I am at the hotel in Winnipeg ready for my last leg of the trip and the rest of the boys are somewhere in Minnesota but you all will want to tune in later for the pictures :D .
My search for a black blear outfitter is over. As long as he is running hunts, I will be going to and taking my friend's with me to Ryan Derlago's; he is that good :thumbsup:
Everything was fantastic and while it is going to be tough to improve on things, I am looking forward to the future. Ryan has big plans!
My flight does not get in until late tonight, but I will try to get some photos up as soon as the family will let me.
I will say this; for those of us that hunted more than an hour, we were all treated to the sight of living and breathing Boone & Crockett class black bear in the wild bush of Manitoba...
I've been anxiously awaiting the pictures. I hunted Ryan's area 25 years ago. I was highly impressed with the three "C"s.. Cuality, Cuantity and Color phases! I've already heard some street talk about the hunt but don't want to spoil it for the storytellers. Good job guys! UB
Hey Steve ,Welcome to Canada!LOL,Really looking forward to the Pics and so glad you fellas had such a great time.
Looking forward to it Steve. Did Ryan have to hold your hand like was rumored? :)
I was wondering about you guys just this morning, but didn't even know for sure what week you were supposed to be there. Looking forward to the pics and stories. Can't wait to see Herdbull walking with two B&C bears draped over his shoulders!!!! :rolleyes:
Wishing you the best of luck, best of the hunt, the best of comraderie and the best of the total experience.
Just got a call from one of them on his way home. Don't want to ruin it but it sounds like they had an absolutely fantastic hunt. The guy I spoke with saw thirty-three bears in three days! Obviously some repeats but it sounds like they all had non-stop action. Sweet dreams. UB
I have been waiting for this Steve :) I will be there in 6 days and can't wait. Since this is my first bear hunt methinks I am in for a treat :archer:
I can't wait to see pics and stories.
:clapper: waiting patiently for pics and stories!!!
This is going to be good.
It is a great place. I've heard some reports and can't wait for the full stories.
We are still waiting!
:clapper: :clapper:
:) :) :campfire: :) :) :coffee:
Mr. TallTines (Brian Wessel) has been home for less than an hour now. He has a pretty wife and two adorable little girls to attend to. Have patience my friends! UB
Oh man, i soooooo wanted to be up there for one of those hunts this year. To top it off how cool would it have been to be there with Brian and Steve O.
I will have to live vicariously through you all. Maybe next spring!
So For now, i will wait, patiently, refreshing, and waiting, and refreshing, and waiting.
Did i say patiently ??
Can't wait for the story and pics it should be good. Bring on the Big Old Bruins
:campfire:
Oooo...man this is going to be good. Can't wait to hear the stories guys
Can't wait to see how this turns out!......Oh yeah, I was there!
Cigar... check.
Nice beverage... check.
Drooling with anticipation... absolutely !!
Sorry fellas, I just got in. My travel on this trip was a nightmare. My "free" ticket ended up costing me lots of extra time and a one way rental car fee of $330 :mad:
Will get some pictures loaded up in the morning.
That is too bad; I hate those kind of surprises, not much you can do about it now. Looking forward to your story. :campfire:
Can't wait to see how it all went Steve, I am glad you all made it home safe.
Your FRIEND,
Chuck
Chuck, thanks...I have noticed.
This whole hunt started 3 or 4 years ago. I can't remember exactly how Ryan and I started conversing, but it was probably me asking a question about one of his many whopper whitetails or bears. Anyway, his bowhunting knowledge impressed me very much and one of our conversations ended with me saying, "If you ever ended up getting your own guiding area, I want to be the first client."
Well I'll be darned if last spring Ryan didn't end up realizing his dream and ended up buying a bear concession in Manitoba's Porcupine Hills, a historic area for big black bears.
We both remembered my request and I told him to block me out the whole camp for one of the weeks, I had some good friends that were going to want to be in on this!
:bigsmyl:
So, I assembled a group of the best hunters and finest men I know. Brian Wessel and his father Mark, Mike Mitten, and Gary Wissmeuller jumped at the chance to be the first hunters at Stickflingers Manitoba Bowhunts.
We figured we were going to get in on the ground floor of something special. Ryan knows bears, BIG bears. His area had not been hunted by the previous outfitter for three years. Before that, it was hunted very lightly. The concession borders Saskatchewan and the bear outfitter on that side only hunts the western half of his area. All that reads to basically NO pressure and a high probability of mature animals. We figured right.
