(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0164.jpg)
"Like shooting fish in a barrel" " Not sporting" "easy" all words and phrases I've heard about hunting bears over bait. Well if you haven't done it, you definitley wouldn't be saying those words.
My good friend Shane drew a bear tag this year for the spring hunt here in UT wher a few years back I had a very memeroble hunt.
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=060184
So witth high expectations based on the previous few years, plans were made and dates were set for Shane to fly out May 20- the 23rd. Little did we know what Mother Nature was going to throw at us!
This has been a crazy year for weather around the world, and here in UT, we got our share. With record snow falls, I was concerned about the late start i felt the bears would have. But we were hunting! I registered the 2 baits (I thought) and started baiting April 12th.
Bear hunting is the only form I know where you start with a bunch of weight in a pack, hike for 3/4 of a mile up hill, then hike back without the weight :)
So off I set baiting the two bait site for close to a month with nothing showing any sign of interest. I was starting to get worried when I still hadn't had a bait hitby May 16th.
On the 17th disaster struck! I was just getting ready to start up the mountain to bait, when a guy stopped and asked if I was bear hunting. In the ensuing conversation I was informed that he thoght my bait was in the wrong location. I thought there is no way as I had registered it on the first possible day, but I would check. He also informed me they had told the F&G Dept. I hadn't recieved a call, but decided to check anyways. I ran back down and told them what was going on. We checked the GPS coordinates and found out that I had mistakenly given them the wrong ones. I was devistated, I asked if I could keep it there, the F&G said I was too close to another bait.
What had happened is when I went scouting, I marked several likely spots on the gps. Then when I decided on one, I gave them the wrong one.
Boy was I bummed!
I had over a months work, gone. I was was sick when I walked to the bait to clean up and move and saw this.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/MDGC0052-1.jpg)
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/MDGC0016.jpg)
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/MDGC0080.jpg)
As you can see from the times, the bear was coming in a good half hour before dark, and 3 days in a row. Now I had to move the site with Shane coming in in 4 days. I was really down. Lucky for me, he reminded me that a bear wasn't the most important part of this.
So for the next 4 hours, I busted a trail through the brush with a rag soaked in grease to the new site, hoping.
I also had another plan and regisetered another site after seeing the bait site that I got my bear on, not having a bear touch the bait. I got some bait out quick and hoped some more.
More to come....
:campfire:
Sorry to hear of the mixup Ryan...but I have a feeling it would soon be forgotten :)
Oooh...
I like the way this story is going. :campfire:
Bring it on Ryan!
This is just startin' to warm up!
:coffee:
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Bummer!! That's a toad right there!!
I hope he likes the flavor of the bait at your new site better...
Keep at it and I'm staying tuned for sure :)
:coffee:
That's a good hunting buddy..."he reminded me a bear wasn't the most important part of this."
We all mess up once in awhile. There's more bears out there...... :campfire:
Great pictures Ryan! I hope I get a shot at one that size in a few weeks in Canada! He reminds me of the one that charged Todd and I in Utah a couple years ago. Come on with more story, you've got my attention!
+1 on what Snag said! Looking forward to the rest of this!!!
I've been needing a good bear story.Spring was very late coming out here and the bears were very late getting moving.Spring still hasn't made up it's mind if it's going to stay but I know the bears are out in full swing but I'm tied up at least till June 1.
Sorry to hear about all your trouble but hopefully it got you in shape to haul bait into site number 2.
Looks like you have some pretty color phase bears there too.I'm looking forward to the rest of this one as well.
I'm excited to see how this turns out :D
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0144.jpg)
So Fri arrives, I head up to Salt Lake to pick Shane up from the airport, in the rain. We head back down to my place to pick up a couple things, in the rain. Then head up to the bait I moved, in the rain. Get the Theme? :rolleyes:
When we get up to the bait, nothing has been on it. It is too late to go to the new bait, as it's a 2 mile hike in, so Shane elects to sit and hope. After a 4 hour sit, nothing. I was pretty bummed. I was excited to be hunting with a good friend who I don't get to hunt with much, but I couldn't get the depressing feeling to leave. Shane came through again, and we talked for quite a while about the situation.
