2023 Spring Bear

[hparrott]

I have hunted the same area for bears in region 2 for 6 years now, and every year I have had photos of a beautiful colour phase bear. Despite spending a lot of time looking for the bear, never once did I see the bear in person since 2018... and I spent a lot of time looking. Knowing the terrain and thick timbered area well, I was always amazed how this fat sucker could be elusive, even early on in the spring when there is still only limited feeding areas. This year I don't have a very interesting story but I finally managed to get the sucker. In 2021 and 2022 I didn't shoot a bear because I only wanted this guy, but this year it ended up being the first day out and the first ten minutes of the hunt when I crossed paths with him. Darcy East is doing a full shoulder mnt. for me so I'm quite excited to see how it turns out. I also still plan to get my cameras out in the next day or two so I can see who is around for a future spring.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/G2mvdC5ib56mpEBz5
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3o5vEEV3qdV7xTid7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Neor8SnoDjPhMTbJ9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JGDiFxjMhsvmohN98

[Ridgehunter604]

Congrats that is a great bear!

[srupp]

CONGRADS...well done on a GREAT BEAR....AUBURN COLOR phase....
however it was not just the first 10 minutes of day 1.....you DID your due dilligence..over the past several years..this is the result of the past hard work and effort on this specific bear..well worth that effort .
I harvested the identical color bear 2 years ago.
CONGRADULATIONS on your effort and the result

Steven

[MichelD]

Congratulations!

[bottles]

Nice. That's a beauty.

[TheObserver]

Beautiful coat, looks like a big boy! Your patience paid off i'm sure it was well worth it. I've only had a small taste of trying to target one animal in particular that was last year, didn't pan out for me yet but I can only imagine the feeling.

Congrats!!

[Husky7mm]

I have hunted the same area for bears in region 2 for 6 years now, and every year I have had photos of a beautiful colour phase bear. Despite spending a lot of time looking for the bear, never once did I see the bear in person since 2018... and I spent a lot of time looking. Knowing the terrain and thick timbered area well, I was always amazed how this fat sucker could be elusive, even early on in the spring when there is still only limited feeding areas. This year I don't have a very interesting story but I finally managed to get the sucker. In 2021 and 2022 I didn't shoot a bear because I only wanted this guy, but this year it ended up being the first day out and the first ten minutes of the hunt when I crossed paths with him. Darcy East is doing a full shoulder mnt. for me so I'm quite excited to see how it turns out. I also still plan to get my cameras out in the next day or two so I can see who is around for a future spring.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/G2mvdC5ib56mpEBz5
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3o5vEEV3qdV7xTid7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Neor8SnoDjPhMTbJ9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JGDiFxjMhsvmohN98


Congrates hunter, fine looking bear. Very satisfying when it all comes together. When you target one animal they are just as lucky as they are smart, you just have to keep at it. I got a white bear in my hunting area, problem is it does not grow, its got to be a sow but never has cubs.

Question, why a shoulder mount over a rug?

[Noreasny]

Congratulations!

[Kill-da-wabbit]

Congrats on a beauty bear! Going for mine high altitude region 3 in a week or so. Just gotta make sure the Tracker I am building is trail ready! You got one of my bucket list bears there, so good on you and your investment in time. Well worth it!

[ElectricDyck]

Beauty picture, back lit with the sun flare lol Congrats!

[RyoTHC]

I can see why you’re getting a shoulder mount.. wow.

congrats! I am finally getting giddy to hunt this weekend now that I’ve seen pictures of pushing towards 10 bears drop since Friday.. the elk moose and deer will be happy and lots of hungry mouths will get fed!

[sako79]

Congrats on the beautiful bear. I'll be trying Thursday. Morning till Monday

[HarryToolips]

Beauty bear congrats man!

[jlirot]

Amazing bear! I've got one like that in my area - I've seen him twice. Hope I'm lucky enough to see him this spring. Good story.

[LBM]

beautiful colored bear congrats.

[HappyJack]

What a great bear!! Are you going for a second one this year? I'm always one to encourage taking two bears per season.

[RyoTHC]

Amazing bear! I've got one like that in my area - I've seen him twice. Hope I'm lucky enough to see him this spring. Good story.

maybe you guys share an area and you’ll never see your bear again ;) heh

[hparrott]

Congrates hunter, fine looking bear. Very satisfying when it all comes together. When you target one animal they are just as lucky as they are smart, you just have to keep at it. I got a white bear in my hunting area, problem is it does not grow, its got to be a sow but never has cubs.

Question, why a shoulder mount over a rug?

I went with a shoulder mount because I had all kinds of trail cam photos of this guy stuck in my head for a long time, and I wanted to preserve him in a way that keeps him looking as I always envisioned when I had my hopes up of crossing his path. That being said he had an incredibly thick coat and hadn’t really rubbed yet and would have made a nice rug too.

[hparrott]

What a great bear!! Are you going for a second one this year? I'm always one to encourage taking two bears per season.

No i’m not going to take another one simply because my husband and I can only eat so much meat. I know predator control is important but that’s a heck of a lot of ground and sausage already

[savage10]

Beauty bear, well done.

[high horse Hal]

Beauty bear, good going
Good idea with the mount, hope it is long enough to include those shoulders and the stuffer replicates what the pics show
Any idea, will it be straight legged or one or both paws up ?

[hparrott]

Beauty bear, good going
Good idea with the mount, hope it is long enough to include those shoulders and the stuffer replicates what the pics show
Any idea, will it be straight legged or one or both paws up ?

Yes it will include the shoulders as a full mount and will be somewhat straight legged. I wanted something more natural/assertive but not over the top aggressive. Decided on a bit of an open mouth but not a snarl sorta thing. I didn’t post a photo of it but the bear had a nice white diamond on his chest as well. Darcy went through a magazine of different mounts with me to pick one so I have a pretty good idea on what it will turn out like

[caddisguy]

WOW! Another timber bear! And you're target bear. That IS exciting. What a great bear and accomplishment.

Funny how that works out. Went after the same bear from 2017 and 2018 then got him in the first 10 minutes of the first hunt in 2019

Now with bear hunting out of the way, maybe time for some fishing? :)

[IronNoggin]

Congrats on one hell of a fine Bruin!!

Perseverance and dedication paid off well!!

I have one I will be targeting here on The Rock this year.
Of course black as that is all we seem to get over here.
He was well over 500 pounds last year, and will go over 7 feet nose to tail.
Sneaky bugger, but a lot of the fun is in the hunt...

Cheers!
Nog