I had some frequent flyer miles and the rest of the crew coordinated to meet up in Minneapolis to make the drive to Winnipeg together. Last Saturday, the MSP airport lost power and my flight to Winnipeg was cancelled. I rented a car and told the boys I would be a bit behind them. They would not hear of it, they were going to wait for me in Fargo and we would all cross the border together.
After that travel nighmare, we pulled into Winnipeg and stayed the night at a hotel. Early the next morning we met at Ryan's, drooled over all his massive trophy buck and bears, then packed up for the 7 hour ride northwest to the hunt area.
It did not take long to unpack the new lucky touques and start shooting!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5220001.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5220002.jpg)
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Giddy up!!!!!!!!
Camp was a cozy little cabin with a giant wood stove and good screens to keep the bugs out. Just right. We also ate like kings!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5220020.jpg)
No matter what, Ryan made sure we had all the comforts of home. Here is the detached heated shower room.
Ryan was a great host, he doesn't care how ugly you are ;)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5220007.jpg)
Ryan is a bowhunter thru and through. His outfit is bowhunting only. He'd like it if everybody shot stickbows, but doesn't want a guy not to be able to come to camp with a group of friends just because of his choice in bows.
How could you not want to come to camp with a guy that shoots like this:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5220008.jpg)
He has great taste in bows too. All of us in camp last week were shooting a TallTines recurve or longbow, even the outfitter. Just a few weeks before, Ryan had, other than poundage, been delivered a 3 piece longbow identical to mine. Macassar Ebony riser, Myrtle limbs, and antler tips. That guy can pick 'em!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5220003.jpg)
All the stands are set up just perfect. Just the right height and distance from the bait site. All taking into account the prevailing winds with alternate trees pegged to jump in with one of the camp Lone Wolfs.
I got up just it time this morning!
I know why Mike Mitten is so successful...while we were getting our stuff organized, he was sucking up to the guide to get the best stands!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5220018.jpg)
Seriously, he was getting the lay of the land. His handle should be "PASSION" instead of "Herdbull". I have never seen anyone put as much effort into hunting as Mike. He is truly an animal.
This is what he looks like going out for a couple hour sit:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5230028.jpg)
Can wait to hear the rest Steve!
PS
Glad to see Gary finally got his teeth fixed. They were looking pretty bad before.
Everything Ryan had set up showed he knew what he was doing. Bait sites were not full of garbage, everything was in great working condition, he knew pretty much the size and color of every bear coming in to each stand and how they were doing it!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5250064.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5250058.jpg)
Bears beware:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5250061.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5250069.jpg)
Well, the wife and kids are calling for me to be Dad now, so while I wait for a couple of trophy photos to trickle in I will leave you with this shot I took out of a very pivitol stand site. It's old name was "ladder". Its new name is "TallTines"...
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5230029.jpg)
:clapper: Great pictures!
Bill
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to post up your pictures!
Glad to hear everyone had a safe trip.
Looking forward to more! :campfire:
Ryan could not have picked a better grew. His father, Ron, was the camp cook, but this man has done it all as far as guiding and hunting moose and bear. So, talking with the camp cook was very enlightening. The guide, David Heppner, was a young energetic man who was willing to do what it takes to get the hunters to the stands, and to make every suggestion or alteration of stand placement regarding wind and evidence of bear movement toward bait. A very likeable guy! I really do respect him and his work ethics. All of the stand set-ups that I saw were perfect for traditional shooters.
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/IMG_0101.jpg)
I did not see as many bears as the rest of the guys, but there was plenty of big bear sign in the form of pod-trails and paw prints in the over 6 inch range. I passed up a real nice 6 foot male the first night waiting for the big guy who made those tracks. Eventually I did have a huge boar come in one evening about an hour before dark. Unfortunately he did not present a very good shot angle (mostly straight- or quartering-on) during his feeding. I judged him to be over 7 foot as he was very tall and wide. His head was very long, but large. My video camera broke after the third day and I was not able to film him. Here are a few set camera photos of him taken during the following day and evening.
Ryan has a great operation going with many high quality bears. Everyone saw at least one large bear, and a bear they would love to take regardless of the outcomes. There was high percentage of color phase bears represented. Ryan is very knowledgeable and I learned from him and his tactics. He has a strong focus on wind direction and stand layouts. Being that this is his first time hunting this new area, I'm sure it will only get better. I hope the guys that follow us have a successful hunt and find a bear for them. The guys I hunted with got along well and were very helpful to each other. Even though I have known them for years, it was our first time to hunt together. Lots of laughs and good times were had. Weather and time are huge factors for success. I did not take my bear, but I had a great time with many highs and lows as every hunting adventure should be. I even found a set of moose sheds. I certainly do recommend this hunt and plan to return. Mike
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/IMAG0183.jpg)
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/P1050239-1.jpg)
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(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff289/MittenM/hero/IMAG0062.jpg)
Sweet................
