Just uploaded the video on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/eGMNKfRUo_o
I'm heading back from a great hunt with Stickflingers. What a great hunt and great guys to share camp with!
I hope everyone can share their stories in the next few weeks and add the the fun.
Special thanks to Mike Tibbits and Glen Hermon who let me car pool with them after my "new to me" truck broke down on my way out of Tulsa! I think we all had a great hunt although we didn't all come home with a bear and the hospitality and professionalism of this camp mixed with overall good company made the Canadan woods all that much better.
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/cottonwood88/Mobile%20Uploads/image_20.jpeg) (http://s792.photobucket.com/user/cottonwood88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_20.jpeg.html)
The whole Tradgang crew:
Mike, David, Glen, Michael:
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/cottonwood88/Mobile%20Uploads/image_24.jpeg) (http://s792.photobucket.com/user/cottonwood88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_24.jpeg.html)
First blood...
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/cottonwood88/Mobile%20Uploads/image_16.jpeg) (http://s792.photobucket.com/user/cottonwood88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_16.jpeg.html)
I'll post more pics and video here in a bit...
Eating the bear bait:
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/cottonwood88/Mobile%20Uploads/image_23.jpeg) (http://s792.photobucket.com/user/cottonwood88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_23.jpeg.html)
Junior guides have a blast shooting trad bows:
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/cottonwood88/Mobile%20Uploads/image_21.jpeg) (http://s792.photobucket.com/user/cottonwood88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_21.jpeg.html)
Nice work, bring it on Michael! Looking forward to your story, pics, and video... I'm headed to Bear Quest 10 soon and this surely will get me fired up! :campfire:
:campfire:
Looking forward to hearing more !!!
I'll upload the video as soon as possible, old dry sow came in on my first bait and gave me a 8 yard shot. She crashed about 40 yards away after the TallTines sent a 550 grain Grizzly tipped arrow through her like a wet paper bag. She measured 5'11" x 6' and for my first bear I couldn't be happier!
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/cottonwood88/Mobile%20Uploads/image_28.jpeg) (http://s792.photobucket.com/user/cottonwood88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_28.jpeg.html)
Very nice :thumbsup:
SWEET!!
Always some of the best weeks of the year on Tradgang seeing the reports from this camp.
Did you custom paint some Tall Tines limbs, or what kind of bow is that? Thanks for sharing.
I hand painted those limbs, didn't like how gaudy the colors are but it was fun. I have always gotten the basic limbs for my TallTines and wanted to spruce them up. I need to get some snakeskins put on them
Congrats Michael!!! I've been waitng to hear about your hunt since we talked. That's awesome!
No moose but a beautiful Canadian lake:
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/cottonwood88/Mobile%20Uploads/image_18.jpeg) (http://s792.photobucket.com/user/cottonwood88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_18.jpeg.html)
Mike in stealth mode:
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/cottonwood88/Mobile%20Uploads/image_25.jpeg) (http://s792.photobucket.com/user/cottonwood88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_25.jpeg.html)
4 yards on the ground:
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/cottonwood88/Mobile%20Uploads/image_26.jpeg) (http://s792.photobucket.com/user/cottonwood88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_26.jpeg.html)
Ryan in stealth mode (shhh he thinks the bears won't see him)
(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy206/cottonwood88/Mobile%20Uploads/image_27.jpeg) (http://s792.photobucket.com/user/cottonwood88/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_27.jpeg.html)
That's awesome, Michael!!! Congratulations, buddy! Can't wait to see the video!
Too awesome!
I really want to do a bear hunt some day.
Congrats!
Congrats Michael, sorry about your truck!
Nice bear. I look forward to these threads every year.
Ryan puts on an awesome camp, glad I have experienced it.
What stands did you sit?
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Beauty Michael. Hard to beat a week at Ryan's. Can't wait to take my son up there next year.
Nice!! :clapper:
Nice bear. Congrats Michael. :clapper:
Congrats Mike,glad the broadhead got put to good use.Knew you would get it done.
Terry
Don't know what it is about trucks breaking down, but I sympathize, as I got to spend two days in Regina waiting for my truck to get fixed before I could get to bear camp. :mad:
Congrats on a nice bear.
