Why I Love Spring Bear Hunting!

[Phil]

My kids and I set out hunting bear this spring with renewed vigour this year. As a change to previous years, I thought I would wait a few weeks later than usual to head out in the back country to avoid the snow wall that often keeps us from getting deep in to our honey hole. It didn't help, but it did giveus time to put a rocks in place to build up the trail.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB1.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19119&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


It also gave us an opportunity to go for a few easy hikes to start the season off.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/SB2_.jpg

We saw a few timmid bears that didn't interest us much and found a few nice pieces of memorable scenery.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB3.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19121&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


This is my youngest son Sam, he has a real thirst for the outdoors and was really pissed off that we didn't shoot a bear on this day. We saw two, one of which had my friend Dave's name on it so we let him walk. No time for a picture as it was on the move. I just had time to bring my gun up instictively when I remembered that this was the spot Dave had seen his bear andit met the discription perfectly. It was a learning moment for Sam. You don't shoot the beast your buddy seeks. Later we saw this smaller black bear in the picture below. Sam told me he was too small cause his ears were pointing up so we took a few pics instead and let him walk. He liked Dave's bear better. Later that week Dave skinned it out.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB5.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19123&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)

This guy below was all puffed up and competing for the attention of a hen. He was quite a ways off and I did my best to zoom in and hold the camera steady free hand but it is still a little blurry. A cool thing to see none the less.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB6.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19124&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)

A great diversion from bear hunting was spent a few morning fishing breaks. Not even a single bear sighting on this trip but that was soon forgotten when our rods were dipping.

[Phil]

I mixed up a few pics in laying out this thread. This is my youngest, Sam.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB4.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19122&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB7.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19125&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)

Ben lives the motto "balls to the wall" when it comes to hunting. We dawned our rain gear and spent 12 hours plus on the trail. We spooked up a few small bears during the day but were holding out for something better if luck would have it.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB8.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19126&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB9.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19127&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)

On our last day out we didn't have more than three drops of rain threaten to get us wet. We spotted another familiar black bear that was beginning to look more interesting now that the trip was coming to and end within the next 5 hours or so. Our day was spent glassing one of the most productive slides and cut blocks that we know of from various vantage points at a distance. As a diversion we would exlpore new trails and then return to glassing. After an hour ride back to camp for a quick hot dinner of delicious hot dogs we were back out. We planned to quad to a cut we call "the bowl". Ben insisted we park 300 meters back from our usual place so as not to scare off anything on the trail. I took his advice.

[Ciskman]

Cool trip and nice pics, how long where you out for? Looks like fun

[Phil]

We never made it to the cut block. We spotted this guy coming down the trail. We got prone and watched him feed and lumber towards us. Finally, at 40 yards, he appeared to know something was up but seemed determined to keep coming at us. He cleared the last few pieces of brush for a clear shot in the chest and.......the rest his history.

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB11.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19129&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB13A.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19132&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB12.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19133&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/medium/SB13.jpg (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=19130&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=2147)


He measured out with the skin on 5'11". Rough measurement of the skull at 18 7/8. He has some real character scars on his face that will add to the half wall mount to done by Ray Wiens. Hope you enjoyed!

[The Hermit]

Very very cool!

[peashooter]

that's a trip to remember. great story, awesome pics.

[Phil]

Cool trip and nice pics, how long where you out for? Looks like fun


Thanks. The pics were taken over several weeks of small trips. We only went out for weekends starting mid April.

[BCBear]

Very nice bear Phil.:-D Good to see that area producing and dropping him on the trail sure saves the back too.

[buckguy]

Sounds like a great trip. Congrats on the bear. I can't think of a better way to spend family time.

[hunter1947]

Can't get it any better then this ,very http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/images/icons/icon6.gif pictures..

[Blainer]

What a great family adventure.
Good on ya!
Nice looking bruin.

[sparkes3]

thats the way to do it.

[Tikka270wsm]

Great story and good pics! Thanx for sharing and congrats on the bear!

[Camp Cook]

That was a great story and congrates on a successful adventure.

If everything comes together I'm heading out tomorrow morning with my 3 year old son for a couple days of camping/fishing/plinking/black bear hunting...

[Paulyman]

Awesome pics! good to see dad and son out on the hunt.

[Bow Walker]

That, right there, is a testament to why we take kids out at an early age. Super times that both of you will remember for a lifetime.

[d6dan]

Good story, pictures and a nice bear all rolled into a lasting memory for you and your son. Congratulations..

[Phil]

Thanks guys, It was a great five weeks or so. I'm beat from the multiple trips and will be glad to stay home for a weekend or two. BTW I made a typo on skull size (wishful thinking on my part) Actual size was 18 7/8 rough.

[835]

Nice job Phil! great pics, nice bear. Love to see kids and dads.
No mistaking who that kids dad is! Man you two look alike!

[Steeleco]

Great story Phil. Looks like Sam will be leading the charge sooner than you think.

[Mik]

Sam sounds like a real trooper! Congrats.

[Phil]

Both boys and my daughter love everything about hunting. These last few years they don't seem to mind being away from their mom for extended periods of time. My biggest challenge is making sure they have working gear that fits and dry socks on their feet. I can only ever manage one at a time in the bush due to limmited seating on the ATV so making them take turns can be tough.

[mark]

Nice combination of "short paragraph" then a pic! Makes for a nice enjoyable read!
I wish others would take note!

[yama49]

great family pics, and nice bear. thx for sharing...

[Phil]

Thanks, it was a struggle finding the right bear and being the last bear to see on the last leg of the trip made it even more rewarding to share the experience with my kid. My son really deserves all the credit for this bear as it was his idea to walk in to the cut from further back than usual.

[Mr. Dean]

I heard a rumour of "The Mighty Phil" lumbering out w/ a real character bear. C'grats!

That kid is growing up quick, BTW.

[Phil]

Thanks Dean. Both boys are becoming very anxious to get their first kill. I'll start them off with grouse like my daughter did and work them up to bigger game. I hope this fall to have a few pictures of my daugher with her first deer.

I'm not sure where the term "Mighty" came from. More like "Worn Out":-D .

[hunterofthedeer]

Sounds like you had a great bear season along with your son. That is a nice looking bear you shot.

[kennyj]

Great story and photos. Nice to see the young hunters out there having a blast.
kenny

[zimbu]

Right on! Great story and great bear. Congrats!

[tomla1]

Awsome story and pics, i have a 3 month old and really hope he loves the outdoors. That bear will make an unreal mount i like how the face is black then goes to brown he will look great.

[Phil]

Thanks! It is unbelieveable how soon your kids end up with you on hunts. It makes hunting twice as rewarding.