We decided to head up to the new bait the next day.This would leave 2 nights to try to get it done. This new bait site is 2 miles in on a four wheeler trail. I had access to a wheeler, but had heard that this was not an established trail. Well after ther fiasco the previous week, we were not about to chance riding up on this trail, even though it was being used constantly. So we loaded our packs, with between 50-70 lbs of gear and food and headed in.
This bait was in a pine filled draw, the north slopes still having 2 ft of snow on them. This is in a really neat place. We hit the ridge and start down to the bait. We get 70 yards away and hear a "WOOF" and a bunch of crashing. I had already been in a dropped a bit of bait off and we already had a bear on it!
Yeah buddy!! I have been watching and waiting for this one. :bigsmyl: :coffee:
I think I recognize that bear!! ;)
Tracy
We get the bait out and while Shane puts up the stands, I start a burn. Now this year I am hearing from everyone that they can't get bears on their baits, and now I have had two. The reason for this I think is because evrytime I bait I do a burn. I believe this helps get more scent in the area. My burns consist of honey, then after I burn the honey I burn the "bear crack", a mixture of marshmellows, maple syrup, and raspberry jello. Well Shane took one whiff of that, and commented that it was making him hungry. Before I knew it, out came the granola bars! He wasn't kiddding!
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0157.jpg)
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0158.jpg)
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0161.jpg)
Mabey that was why I couldn't get the bears in more, Shane was eating the bait!
Although I have to admit to trying it myself, and it is pretty tasty!
We get settled and start the process of waiting. Man, for us western guys not accustommed to treestands, waiting can be a hard game.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0179.jpg)
A view from the stand to the bait. This bait site was very entertaining. There were chipmunks everywhere. They would roam around stealing marshmellows I set out, getting into the buckets. It was comical to watch them.
About an hour into the sit, a loud whoosh, sent the chipmunks scattering in all directions as a hawk also made a bid for dinner. That was neat.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0170.jpg)
A view of Shane from my stand.
:campfire:
Working hard for them Steadman!
Thanks for bringing us along....
This is getting good!!!!
Great story so far! :thumbsup:
Bill
This is great so far, Ryan! :thumbsup: You have plenty of bear in your part of the world and I hope you boys get to drag one out. :campfire:
Your getting me fired up with this action! Don't feel bad when I had my tag the BLM,Forrest service and DWR all had issued me permits that were not even remotely in the baiting area. I was the one that caught the misstake after finally getting a map from them to scout out new baiting areas. Now lets see some bear steaks! :coffee:
That picture of Shane granola bar dipping is FUNNY! Just testing the bait, huh? Got to make sure it is "just right" for yogi...haha
Great looking spot for your treestand. I don't like sitting in them either. I'm a spot and stalk guy. But with bears it's the way to go probably.
...... :saywhat: .....AND....come on.....
Good stuff Ryan keep it comin!
Looks good so far Ryan! Can't wait to hear how this ends.
Chris
Hello? Is this thing on???
Let's have the rest Ryan :readit: :D :thumbsup:
:campfire:
Don't forget the link Ryan posted at the beginning of this thread of his hunt a couple of years ago. I'm going back through it right now and still can't believe the color of some of the bears.
Awesome buddy :thumbsup: :coffee:
Tracy
I remember following one you your bear hunts years ago. I read every word.
I've always wanted to nab myself a bear.
I'll be following along!
Ryan,
Your killin' me here with anticipation..!
:coffee:
OK RYAN,cut the crap and get on with it before the bad storms get here.Just kidding but there are storms coming
:coffee: Cant wait for more.
Hell Ryan, you are dragging this story out better than most of them there Eastern guys do :knothead: :knothead: :knothead: . Come on we got other things to do!!!!!