Congratulations, and can't wait to see the rest of the story.
Great pics of your hunt and congrats on your first bear. I have sampled Ryan's "bait" myself. He definitely spares no expense to bring in quality black bears. I'm looking forward to more harvest pics in the weeks to come.
Nice buddy! Congrats on your first bear. I'm hoping to take my first bear there as well someday. If I weren't so obsessed with the local whitetails I'd have been there by now!
Just uploaded the video up top :bigsmyl:
Nice bear....... :clapper:
Anyone who has ever worried about blood trails from a long lean head should watch this video! Well done Michael!!
Would you mind sending me some pictures of you and your bear for Grizzly's facebook page. I would also like to share the link to your video if you do not mind.
Thanks
Bill
Bill, I used to be a big advocate of multi blades. You're single bevel has given consistent blood trails equal to that of multi blade heads in my somewhat limited experience and significantly better than standard two blades... all with the penetration advantages of a long lean 2 blade. Feel free to use any of my YouTube videos, I use grizzly broadheads for all of them!
Congratulations Michael. Nice too have it on video and be able to watch it years from now . :clapper:
Good stuff, congrats Brother!
Congratulations Michael. Nice too have it on video and be able to watch it years from now . :clapper:
Nice shooting. Congrats!
Man I'd like to do that hunt one day.....
Congrats on a fine bear and thanks for sharing the video!
Corey
Congrats Michael, very nice bear, and really appreciate the video. I know awhile back there was a big discussion on whether to film or not. I for one enjoy the sense of being there, right in the tree with you almost, thanks.
Well sorry for the delay but I suppose a new post every so often adds to the fun.
I enjoyed camp with Michael and the others and have a bit of story as well.
I like to pass my hunt stories around here and to others so I chose an all video format. Never told a story quite like this before so let me know what you think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM-E2Yqz67M
Very nice video Dave. My only suggestion is that you smile in some of the pictures! Great to see you again. Congratulations.
Thanks man. Great so see you too.
Very nice! Congrats
Thanks for posting Dave! I was about ready to shoot you a text to make sure you knew about the thread. What a beautiful bear and great shot!
Randy Derlago approves of all posts!!!
Dave, Really enjoyed that video presentation. Well done. Nice bear.
Congrats. Very nice. Loved seeing your and Ryan's smiles. Perfect.
Dan in KS
QuoteOriginally posted by Manitoba Stickflinger:
Randy Derlago approves of all posts!!!
Bwahaha
Michael, congrats on a beautiful bear :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Beautiful color phase bear and from a ground blind! That is terrific.
Congrats on your bears guys and great videos! :thumbsup:
:thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by Manitoba Stickflinger:
Randy Derlago approves of all posts!!!
You rock!
And thanks all for the nice comments.
It is always fun to share hunting stories with friends.
Great Bear Dave! Congrats!
Two great videos and bears. Congratulations and thanks for bringing us along.
Thanks to both of you for sharing your hunt with those of us who could not actually be there. I enjoyed both of them very much. Congratulations!
Congrats guys !!! Really enjoyed the videos. :thumbsup:
Awesome Michael!
Nice bears guys!
This was an exceptional hunt. I had 10 bears in shooting range (10 to 12 yds). My fellow hunters were all great people and the guides were the best!
I was the only one not to take a shot, but I have shot several bears and was holding out for a really big bear or a nice color phase.
Michael and Dave did great on their videos!
We all had a great hunt and good fellowship.
It was great to meet another 4 Tradgang members in person! (great group of guys!)
Awesome stuff guys. I hope to get there one day!
You know those bears love trailmix when they'll stare you down while eating it.
Congratulations and well done to all the hunters. You don't have to kill a bear there to have a great hunt. Nice job on the videos boys!
Someone tell Magic Mike hello for me.
As you can tell from the brief snippet in the video, Mike has not lost his magic. :-)
And thanks again all for the kind words.
Two exceptional hunts, I enjoyed it immensely!!!
15 days till we leave for Bear Quest :jumper: :jumper: :jumper:
Great videos guys. Congrats on your bears.
