Spring Grizz Adventure

[swampthing]

The speedo leveled out at 100 km/h and Prince George was in my rearview mirror. I couldn't help but grin as I was heading out for a week in the mountains with 3 great people who are also HBCers. Smoothbor was riding shotgun. He had flown in from the Kootenays the previous day. I met Smoothbor through work about 25 years ago and we have shared many adventures and packed a lot of meat off the mountain together. He is a top notch hunter and outdoorsman. Pretty entertaining as well. In front of us was Nap. He is one of the most generous men I have ever met and became a best friend of mine after I moved to PG a few years back. Riding shotgun with him was Brooktrout [formerly known as big buck 155]. He is a young man of 20 years old and also happens to be my son! This was his first Grizz hunt and he was pretty excited! We had a full day of driving ahead of us and the further we went the better the scenery got.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0146_zps7on1nebb.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0146_zps7on1nebb.jpg.html)
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0147_zpsiqwxhg9r.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0147_zpsiqwxhg9r.jpg.html)

We even had to build some road!
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0149_zpsxosau1an.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0149_zpsxosau1an.jpg.html)
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0152_zpsmnivm1bd.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0152_zpsmnivm1bd.jpg.html)

[klondikemike]

Awesome pics so far. Old grader blades make pretty good bridges by the look of it.

[swampthing]

We arrived at a beautiful mountain lake about supper time and set up a very comfortable camp.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0202_zpsihcdkjjg.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0202_zpsihcdkjjg.jpg.html)
This far north it is light out quite late this time of year so we had time for a bit of scouting after camp was set up. We slept great that night.

[northof49]

Keep it coming

[Rattler]

Right on, looking forward to this adventure...

[Spy]

Keep it coming
X2 please keep it coming !:-)

[swampthing]

The next moring we split up and headed different directions out of camp for a morning hunt.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0195_zpsx0wvrsfl.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0195_zpsx0wvrsfl.jpg.html)

[monasheemountainman]

Oh ya baby!

[swampthing]

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/th_Thutade%20Lake%202016%201_zpsktrmyzp2.mp4 (http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/Thutade%20Lake%202016%201_zpsktrmyzp2.mp4)
We saw no bears that morning but found some good sign

[twanger]

Come on man, tell me Brook smoked his first Grizz!!!!!!

[swampthing]

That afternoon we loaded into Naps jetboat and found some areas to glass
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/Thutade%20Lake%202016%2029_zpsbjr8lslp.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/Thutade%20Lake%202016%2029_zpsbjr8lslp.jpg.html)
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20117_zps4649pygi.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20117_zps4649pygi.jpg.html)
We glassed for hours. About every half hour we would spot another moose or black bear, which kept us interested

[swampthing]

It was about 315pm when brooktrout yelled "Grizz". We all followed his gaze and directions and soon were all dialed in on a great looking blonde Grizz. We studied the bear from about 4km away and felt it was a good bear. It was in a horrible place for a stalk. It was settled in a small 20 yard opening that was completely surrounded by slide alder. We felt it was best to just watch as there was no reasonable approach on this bear. I hated to pass on the opportunity and suggested we sneak in as close as possible and try to "predator call" him into the open. I held out my call in an effort to persuade my partners. Brooktrout jumped into his pack and said lets go. We packed up our gear and I slipped down 3 pain killers. The bear was on an extremely steep hillside. Brooktrout said we will be up there in 40 minutes. I corrected him and said "an hour and a half". He smiled and handed me an energy gel saying " you will need this". We idled across the lake and studied the terrain, looking for a path up the mountain and memorizing landmarks . We shouldered our packs and hopped off the boat at 4pm. Brooktrout and I were doing the stalk while Nap and Smoothbor were going to watch the stalk from the lake. Brooktrout was impatient with my many rest stops. We checked the wind often and made steady progress up the mountain.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0162_zpswdf2otll.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0162_zpswdf2otll.jpg.html)
I used stopping to take a pic a good excuse for a rest!