The sun is beginning to touch the horizon here in the far, far West and I suspect that we may have another sunrise before the intermission is over and the sequel, or Part II, begins....
Just like the black & white Saturday serial shows at the local movie theater boys!
Just like the good ol' times!
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
TTT
I am looking for more :bigsmyl: :campfire:
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0143.jpg)
Sorry for the delay. Not only did the stuff happen with my bait, but my truck died the day before I had to get Shane, so I had to return Dad's.
Now on with the show...
We continued to sit and sit, with the feeling that the bear would soon show up, but as with all hunting, nothing is a gaurantee, and tonight was no exception. Nothing showed and at dark we made out 2 mile journey back out to camp under a breath taking array of stars.
We discussed the next days plans and decided to get up and head to the other bait, check to see if it was hit, if not come back. The next morning broke beautiful, with a gorgeous red sunrise. We got to the bait to find it in the same condition it was in on Fri night. Down came the stand and out we went. We knew where we would be sitting the final day.
The hike in went faster due to the lessened weight. This time when we got to the top, before Shane moved in, I suggested he drop his pack and sneak in to the bait while i waited back. It was about 2 pm. He came back about 30 minutes later, telling me the wind was all wrong the entire time. He swore he heard the 5 gallon bucket drop.
We approached the bait to find it had indeed been hit. I had left a jar of scent there, and found it down the hill a ways. When I picked it up, it was wet. We checked the trail camera.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/MDGC0012_1.jpg)
Although the date and time is wrong, the bear had been there just before us. Man what an unpredictable bear. Two days in a row it was there around noon. We did another "crack" burn, and while fighting Shane off the burn material, we decided to move my stand to the side.
Well I can't find the pic of the bear, there was only one and it was about a 150 lb black. the first black color I have seen in two years.
Shane got in a took a couple practice shots.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0167.jpg)
A view of the stands from the bait.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0162.jpg)
A view of the bait from the stands
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0179.jpg)
Looks like I am right on time this morning. Keep it coming!!
Gonna have to wait a bit longer my 2 year old is telling Daddy it time to watch her favorite show. i will finish this in a bit :)
Quotewhile fighting Shane off the burn material
Now that IS funny right there!!!
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!Come on Ryan - some of us HAVE to go to work!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Hey I'm AT work and have access to a 'puter. Take your time...I got nothin' but time today :) This is getting me soooo pumped for my bear trip next week :campfire:
C'mon Ryan, throw the kid in front of the TV and take care of us babies :bigsmyl:
I second Mark!
:campfire: keep er comin Ryan
:D
getting warm fuzzies!
Now as i said earlier, this stand was one of the funnest to sit on. The chipmunks were funny to watch. There were at least 8 that would scurry in, take bits and pieces, or a whole cookie and scurry off. At times, we would be looking for a bear, only to see a white ball zip across the forest floor 50 yards away, as one of the thieves would be taking their loot to parts unknown.
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0171.jpg)
One of the best was one little guy would sit and wait for another to bury it's prize, when it left the little one would dig it up and eat it. There were several time we had to make an effort to not laugh out loud!
As the final evening was winding down, we noticed that all the scurrying stopped, there were no chipmunks to be seen. I got an eerie feeling and the excitement level went up a couple notches. I whispered to Shane to get ready, although I hadn't seen anything, I couldn't help but think we were being watched.
The minutes ticked by, even more slowly. I about jumped out of my skin when a bolt of lighting lit up the sky followed by the crash of thunder. It was getting to be 7 or so. We both agreed to get out of the stand and sit on the ground. After 10 minutes or so, I said to Shane" It's your tag, and I will sit here til past dark, but we are going to get real wet!"
Shane looked to the south and said, " Let's go, this has been a great hunt, and I can't see any good coming from a shot bear tonight."