Congrats to you both on very nice bears! Thanks for sharing the videos; well done!
I have been thinking about one of these hunt. Maybe in the near future. Congrats.
Jeff
Congrats guys!
Great bears guys! Just curious if you weighed your bears. I know it's not about the numbers but I like trying to judge bear weights.
I didn't weigh mine but she wouldn't have weighed very well.
They don't have the facilities to weigh them in camp. They basically judge the bear size by how it squares which is the average of length and width. Mine was 6'7".
Bear weights are a bit goofy too as to what time of the year they are taken, ala fall bears are heavier than spring bears or how harsh of winter and spring they endure. The weight can swing by quite a bit on the same bear.
So I find the best way is to lie 400lbs :-)
I think Ryan told me he prefers heavier density bear bait... ;)
I was in camp for the second hunt at Stickflingers. I saw one bear the first evening and shot a medium-size bear with a nice glossy, unrubbed coat on the second evening of my hunt. Saw a total of 6 bears that day. Donovan from CT shot a really big all-black bear the following evening. One of his hunting buddies shot a bear the same night but it was not recovered. Stickflingers, like many other Canadian bear camps, has a strict wounding policy. Hit a bear and your hunt is over whether it is recovered or not. Great place to hunt bears. There were three other hunters still going after the bears when I left to head home but I don't know how they fared with two sits remaining to their hunts. Only downside is that there are no openings to hunt there until 2021.
Still in camp but great last week. 6 for 6 with 3 big Browns.
Great to hear that Ryan. Thanks for the great job that you and your staff do. Looking forward to my next hunt with you.
Just home from week 3. We went 6 for 6. Will post my pic/story in Highlights. Awesome week. Awesome camp. Awesome guides.
Nice!!
Had a great week, my son and I were fortunate to each get a bear, his had a really unique target mark on the chest. We really enjoyed ourselves. Met some fine folks that I would share a camp with anytime. Wednesday night camp fire was one to remember...if only I could. Thanks for the adult conversations, Bryon ha ha ha
Still unpacking.
Glad you made it home OK Tom. I thought your head might have been pounding a little too hard to drive very far. Wait until you see Gary's bear.
Ryan sent Joe a pic...was very impressive. So much for his "target panic"...
Think I'll wait till the last day next time.
I have felt better, but made it just fine.
Thanks
(http://i572.photobucket.com/albums/ss168/gsmith1949/manitoba%20bear%202016/gary%20and%20bear%202016_00.jpg) (http://s572.photobucket.com/user/gsmith1949/media/manitoba%20bear%202016/gary%20and%20bear%202016_00.jpg.html) I had seen this bear 2 other nights at one bait but had to hunt another stand about 5 miles away on Thursday night because of wind condition. Ended up shooting this beauty that night. I had told Ryan that I wanted a decent color phase or a big black bear and he was able to put me in contact with both all in one bear. Enjoyed meeting everyone that I shared camp with and congrats to those in camp. We ended up 6 for 6. Great adventure
Can't get enough of looking at the hog you shot Gary. Congrats again.
That's a brute! Congrats
Truly a well deserved Bear!!!
What a bear!
Wow. Looks like Manitoba treated a few guys well!
Sure is a good bear ...what a camp ryan runs I need to make this trip VERY SOON!!
Way to go Guys!! And Great job Ryan and co-workers!!! A great place for Trad hunters to have a top quality experience with really great people.
I look forward to returning!(except for the long drive!!)
Gary, that's a beauty. Congratulations!
Wow, great bear! Kudos to Ryan and his place. A true trad bow hunting gem.
Wow. What a bear. Spew some facts hey...size, bait, story...come on...we need more
Congrats.
Wow, That thing looks like a brute. Any idea what he weighed?
Congratulations to all. Looks like it was a great spring up north.
Great stories and videos everyone! Stickflingers is the place bear hunters dream of. Year after year, the bears coming out of there are incredible.
Holy Smokes Gary! You done good on your last evening after all that rain on Thursday. Looks like you laid your Widow down and used that recurve you built yourself. That must feel pretty good to take such a nice bear with a bow you built. Awesome! And congrats!
