Print Page - A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)

Title: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on August 15, 2011, 02:53:00 AM

Had Sunday afternoon to have a go at the local black bears. Drank a quart of water and ate a clif bar on the short drive to the mts, kind of a ritual to make sure I'm hydrated and my energy is up before I start for the top. And I always leave a quart in the truck for when I get back, along with a dry cotton sweatshirt for the drive back. :)

Finished stowing things in my pack, fetched up my Widow and headed for the top.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on August 15, 2011, 02:59:00 AM

Flushed a spruce grouse part way up while still in the spruce and alder. He landed real close in a tree, I screwed in a rubber blunt and promptly shot just under him, I swear it must have gone between his little legs. Thought for sure I had lost my arrow, but actually found it as I was walking back after kinda giving up. :thumbsup:

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Roaring Reds on August 15, 2011, 03:00:00 AM

More :goldtooth:

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on August 15, 2011, 03:05:00 AM

After climbing up ~2600 feet, I spotted these two about 1/2 mile away eating crowberries. One black speck on the far left, another on the far right.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd2onhilll.jpg)
Pretty good crowberry crop this year; if you havent had crowberries they have a very mild flavor, very watery, and a small seed inside. The people that pick them use them mostly as fillers for stuff with other berries like blueberries. But the bears sure like them.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on August 15, 2011, 03:10:00 AM

Heres a zoomed in pic of the one on the right.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd2ndbear.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on August 15, 2011, 03:12:00 AM

And a better pic of the one on the left.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd1stbear.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on August 15, 2011, 03:14:00 AM

They were pretty close together, the one on the left looked a bit bigger, but in a tighter spot.

I decided to circle way to the right of them, climb another 500' or so, and then drop down to where I could see them again from the ridge above them. It was a plan...

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on August 15, 2011, 03:24:00 AM

Took me quite awhile to get above where I figured they were. But then I couldn't see them. I've learned to hang tight for awhile when this happens, as they can be just out of view, or may have spooked and with time will come back.

Long story short, I waited a bit, didn't see them, so I decided to hike down & head to the truck.

Sure enuf, after I busted thru brush to get to the game trail below and head down to the road, I could see first one then the other ! They had been hidden by some terrain, one of the problems with coming down on a critter from above. Ah well. I considered going after them again but I have too many commitments tomorrow to get back at o-dark-thirty.

Reading here what I've wrote, it sounds kindof tired, I guess because I'm pretty shot. :rolleyes:

With travel and relatives visiting, I won't be able to give it another go for another couple weeks. If they're not there I'll find some others to play with, and maybe continue this thread. :campfire:

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: wildwood on August 15, 2011, 03:48:00 AM

thanks for taking me along

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: OBXarcher on August 15, 2011, 07:20:00 AM

pretty cool, keep it coming after next hunt

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: doctari on August 15, 2011, 07:27:00 AM

chinook, the one on the right looked like he had his full share of berries this summer, nice and plump. Thanks for sharing. Mark :archer:

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: emt137 on August 15, 2011, 07:29:00 AM

Very cool and nice sighting! No bears or mountains in Illinois.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Jack Shanks on August 15, 2011, 07:51:00 AM

Great pictures and story. Thanks for sharing. Seeing them makes me long to get back to Alaska and hunt the Mountains again.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: ron w on August 15, 2011, 08:56:00 AM

That's really neat... spot and stalk is the way to go....exciting!!

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on August 16, 2011, 02:39:00 AM

Thanks guys. Doctari, yes he did have a belly full and definitely looked well fed.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on August 16, 2011, 10:30:00 AM

Looking forward to the pictures when I get home from work.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Mudd on August 16, 2011, 10:40:00 AM

Sounds to me like you had a great adventure!

Thanks for sharing it with us.

God bless,Mudd

PS: I'll be watching for your next installment.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: TJK68 on August 16, 2011, 12:32:00 PM

Sounds like you had fun, Thanks for the pics

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: straitera on August 16, 2011, 01:19:00 PM

Thanks for the pic & story. Great! Good luck.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Shedrock on August 16, 2011, 01:31:00 PM

Thanks for sharing

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Lin Rhea on August 18, 2011, 10:04:00 AM

Go get em Tim!

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Terry Green on August 18, 2011, 10:06:00 AM

Yeah Boy!!!....

BTW...whats a clif bar?

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: KodiakMag on August 18, 2011, 10:53:00 AM

QuoteOriginally posted by Terry Green:
Yeah Boy!!!....

BTW...whats a clif bar?

http://www.clifbar.com/food/products/

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: JL on August 18, 2011, 04:04:00 PM

Very cool! Thanks for posting your hunt.

I took my family to look at a cabin in WV and we had a black bear roll thru the property when my wife and 4 year old daughter where sitting on the deck steps. He walked by about 30 yards away and got my wife's attention, real quick. Young male, checked us out and then continued on his way. My daughter was thrilled to see the bear, my wife...not so much.