Oh ... and a hearty congrats to those who did get there bears!!!!
The notch on the tree to the left of the bear in my last picture is 35 inches from the ground at that spot. This bear is in a slight depression as well. He is tall!!!
Most of the stands I sat were higher elevation and the trees had not budded. Some of the lower elevation stand sights were all greened up. This may effect bear consentrations in some areas as they begin there quest for food.
Temps were in the 50-60 during most days with lows in mid 20s. Bugs were minimal and I used no repelent. Mike
Very nice black!I am glad you had great time.
Great pics!
TTT :campfire:
Mike gonna bug Ryan to let me sit that bait where you saw that little 'ol six-footer :) Looking forward to more stories. I can't believe I'll be there in 5 days :campfire:
Good stuff right here!! :thumbsup:
yeah, what Whip said!
Loving this thread.
This was a great hunt. I was fortunate to be able to harvest my first bear on my first bear hunt in the first hour of my sit in the stand. That in itself says loads about the quality of Ryan's operation. I could have maybe sat longer, but a little inexperience on what to expect and judging of bear size influenced me to harvest a bear early. I am extremely exited about my bear and should end up with a great rug. I can't say enough good things about Stickflingers and their operation, as well as their willingness to meet our needs. For a first time bear hunt, Ryan and his staff were patient and helpful in everyway possible. I would post a picture, but I don't know how. Hopefully SteveO will put something on. Make me look good Steve. I had a great time with a great guide and a great group of hunting friends. I learned more in five days with these guys than I had ever learned before. So I will end with this. Ryan, David, Ron, Steve, Gary, Mike, and Brian (TallTines), THANK YOU ALL FOR A MEMORABLE HUNT.
Congrats chief6100...sounds like a truely successful hunt. :thumbsup:
Hearing reports of some big bears, sounds like a great hunt. Let's see those Manitoba bruins.
Okay, I'm ready to see a dead bear...color phase would even be better!!
Sounds like an awesome hunt.
Must have been a grand excursion.
Good solid information, and great pics, keep it coming. I really like the enthusiasm, Ryan sounds like the perfect guide and outfitter. :thumbsup:
Mike- Your group should hit it right for big boars coming in looking for sows.
Ryan and David have a good handle on which baits are showing color. There was a huge color phase that showed up on the last day to one of the baits.
Waiting for a huge trophy boar adds another layer to our challenge as trad bowhunters and is what I like about bear hunting. It is what you make of it. BUT, this place and these folks allow you that opportunity. They do that by providing multiple options for each hunter and by limiting the number of hunters in camp with respect to active baits. There are plenty of bears in this region. Ryan is a great whitetail hunter and it is obvious he is applying some of that knowledge to how he hunts bears. Mike
Congratulations gentlemen! Sounds like a fantastic hunt.
Thanks Mike! Sounds like we will be in good hands up there. This is going to be great.Looking forward to hearing more from the rest of the guys...but hope the rest of the "Talltines week" guys are enjoying this fine holiday :)
Guys, thanks for the updates. Really enjoying you sharing your adventure with us.
Mark, congrats on your first bear. Way to go :readit:
Great stuff :thumbsup: Keep the pictures coming !!! :pray:
Bill
Keep it coming guys, really enjoying your posts!
Sorry for the delay guys. Just got home from the family outing. Have to cut the grass and get the kids to bed. Will have the rest of the pictures up by 9 eastern. Promise.
2 weeks up there; I could not imagine what a guy could bring home if he booked two weeks up there :eek:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Very cool guys!!!
:bigsmyl: :campfire: :archer:
I'll check back. Sounds like a great experience had by all. This Manitoba stickflingers operation ids starting to sound like a broken record that I dont mind hearing.
Can't wait for the rest of the story and pictures good stuff.
