Spring Bear Hunting 2012...

[warnniklz]

I'll let you know right now... I haven't introduced sweet murder to any bears... yet. (as of May 24 2012)

So last Friday (May 18th) I finished work in Vanderhoof for the day and raced to Williams Lake. It was my little step sister's 19th b-day. So we had to take her to the female appreciation club and help her celebrate.

Saturday morning Tranq, Cami and I were all passed out in my mother's basement. Now this next picture is pretty incriminating but while hunting everything is split 50/50. Game and blankets alike.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/536714_10151727589145387_566510386_24322443_191783 5775_n.jpg

My phone went off at 7:30 or some time like that in the morning. My dad was calling about branding or some business. I was half asleep. However, Tranq was all excited to get out and chase down yogi. SO we all got up and got our gear together. Stopped by the store and got Tranq all tagged up so we're all legal.

We got out to our spot around 10am or so. We were cruising around the corner and in the ditch there was a bear just chilling out. Now neither Tranq or Cami have got a black bear yet. However Cami was first up. Anyways, as we come around the corner and see the bear I go "Cami, there's your bear" Cami wakes up and he's ready to go. But like smrt peeple... we wait a moment and watch. Sure enough out of the ditch comes 2 cubs. This was the only picture of the sow I could manage.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/318046_10151729358735387_566510386_24329463_189150 8029_n.jpg

We spent most of the day cruising the area and didn't come across any shooters. We got back to the house and Cami decided he'd make a run to at least Lytton and hunt his way back to the coast. Tranq headed back to work and I headed out to my dads.

[warnniklz]

Sunday morning my dad, G-Pa and family friend JJ were back from doing their cowboy business. So mid day we loaded up our trout gear and headed to the lake. When we first showed up, me and my dad were into fish right away. Fishing seemed good so we realeased the first few fish. Then the weather moved in and the bite was off.

We weren't sure how long we'd wait out the rain, but we pushed on and waited it out. As soon as the rain lifted, the bite was back on. We were hammering on the fish. The flies of the day ended up being a sixe 8 olive micro leech with a black bead head. As well as a size 14 cronimid with a black bead head, chrome body and red ribbing. The trout destroyed our chronimids. It's unfortunate my dad got them in the 80's and I think they're going to be hard to find more.

Anyways we ended up killing 12 rainbows between the 4 of us ranging 2-4 pounds. I obviously got the biggest because I was the best that day ah ha ha. I probably also released the smallest. I think I've seen anchovies bigger than this guy.

Sorry I didn't get any pics of trout fishing. But I don't trust myself with electronics and belly boats.

[warnniklz]

Monday was a write off and didn't get out at all.

Tuesday we got out but didn't see anything.

Wednesday we went back out to where we had gone on Saturday. This time it was just me and pops. We came around the corner to find a 5' blackie chillin' in the ditch. Before we even had a chance to get out, hea had made his way into the thick bush. As we cruised on down the road we came around another corner to see a sow sitting in the ditch with a little teeny weenie cub. I think my dad's house cat could have laid a shit kickin' on the little bear cub. Momma bear wasn't hangin' around with the little one for long. We got a load of firewood and headed back to the homestead.

[warnniklz]

Thursday we did some running around town and what not and didn't get out to the bush until after 3. About 10 minutes down the dirt road we seen this little guy.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/538149_10151749034765387_566510386_24416108_160521 7158_n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/537536_10151749035355387_566510386_24416110_454072 943_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/385630_10151749035995387_566510386_24416114_974056 466_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/564840_10151749034180387_566510386_24416106_528363 20_n.jpg

Obviously I turned this guy down. 10 minutes in to the hunt I wasn't itching my trigger finger that bad. But getting photos is the equivalent to shooting something in my books.

We cruised down the road for a bit but didn't see much else. Lots of fresh bear pooh though (we ran over all the bear pooh on the road on wednesday) in the last 24 hours. We got a load of wood and seen this moose!!

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/547122_10151749037460387_1900580922_n.jpg

We loaded up another load of firewood and started to head back. We did see one more smaller boar on our way out. But it was smaller than the first bear so I turned him down as well.