[moosinaround]

Keep it coming guys, your camped in our spot from last years moose hunt! I had to drive down the shore line to launch my boat! Moosin

[swampthing]

I am at a motel and internet is impossibly slow. I just typed for a half hour and then lost everything!!

[RiverOtter]

Why do all the good stories start at my bedtime, dammit......:grin:

[swampthing]

We got to the spot we had set out for in one hour and 25 minutes. I was pretty happy to shave 5 minutes off my eta. Brooktrout got setup across his pack and dry fired his rifle a few times to get settled while I ranged a few spots for reference. He chambered a round and grinned back at me. I began working the predator call while watching for the bear. 15 minutes later I was out of breath and thinking this wouldn't work. I suggested we advance to a closer higher postion for a different view. We moved carefully and quietly across the steep hillside.

[emerson]

Good stuff. Nice country.

[swampthing]

We both saw the silver/blonde flash in the alders at the same time. Brooktrout unsnapped his pack as I slid it off his back and sat down. I had to bite my tongue as he advanced slowly. It was my fatherly instinct to give him advise. He has been in the field with me since he was old enough to wipe his own ass. He has more hunting experience than many men twice his age. He knew what to do. I saw Brooktout raise his 708 BLR and take aim offhand, the only shot he had, and then the bear about 125 yards beyond him. The bear started to tumble down the steep mountainside before I heard the sound of the 120gr ttsx smashing bone. There was a vapor trail of pollen coming off the alders as the bear tumbled. All went quiet, very quiet. Brooktrout advanced and I hurried to carry two packs and my BLR to catch him. Before I caught up he turned and grinned, having spotted the very dead bear. We sat above him peering into the thick alders he was tangled in. The scenery was breathtaking and I had just shared an incredible experience with my son. It was a moment only hunters can understand.

[Hammerhead]

Great story so far and an awesome experience with your son no doubt. Congrats to both you guys. Looking forward to some pics.
HH

[Cpl_Punishment]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[.264winmag]

Nice work boys! Thanks for sharing, looking forward to more details!

[Rattler]

Nice work, congrats! So did this bear come into the predator call? Any other field pictures of the bear?

[604ksmith]

Great hunt, keep the posts coming!

[180grainer]

Great pictures and story. Good to see you were successful.

[wideopenthrottle]

nice ...way to getter done..

[Elkaholic]

Awesome story so far, I can't wait for the rest of it.

[835]

Great thread!
these ones make me want to chase a Grizz,,,,, something I have never done.

[moosinaround]

I never made it down to those slides last fall, the lake was in a miserable mood. Nice to hear there were moose seen, LEH was put in for there again this year! Nice trip, a little rough getting in, but nice! Where was that bridge construction you guys did? Moosin

[325]

Nice work!! I would love to see more field pics of that bear!

[srupp]

Great adventure wonderful location...thanks for sharing. .

Oh ya..CONGRADULATIONS !
Cheers
Steven

[Seeker]

Great thread! Story and pics are a nice distraction at this time of year. Thanks for sharing. More threads like this please.

[BiG Boar]

Nice work guys. Well done.

[Xenomorph]

Well done, beautiful country ...

[RackStar]

Finally a good thread.
To much political whining stuff on this site. Need more good reads.

[moosinaround]

Oh, thats not the end of this story, Swampthing is probably working his ass off during the day, and posting the story of the trip at night. Cut him some slack boys, its coming!

[smoothbor]

He will get it done for us as soon as he can, he writes an epic tale lol. Great time had by all and lots of good memories made with great people. More to come when he gets the time

[swampthing]

It took an hour and we had the bear loaded in Brooktrouts eberlestock pack. Another hour had us at the lake where Nap and smoothbor met us with a cool beverage. They were as excited as we were as they had watched the whole stalk unravel from the boat.http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0167_zpsb1l96rye.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0167_zpsb1l96rye.jpg.html)

[swampthing]

The boat ride back to camp was an hour long. Were were quiet as we reflected back on the day. The georgeous scenery and the hum of the sportjet motor topped off a great day.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0170_zpsmpa5lxod.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0170_zpsmpa5lxod.jpg.html)

[swampthing]

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0193_zpsqmiwdcyn.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0193_zpsqmiwdcyn.jpg.html)

[twanger]

Awesome job Bob, great story, you must be a very proud dad.