Before I get to what everybody is waiting for, I need to relay one more thing to illustrate the character of Mr. Derlago. When I booked this week, he knew he was going to have one "typical" bear hunter in camp. As Mark said earlier, this was his first bear hunt and he was coming home with the first nice bear that gave him a shot. He did that in spades! The rest of us knew we were likely only going to have an opportunity like this one time in our life...we were going big or coming home empty. Gary had the toughest request of all. He has done a ton of bear hunting in his time. His best bear is a 20" net Cinnamon boar he took unguided in Colorado. He wanted a blonde bear to round out his pile of rugs. Ryan was able to put us in situations where we all had very close encounters with exactly what we were looking for.
You have already seen the bear Mike was after (like a flippin' pit bull I will add for emphasis!). Gary can tell his own story, but "Tiffany" was coming in on a rope. And my big bear, he looked like a black Polar bear; he came bullying his way to 30 yards or so of the bait, then proceeded to make a semi circle around the bait in the thick brush with the most awesome display of intimidation of both sight and sound I have ever seen, until he got downwind of me and melted away.
Not once did Ryan ask us to lower our standards. Every one of us could have shot multiple bears. I drew down on at least half a dozen, just to see what I could get away with. A high kill percentage would look good for a new outfitter. That does not matter to Ryan. He cares that his clients are going after what THEY want. He cares about his area amd the animals in it. He is the steward of that big chunk of bush. With his plan, Stickflingers and the bear hunting is only going to get better :thumbsup:
And, when every bait is showing sign that there are bears like this hitting it, it is a little easier to hold out for him...
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/1306800698.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/1306800694.jpg)
Great Stuff!...
I also notice the St Jude TradGang T shirt!
So that leaves the boys Wessel.
Mark "Chief" Wessel on his first day of retirement from the fire department took a beautiful bear with his TallTines longbow. He told us when he saw it, he said, " THAT is going to make a nice rug" :goldtooth:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/1306768058.jpg)
Great stuff boys!
Another of Mark's first bear. I don't think we saw one rubbed bear all week. All the coats were luxurious save one ugly sow with chocolate patches all over her :p
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/P5240042.jpg)
Here is the whole proud crew!
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/1306768055.jpg)
way to go , looking forward to more good stories yet in the making there
Great stuff guys! I'm enjoying this thread :thumbsup:
Hey, Chris Kinslow this is a big bear! Look a the barrel and look at the size of this bear. N-I-C-E! :campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by Steve O:
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/1306800698.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/1306800694.jpg)
And that leaves the best for last. Hopefully he will get in here and give a few of the details.
MR. TallTines
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/1306768056.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b351/osminski/2011%20Manitoba%20Bear%20Hunt/1306768057.jpg)
I have been around some pretty good dead animals. I have to say, none of them were as impressive as this big, old boar. Brian put a PERFECT shot on him (as usual). Everything about this kill was textbook and I am proud I was able to be a small part of it. Awesome!
Great bears guys! Congrats! :thumbsup:
Well Mr. Talltines, one thing is for sure. He ain't small. WOW.
Great Bears!
Awesome bears guys!!
WOW. I don't know what else to say.
Well, Monday and Tuesday were action packed with lots of bears visiting the baits. I really enjoyed listening to "bear talk" as they postured and chased each other at the bait site and the surrounding bush.
Wednesday evening Ryan was taking me to a stand that had not yet been hunted. Once we arrived we found out the wind was really bad for that stand. We backed out of there and went to another bait known as "ladders". The evening went by and around 8 pm a young boar came in and fed for a while. Every once in a while he would whip his head up and look to the east. Finally, around 9 pm he whipped his head up, spun around and took off to the southwest.
I decided to go ahead and stand up as primetime was upon me. At 9:15 I heard some sticks break to the east. I turned to look that direction and saw a bear approaching at about 50 yards. I immediately knew that he was a big bear. Like Ryan had told me, when you see a big bear, you'll know it. There was no question about this guy. As he neared, I could see the long deep crease in his forehead and his bowlegged pigeontoed stance told me he was mature.
He walked at a steady but slow pace, stopping once to stand and scratch his back on tree. At 8 yards he stopped, quartering too and looked my direction. I was ready, arrow knocked. At 4 yards he was broadside on the pod trail, but his vitals were covered by brush. Again, he turned his head to look at me. Finally feeling satisfied that all was well, he turned and headed toward the bait. It was at this time that I was able to shift my feet where I needed them to make the shot. The barrell was around 13-14 yards. He stopped, quartering away.
I picked a spot, came to full draw and watched as the chartuese feathered shaft dissappeared through his ribs. He let out a deep roar at the shot and as he spun back towards me I could see the result of a razor sharp broadhead that had exited just inside the front left leg. He left the bait quickly and with power crashing through anything on his straight line run.
