Impromptu Hunt

[Phil]

On a whim Direct Hit and I decided to go on a hunt to Princeton in search of a fall bear. The time between our last deer hunt and our upcoming November moose hunt was becoming unbearable.....no pun intended. DH gave me the call mid week and we agreed on an instant that it would happen (lucky for me my wife was on hand to give me permission:lol:). Friday after work we met and loaded the last of our gear and hit the road. We arrived in the dark not too sure where to camp so we made the decision to drive by the light of the moon and stop at the first major cut block to camp. We have both hunted Princeton in the past but wanted to try out a spot that I had passed through several times while fishing but had not scouted as extensively as the other areas we frequently hunt. We found a great Southern slope that looked very promising.

As dawn broke we parted ways on the FSR that we were camped to the side of. We agreed to meet in an hour and a half a the ridge above to decide where to head next. As I was climbing the slope 15 minutes into the hunt I heard a thunderous Kaboom that could be none other than the 300 win mag belonging to DH. Not wanting to miss the morning hunt for myself I continued on my hike. Knowing DH wouldn't make the rendevous I glassed the slopes when I arrived on the ridge to see him buisily dressing out an animal, but I could not tell what it was he had shot. We signaled to one another from the distance with waving arms and thumbs up.

I carried on my way and three hours later met up with DH to discover he had shot a beautifull black bear

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t169/mbspr/IMG_0530.jpg?t=1193113151

With on shot through the neck using a 180 grain Winchester from 152 yards, its spine was cleanly shattered.

We skinned out the bear in record time so we could relax and head out again to cruise the new area.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t169/mbspr/IMG_0536.jpg?t=1193113456

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t169/mbspr/IMG_0535.jpg?t=1193113508

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t169/mbspr/IMG_0543.jpg?t=1193113616

We hung the bear hide to cool in the below zero weather for a few hours and left to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t169/mbspr/IMG_0550.jpg?t=1193113804

By the end of the day I had walked almost 10km and was happy to take a ride on the ATV. We never did see any other wildlife during the day while quading or during the evening hunt while hiking. I think DH may have killed the last living creature in the area:lol:. All in all a great weekend to be out in the bush.

[Untouchable]

Now thats a great looking bear, congrats, kinda sucks that you guys killed the last animal up there, I was hopin to get a deer on the weekend....

[BCBear]

There were a few shots in the vicinity and plenty of fresh deer and moose tracks... so they're still out there. Better snow than rain so we were happy about the weather.

[dukester]

omg that is a beautiful bear.. congrates.. those choc bears i think are the nicest looking.. frick you got me pumped.. thanks.. cor.

[270WIN]

nice bear. congrats Dave.

[mainland hunter]

do you ever plan on shooting a black one. congrats, nice bear

[Phil]

Ray, I think Dave is hoping you can die it for him.:shock::wink:

[bruin]

That's a great looking bear, very nice thick hide, way to go

[Mr. Dean]

Not sure if you guy's tried my sausages.... I have a pack of Hot Itallian spice mix left over from spring, that'll do a 10lb batch. You bring me the meat, I'll grind and stuff.


***As long as I get to try 1 steak tenderloin from a fall Bear.*** 8-)

- Nothin in this world is FREE :lol: :wink:

[Will]

Congrats...Great Fall Bear :smile:

[Grandbois]

nice bear, love the chocolate lookin blackies

[Phreddy]

Tell me Phil. Was that bear out of 8:06? Got back from a week's hunt up there last Sunday and saw 4(2 brown like yours) bear, 2 cow moose, a coyote, and a few does. The indians out of Merritt have apparently been shooting hell out of the area and pretty much cleaned it out.

[scottgreen]

nice bear! wish it was mine ;)

[Derek_Erickson]

awesome beeeeeeeeeeear duder

[Steeleco]

Well done, what have you gone off deer? LOL I'm heading that direction in the ,morning for a day trip. I'd be chuffed if I could cut my last bear tag.

[Phil]

Tell me Phil. Was that bear out of 8:06? Got back from a week's hunt up there last Sunday and saw 4(2 brown like yours) bear, 2 cow moose, a coyote, and a few does. The indians out of Merritt have apparently been shooting hell out of the area and pretty much cleaned it out.


We were in 8-03. I think the area was cleaned out very well too. What wasn't cleaned out was well spooked. I did plenty of hunting on foot through fresh snow and did not see any tracks. I did run into a group of hunters who were also camped and they mentioned that at the base of their camp was a good sized pile of hides from previous hunters. There will be lots more game around, I just need more time to find it.

[pitdog]

Nice looking bear great color.

[Tron]

Great bear and nice color!!

[BCJunior]

Nice bear good job!