Trad Gang

Everyone is home now as I think I was the last to return. I just got home at 5:15 AM. this morning. As I stayed in Anchorage visiting my brother and his family thru the 4th of June.

Now as to results...  I was lucky enough to score on a nice Boar Wednesday afternoon. However, a bad 20 yd. shot resulted in a
liver and stomach hit causing a 300-400 yd. hard "up-hill" blood trail.                  :scared:                  He had, had my wind for some time..so not sure if he was laying in wait or just too sick to keep on going?                   :confused:                  

I could not shoot in in that part of devils club as it was too thick and shoulder high, so I had to move to the left a bit and he just turned his head and shoulders to follow my movement. I guess I don't have to mention the "Pucker Factor"                   :scared:                    at this point... as I had left my day pack containing my 44 mag, flash light, flagging tape and knife back on a snag on the beach before starting the stalk.                  :rolleyes:                  

I finally cleared to the left enough for a tight shot.... I blew it and am sure I cut hair from top of his head.  I was trying for the chest,  but concentrating on his eyes and head so you know where the arrow hit..  It burried in the tree right behind him and right above his head.   The sound and shot seemed to startle him and he blew out of there running down hill. [ I was forced to leave that new 250 gn VPA in the tree and just un-screw and save my shaft.]

It was getting too dark to find blood at that point. So, I retreated to the beach thru the same area he had just ran thru... Again, a bit scarry as I had to crawl thru brush and under logs on bear trails in several places....Finally the beach.  Thank you God !!                  :notworthy:                    Between several of us including Doug Kriengs, Thomas Burns, Chris Lacosta, Curt Yeager, and Randy [ a recently retired Military man with 43 years service flying Helos for the Army] We located him after an additional 100-150 yard blood trailing job.  

He had died next to a large "glacial" stream that entered the head of the bay I was hunting. We were actually able to float him down this stream to a point close to the tide flats where I could dress and later [ after the tide came back in ] load him into the skiff and take him out to the "Outer Llimits" our 60' home away from home.  

This beauty is one of 6 boats thats are owned and operated by Homer Ocean Charters  of Homer Alaska. I can not say enough good about our crew as they are truly "First Rate" and go way above and beyond to make for a great hunt. Since the "Outer Limits" is their newest and largest boat, it sees the majority of the hunting trips... the others are used more in the charter fishing part of their operation.

Boy was I a thankfull guy... all night long I had re-lived that terrible shot....
There was no scale aboard, but several guessed him in the 200-250 range.

I know I'm very pleased.  What a wonderful ending to a lifelong dream of hunting Alaska.

I asked, and HOC said this was the first "Archery" killed bear so far this year.

We did manage about 12-14 halibut between us.  Of which, I again scored on the 2 largest [a 34 and 60#r]. A couple guys never did get to catch a fish or have a close bear encounter, but everybody took home fish.

Well, its late and I'm tired, so signing off...hope you enjoyed my hunting saga..

Hopefully, others who came along for this wonderful hunt will chime in and add their adventures to the story.  I never actually got a picture of my bear on my camera [ besides I'm inept at posting pics.] Other's with picks have assured me they will be posting some in the near future.

For those interested, I used a 60" 58# 3 piece Kwyk Styk with GT 5575's loaded up with "proto-type" VPA 1 1/4" 250 gn 3 blade screw in broadheads for a total wt of 580 gns. or 10 gpp... This resulted in a complete pass thru shot, with the arrow landing on the grass about 15 feet on the other side of the bear... I might add, that I strongly feel that this excellent head and the blood trail it provided was the only reason this bear was recovered...this coming from a guy who swears by 2 blade single bevel broadheads..

Thanks for letting me share with you...

Gene

Congrats   :thumbsup:  on a great bear hunt

Way to stick with a difficult situation      :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    ;)

Great story with an excellent outcome Gene!

Thank you for sharing your hunt with us. I look forward to seeing pictures from what can only be called a wonderful bear hunting adventure.

Welcome back home!

God bless,Mudd

Sounds like a dream trip...I love Them Halibut!!!