[swampthing]

The next morning has Smoothbor and I head south of camp by truck to a spot that had a lot of fresh sign. We had just rounded a corner when Smoothbor hissed "bear". He jumped out before I had the truck stopped and I slipped it into reverse and backed away. I had caught a glimpse of what appeared to be the hind end of a large dark bear. I stopped 500 yards back and watched Smoothbor slowly advance. I was just thinking the wind was wrong when Smoothbor dropped to a knee and took aim! After a few seconds he stood and slowly backed up to me. He said a sow was feeding just up the road. He knew the wind was bad and smartly backed out. We did a big circle around the area and stalked back in with the wind advantage hoping the boar would be back with his sow when we got there. We never saw them again and headed back for camp. Once again Smoothbor hissed "bear" just as I saw it. I hit reverse and backed away. Smoothbor said "that one is yours buddy". He was infatuated with the earlier boar we found and no other would do. I stalked in to where the bear hit the bush and started on the predator call hoping to call him out. It was a decent bear but he wasn't to be fooled by me.

[swampthing]

Mid day had us finishing up Brooktrouts hide, peeling the head and paws out. When Brooktrout shot his bear it was quartering very sharply towards him with his head down. He tried to slip the bullet into the fold of the shoulder but the bullet took the bear square in the back of the skull.

[swampthing]

That evening Nap took Smoothbor back to look for his bear while My son and I went to another area. We were back early with only porcupine sightings to entertain us. We got a great campfire dinner going for the boys.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_2107_zpsrjohym05.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_2107_zpsrjohym05.jpg.html)

[swampthing]

Nap was so happy he couldn't eat that night. We stayed up late skinning and salting his bear. This bear had gotten into a porcupine! He had quills in his muzzle and one front paw.

[albravo2]

One of the best threads this year. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

[swampthing]

We were very happy for Nap. He goes out of his way for everybody all the time and is a deserving man. Two days in and 2 tags cut. We were having fun. Smoothbor and Nap finished up the hide the next day.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0197_zpslu0mfi6m.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0197_zpslu0mfi6m.jpg.html)

[Arctic Lake]

Great thread ! Good pictures and story !
Arctic Lake

[Rattler]

Nice pics, and even better story. Thanks for taking the time to write up this story...one of the best this year so far...

[swampthing]

The next two days were fairly uneventful. We hunted high, low and everywhere in between.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/grizz%202014%20064%202_zpsmbvebwtf.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/grizz%202014%20064%202_zpsmbvebwtf.jpg.html)

[swampthing]

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/grizz%202014%20051%202_zpsyvqjyjvw.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/grizz%202014%20051%202_zpsyvqjyjvw.jpg.html)
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/grizz%202014%20071%202_zps92fhzsxb.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/grizz%202014%20071%202_zps92fhzsxb.jpg.html)

[swampthing]

I think it was Thursday that Nap and Smoothbor went looking for his chocolate grizz again. Once again they got in somehere towards 10pm just a grinning. Lon had connected on his Bear. They found him with his sow and Smoothbor got er done. His expression tells it all.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_2093_zps8w1vlodq.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_2093_zps8w1vlodq.jpg.html)

[swampthing]

This bear was a brute! He was the tough guy in his area. Battle scars showed all around and he had fresh wounds on his back.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20156_zpsndi2k7tg.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20156_zpsndi2k7tg.jpg.html)

[swampthing]

It was a struggle and they had to build a ramp but they managed to get the whole bear in one piece in the back of the truck

[swampthing]

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20157_zpssjw3yhxi.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20157_zpssjw3yhxi.jpg.html)

[swampthing]

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20160_zpsyhi8yg7d.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20160_zpsyhi8yg7d.jpg.html)
by the looks of his teeth he has chewed up a lot of things!