JL

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: bowtough on August 18, 2011, 04:51:00 PM

Good job and thanks. Please keep us posted. :thumbsup:

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on August 18, 2011, 05:05:00 PM

Lin- you bet, and you're familiar with the sticker I wear on my hip...

Terry - as said, it's kindof an energy/protein bar, lots of varieties and all are tasty.

JL- they won't forgot that one. Thanks for the story.

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on September 03, 2011, 02:29:00 AM

Took Thursday off so I could get out again, and what a day. Saw 14 total, by far the most I've seen in a day, 9 were sows/cubs, and 5 lone bears. Had a number of very close calls but just couldn't close the deal, actually shot under the biggest one, a very nice male, at... 4 yards. Think I was a little rattled 'cause he closed the distance real quick, then busted me but stayed close, and I hurried the shot as he bored some holes thru me with his eyes.

Next time.

Got a bunch of pics, couldn't choose so I'll just post most of them.

Thought this one was a lone bear until...
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd001-1.jpg)

These 2 yearling cubs showed up, they're in a ball here with the sow
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd003.jpg)

This is the guy I shot under. Love it when they get in or near the rocks, seems easier to get closer and when you do it is very tight quarters.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd002-1.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on September 03, 2011, 02:36:00 AM

I like these next 2 pics even though the bears are out of focus, (by mistake), as it kindof relates the spirit of the moment (trying to stay hidden). No optical view finder on my new camera so I didn't catch that these were out of focus until later.

1st one.
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd006-1.jpg)

and another
(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd007.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on September 03, 2011, 02:39:00 AM

And if you've never seen their poop when they're really in the berries... Now you have.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd008-1.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on September 03, 2011, 02:40:00 AM

Grand adventure!

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on September 03, 2011, 02:43:00 AM

These next 4 are the same bear. Hides are getting nice this time of year.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd009-1.jpg)

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd010.jpg)

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd011.jpg)

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd012.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on September 03, 2011, 02:50:00 AM

Nice!

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on September 03, 2011, 02:51:00 AM

Another near the top late in the evening.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd014.jpg)

And a sow with 3 little spring cubs on the hike out. One is very visible on the right, think there's another between her legs, and the 3rd is out of the pic.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd016.jpg)

If I get a break in the chores and the weather I hope to give it a go Monday; I am nothing if not persistent. Have a great Labor Day weekend.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on September 03, 2011, 02:55:00 AM

Thanks Ben, always enjoy your posts and encouragement.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: GRINCH on September 03, 2011, 03:08:00 AM

Awesome pics,good luck.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on September 04, 2011, 06:52:00 PM

One more pic from the other day. Looks like I'll be making it out again tomorrow. :cool:

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd015.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Coonbait on September 04, 2011, 07:48:00 PM

Fantastic pics. How in the world do you stalk them when they are so out in the open!
Glenn

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Thumper Dunker on September 04, 2011, 08:01:00 PM

Real cool stuff great pictures.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on September 04, 2011, 08:54:00 PM

Coonbait- its tough, but there's more cover there than it looks. All it takes is a little bowl, the belly of the hill, a ridge, a little cut or draw, a rock or two. If you look close on some of the pics you can see all of that.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: bentpole on September 04, 2011, 08:59:00 PM

Awesome! I'm enjoying this Tim! By the way is that lichen[spelling] on the Mountain mixed with the wild flowers? What's your set up?

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on September 04, 2011, 09:56:00 PM

Bentpole-yes, there's plenty of lichen in the pics; it's like walking on rice crispies when it's dry, but almost silent when its wet. I shoot lefty, a 60lb PSAX osage widow, grizzlystik Alaskans (what else !?), and a mix of 200gr broadheads. Arrows weigh ~650 grains or so.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: ishoot4thrills on September 04, 2011, 11:24:00 PM

Fantastic pics and story, even without getting anything as far as a kill goes. I envy you for your hunting places! :notworthy:

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 01:36:00 PM

Thought I'd tie this thread up.

Got out several more times. Great adventure, memories, and pics, but just couldn't take advantage of the opportunities. Had some trouble with my gear & shooting, which I've since fixed lol.

Snow up high has all but closed things down.

I'll start with some pics from a few weeks ago...

Some ewes and yearlings, too bad no rams as its an open area for full curls. Hope they appreciate their view.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdewes.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Mudd on October 09, 2011, 01:40:00 PM

Awesome pictures and story!

Thanks for sharing.

God bless,Mudd

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 01:40:00 PM

And on that same trip, lets just say this guy doesn't know how lucky he was.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdmidbear.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 01:41:00 PM

Thanks Mudd ! Lots to go yet.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 01:44:00 PM

The next trip was awesome. Went to a new spot. Pretty stout climb but it was worth it.