Nice story. I was up there last year, what part of the coast did you get him?

I can only imagine the pucker factor.  Probably couldn't crap a greased needle.

I really hope you are planning on putting up some pictures for us.  The scenery, boat, fish, bears...let's "Lamb" this up a little!

What a story!!! Pucker factor indeed.

Congrats all the way around and thanks for sharing.

Sounds like it turned out to be a great trip    :bigsmyl:  
Congrats on a nice bear   :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

Congrats!Very exciting tale.

congradulations Gene! Good for you with sticking it out. I would have done the same thing if I to saw those eyes staring at me. Got any good Bear recipes?

Great story

Way to hold tight and get it done.  :clapper:    :clapper:

Way to go Gene! Congrats! And way to stick with it. Got pics?

TEMORARILY LOCKED

If some one has some time and would want to help with posting them?? I do have pictures I could email you???  :pray:    :goldtooth:  

Gene

Gene,
        Congradulations again on a nice Bear good to hear the whole story.
    Sounds like everyone had a great time!

Gene, welcome home and congrats on a great hunt. Way to stick with it and bring home the goods.   :thumbsup:    :clapper:  I've been watching and waiting to hear the outcome. Sounds like you had a great bunch of guys to share the hunt with also.

Great outcome to a fantastic trip!!  How close was the first shot?  What was the angle like?

Great story. Reading it brings back my hunt to me. We went with Homer Ocean in 2001. Great captain and mate, I was the lucky one. Took a bear at 8 yards on the ground and caught an 85# halibut. The fishing was awesome for us.
I would highly recommend Homer Ocean for anyone wanting to do this.

Gene send pics to me at rburtis1@gmail.com and I will help you get them posted.

Gene,

You know I will post pictures for you. Send them.

some pictures of Gene's trip, us on the deck of the boat
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030899.jpg)
pictures of the captain and Gene and Captain.
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030943.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030975.jpg)

a picture of one of Gene's fish.
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030951.jpg)
The cove where Gene shot his bear.
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030990.jpg)

The boat anchored below
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030940.jpg)
couple other pictures.
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030962.jpg) (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030927.jpg)

That is some georgeous country...congrats on a great hunt.

Absolutely beautiful!

:campfire:

Beautiful country!

I just sent several pictures to "Raging Waters" as Matt has again offered to post pictures for me...   :knothead:  

Gene

Sweet pics and congrats on the bear!

That is really a beautiful country.

Congrats on the bear.  
Olin

Awesome country.

Hey Gene....how come none of your partners have any ears?

You talk them off, lol ; ^ )

I just talked with Curt Yeager, my hunting partner that accompanied me for this hunt. I coud not remember the area or name of the bay we were hunting in and he told me it was called Port Chatham, which is located about 40 miles south of homer on the Keni Pennisula.

A question was asked about the shot distance and shot angle...I'm imbarased to say it was right at 20-22 yards slightly up hill, with a broadside shot.  At the hit, the bear spun a couple times and quickly headed into the brush,,,and headed up hill.  :rolleyes:    :(  Then the excitement really kicked into "High Gear".

I would like to add, that it tears me up inside when I cause an animal to suffer before duying as this one was forced to do, and to that I truley do appoligize to you to you the readers and most of all to the bear.

Gene  :wavey:

Steve,

Thomas Burns,  aka "Hogdancer" has turned his hearing aid up and has already posted a few nice pictures... Hopefully, the others will add their stories and pictures soon.   :wavey:

Congratulations, sounds like a great adventure!  One that is on my "to do" list for sure...those photos show some nice country.

Sounds like you had a great time.Congratulations.  :thumbsup:

Congrats Gene!!

here is another of Gene aka.. Mr Filibuster    :)
  (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030885.jpg)
another of Gene's fish.
(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030935.jpg)

Here is a moose , this picture was taken before we got on the boat, it's in Homer right next to the post office.

(http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k209/hogdancer/alaska/P1030888.jpg)

:wavey:    :coffee:

Here is the first batch of pictures Gene sent me.