The time was 9:19 pm. I listend intently for a death moan only to come up with nothing. I sat and listened for 30 minutes and quietly got down and snuck out and made my way back to the truck. We decided it was best to wait until morning to begin the tracking. The following morning we took up the blood trail and found him about 75 yards later. He had died just out of sight only seconds after the shot.
Thanks again to Ryan, Ron, and Dave for all there hard work. Looking forward to doing it again sometime...or at least trying to. :thumbsup:
Super nice bear, Brian !!
Congrats..
Field judging bears can be a real challenge for some. I spent 14 springs guiding bowhunters and the bruin in the above pix illustrates several of the features that I always had my hunters on the lookout for; the space between those ears, pig-like snout, and that forehead "cleft" scream BIG BOAR! Nice-en Brian!
Thanks for taking us along. The better my imagination is stimulated, the more I feel as if I had actually been there.
I sure hope I don't tell someone what a great hunt I had.
Great bears and great stories fellas :campfire:
Great going guys looks like a good time had by all Thnaks Shane
Congrats all,what a beary week!
Boy, that sets the blood to boilin'!
Great looking trip. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome....looks like u guys had a blast. Thanks for sharing with us!!!
Great bear Brian!!
Beautiful bears! That sure does sound like quite a camp. Congratulations to all!
Way to go Fella's.That had to be a great trip.Congratsn on the bears.zvery nice.Will have to do that trip someday.Again congrats on the bears Chief and Mr.TallTines
Wow, congrats to all it sounds like it was a great camp. Those Wessels sure do know how to shoot.
Man I better get on here quick, Steve O is stealing all the thunder. We had a great time in camp as you can see by all the pictures. Ryan his dad Ron and their No.1 guide David Heppner made our hunt a big success. I saw several bears including one whopper that would have given Brian's bear a run for its money. There were a good number of color phase bears seen on and off the trail camera's. I was hunting a blonde bear and would have had an opportunity if I wouldn't have chosen the wrong time to sip up my pant leg on my bibs. That bear had came in silent and blended in so good I didn't know it was there until I heard it crash and looked at its back side. That brain fart will stay with me for some time. Anyway I'm booking for next year and I hope blondy makes it. We named that bear Tiffany, can you guess why? I could have shot some black bears but I've got several of them. I really wanted a color phase. Well I guess I'll have to wait till next year. Again hats off to Ryan and all his crew, thanks for the memories!!!!! :clapper:
how old do you think the big boar was?
Tall Tines week at Stickflingers was certainly an awesome week for me. Meeting all the guys, shooting arrows, and sharing stories made for an enjoyable week that passed too quickly.
The Tall Tines group could possibly be the easiest going group I'll ever have in camp with no complaining and smiling faces regardless of the hunt results or horrible weather.
Manitoba very rarely has east winds so most of the stands are set accordingly. That said, we've been dealing with both weeks of hunters in camp having solely winds from the east. (that's hunting I suppose)
I was taught this past week that trail cameras actually work so will add them to the budget even if they are eventually eaten by bears. Every bait we put them on showed a hog of a bear during daylight hours which was encouraging.
As far as age of the big boar Brian killed....I think it was getting up there since it was a "gummie bear" missing 3 front teeth, including the 2 middle top ones reducing the skull measurement by 1/8-1/4 of an inch. (and it still greens B&C)
Anyhew....Thanks to everyone from the TT group for making my job easy. You're all welcome back any time....Ryan (aka Reehahn)
Man.I love this.Bear hunting is my favorite thing and this is as good as it gets.Great job guys.Great operation Ryan.
QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
Great Stuff!...
I also notice the St Jude TradGang T shirt!
Me too :thumbsup: Thanks for sharing. Nice bears.
Just for the curious- we measured Brian's bear incisor width at 2 1/2 inches. The skull green measured just over 21 inches, and the hide squared at 7feet 7inches. The front paw pads were 6 1/8 inches. He gave up a huge pile of meat! Mike
Great bear Brian. Like the Zac Brown lids also.
Great stuff Steve! Looking foward to seeing you and Daniel at Comptons....Jared
Great stories, looks like the TT group had a great time!
Epic!
Thanks for letting us tag along.
Clean setup, very nice bears and quality story tellin. Congrats all!
Look at the head on him!!! Congrats.
Great Bears, wonderful stories,
Congrats to all of you
very cool very glad my deposit is in for next year!
