Just got a call from Phil at Hunter's Point. He only had one trad bowhunter last week out of 16. In total 10 bear were killed. A number of bear were passed up because of size. It appears that the bears have very little fat on them. Don't know why but their weights last week were down but it appears everyone saw bear(s). Phil also listened to returning hunters and has plans to make the hunt better than ever.
This week he has 15 hunters, 5 of which are trad bowhunters and most, if not all, are associated with this site. He promised to keep me updated as the hunt progresses this week.
The sad news is that my wife, Laura's dad, is having surgery this week. He is 82 and she doesn't feel that with all the company coming and the uncertainty that comes with any surgery on the elderly, that we have decided not to make the last week of the hunt. Fortunately her work load has increased lately and we are grateful for that, but it means our Fall hunting will have to be with the local whitetails and turkeys. She just has too much to do and with her dad's surgery looming we just can't commit to a whole week off at this time.
Keep us updated on the bear hunters and your Fatherinlaw
Will do, Terry. It seems the bears are on a paleo diet, according to Phil. Very little fat on them so far. If I understood Phil, everyone had an opportunity but the bears seemed to be smallish. Very unusual for this time of year. Around here in southern NH there is so much natural feed that I think baiting would be hit or miss, more than it normally is.
I just came back from northern Maine. I only saw one small bear. a few of the baits seemed to get hit more in the AM. Only a handful of guys seen bears.
Hope all goes well for your father-in-law and thank you for the updates.
Thanks for the updates and prayers for you whole family.
Thanks for the concerns for my wife's dad. The surgery should be easy but you just never know at 82. The real problem for Laura is time lost for work. Relatives will start showing up tomorrow so there goes the time.
Phil indicated that natural food was scarce and getting scarcer. Those of you going up the last two weeks should do well. He still has openings and for 1/2 price it is a good deal.
Hope everyone has a good season.
Prayers for your FIL.
Bill and Laura, Sorry to hear about the Dad's upcoming surgery. He'll be in our prayers.
I hunted last week, the bear movement was slow and only saw 2 small bears. Hopefully, things will change this week and our guys can get a crack at the bigger ones.
Got a call last night from Eric Potter. He is from Fl. and hunting with Phil this week. Rained out Monday but he was on stand Tues. for about 30 mins. He was shooting a 68# Silvertip, 2219 shafts and Simmons heads. Shot a 200 pounder that made it all of 25 yards. Pics will be posted when he gets home this weekend.
Updates as I get them.
What's been going on?
I'm waiting on a call from Phil. Could be any minute.
By the way, my father-in-law's surgery was great. He came thru it just fine and the results are very promising. Thanks for your thoughts, prayers and concern.
Great your father in laws surgery went well! Good luck on the whitetails and turkeys this fall Bill! God bless.
Great news about the surgery. Prayers sent for continued improvement.
Good news about your Father-in-law!! I wish him a speedy recovery
Just saw on Facebook that Earl Thomas scored.
Glad to hear everything is going good Bill. Best of luck this fall.
Talked to Phil yesterday. There were 2 trad kills last week and a total of 6 bears taken.....14 all told. Interestingly, at other guiding operations things are not going well at all. One outfitter has not yet had a hunter take a bear with any weapon. For whatever reasons, the big bears are not moving and things are slow for all guides. Our own Sam Koger will be up there next week along with only one other hunter who is shooting a compound. Looks like Sam can have any bait he wants to. Let's wish Sam the best of luck. On Monday I will be at the Doc getting a spinal nerve block for a persistent back problem so we had to cancel our plans to be there. Along with Laura's dad's ailments and surgery it has been a hectic few weeks. Deer and turkey open here on Sunday so I'll at least be out for the opener. Good luck to all.
Double post....sorry!
Bill thanks for the report.
I'll lift you up in prayer for your back situation.
God bless,Mudd
Bill-
Eldon guiding for/with Phil?
Don: Eldon is working for the lumber company doing some sort of road work with sineage and such. Between that and his taxidermy he hasn't time to guide. All the other guys are still with Phil although I am not sure about Eldon's brother-in-law, Wayne. I don't remember Phil mentioning him in any conversations. Laura will be meeting with Phil after the season to set up a new web site. Phil is considering changing the name, but that is all that will change. Same hunting area, same baits, yada, yada, yada.
Mudd...you're a good man. The back thing on Monday is to see if a nerve block will work and help alleviate the pain in my hip which is clearly caused by arthritic bone spurs on a particular facet joint. Interestingly enough the episode that initiated the pain was the last time I sat in a tree stand last year. It was not level and I was uncomfortable for 3 hours. Thought I could walk it off....didn't happen. All my stands have new cables on them and were replaced level. If the tree didn't allow it it went in another. I also have two Double bulls set up here at the house, mostly for turkeys in the mornings, and two out on our property from which I have taken two bucks over the last 3 years.
Hope you all have a sucessful season no matter how you define the word.
Bill- Thanks for keeping us updated even with all that is going on in your life. Will pray for a successful procedure on Monday.
Prayers for your hip and back.
Bill, Here is a picture of my brother Earl and his bear. He used a big river longbow and snuffer broadheads. Phil and his guides go above and beyound to give you a quality hunt. We can't wait until we can return to the north woods of maine. God bless, Scott. (http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww33/pricklybuck/fc5b9cf3-f91a-464b-a23f-3cde5f1958cf.jpg) (http://s703.photobucket.com/user/pricklybuck/media/fc5b9cf3-f91a-464b-a23f-3cde5f1958cf.jpg.html)
Thanks Bill.hope your back gets better.Heading to see the Doc myself today with my back.
Especially want to wish Sam Koger the best of luck next week. He missed the hunt last year due to the untimely death of his father. Phil honored his deposit and the hunt is on for him. Only one other hunter in camp that I know of so he should have his pick of baits.