I will give Gene a chance to comment on the pictures and then add more of him and his trophies.

 (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0042.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0036.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0054.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0061.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0073.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0096.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0101.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0033.jpg)

Awesome!  BTW, no need to apologise as you did the right thing by the bear by seeing the trail to the end.  Well done!
  :campfire:

(http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0082.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0087.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0099.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0114.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/Alaska_052.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0027.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Gene%20Alaska/DSCF0032.jpg)

Nice story and photos! Thanks for sharing.

Gene,

I sent you an email. Please, check it and get back to me.

Matt

The temp lock was St Jude related....no worries.

Great adventure, thanks for sharing and congrats on a fine bear.

Great job Gene. Way to stick with it.
Hey, If we all made perfect shots, we wouldn't need to shoot VPA Terminators!  :biglaugh:

Gene,

Sounds like you guys had an awesome trip. Glad everyone made it back without incident. Geez, every picture could darn near grace the cover of a magazine, looks like someone brought a good digital camera. I feel you Gene, but there's no need to apologize. You stuck to it and brought home a fine trophy and a lifetime of memories.
Thanks for sharing!

You have my respect and are a great example why we love what we do.

Nice bear. Thanks for sharing

Great hunting story and glad you got that bear. Looks like the fishing was good too. Little known photography trivia, there has never been a bad photo taken of Alaska rivers, trees, mountains, animals, etc. OK, maybe there have been a few, but it was becasue the guy moved the camera a bit and blurred the pic! Just simply beautiful photos of places I sure would like to see some day, thanks very much for posting them, and for taking us along on your trip.  :thumbsup:    :clapper:

Gene, you are a true sportsman!  Congrats again and the bear thanks you for keeping up and finishing what you both started!!  Excellant pics.  I save one on my computer here at work.

Awesome pictures!!  Thanks for letting us share your adventure.

Wow.  Great story and amazing pictures.

Where is the rest of guys on this trip? Pictures and stories please.

More Pictures

 (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/Blackbearonthehillside-findthebear.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/ProudandHappyGeneReturningtotheOute.jpg)   (http://i893.photobucket.com/albums/ac138/hemdell/ViewofhuntingareafromrearofOuterLim.jpg)

Hello all,
Sorry to be MIA as a fellow crewmember on this thread up to this point.  Have been nursing some medical and computer problems since my return.

Anyway, you've heard about the bear and the fishing, and seen some pics (the last 3 posted by Matt were mine, thanks again Matt for helping).

Since I started this thing a year and a half ago, and with a lot of Gene's help, worked thorugh the planning and recruitment of our crew for this adventure, I am thinking that some may wish to hear more about how a trip like this comes together. So, in case you are interested and can wait a couple days, I'm composing a narrative in Word to paste here that will describe more of the hunt, to include the logistics and planning, recommendations on equipment, realistic expectations, and perhaps some of our less successful, yet enjoyable and sometimes comical experiences.  

Bear with me as it will take a couple days and I will post when ready.

Again, Congratulations to my good buddy and my elk bowhunting mentor, Gene, on his remarkable bear and his nice halibut, and just let me say for now that this was a really cool adventure even for those of us who were personally unsuccessful and can say that at least I (and probably all or most of us), really enjoyed and learned a lot from our experience.

More later....

I shamed the group by wasting one with a gun   . Flats and beach spots to hunt were limited and I didn't want to distrub the other guys and what they had going on so after going up and down mountains for 3 days and it about killing me......... That's my story. I thought I was in pretty good shape, I'm a gym rat and run daily but those mountains are tough. I did have a really good chance the first two hours on the boat heading out of Homer the first day when we saw a big bear on a beach. I grabbed my bow and headed in. That bear was in a rock slid and I got about 30 yards from it when he looked up at me and up the hill he went. All the guys on the boat watching said that bear was twice as big as me. Had another nice bear at about 75 yards on the side of the mountain that I could not get any closer to before it just walked up and over the moutain. Those mountains are so steep and do all they can to keep you from going up and watching bears do it like we walk down the sidewalk is amazing. Once you get to snow line it's not bad but by then you need a nap.