If other guys don't start chiming in I'll have to start posting their pics and stories! Yes, there is more...
Ryan, Did Gary shoot that big chocolate at Too Close?? If so, there was a black that was even bigger!!( and one a little smaller.)
You might have to put me on the cancellation list for next year! And Glen Hermon is coming back the next year later, so it would be nice if I could ride back up with him then too.
This could get to be regular!!
Thanks, Mike Tibbits
Mike did you see that big brown?
Had a great hunt to say the least. I was part of the week 2 crew. I spent most my time for the 6 days at the Determination stand. Also spent one night each at the "pressure release bait" and Ratatuey. It would be safe to say that I saw 46 bear's in the 6 nights of hunting. The total would have gone higher but rain and thunder&lightning the last 2 nights at prime time cost me 1 1/2 hours one night and 3 hours the last night. With that said believe it or not I never shot a arrow on this hunt.
I was up with bow in hand on 3 different occasions on bear that we're why I came to Manitoba but it didn't work out. The distance and lighting was right but the angle of the bear was wrong all 3 times. These were bear that I would say would have weighed in the 375 to over 400lb range. What they would have squared I am not sure. But these were real whoppers as far as I was concerned and I would like to think I am a good judge after going on 7 bear hunts prior to this hunt.
The truth for me was the hunt could have very easily been over on the 3rd night when I had a very very nice bear that was all black in color with perfect coat come to the bait. I would have guessed him in the 300 to 325lb range give me the shot you hope for. But I elected to let him walk knowing I had 3 more nights on stand in some real primo bear woods with the dreams of a 400 pounder in my mind. I guess for now I will just keep dreaming till I return to Stickflingers in 2021!!
Very cool Jonathon thxs for sharing ryan sure has it going on up there!
Actually on the 3rd night of the hunt alone I saw 15 bear sitting at the "Determination" bait. I was on stand from 3:45pm till 10:30pm and had bear either at the bait or in sight for all but a half hour of that time. It was the most action packed evening of bear hunting one could ever want.
Dave, Michael Arnette was setting with me at Too Close and we saw 4 bears that evening. One came from downwind and approached to 3 yards checking us out before going on to the bait for 45 minutes. He was about a 5 1/2 footer.(we were taking his picture as he walked up to us.). Then the wind shifted to blowing at the bait. We then saw 3 different large bears, 2 black and one really large chocolate. One of the black bears was even larger than the chocolate. The chocolate and the smaller large black bear wanted to come to the bait, but the wind was blowing directly to them and they wouldn't come on in to the bait.
(Although they might have heard Michael A's teeth chattering too! It had really cooled off and he was getting pretty cold!). It was an exciting set that night and if the wind hadn't shifted I'm sure I would have had a great shot at one of these bears
Lethalflight57....Keith, actually I shot that bear on Thursday night after the rain storm. The wind was all wrong for the bait that I had seen this chocolate bear and another large black bear from over the last few days. Ryan put me in a stand about 3 miles or so away and this bear came into that stand. Long story short this is the same bear that I had seen on the other stand.I may have the names confused but original stand was shirtsleeves and final stand lancelot, Ryan can correct me if I am wrong.
All right, since Ryan is twisting my arm...
My son and I had a wonderful time in Manitoba with both of us getting Bear. Although his was with a wheelie and his first bear,he is still reminding me how his was bigger than mine.It had a really unique marking on his chest, think Target Store circle.
The whole camp got a big laugh when I was under the impression he didn't get one that night and didn't believe him when he told me the bear on the skinning table was his.Thanks Cole.
I took mine the next night on the same bait with my Frederick long bow. I wasn't sure of the shot placement since we couldn't find blood. But Ryan knows what he is doing when it comes to tracking and was able to locate it even after I told him the wrong direction he fled.
We met some great guys and cant wait to do it again. I'll let Ryan or Gary post the pics.
Thanks again Ryan and Cole!
C'mon with the pics :campfire:
Was at work all day with no access to Photobucket. Heres Toms bear. 6'3" with a big head. (http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/IMG_1132_zpsjwceqedx.jpg) (http://s645.photobucket.com/user/ryanderlago/media/IMG_1132_zpsjwceqedx.jpg.html)
Mr. Kissner? Donovan?