AWESOME !! CONGRATS TO THE TALLTINES CREW!!
Great job everyone!
What some awesome animals! Great stuff guys! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
All of the posts from those who were there are much appreciated!
The pictures show the beauty of the area.
It is comforting to know that Ryan is there to protect it.
That was a very enjoyable story to read. It took me back to Manitoba I have killed two bear up there with my training wheel bows I can't wait to go back with a longbow this time. Thanks for sharing guys.
Good friends, good guides, good food, good bows and good bears! This is what it is all about! Way to go! I'm proud of all of you. Brian told me he personally saw 33 bears unless I heard him wrong.
Ryan does a great job. He certainly put my son and daughter on beautiful bears the week before.
Great adventure guys, congrats on two fine bears. Looks like Ryan is off to a good start in the outfitting business. Well done and thanks for sharing. Sure miss our spring bear hunt here in Ont.
Congrat's guys awesome stuff
Great job guys!
As my friend (I use that term loosely) :smileystooges: Tom Porter pointed out I'm going on my first bear hunt. I've been worried about my ability to tell what a good bear really looks like. You guys certainly provided plenty of good specimens!
Great story and wonderful pictures.
Chris
Congrats to all of you,and thanks for sharing :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Great post and I'm sure you'd all have fun even with no bears!
Chris, when a BIG bear like Brian's comes in, it will take your breath away no matter who you are. If you have to think about it, it is not big. Barrels, 5' long sticks on the ground, 34" height blazed on a tree will be helpful judging the common bears. With all that said, 20 years ago on my first hunt to Saskatchewan, the year old cub that walked in to the bait as the first bear I ever saw in the wild looked HUGE :D . Thank goodness I waited till it got to the barrel!
Awesome story and pictures guys, thanks for sharing! :thumbsup:
Hey Steve I don't care how many times I hunt bears the first ones that come in always look like monsters to me. I wish I would have gotten a better look at that blonde. Sitting in that ground blind makes any bear look big. Man that was exciting, makes the hair on your neck stand up. I guess thats what keeps me going back!!!!!
I see my favorite outfitter from Manitoba is the Sponsor of the week this week, so I figured I would bring this up top to re-live some of the magic...
I cannot wait for round two!
I see TallTines is the Sponsor of the Week this week. I am not going to miss a chance to relive that week and that bear.
What a tremendous animal :thumbsup:
I will be missing my hunt this spring and will be watching for the threads coming as the time nears...next year I am there. Hades or high water :) Ryan's operation is top notch so long as you can make it one day without killing a bear. I didn't. Reminds me of another Stickflingers thread....hmmmmm
Wait till you see what the boys bring home this year! An extra day of hunting, extra baits, and a comfy new tent camp. Looks like we're not going to get as much snow as last year either so baits should be in nice and early. I'll go through tons of bait but it'll be worth it! Tic...tic...tic
What is the price of this hunt???
Check that, just found the website link thanks!
i can't wait for the ffun to begin see you soon.....
Great pictures and thanks for sharing.Looks like a place i need to save up for.A place with bears as fat as me :laughing:
I'm doing this someday. Always wanted to meet Ryan. Mostly just to pick his brain about whitetails.
This thread is already killin' me :smileystooges:
getting ready to hunt with Ryan.........
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6848084844_abed767b26.jpg)
Jon and Mike....sorry niether of you will make camp this spring. Gonna have to settle for pics and stories. We'll see if we can get some videos for ya!
Jim....If you can shoot that little bear that good you'll have no problem with the bears up here. I make it a habit to shoot everyones bow in camp....looks like I'm going to have to warm up that left arm?
Spring is VERY early. Gonna go through LOTS of bait but it'll make for great hunting. Keep posted....Ry
Do you have any room this year? Jim are you driving up? I wonder if I could get a passport in time?
i have the 15 ladder stand up for practice Ryan. It will be a daily regiment until I see you in May!
I am lefty too so Ryan will probably have to order a LH TT to match the RH ones after we leave. I know the TT boys are coming in the week after us.
D.P.
I just read through the two threads for this camp and wow, what a great looking setup. I'm not sure how I missed these threads last year, but congratulations on the fine animals and thanks for the great storytelling.
Ryan, congratulations on a fine looking camp and thanks for being a sponsor here.
Man, time is flying by! Got the PBS Gathering this weekend paired up with a little family vacation, then it is 100% preparation for the big bears of Manitoba!
Steve while your preparing for bears I'll be preparing for Mickey mouse. Just not fair. Lol