Tonight we've been chopping up scraps from lst year to turn into pepperoni and sausage. Not 100% sure on the plan for friday yet.

[TheProvider]

YOu'll get lucky soon, nice moose pic. ANd it is true alot of times getting a pic or some footage of an animal is just as good as shooting it

[warnniklz]

Well today I went back out in the same area as I've been going to all week. Same area I got my bear last year.

This morning we seen a sow with 3 cubs right off the bat.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/522996_10151751339585387_566510386_24423827_688107 637_n.jpg



http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/535880_10151751344265387_566510386_24423853_119072 0599_n.jpg


http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/318218_10151751347270387_566510386_24423862_853293 167_n.jpg


All bears were healthy with shiny coats. Actually all bears this week we've seen have been nice and healthy.

We continued on and caught a quick glimpse of another bear. But he didn't hang around.

We continued on and seen lots of deer and a moose. Knocked over a couple trees and loaded up the firewood.

On the way out we spotted another bear hanging out on the side of the road. Me and my dad were both sure it was a boar. What we call an Alex sized bear(Alex is a buddy we're trying to get onto his first animal). Just the way the road was winding we couldn't see into the ditch beside the bear. He kept looking into the ditch so I held off on the shot.

Since it we were sure it was a boar but not a 100%, me and pops climbed up the side of the bank and made our way through the timber to get a closer look. However I pulled a rook manuever. We were up high on the bear but I skylined myself. The bear took off across the roadand into the cutblock full of christmas trees. We didn't get another looky boo but he was probably just 5'5" in length. So such is life.

I'm pretty sure it was the same bear as we seen yesterday, as it was only 50 yards or so from the same spot we seen the bear yesterday.

Tomorrow is another day.

[warnniklz]

YOu'll get lucky soon, nice moose pic. ANd it is true alot of times getting a pic or some footage of an animal is just as good as shooting it


Could have shot a couple bears by now... just waiting for the right one and moment. I may settle on a smaller one considering I only have 2 days of critter chasing left.

[nature girl]

Well tomorrow is another day. And maybe it will be the day for you to get a bear. Good luck hunting.

[warnniklz]

Tomorrow is another day indeed... however Tranq just bailed on me, pops is out of town and my brother is working... looks like I'm flying solo tomorrow.

[hunter1947]

Nice pictures you took thanks for sharing them with the HBC members maybe this weekend you will get your bear,,..

[warnniklz]

Went for a solo drive today. Did some running around this morning. Got a hear cut and what not. Gotta look good for dem bears.

Hit the dirt road at 2:00. Didn't see anything on my way out other than some deer. I swear the bears are camoing themselves as deer.

Anyways like I said did not see anything on my way out. Got to the end of the road and took some pictures of grass and what not... just playing around with the camera.


On my way out I thought I could see something moving off in the distance. It was big and black but I thought it was the mirage off a stump making it seem like something was moving. Binos up and I could see the back of what I was sure was a bear. A decent sized one at that. Binos up again and I thought I seen something else move as well. So I figured it was at least 2 bears. 2 bears usually means a sow and cubs. Anyways I loaded up the rifle just in case and grabbed the camera. It was perfect, wind in my face and the road winded a bit so I could get some cover. As I was walking down the raod I noticed how dry it was and how much noise I was making. So I kicked off my flip flops and made my way down the road in my... wait for it... bear feet.

I am one eighth indian so going without shoes seemed natural. So carrying on... I made my way down the road towards the clearing I had seen the bear. I did not see anything. So I got down into the ditch and sure enough, around the corner comes mamma bear with two cubs. I quietly took some pictures as they walked towards me. Now being alone and quite a distance from the vehicle... she came closer and started to get a little too close. At this point I realize I left my extra pair of shorts at home. So before soiling myself I chucked a couple rocks at her and she took off. I slowly backed out of the area until I felt like it was a safe distance and made my way back to the vehicle.

I continued down the road. And sure enough I see a black spot on the side of the road. This was just yards away from where we caught a quick glimpse of a bear in post #6. I ranged him out at 263 yards. Now I am comfortable at shooting that distance. But I am using a new to me cartridge (my 6.5x55) and Ièm alone. So I wanted to anchor him right there so I didnèt have to drag him back to the road.

So I loaded up the rifle, kicked off the flip flops and made my way down the road to close the distance. He was on the right side of the road, with the wind in my face. Perfect. What was even more perfect is I had cover down the right side of the road. So up onto the bank and I started to close the distance, taking peeks to make sure he was still there. Got to a nice little tree that would be prefect for a rest. However he had gone down into a hollow and I couldnèt get a clear shot. Ranged him again at 56 yards. Problem was he was feeding away from me, leaving me a Texas heart shot. I looked around and remembered I was hunting blackies in BC... not TEexas. So Off the embankment to the other side of the road. I was just setting up to take the shot and I guess he caught a whiff of me. He took off into the bush. I figured he handnèt gone far. So I made my way into the timber. Spotted him again. This point I realized he was a for sure keeper. Round head on him, big beer gut and a black coat that looked like some hair dresser put chocolate streaks in him. Anyways I spotted him again and couldnèt get a clear shot through the twigs standing up. So as I got on my belly he took off again. I could hear him crashing in through the bush and I never seen him again. Oh well.

I figured I would post this up. Got to my dads to feed the dogs. Then I am going to race to town and pick up my brother from work. Then we are going to head out on an evening cruise to another area and see if we can get him a bear tonight. I still have tomorrow to hunt and I will post up pics after.

[warnniklz]

"I swear the bears are camoing themselves as deer."

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/534259_10151755259155387_1481032327_n.jpg


"pictures of grass and what not... just playing around with the camera."


http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/525050_10151755259290387_976122864_n.jpg

"I thought I could see something moving off in the distance"

This is where my car was parked... Spotted them where the road cuts back to the right

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/577495_10151755264650387_566510386_24442023_126949 853_n.jpg

"sure enough, around the corner comes mamma bear with two cubs"

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181237_10151755260410387_553250931_n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/481210_10151755260675387_1446804797_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/540514_10151755260945387_566510386_24441994_179686 7318_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/554590_10151755261365387_566510386_24441995_181067 1838_n.jpg


http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/551228_10151755261545387_566510386_24441997_168259 317_n.jpg

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/540360_10151755261770387_566510386_24441998_214394 504_n.jpg


http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/521399_10151755262460387_566510386_24441999_467908 294_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/579585_10151755262695387_2104534945_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/306253_10151755263235387_566510386_24442009_596084 495_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/428537_10151755263545387_566510386_24442016_144185 9132_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

"And sure enough I see a black spot on the side of the road"
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/480045_10151755258920387_2028302686_n.jpg

[fester]

lots of good pics thanks for sharing

[nolimits]

Awesome pics there. Thanks for uploading.

[warnniklz]

Took my brother out for an evening cruise... only seen a mamma with 3 little cubs. I'll post pictures tomorrow

[warnniklz]

Here's the pics from yesterday

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/580125_10151759311180387_566510386_24466218_818109 530_n.jpg

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/580125_10151759311190387_1227224531_n.jpg


http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/580125_10151759311200387_814844076_n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/580125_10151759311210387_1524395998_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/580125_10151759311225387_566510386_24466222_343985 231_n.jpg

[warnniklz]

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/317958_10151759314620387_566510386_24466235_206832 4691_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/317958_10151759314615387_566510386_24466234_185082 5754_n.jpg

[Tikka270wsm]

Great story and awesome pics! Keep it coming.

[xtremearchery]

awesome pics my friend

[warnniklz]

its too bad as my week long holiday is over and I'm back on the road working. I dind't get my bear, however I had lots of chances that I passed up. I holding out for the right bear but never seen him. Now I gotta find a spot near home and learn it.

[coach]

Outstanding thread, Warnniklz! Very well told story and great pictures. Thanks for taking us along for the ride.

[Rhyno]

Thanks for the story and pictures, hope you find one close to home.

[91Jason91]

nice pictures thanks for sharing

[todbartell]

nice pics Warren thanks for posting