Bumped this young nanny at 6 yards, must have been bedded in the rocks, didn't see her and apparently she didn't see me 'til I almost stepped on her. Always amazing how these goats can appear and disappear in the rocks.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdclsgoat.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 01:49:00 PM

Same goat further on. It's a draw tag here, and I didn't draw one.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszd1goat.jpg)

And gotta get my bow in somewhere.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdbwgoat.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 01:50:00 PM

A big nanny later on.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdbgnan.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 01:54:00 PM

And probably the biggest one I saw this fall. Just didn't think I could get to him safely, and get home safely. Real treacherous terrain all around him.

He's in my memory banks.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/clfbear.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 01:59:00 PM

Two more and then its off to our worship service, more later.

A small brown bear and her 2 spring cubs. It always surprises me how well the brown bears can blend in on some hillsides.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdbrswcubs.jpg)

Just a bit of light left, so better start back & down. A bit of the view heading for the barn.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdcrlview.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: steadman on October 09, 2011, 02:02:00 PM

Very cool pics. Thanks. Black bear are one animal I wished I could hunt every year, especially spot and stalk. Very cool!

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: cacciatore on October 09, 2011, 02:14:00 PM

Thanks for sharing,you are living my dreams!If i ever will born again I wanna be an Alaskan!

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Sixby on October 09, 2011, 02:21:00 PM

Great pics, Thanks so much and God bless you, Steve

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Bjorn on October 09, 2011, 02:47:00 PM

Awesome pics thanks!!

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on October 09, 2011, 04:49:00 PM

Great Pictures. Hope you make it back to the barn Safely.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Pat B. on October 09, 2011, 05:27:00 PM

Just beautiful..

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: kibok&ko on October 09, 2011, 05:40:00 PM

great !

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: David Yukon on October 09, 2011, 06:27:00 PM

Realy nice indeed! look a lot like here! But I usualy try to stay away from bears....Espacialy with only a bow...We are not alowed to cary hand guns here, so I'm always on the safe side when it come to bears...

Good on you to after them!

Thank you for sharing!

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: bentpole on October 09, 2011, 06:53:00 PM

Beautiful Country!

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Coonbait on October 09, 2011, 07:33:00 PM

Boy that makes the places that I get to hunt look like strip mines! Just wonderful pictures!
Thank You for sharing them with us!
GLENN

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 07:56:00 PM

Thanks guys.

Well as I said, snow up high kindof put an end to things in most of our area. Here's a pic of one of my spots that I hiked into Friday afternoon. Compare it to some of the pics on page 1 from August.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdsnowhll.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Butts2 on October 09, 2011, 08:24:00 PM

You need to take more time off from work. We could really start lovin this stuff :thumbsup:

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 08:30:00 PM

So, I put my power boat in one of our lakes for a final go. Was hoping some of the slopes on the lake would still be snow-free and have bears feeding on them.

Ended up being a beautiful day. Here's a pic from the boat; the snow on the mountains,the fallen birch leaves frozen on the gunnel of my Willie boat, are a sign of the season.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdbtview.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Ragin Bull on October 09, 2011, 08:37:00 PM

Thanks for sharing. Alaska has some beautiful country. It's on my bucket list.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 09, 2011, 08:39:00 PM

One last time I went up the hill after a bear. Had a friend with me that day, we got three quarters of the way to the bear and it moved up and over, out of our lives.

Was a great season, lots of memories & chances. Helped a couple friends get animals, I get a lot of pleasure out of that and of course some shared meat in the freezer too. :thumbsup:

Took this pic when we stopped before heading back down to the boat. Nice end to this season.

(http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdlastview.jpg)

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: swp on October 10, 2011, 11:19:00 AM

Wow, thanks for sharing! You live and hunt in some beautiful country.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 10, 2011, 11:01:00 PM

Thanks for all the compliments on the pics guys.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Margly on October 11, 2011, 05:52:00 AM

This was a great thread!!
Thanks for sharing :archer:

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Stumpknocker on October 11, 2011, 11:39:00 PM

Amazing. That is some good livin'.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: IndianCreek on October 12, 2011, 01:06:00 AM

Thank you for sharing.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: John Havard on October 12, 2011, 09:23:00 AM

Hey Timothy,

Those mountain sides look familiar. Are the photos being taken along the Turnagain Arm south of Anchorage?

Thank you very much for taking the great photos and especially for sharing them with us.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: BoonRoto on October 12, 2011, 10:36:00 AM

Sweet, makes me want to move.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: Bud B. on October 12, 2011, 04:49:00 PM

I was thinking the Mat-Su Valley area north of Anchorage before Wasilla. I'm Curious too.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: chinook907 on October 12, 2011, 09:24:00 PM

John and Bud - it's neither. Pm's sent.

Title: Re: A little action on the mountainside (Final on page 3+)
Post by: ron w on October 12, 2011, 10:19:00 PM

Beautiful.........thanks for showing us!

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