Some nice bears yet to share stories of!
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/IMG_1115_zpsiw2uhww7.jpg) (http://s645.photobucket.com/user/ryanderlago/media/IMG_1115_zpsiw2uhww7.jpg.html) Here's another good one. It squared at 7 feet. I won't tell the story but perhaps it will eventually be told by the hunter himself?
Some good lookin Bruins there!
Huge black bear at Too Close? Was there a Polar Griz sighting Ryan?
D.P.
Dandy bears for sure!!Congrats guy's :clapper:
I left home almost immediately after returning from Stickflingers as I volunteer here at Comptons every year. I am unable to post to Photobucket until I return home Sunday night. Ryan, you may post my pics if you have any. Thanks for a tremendous hunt!
Hoping the big one at Too Close is around for another year or so.... Just saying.
Too close was good again guys with Baboon butt being there along with a big brown. (and polar grizz)
Heres a pic of Bills bear with his story to hopefully follow (http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/ryanderlago/IMG_1127_zpsobcvh5dj.jpg) (http://s645.photobucket.com/user/ryanderlago/media/IMG_1127_zpsobcvh5dj.jpg.html)
Fantastic year Ryan! Congrats to all the hunters. Beautiful bears!
Wow. Dandy Bruins. Congratulations to all.
wow those are some great bears, well done stick shooters
I sat the first evening and saw at least 8 separate bears including a sow and 3 cubs. I wanted to wait on a color phase or any thing large.
The second evening I had not been in the stand more than 30 minutes when I heard a couple soft woofs directly below my stand. When looking down,there was a nice black at the base of the ladder looking up at me. He had came down the trail I had walked in on. Deciding I was not a danger, he made a small circle and went to the bait. He was limping on his right front foot from a previous injury. He kept an eye on me while gorging himself on the trail mix. After a while he got up and walked away.
An hour or so went by before a large black came in followed by a beautiful red/cinnamon. They did as most of the others and laid down while eating. The black was on the right and the red was on the left facing each other. After standing for at least 15 minutes waiting on one of them to stand up, I began to shake pretty much either from being in one position for so long or possibly a little bear fever.
I made up my mind that whichever stood first and giving me a shot would get my arrow. The big blackie finally raised and was broadside so the arrow was away. I heard a loud slap and was amazed as the arrow struck the ground about 10 inches in front of his chest.
I had put my camera in the left front chest pocket of my Sitka coat and earlier had removed it putting it in a side pocket fearing my bowstring would catch on it. That was a good idea but I had inadvertently left the zipper open and the bowstring had caught causing the arrow to fly left completely missing the bear.
He jumped slightly and walked away. I thought he was coming back at one point but he decided to walk away. The cinnamon never quit eating all this time and continued for several more minutes. It finally stood and offered a great broadside shot and my second arrow was away.I immediately knew the shot was good. It ran to my left with arrow sticking out both sides. I listened intently but never heard a moan. Was not too bothered by this as I was confident the shot was good. The crippled bear came back as I was climbing down and after me hissing and waving my arms, he reluctantly walked away.
The next morning Ryan, Cole, and I found it about 60 yards from the bait. The retrieval was easy as we were able to get the small trailer almost to the bear.
Great bear Bill! There are always "close encounters" at Stickflingers when getting down at night.
Ryan, I can't believe Polar Grizz is still around. He must be a sight by now with the size of his frame.
D.P.
DP I am going there next year...the polar grizz must die :)
I had to miss my hunt this year due to my illness. Ryan, as always, was professional about my misfortune. I can't wait to go there next year. It is more about shaking my friends hand than about bears...although I plan on seeing about a certain color phase giant that seems to haunt certain folks :)
Great stories guys. Congrats and thanks for sharing.
Any trail cam pics of this polar griz?
Hey Mike,
I didn't know you had had some issues. Glad to hear you kicked it.
I am even years starting again in 2018. I can't wait and my brother is chomping at the bit after a few great encounters last year.
D.P.
Good stuff guys.
Good Story Bill!
ttt