, I'm about 75m away, get ready much more efficiently this time, take aim, it's head on.
In the course of about 5-10sec I have a million thoughts: I should shoot it in the head, neck, chest,
Start lining up head shot, oh it's now quartering to, it's moving and shifting, my crosshairs are hovering over the chest/neck area, then it was gone. I waited 20min, nothing, it's gone gone.

It definitely knew I was there, it was not feeding nonchalantly but trying to smell me or figure me out. I spent too much time trying to have a perfect dead set crosshair, which I now see is not going to happen when standing. Afterwards, I realized I was quite tense and had high heart rate. This was my first animal in my scope. Ahh, not according to plan!!!
I get confused at this point. Do i go hike and explore new areas? Sit on known areas with sign or with previous sightings? I'm definitely willing to put 'the work' in, but not knowing what is going to be useful is the issue for new hunters I think.
Spent the day road sitting stretches, down wind of what looked like good potential spots.
Since the downpour started yesterday the rain has been constant, heavy to sprinkling.

From 4:30pm the rain has been constantly heavy till ~8pm.
No sightings this eavening.

After this much rain if tomorrow is dry would the animals be anxious to get out and about? Hopefully.

[kush]

Day 5
Morning Drive - No animals

It's been SNOWING/light hail since i started till ~ 9am
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_080450_zpsk9d2liez.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_080450_zpsk9d2liez.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_080532_zps0mbkmrhq.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_080532_zps0mbkmrhq.jpg.html)

9:30 While sitting overlooking a cut 2 does feed through together for about 30minutes. They were both very skittish about me being there. One came out at first making sure things were ok, then looked at the other hidden doe, as if to say, 'are you comin or what?'
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_092024_zpsdrdfyexg.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_092024_zpsdrdfyexg.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_092657_zpsrw84jpel.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_092657_zpsrw84jpel.jpg.html)
They helped sooth my bear sorrows~


At this point the roads are getting soupy! Making me nervous.

I think I'm going to make it my last day. The entire sky being one colour of grey for days is wearing on me.

With rain reduced to light, I decide I'm gonna go hike a new spot which is in behind one of the road areas with what seems to me, good sign. There's a pond back there too, according to goggle.

After starting quickly some bear sign, and bones.

Afterwards i see some broken trees, but more deer sign than anything.
How would you hunt a place like this for dear?
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_113937_zpskgzmnpbq.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_113937_zpskgzmnpbq.jpg.html)

Water/pond seemed to be in the bottom of a thick deep dark hole, so decided not to venture all the way into there.
Rain has actually stopped...for now.

[kush]

On way back, by the other bones, but 30m away, i noticed a spine half burried middle of the road; then to the side of that a jaw, with skull, and 10m from there another skull and hip bones (w saw marks). Then on the other side of the road another skeleton more intact than the others.
These heads are big, are they moose? But no antlers. Or just cows (there are some around)?
Jaw looks like an ungulate right?

Animal #2
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_122532_zpsffsnm98m.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_122532_zpsffsnm98m.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_122645_zpszifeuipt.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_122645_zpszifeuipt.jpg.html)

#3
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_122712_zpsxwq6qfmh.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_122712_zpsxwq6qfmh.jpg.html)
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_122802_zps2tpzcloy.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_122802_zps2tpzcloy.jpg.html)

#4 for the area
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_122903_zpso5ls5laz.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_122903_zpso5ls5laz.jpg.html)

[kush]

Tried calling after this...to no avail.
Raining again~
But sky has turned a nice new shade of lighter grey :wink:

If you're concerned of bears when in the nature maybe you should take me, bc at this point I'm think I'm bear repellent. But, be forewarned, I'm also dear repellent. My repellent effects seem only tamed by the envelopment of a vehicle.

http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_161448_zpsllcoif6b.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_161448_zpsllcoif6b.jpg.html)

Something i think i learned:
You can determine, by what you do, that you will not see any game; in the end, even if you do everything right, the game determines if you see them.
Sound about right?

So i pack up camp, and stop at a cut on way back to main road wondering, should I give one more day? And I spot a doe on the far side grazing. (I was in my car you see, so the dear repellent was neutralized).

http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_190549_zpsgxcfpxfz.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_190549_zpsgxcfpxfz.jpg.html)

Note to self - stop moving for the game to notice and let the game move for you. Maybe they can't smell you in car either, pay more attention to the wind.
http://i1305.photobucket.com/albums/s559/photokushet/spring2016BB/20160520_2020480_zpsixw4ytco.jpg (http://s1305.photobucket.com/user/photokushet/media/spring2016BB/20160520_2020480_zpsixw4ytco.jpg.html)


Overall, I had an amazing trip. Although I was really annoyed at points, I learned a lot. And now, it almost doesn't matter that much, but of course would like to be writing this eating bear stew instead of chicken. The whole time I did not see a single person or vehicle, which was awesome. Thanks a lot for the generous pro help I received by means of time to talk, knowledge, direction, tips, it made everything so much more enjoyable. Will let him reveal in case doesn't want his name mentioned. Thanks a lot. Can't wait to go do it again.