[swampthing]

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_2105_zpsk9jqqliq.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_2105_zpsk9jqqliq.jpg.html)

[swampthing]

There was one more day in the hunt and I still had a tag. We tried a new valley.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_2111_zpstgl7xg3x.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_2111_zpstgl7xg3x.jpg.html)
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20186_zpsq5bbglo3.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20186_zpsq5bbglo3.jpg.html)
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20180_zpsmlxtxot5.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/Thutade%20Lake%202016%20180_zpsmlxtxot5.jpg.html)

[Norwestalta]

Nice job fellas and great write up. Love the colours on your sons. How big was he? Good luck on letting the air out of yours.

[swampthing]

The day and the hunt ended with no bear for the swampthing. That didn't matter in the least! I had just spent a week in Grizz country with 3 of the finest men I know! It didn't need to get any better. Thanks guys.

[swampthing]

Some more pics
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0207_zpsbyk3eyau.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0207_zpsbyk3eyau.jpg.html)
mid day campfire nap!

[Norwestalta]

The day and the hunt ended with no bear for the swampthing. That didn't matter in the least! I had just spent a week in Grizz country with 3 of the finest men I know! It didn't need to get any better. Thanks guys.

Three beauty bears and some great memories is just as good as pulling the trigger. I'm envious. Congrats.

[swampthing]

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0174_zps50ksf6oe.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0174_zps50ksf6oe.jpg.html)
sportjet roost

[swampthing]

http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_0173_zps9skvqazu.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_0173_zps9skvqazu.jpg.html)
sunset on the lake.

[ElectricDyck]

Nice! Great story and pics!

[swampthing]

One thing I forgot was a strange dragging track we came across. We followed it and found a 3 and a half leg porcupine hobbling along!. We guessed it to be the porky that Naps bear tangled with!!

[604ksmith]

Awesome thread, and three great looking bears. Well done to all!

[bcsteve]

Great story and pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[Boner]

Thanks for sharing!

Great writeup and awesome photos. Congratulations to you guys on your successful hunt. :)

[klondikemike]

Very nice hunt. Thanks for sharing it with us. Love to be on one of those hunts.

[northof49]

Nice work gentlemen....thanks for sharing and great pics.

[Sellis75]

Awesome!! Great read and pice! Well done!

[Rhyno]

Wow, what an amazing hunt. Best thread so far this year. Well done boys!

[decker9]

Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us!! Looks like some beautiful country, a great read, and congrats on the bears!!

[bearvalley]

Congrats on an awesome hunt.
Great pics and a great read.

[Kopper]

Great story and memories for years. Good jobs guys.

[RiverOtter]

I'd like to know where you guys hunted so I don't accidentally put a draw in there.....You shot all the bears!... :shock:




Just kidding of course..... Awesome hunt, great story and super pictures. Tough to whoop a week like that......

[ydouask]

Thanks for showing us all how good planning and preparation made for such a super hunting experience... the bears were a bonus ! :smile:

[Glenny]

That evening Nap took Smoothbor back to look for his bear while My son and I went to another area. We were back early with only porcupine sightings to entertain us. We got a great campfire dinner going for the boys.
http://i806.photobucket.com/albums/yy342/eberlestock/IMG_2107_zpsrjohym05.jpg (http://s806.photobucket.com/user/eberlestock/media/IMG_2107_zpsrjohym05.jpg.html)

Nice whack o bearce!! But how were the Grizzly kebabs? lol. Great adventure.

[Gateholio]

Let's keep this excellent thread on topic please.

If you have wardrobe concerns please use the PM

[StiggyPalgrave]

Thanks for the in-depth writeup! Congrats on two nice grizzlys... Phenomenal.

[Husky7mm]

Most excellent swampthing, as usual putting yourself and your party inline for real adventure. Cheers to making your own luck. Thanks for posting.

[Sitkaspruce]

Thanks guys!!! Awesome write up for an amazing trip!!!

Thanks for bringing us along!!!

Cheers

SS

[nap]

Thanks Swampthing!!!!! Excellant write up for one of the greatest trips to be had by anyone. As I read the thread from start to finish I still can't believe it, 3 grizzly bears!!!! I wish I had some pictures to toss in but we now know what happens to a camera when 2 F350's run over it, it didn't fair to well and just didn't want to take any more pictures. The week what we did will be in the record books as one of the greatest for sure. The last night we spent out there was the only sad time, packing up after a great week, it sucked the big one. Let's hope we can carry on the tradition in years to come. Great week with great guys!!!!

[Mike0834]

wow that was awesome reading! as everyone else said thanks for the great write up and spectacular photos. Both make me want to get out there more and enjoy everything this province has to offer.

[Deeboe]

Great write up buddy! Looks like you guys had another great trip full of good memories---and dead bruins... hope to join you one of these years when the rugrats are older.
C U in muley camp this year---ill bring the sourpuss!

[HarryToolips]

Wicked pics and congrats on two!!

[Caveman]

Great tale Bob, Congrats to the boys!

[smoothbor]

ah yes the sour puss lol he had some, we drank it, not my cup of tea but fun was had lol. I take it you were the one to put him onto that stuff at muley camp lol

[Fella]

Awesome story and a bunch of awesome bears too! Thanks for the write up Swampthing, one of the better threads here lately! Gorgeous country you were in too

[ASPEN]

Never had an interest in Grizz hunting - till now! Great pics ,stories and success. How exciting and beautiful country.

[Xenomorph]

Definitely jealous, and not for the grizzly finds. Company makes a hunt that much better and you boys got a good team going there, not to mention pop and son, I hope mine picks up on this too.

[BrookTrout]

Was a hunt to top the books! great job on the write up dad! Cant wait for more hunts like this in the future. Great country we were in and the best guys to spend it with.

[nap]

Very nice hunt. Thanks for sharing it with us. Love to be on one of those hunts.

Mike
Both you and swampthing love to cook over a fire so I think you might be able to tag along as an assistant chef!!! Make sure you show this thread to brother Lou.

[elker]

That was grizzly "genocide"!
great pictures and story. It was a unbelievable achievement.
congratulations.
It is still my plan to harvest a g bear before the government shuts it down for good.

[nature girl]

3 great grizzlies way to go guys. Bob you are great for helping your son get a grizzly. Now would love to hear from Brooktrout if he was a little nervous shooting his first grizzly or was it a adrenaline rush?
And to the 3 that got a grizzly are you going to get a rug or a grizzly mount done. And if the old ladies in the house say no do it anyways.

[Rackmastr]

Awesome story, great pics and great success!!!

If thats the same area I think it is, its pretty sweet up that way. Congrats again!!!

[nap]

3 great grizzlies way to go guys. Bob you are great for helping your son get a grizzly. Now would love to hear from Brooktrout if he was a little nervous shooting his first grizzly or was it a adrenaline rush?
And to the 3 that got a grizzly are you going to get a rug or a grizzly mount done. And if the old ladies in the house say no do it anyways.

Can't speak for Brook but as an old guy taking a shot at a grizz was just like shooting at my first white tail back in Manitoba when I was a little kid, shaking and the adrenaline rush wow!!! Smoothbor can vouch for that. Nature girl my hide will be done into a rug with a head mount and the old lady of the house is ok with it, I am not a huge mount hang on the wall person but my young lady knows the only thing I wanted was a grizz rug (had to be blonde) on the floor.

[moosinaround]

Congrats Nap on a beauty bear! Was in that country last fall for moose, so thanks again for thinning out the g bears, our moose hunt was a 2 for 2! Will try our hand at more moose and grizz this fall if the LEH gods shine again. Moosin

[nature girl]

Can't speak for Brook but as an old guy taking a shot at a grizz was just like shooting at my first white tail back in Manitoba when I was a little kid, shaking and the adrenaline rush wow!!! Smoothbor can vouch for that. Nature girl my hide will be done into a rug with a head mount and the old lady of the house is ok with it, I am not a huge mount hang on the wall person but my young lady knows the only thing I wanted was a grizz rug (had to be blonde) on the floor.

Nap I am glad you are getting a rug done. Every time you come into the room with the grizzly rug you'll smile and think I shot that bear. And you can never have to much taxidermy in your house.

[BrookTrout]

3 great grizzlies way to go guys. Bob you are great for helping your son get a grizzly. Now would love to hear from Brooktrout if he was a little nervous shooting his first grizzly or was it a adrenaline rush?
And to the 3 that got a grizzly are you going to get a rug or a grizzly mount done. And if the old ladies in the house say no do it anyways.

was a little nervous and most definitely excited but I was ready. just getting the hide tanned.

[RiverOtter]

Just because it hasn't been mentioned, I was quite impressed with your caliber of choice. 7-08, 120 TTSX's and a bang, tumble....Tough to argue with that.

Any bullets recovered? I'd be curious to know what the other 2 bears fell to, as in cartridge and bullet.

[swampthing]

I have always been a little bullet big game guy. At 250lb I aint a little dude but I don't like recoil. I shoot way better with smaller calibers. I took my "cannon" on this hunt, 325 short BLR. I wouldn't hesitate one bit to take my favorite caliber, the 257 weatherby on a grizz hunt. A 100gr ttsx would shoot a hole right through any bear I could find. Brooktrout questioned his 708 before the hunt. I told him it would be fine. He has taken a few moose with his 243 and the 80gr ttsx smashes moose bone just fine so the extra 40gr of his 708 bullet was plenty with any reasonable shot. Now Smoothbor and Nap favor the bigger calibers. Smoothbor used his 338 mag which is probably the finest grizz cartridge made. Nap used a good ol 300 H&H mag. Brooktrouts bullet completely smashed the top of the skull and ended up somewhere in the body cavity. The spine was completely severed as well. Naps bullet was a pass through shoulder shot. Smoothbors shot was such that it broke the neck and ended up in the boars mouth!! Only bullet recovered. All were one shot kills which is rare. Naps ran a small circle before losing blood pressure.

[Hammerhead]

That's one awesome hunt to try and top but it sounds like you guys would be up for it. Get write up and pictures Bob. Sorry to hear you didn't get yours. I have a feeling you might be given first dibs on the next one.
Thanks for the great post
HH

[RiverOtter]

I have always been a little bullet big game guy. At 250lb I aint a little dude but I don't like recoil. I shoot way better with smaller calibers. I took my "cannon" on this hunt, 325 short BLR. I wouldn't hesitate one bit to take my favorite caliber, the 257 weatherby on a grizz hunt. A 100gr ttsx would shoot a hole right through any bear I could find. Brooktrout questioned his 708 before the hunt. I told him it would be fine. He has taken a few moose with his 243 and the 80gr ttsx smashes moose bone just fine so the extra 40gr of his 708 bullet was plenty with any reasonable shot. Now Smoothbor and Nap favor the bigger calibers. Smoothbor used his 338 mag which is probably the finest grizz cartridge made. Nap used a good ol 300 H&H mag. Brooktrouts bullet completely smashed the top of the skull and ended up somewhere in the body cavity. The spine was completely severed as well. Naps bullet was a pass through shoulder shot. Smoothbors shot was such that it broke the neck and ended up in the boars mouth!! Only bullet recovered. All were one shot kills which is rare. Naps ran a small circle before losing blood pressure.
Appreciate the details, thanks Swamp.

I'm in the same camp, regarding the mellow cartridges.

[smoothbor]

I used Barnes ttsx 225 grain bullet shot was not far. The 338 went off and that bear never moved an inch. I was close enough and the position I was in gave me a great neck shot. The bullet smashed the spine about 2 vertebrae back from the skull and put his lights out. While capping I found the bullet in his mouth towards the back of his throat. I just weighed the bullet after it was washed and dried and it still weighed 220.44 grains it was missing part of one petal. Great retention in my mind and awesome performance

[RiverOtter]

Thanks Smoothbor.

Trying to get a visual in my head of bullet path. Were you above him shooting downward with him facing away?
As a crude estimate, what do you figure bullet penetration distance was?

Pardon the 20 questions...:D...bullet stuff interests me, especially TSX/TTSX.

[gmachine19]

Thanks for sharing this guys! This is one of my dream hunts and it's like being there. A few more years and I can do this. Now if only my buddies weren't so scared of g bears...

[Jim Prawn]

Fantastic read guys, congratulations on a spectacular hunt. Man that's beautiful looking country.
JP

[smoothbor]

Shot was not far less than 100 yards and bear was not quite broadside quartering away as he was following a sow he was following around I could only see his back and his head bullied went in smashed his spine and ended up in his mouth. It fell out right into my hand when camping. I'll take a pic of bullet and post it up for you

[RiverOtter]

Awesome, thanks for the responses and congrats again on a beauty grizz.

[chinookkiller]

Nice work, congrats!

[Deer_Slayer]

Bear looks very small...any better pics?

[nap]

Well HBC, looks like Swampthing and I got drawn again, grizz trip 2017 planning is just around the corner, wish us luck!!!

[srupp]

Hmmm good luck..shoot straight..
Cheers
Srupp

[Goose]

Looking forward to another great story!
Cheers!

[Linksman313]

Congrat to you all on a well planned and executed spring hunt, the memories/pics and story you told about the adventure will keep us all drooling for months, great job guys!!

[Trigger Happy]

Good story thanks for sharing. I also think those bears looked small besides the last pic. Another 2 years and he would have been a brute.. and ensure its not siblings/mother habitation instead of sow/boar relationship. How did your man.inspection go? Any problems or concerns?

[RiverOtter]

Good story thanks for sharing. I also think those bears looked small besides the last pic. Another 2 years and he would have been a brute.. and ensure its not siblings/mother habitation instead of sow/boar relationship. How did your man.inspection go? Any problems or concerns?

I'm thinking Swamp Things crew has a fairly good handle on grizz identification.

[Husky7mm]

Sure must have been nice to experience an adventure like that with your friends and your son. Priceless really. I cant wait until my next BC spring grizzly adventure. Thanks again for always contributing great storys to HBC.

[Husky7mm]

Good story thanks for sharing. I also think those bears looked small besides the last pic. Another 2 years and he would have been a brute.. and ensure its not siblings/mother habitation instead of sow/boar relationship. How did your man.inspection go? Any problems or concerns?

Imagine how boring this site would be if people only shared a story and adventure if they got a monster animal?? Im sure the inspections went fine as the story was shared on a public forum. Normally a stupid question deserves a stupid answer but the sun is shining and spring is in the air ......

[RackStar]

I'm sure lots of guys would be happy with that bear. At least they got one and had a good time. Got to love the faceless haters. AND he shot it with a 7mm-08 to boot.

Good of luck this year guys.
Cheers.

[Trigger Happy]

Wowzers! Just wanted to know how the inspection went, they frown on bears with their ears next to each other! Not hating, but personally would want my once in a lifetime bear to be over 3 years old. Thanks for the negativity brothers pfft

[RiverOtter]

Hang some pics of your grizzly(s) Trigger.

Unless I completely misread the thread, it was his sons first grizzly and a boar. Aside from being 100% legal, it was also 110% cool for a father to get to share that with his son.

[smoothbor]

The hunt was great the bears were a bonus and a little verbal from trigger isn't gonna ruin swampthings or any of our groups great memories of this hunt. I'm hoping they enjoy the trip back in there again this year and with a little luck they will be successful once again. It's hard to imagine swampy not posting another epic story as the last one was greatly appreciated so I'm sure one guy won't rain on his parade, he's got thick skin lol

[bighunter45]

This makes me sad I dont have a grizz draw this spring. Great writeup. Thanks for sharing