I bet I saw 100 bears, 100 Mt goats, a dall sheep, 20 moose, sea otters everywhere and a whale. It was great. Matter of fact though my body is back in Michigan, my mind is still in Alaska. Had bear back straps the other day and I think if we could raise bears like cattle, no one would eat cow meat ever again. I just love bear meat.

Speaking of food, forget all the stories about dropping a crab pot over the side of the boat and having crab every night. Can't do that anymore. No clam digging or seafood til you burst, just standard grub. Still pretty good.

And my hat's off to Gene and him killing a bear. Yes he had the lucky horseshoe up you know where that week but this was an unguided hunt in a place he had never been before and Gene got his bear. There had not been another bow killed bear with HOC in 2 years I think it was  so good job Gene. He eanred it.  

CJ

CJ, you DID NOT shame the group, you took a bear differantly than we did , legally, you could have done that right next to us but were considerate enough to get in the small boat and go a couple miles away.  Not wrong Just differant.

Right on, Thomas.  CJ, you went to Alaska to get a bear, and you did it.  I'm really glad for you, and I really enjoyed having you as part of the crew and getting to know you.  No shame for how you went about it, the rest of us are just more hardheaded than practical.  It was a blast, and I'm glad you were a part of it. I learned a lot about fishing from you.
Sincerely

Man, you guys really need to find a place to hunt that has better scenery!     ;)     What a great place to spend some time doing what we love to do and with a bunch of good guys to share it with. Good times!  I keep thinking "someday I need to..." Hope I don't wait too long for that day and find I can't do it!

Hopefully I have posted below my favorite picture of the trip.  Found the bear skull up at the head of Port Chatham Bay on day two of the hunt.  The bow was built by Curt for this trip and a fine shooter it is.  This was my first Alaska experience and thanks to the great company and crew I had a fabulous time.

Along with the scenery we had unusually good weather, according to Cpt. Rick.  This was good because the flora of the place was an experience in itself.  Glad we didn't have to experience getting wet also.  The moss in the picture grew everywhere.  You would expect to see leprechauns, trolls, or ewoks in some of the thick stuff.  It did make for quiet walking though.

Thanks to all for the experience

(http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/b464/randywx/Hunts/bear.jpg)

CJ,
Your choosing to take your bear in a non- traditional archery way in no way reflects on you as a bow hunter...We all spent "Big Bucks" to make this trip happen.  I'm happy for you, that you were able to take a nice bear...

Without your help this "Old Man" would probably still be working to get that bear of mine down to the beach... Or possibly, be trying to eat it where it lay...

This is the party member who almost by himself, got may bear down to the part of the beach so that it could be picked up later at "High Tide" with the Zodiak... I can't thank him enough.

Let me add if I may, that after backing off of the bear until the next day,,,, that it was thru the excellent tracking of Doug Kriengs from Montana and a pretty well know "smiling guy" who just happens to go by "Hogdancer", that my bear was finally located... These two guys are excellent hunters and really great people to share a hunt with.    :wavey:

Good to see Captain Rick Swenson's smiling face again.  Sounds like you guys had a great adventure!

Looks like you had an amazing trip....Yeah it seems a shame when I live in a place like this that I don't get out and do that kinda stuff daily...but with work and all the other commitments it just never seems to work out time wise.

I think our new vison will help though. I will be able to come back in late spring and hunt/fish and then stay until the fall and hunt/fish for about 3 months out of the year...live in my wall tent in the bush...the animals will start racking up then.

Congrats....jer bearless...well so far

Kudos to Gene on a great bear! The most impressive part to me is stalking one within 20 yards on beaches composed of broken clamshells, uneven broken rocks and gravel, not to mention "popcorn algea," as well as anything else you can imagine that is designed to make noise while you walk.

It was a fantastic trip, and one worth doing again!  Nice to meet all of you.

Doug Krings, MT

Way to go Gene, yea its a bit bigger than a LAB, LOL. I love all the pics and makes me want to plan a trip. When we doing a fish fry? I will even host it if you bring the halibut.