[tuner]

Well done, great write up, pictures and presentation, thoroughly enjoyed your post. You may not have harvested a bear, but It was still a successful adventure. Good on you.

[REMINGTON JIM]

Yup..bone is beef cow....great photos...correct on the math..should be a brute bear that made that.yes that envious 7 foot black bear..
Steven

Jesus Steve maybe hes just a Little bear with Big FEET ! People are like that too you know ! :p LOL. RJ

[srupp]

Kush..well done.that spot has had lots bears pulled out of there ..it is everythibg you showed in photos and story.you listened, went and did.there have been and still are lots of bears..colored bears..and big bears..success isnt always a dead animal.you learned lots and for the first time ever being in the area you found the pertinent spots...isnt it a great little camp spot?
Very glad to meet you and work together. ..
Thanks for sharing.
Cheers and congrats.
Steven

[srupp]

RJ yes small bears can have big feet too..however small bears with big feet may leave 6 " wide front pads. .yes indeed..but not that deep on that particular road...
Cheers
Steven

[boxhitch]

Good adventure to share, thanks

Something i think i learned:
You can determine, by what you do, that you will not see any game; in the end, even if you do everything right, the game determines if you see them.
Sound about right?Sounds right. Remember, we are the foreign bodies in the wilds, and therefore a 'repellent') , you are not alone in feeling like that.
You made some good choices and its just a matter of time out there before you will be in the right place at the right time.
Calling bears is tough, it takes a dedicated set-up and lots of time

those gaiters are probably the loudest made........

[two-feet]

It will not be the last time you have an animal in your scope that walks away, and it is always the right choice to not pull the trigger if not totally confident.

Yep, if the wind is not in your favour there is no way the bears will stick around. They have great sniffers and trust them completely.

[wideopenthrottle]

well told story and an awesome hunting experience..great job for getting out there on your own

[RiverOtter]

Much as I wanted to see a true 7' bear on the ground, I really enjoyed the story and pics as well. I'd say you did pretty darn good for just starting out and should view that as a success. It was fairly obvious from your pics that you were in a dominant bears territory, but simply ran out of time; bears rarely get big by accident, especially when they set up shop in accessible areas. I'd be right back there next year and applying lessons learned from this trip, as I'm sure he'll be there again.

[HarryToolips]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing, looks like a fun hunt..

[Fella]

Great story! Your hunt sounds like my first hunt. Bear in the crosshairs but couldnt settle down so he walked! You'll get em next time. You've learned a lot this trip and will adjust your tactics for next time.

[Rob]

Great read, looks like you had a really good trip. Good on you for going solo.

[swampthing]

Looks like a great adventure!

[Busterpayton54]

I need to know the name of this lake. It's an emergency. I'm moving there today and never coming back to the city.

[srupp]

I need to know the name of this lake. It's an emergency. I'm moving there today and never coming back to the city.


No you dont..its quiet, lots of bears..lots of deer..some really big bodied deer, there are grizzlies. .and moose can becalled in to 40 yards.
And the fishing sucks...sometimes a entire hour just to catch a chrome rainbow of 3..4 pounds...
The air is so clean smkers stop coughing..tons of bunnie rabbits and grouse...you would be so guilty not going to work just hiking, hunting , fishing..andalthough not shown..the scenery is spectacular..
I have actually gotten up in the night yo drive 15minutes or so to watch amazing lightening shows
Cheers
Steven

[wideopenthrottle]

No you dont..its quiet, lots of bears..lots of deer..some really big bodied deer, there are grizzlies. .and moose can becalled in to 40 yards.
And the fishing sucks...sometimes a entire hour just to catch a chrome rainbow of 3..4 pounds...
The air is so clean smkers stop coughing..tons of bunnie rabbits and grouse...you would be so guilty not going to work just hiking, hunting , fishing..andalthough not shown..the scenery is spectacular..
I have actually gotten up in the night yo drive 15minutes or so to watch amazing lightening shows
Cheers
Steven

sounds like the big rock candy mountain....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqowmHgxVJQ

[RiverOtter]

Now that was funny...