With thosw words, we gathered our stuff and bailed off the mountain, with lightning and thunder chasing us. We got soaked too!
(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h160/steadman_2006/IMG_0177.jpg)
So there you have it, a long awaited tag, some mishaps by yours truly, some fun and some time catching up with a great friend who I've been honored to share a lot of these adventures with. i have no brothers, but Shane is as close to one as I'll ever have. I truly believe if I hadn't had to move the first stand, he would have had an opportunity. I also think we had a bear close on the final night, but I think it winded us, and decided not to come in. The weather couldn't have been worse, yet we had a great time. I can't wait for 4-5 more years when he can come back out and do it again.
Baiting is NOT a sure thing, and those that have dione it can attest to the amount of work required to try to get a bear on a bait. Once there it is still not a sure thing, it is still hunting, and the bear are still unpredictible!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing. Are you coming to the shoot this year?
Not this year Mark. With gas the way it is, and no work. Mabey next year. Can you guys even get up there?
Awesome hunt Ryan, thanks for sharing! I think most, if not all, that come here realize that you don't have to punch a tag to have a great hunt!!! :thumbsup:
Ryan,
Glad you and Shane had a great hunt.!
Wish you were going to make the HCS this year, I was looking forward to shooting a couple courses with you.
Hey, hanging out with a buddy up about 20ft. in the woods is a good thing!...without the lightning! Those mountains look beautiful! Can't wait to see them up close.
Awesome and successful hunt! Thanks for sharing.
Great hunt!! Thank you I'm still smiling ... :goldtooth:
Great story telling and pics as usual. Thanks for sharing.
:thumbsup:
Great Hunt Ryan. Thanks for taking us along.
Sounds like a great hunt shared with a good friend! Plenty of good memories right there!
Some of my best hunts I never even pulled my bow back. Sounds like this was a great one for you. Thanks for sharing.
Bet you had a great time without having to skin a bear! Thanks for all the photos Ryan.
I'm going over by Hell's Canyon this weekend with a guy and his 13 yr old daughter. They both have bear tags, but it's all spot n stalk with their rifles. I'm going along as a spotter and chief cook and bottle washer. Hope to have some photos to mail you in a week or so.
Sounds good Ron. Glad to your back out and about. I have to give a huge THANKS to my good bud Tracy (KSTRAPPER) for sending me a couple trail cameras to monitor the bait sites. Thanks again bud, and your next :)
Ryan, Great story telling and pictures as usual.Some of the best hunts don't have kills. Good luck can't wait to share a camp fire again. Ben
Great story Ryan and fun pictures. Some of my best hunts did not involve punching tags. Gary
Great story buddy you two could pass off as brothers for sure. Sometimes we don't have to kill stuff to have a great hunt :thumbsup:
I'm glad the camera's worked out for ya, We will have to do it again next year I should be feeling a whole lot better by then. :D
Great pictures as always and that last mountain pick is great!! Thanks for taking us along.
Tracy
Great story Ryan ... the fun is in the hunt, friendship and in this case all the hard work too.
Thank you for takin' us along on the hunt Ryan!
I certainly enjoyed it - great photos and great friends!
Shoot straight, Shinken
:archer2:
Very well told Ryan. You are right about baits being a lot of work.
Up for a HUNTIN Story! :)
Back up!!! Loved this story...as I take more trips around the sun I appreciate the process and who I enjoy the process with, more than ever :) Great read and wonderful pics pal :campfire:
Thanks Mike, good luck next week! Look forward to your pics and stories as well!
Great story!
I enjoyed this story. Nice to know I'm not the only one who makes mistakes, but you have a good hunting partner there.
Loved it! Thats what hunting is all about and why most of us do what we do.
Been there....Done that! Oh, but what a joy it is. Whether you take one or not just the comraderie was worth all the work.
Great hunting story Ryan.....the photos really added to the story as well.
Not every hunt goes as planned......but it surely adds to our anticipation!
Thanks again.
:campfire: