G'day guys,
Well for years now I have always found myself dreaming of stalking a bear with my longbow surrounded the lush green views of BC or some other far off land in the Rockies.
Well after some homework I made contact with Jeff Lander of Primitive Outfitting in BC, Canada and paid up my deposit. Jeff came highly recommended as he is good mates with Don and Lori Thomas and is also a traditional bowhunter himself.
I am booked in to hunt the rut mid next year ( I will check my dates again but I think its July ) for seven days and the backward and forwarding of emails between Jeff and I it seems we are on the same wave length when it comes to hunting hard and long for not only a quality bear but an adventure as well.
I am just wanting to quiz the season bear hunters as to and tips and tricks so I can be prepared as much as I can for the hunt.
Cheers guys,
ak.
Good luck Al
Good luck Al. Where in BC will you be hunting??
Good luck.
I'm not just a little bit jealous.
Remember, before you shoot, tie your guides' shoe laces together so you can for sure outrun him if needed.
ChuckC
There is a tendency in your situation to second guess yourself...do not let that creep in...very simply do exactly what Jeff tells you to do...none of us here know his bears the way he does...he will get you the shot...put your energy into ensuring that you can make it under pressure
DDave
DEET and netting, especially for a hat/hood. I hunted BC in May and the flies and mosquitos were unbelievable.
Best of luck. It sounds like a great hunt.
Sounds like fun Al.
The only point I would make is that some folks find it difficult to pick a spot on them. Not sure what it is, the color, hair....not sure. My suggestion is to put some black material over their targets and practice shooting with no spots. Get used to picking a spot on the flat black.
You'll have a blast.
I'm not a seasoned bear hunter but I will wish you best of luck! Sounds like a neat hunt to me.
Bisch
Thanks guys.... As far as I know I'll be hunting north some what of Prince George...
ak.
Goodluck to you get after em it will be a blast i also will be taking my first journey next yr to manitoba for archery bear june 1st and cant wait!
Congrats and good luck, that will be a great Hunt!
I did that style hunt with jim shockey a few years ago. This was on Vancouver island. Saw 80+ bear in 3 days. Awesome!! My guide challenged the bear by growling and putting on a display while wearing black and the bears came right to us. I shot a 465# bear and still one of my favorite stories!! Trust your guide is the key. We did not have bugs. Best equipment was good glass bino and spotter.
If you have questions let me know.
Mike
I've hunted with Jeff twice and just love the area. Lots of bears both black and griz plus moose, elk, deer and wolf. I fly into Calgary and do the drive to Sinclair Mill, just a beautiful drive. This past spring my son gun killed a 7 foot bear and the other guys in camp all killed bears 6'8" or bigger with guns. I killed 6' with my long bow. PM me if you have questions.
CJ
That sounds like a very cool hunt that many of us would love to do. Best of luck, shoot straight.
Al, check your dates? July is not time to hunt bears??? Not to rain on your parade but if your getting booked for July I would reconsider and come another year when you can do it at right time - May is month you want to be there maybe early June at latest - July no. Long way to come for bear with lousy summer coat and bugs that will eat you quicker than bears! I always hunted bears in BC last week of May at latest. Don't want to see someone just booking you for hell of it, Mate - you deserve better.
Good luck Al, it sounds like a really great hunt. Bear hunting for us in Europe sound very " exotic" :thumbsup:
A dream hunt for me as well
Hi again Folks, yes you are right David... I just checked my dates and its the first week of June...not July. I knew it was one of those 'J' months...lol.
At this stage I plan to fly into Calgary, hire a car three days before and take my time driving north through the Rockies (Not sure how to hire a car in BC or whats needed so I'll have to look into that side of things?)
Like Africa, I'll be listening to my guide/PH all the time and taking his word for it whenever and whatever we are doing. Local knowledge holds more weight then what I could ever read in a book or online. Jeff has come highly recommended too...
ak.
Lots of traditional bowhunters in the Calgary area...I live about 2 hours north of there and am a member of the Calgary based Rocky Mountain Longbow Association...great group to hang out with so I make the trip two or three times each winter to shoot 3D targets indoors with them...I will check this winter to see if there is anyone in the group with connections for renting a vehicle...you will see some breathtaking country between Calgary and Prince George...keep in touch and maybe we can meet when you are here
DDave
Fixed a double post
DDave
As I recall, Calgary is on the plains, not in the mountains, however, look west young man and you will see them. They are calling. If you have the time, it is not so long a drive to get into them and Banff National Park.
It is beautiful country up there. I was there for work, in the winter months, and would LOVE the chance to return on my own terms.
ChuckC
Thanks Guys,
At this stage, my plan is to drive to Banff, onto Jasper and finish up at Prince George. I'd be happy to meet up with some fellow Trad bowhunters whilst there...
ak.
Sounds like a great time. Like Hunt It, when your first post said July I thought that's late for the rut and the hide will be sparse and patchy. The rut here is going well the first week in June.
I've done quite a bit of spot and stalk for them and it is a blast. Listen to your guide of course.
As a general rule, if you're in an area with lots of bears, be choosy and pick which ones are better animals and in more stalkable spots, as you can burn a lot of time and energy on just one stalk.
I generally close the bulk of the distance real fast and then slow down when I get within 50-100 yards, depending on the terrain.
To state the obvious, if you can be in a position where the bear closes the final distance is best, i.e. get in front of them. Also, sometimes you can wait until they go behind a ridge, boulder, etc then hustle the last bit to them.
Another general statement is to not hesitate. The wind can change so quick and then they're gone.
If one does bust you, or you stalk to one and then can't find it, stick around. More often than not they will re-emerge within a few minutes to an hour or so if they spooked, or they may be unaware of you but are temporarily out of sight.
Ask your guide what position you will likely be shooting from and practice accordingly. I generally end up shooting from my knees, so I practice a lot like that. I walk around the yard, and drop down without looking at the target, then raise up on my knees and shoot. Quite often from your knees you get more of a 2-dimensional view of the animal, i.e. you see little or none of the ground between, so it's harder for your hair covered computer to gauge things. So I practice that.
Happy hunting!
I have been dreaming about a hunt with Jeff from time ago. His email, with the expectations of bears sights and the relation with the different weeks of the spring season was very nice. I would like to see the same info from all the outfitters. Enjoy
You've definitely got something to look forward to - Best wishes for a successful hunt!
It's still November but I'm already looking forward to and thinking about spring every day!
I bears spot and stalk style in CA during the fall when the bears were on the piñon nuts. I was amazed how close we could get as long as we played the wind. Pretty exciting. Good luck.
Thanks for the shooting tips chinook907... I always like to practice from different positions, more so from the kneeling position and I already had the thought I'd be looking at hunting and shooting a bear that way.
Oh you bet. Will you be hunting clearcuts along logging roads, on the beach, or new grass on avalanche shoots ?
As far as I know it'll be clear cuts and old logging roads.
Not sure of the weather that time of year in BC...
ak.
Good luck Al! Good to see you post. Hope life has returned to a bit of normal for ya!
That's awesome brother, good for you! Nice to see life going in the right direction again for you. Good luck!!!
Thanks guys... its a few months off as yet but I'm sure the time will fly and before I know it ill be landing in Calgary!
ak
Well guys... My flights are booked, been chatting to Jeff via emails toimg and froing about this hunt and the plan that we have.
Jeff already sounds pumped for the hunt and I'm getting all my ducks in a row to turn this dream hunt... This goal into a reality!
I'm still tossing up wether to shoot my BW longbow or my recurve... Not a bad problem to have one would think!
6 weeks and counting guys!
Sounds like a great hunt. The spot and stalk will be fantastic.
I know on the west coast of BC the first week of June is when people start getting more serious and more excited about bears.
It's warmer where you are headed so I'm assuming it will grass up faster than here on the island.
depending on the terrain, may i suggest taking a couple calls with you. i've used fawn distress call with good success when i couldn't get closer. also have used a cow moose call for a cover sound when in noisy areas. good luck on your hunt, i'd love to get up to that area, but i hunt for the freezer and just can't convince my wife the cost effectiveness when i have so many bear within an hour or 2 of me. maybe i should move north.
Good luck Al and may your arrows fly true.
Good luck. Planning is at least half the fun.
I would refrain from using any calls in that area unless you want some excitement. First time I hunted with Jeff I crossed paths with 8 Grizzly. One big boar was about 5 minutes behind a cow moose with twins, nose to the ground and hot on their trail. Last year Jeff bumped a big Griz off a calf carcass about 50 yards off the road. That bear was rather unhappy. Besides Al, you'll see 20 to 30 bears a day if you are out driving around anyway. There is NO shortage of bears around Sinclair Mills BC.
G'day again guys,
Well just a quick hello and a update on my hunt thus far...
I've made the long journey from my home in Mackay, Aussie to Calgary where I'm staying a few days before my trip north to Prince George BC.
This far Tracy and Mark have been looking after me well and today we did some gofer hunting to dial in my shooting before the hunt...
(http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r522/al_kidner/imagejpg2.jpg) (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/al_kidner/media/imagejpg2.jpg.html)
I was still in the grips of jet lag and left my bow quiver behind for the day so I only had two arrows and there was a Gallzillion gofers to shot!
(http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r522/al_kidner/imagejpg1.jpg) (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/al_kidner/media/imagejpg1.jpg.html)
Lucky I had my eye in as these guys sure can jump the string ! But alas... I nailed a few.
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Did not stop the ones not hit well enough escaping down the holes they dig!
This is the aftermath of what happens when you miss...!
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And here is Mark and I picking a spot on a few intended targets...
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Sure was green out there...
(http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r522/al_kidner/imagejpg4.jpg) (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/al_kidner/media/imagejpg4.jpg.html)
And we had a few laughs when we both missed too...
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And this is how you have to hit them, good anchoring chest shots or head shots...tough little rodents they are!
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(http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r522/al_kidner/imagejpg3-2.jpg) (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/al_kidner/media/imagejpg3-2.jpg.html)
And My host Tracy showing how it's done...
(http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r522/al_kidner/imagejpg2-1.jpg) (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/al_kidner/media/imagejpg2-1.jpg.html)
More to come later guys...
And so it begins. Wait til you start the drive west and hit the mountains, one of the prettiest places on earth. Have a great hunt.
CJ
This is going to be epic. Savor every second Al!
Awesome so far! Looks like a great time. Good luck!
Good luck! I would love to do a spot n stalk for bear one of these days!
Bisch
Enjoy !!!
Awesome Al! May the wind stay true in your favor... :thumbsup:
Good luck Al,
Awaiting the stories and pictures after the hunt
:bigsmyl:
:clapper: :clapper:
Continue the stories and pics please! :pray:
Would love to do a S&S for bear.
Hi Al,
Good luck, and is that your Huntsman you are shooting?
HI Bro good to see ya man good luck on the hunt may your arrows find the sweet spot. :wavey:
It looks you are dialed in. Good luck on your bear hunt,it is a hunt I dream too.
Thanks guys for the well wishes. I called Jeff my guide this morning - after having all sorts of troubles with this crap travel sim I was sold back home! - and he was keen as to get me on the ground hunting as they are seeing some really big bears and the rut will heat up in the next few days.... So roll on Sunday I say!
Adam ( adamgti he runs by on here ) picked me up today to do a bit of touring and hitting some of the outdoor stores whilst in Calgary. We don't have major hunting shops back home in Aussie and it's always good to head in and take it all in.
I really like the trophy mounts on the walls...
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And yes Danny, I'll be doing this hunt with my Huntsman recurve. In one of the pics I posted I was shooting Marks bow that was a Caribow longbow... And a real sweet shooter.
Nothing like Bass Pro to overdo things... That's a plane hanging from the rafters...
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Good Luck Al.....looking forward to the hunt updates....enjoy
Best of Luck Al!!! :thumbsup:
Mate, very cool eh ...
Look forward to the updates, pics and blood trail!
Best wishes Al... Have a great Time! :thumbsup:
Gee... Time spent in Banff is kinda hard to deal with...
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Gotta runs guys... Have some mountains to hike. A lot of paths are closed due to 'bear problems'... Smiled to myself when the locals told me that...
Some problems are good to have :readit: :goldtooth:
Yeah but those problems are brown with long claws
I think it's the bears who are about to find out THEY have a problem. Good luck Al!
I think it's the bears who are about to find out THEY have a problem. Good luck Al!
good luck Al.
small ears mate....
Good luck to you Al :)
.......enjoying the story and pictorial .
Have a great hunt !
Looking forward to the stories Al, good hunting!
hunt safe Bro looking forward to pics :thumbsup:
Go get 'em, Al!
Good Luck!
Bisch
All the best Al, shoot straight.
Mark.
Keep it coming and good luck
That last pic is sick! I can't decide if the house being there is cool or just wrong??? Anyway- Awesome thread....pins and needles on what's to come... :archer2:
The Calgary - Banff - Jasper corridor aka Icefields Parkway / Banff National Park is the drive of a lifetime! Did it with my wife for our honeymoon. Can't recommend it enough and looks like you get to mix some hunting in with it which makes it even more special! Enjoy!
Hi guys.... Just a quick pic again as I'm in town to book a flight.
Bear camp! ( went for a walk last nigh, was pouring rain but still seen 3 bears, no shooters though...)
(http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r522/al_kidner/imagejpg1-6.jpg) (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/al_kidner/media/imagejpg1-6.jpg.html)
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Gotta run guys.... Bruins to stalk..!
what's your bear setup al?
Al,
Your appearance and the quote at the bottom of your posts have me inspired.
Ill be running the buffs down and tickling them to death from now on.
Enjoy the trip and you deserve a pumpkin head.
Go get 'em, Al! Happy hunting!
Wonderful part of the world you are in. Best of luck on the hunt!
:campfire:
:campfire:
I have a feeling a post is coming.
........... Tim tok tik tok
Get into em mate.
Best of Luck....but I believe you'll be making your own luck..!
Waiting patiently.... :campfire:
OK, to the top for the rest of the story. I'm sure Lander's kicked Al out and he's back in the world (and internet) heading west. Not easy leaving that part of the world.
G'day guys... Yep, back in the world and landed here in Vancouver for a few days before I fly out back home to Aussie.
Will post away soon guys...
But for now I'm keen to find a decent cuppa Tea!
ak
looking forward to the rest of the story. always wanted to stalk a blk bear with bow. done with that tea yet??!!
We're ready when you are Al. Enjoy Vancouver while you have the chance.
:coffee: :coffee: :coffee: can't wait Brother. mmmmm me thinks this is going to be good
a friend of mine just returned from a hunt with Jeff in BC,, he didn't get a bear he texted me that he did see some, be interesting to hear about this hunt..
Well in between times I'll add a bit more to the story.
My wife was shaking her head when she found out I was doing another internet "blind date," I've met some darned good friends like this and I had a feeling this guy would be all right too. I called Ozzy Clint for a referral and he seemed to think this dude was ok so I had no qualms.
Mark and I enjoyed our day out with Al, he's a good shot and lethal out to 50 yards so any bear in that range is in trouble. I can't remember how many gophers we all got together, it must have been around 60 or 70 and we didn't push too hard. We could have doubled that amount easily but we got tired from shooting hunting weight bows that much. Gophers really force a guy to concentrate and are great practice once we got dialled in the gophers started to drop with some regularity.
We went for a nice drive through the foothills a drive that I love to do and one that I take a lot of visitors on. We saw a few mule deer but no moose, elk or bears, pity that but it's how things go.
Al, is good company and an all round nice guy, folks like that are welcome at my place any time. I'd hesitate to go back packing very far with him because I know I'd be a little pile of mush if I tried to keep up with him ;)
Now about that bear story? Dang, is hope there's a bear involved here.
QuoteOriginally posted by Al Kidner:
But for now I'm keen to find a decent cuppa Tea!
ak
:pray:
You're talking about the pride of Canada. 2 cream 1 sugar for this guy ;)
Clint, there you go about Tims again.... ;)
Hi Al! Just checking-in to see how you went, mate. Looking-forward to the rest of it.
:campfire: :coffee:
G'day again guys...
Sorry for the delay, been travelling, seeing Canada, hitting a few Crossfit gyms, buying gifts etc...so with all that it's been in the back of my dull mind I need to finish off the rest of this thread for you guys.
Firstly .... I can't thank Tracy, Mark and Adam for their OUTstanding hospitality when in Alberta. Guys, if I could ever repay you for the above mentioned, then asking would simply offend me as I feel I owe you guys so much for offering me so much. Deeds over words... A true measure of men, so thanks... I fully and wholeheartedly appreciate it tenfold.
Like I said, my house will be yours if and when you guys land down under!
Now... The hunt.
Jeff Lander is an outstanding guy and outfitter and there is not much he does not know about bears and has been guiding for some time now and understands trad Bowhunters as he is one himself. We hit it off really well and we both had the same dry smart arsed humour and we had a lot of laughs at each other's expanse!
His area in BC is outstanding and he has a very large area to look for bears and I forget the size but it's big... With access to property's each side of his location.
I seen Moose, deer, black bears and grizzly. We also seen Caribou tracks which I think were the Mountain Caribou, but don't quote me as I'm not up to speed on those fellas. But the tracks were way up in the logging area if that makes sense.
More to come guys... I feel I need to export/import real Tea and coffee to Canada. Man you guys make crap coffee....lol.
:coffee:
Crap coffee indeed, Al you don't owe us anything we're Canadians and it's just how we behave. It was great having you around for a couple of days and if you want to come back for more gophers just let us know. In the meantime I gotta go and make a coffee ;)
The area you hunted holds Mountain Caribou. In Alberta we call them Woodland Caribou. Very cool animals. I'm my opinion they're one of the most athletic animals I have ever witnessed.
I haven't had a Tims in the last little while without remembering your distain. Thanks for lighting an international hunting fire under me man. Right after you left I planned 2 foreign hunts and can't wait.
Now back to the story.
So the first day was wet and we did not see any bears worthy of a stalk, from all accounts bears don't like the rain on their faces either... Strange huh.
During the season Jeffs hunters have taken some really nice bears and all over the 6' mark with some bangers well over the 6'7" ( both rifle and Bowhunters ). We were aware that the rut was falling over a full moon period this year and we hoped it would not affect bear movements like it does deer.
We spent the next few days hitting the logging roads and the open fields, seeking out a good bruin to put a stalk in on but it seemed the bears were not moving as much as was expected and we hunted hard everyday in order to get me in the same location of a good bear.
Here is Jeff's truck. I told him it called for a line from the movie 'Jaws'.... "Jeff mate, I think you need a bigger truck!"
(http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r522/al_kidner/imagejpg1-7.jpg) (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/al_kidner/media/imagejpg1-7.jpg.html)
As a side note for size comparison... I am 6'2" tall.
On our second day I put in a stalk on a bear out in the middle of a field. He was not a massive bear but he was a real nice brown colour phase... Of which I was after and dreamed of dropping the string on a big colour phase bear on this hunt.
I gave Jeff my SLR camera and I slipped off into the timberline in order to get the wind correct. So it was shoes off, face mask up and game face on time...and Jeff followed.
I exited the timber rainforest with him insight and got down to belly crawl my way to within shooting range... The past few days of rain made for quiet stalking underfoot and I took full advantage of this. I made it to within about 25 yards when he stood up on his hind legs, raised his big head in the air and took a big nose full of the wind currents and I knew this gig was all but up. He dropped down, woofed and spun to make haste for the security of woods and that was that. I had a fleeting idea to take a running shot but held off as the woods are thick and make for poor tracking of bear who are not hit solid and true.
Jeff and his guides doing the hard yards on a bear shot whilst we were out that day...
(http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r522/al_kidner/imagejpg3-3.jpg) (http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/al_kidner/media/imagejpg3-3.jpg.html)
Jeff swears by the Camo line of ASAT. I too use it back home but this trip I am using the new Tusx camo line and it worked really well and is very well designed. At one point when out on a hunt Jeff was sitting well back in the treeline and I had troubles focusing on him as the ASAT sure did it's designed purpose.
Jeff also mentioned he had trouble picking me up as well so that's a big thumbs up for both ASAT and Tusx. Well thought out and designed camo clothing is a must when slipping in close to animals in the wilds of BC.
Guys I just want to add in here now that 80% of my photos are still on my SLR camera and I won't be able to download them till I return home to Aussie ( I'm currently in the airport now waiting on my flight ) .... I only have my iPad on me and will need to download the rest of the pics to my Apple Mac.
For the next few days as mentioned, we hit the logging roads both on foot and by car to cover as much ground as possible. But it seemed the moon may have been having its affect on the rut and bear movements were not as expected and had Jeff and his guide Garry scratching their heads each day trying to come up with a suitable plan for me to close the deal and tag out.
A plan was hatched to walk a road down to where I put the stalk in on the colour phase brown. I was all smiles with this as I really wanted another crack at him again if given the chance. So... We walked our way down the road and glassed the open field where we last seen him but he must still have been sleeping someplace as he failed to show that day.
I had a look in an old abandoned cabin - there are heaps in the area due to the logging industry failing some time back and people just up and left in droves. Inside the cabin was everything needed to live and it had a big window that we could sit in front of and glass directly out into the field.
Being inside kept the bugs and Mosquitos well out of reach and I think they were trying to double tap me as I already have Malaria thanks to time spent on operations in Indonesia back when I was a recce grunt in the infantry. Man they sure are hungry!
With still plenty of daylight hours to spend glassing, I took a look about the cabin and found some coffee and sugar... Hmmmm I thought. I wonder if the stove works.... Yep! Bingo, time to make up some coffee!
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I'd also like to thank Adam on the cap... Mate that is one hell of a hunting/shooting hat and I'd make a killing selling them in Aussie !
So with the coffee made - yes, before you ask it was nice coffee...as I made it! - I took my seat at the window and just as I set down I noticed a big brown shape out in the field... Yep, typical... Make a chap and visitors turn up!
The coffee can wait I thought as I slipped on my shooting glove and edged our way out of the cabin to test the breeze. It was a favourable wind,heading straight from the bear to us but I did not hold much in its consistency as I've been told the wind currents are a fickle mistress in this part of the world.
He was feeding away from me which enabled me to slip into about 13 odd meters from him and he had no idea of my presence. He was sitting eating, then he'd get up... Feed some more and sit again and I would like to say I was all calm and collected, and to a certain amount I was... But being that close to an animal, a wild bear who can, if he wants to be a real problem for you he can be kinda had me a little on edge.
Before I knew it a shot presented itself and I drew, felt my anchor and dumped the sting. Now as it goes... We all know before the arrow leaves the riser it's either a good shot, on target... Or a miss. And sadly... Mine was a miss. I shot over him. I shot high, as I will always do when I fail to pick a spot... And that's exactly what I did... The oldest failing when shooting a bow and I succumbed to it and felt like a fool making a rookie mistake and mentally chided myself.
The bear - as handsome as he was - took off to places unknown, to where bears live and left me standing there feeling dejected and downtrodden. He was such a nice looking bear and I was oh so close to zipping and arrow through him and making him mine forever... I hung my head and battled with the mental head games that followed when we blow shots like this.
I felt such a fool... Why, a week before I was shooting gofers out to 40 meters, smashing them through the head and chest to kill them outright so as not to loose them down their holes and I miss a bear at 13 meters.... Man, I think I qualify for the best blown Trad Gang shot for 2014 right there! Twit.
I was quiet when back at camp and after the nights rest and breakfast in the morning I'd put it all down to hunting with stick and sting and the importance of focusing when shooting and hunting. Jeff and I came up with a plan and that was for us to keep hunting that same bear as he had been seen in the same field now on and off for the season and I felt I owed it to him, Jeff and myself to finish this thing I had started.
And that's how the rest of my hunt panned out... stalking to the filed via the logging road, waiting for him to show and waiting...
We'd see him each day but he must have known something was amiss as he would only come out for a quick look see and head back into the woods again, or... I see him from far off and by the time we got to within the range I last seen him he was no where to be found.
I can honestly say I left no stone unturned in my efforts and really put the time in for that specific animal... All to come up empty handed. A gamble that never paid off but I can live with that. The hunter not always wins when we hunt with out intended weapon of choice... And I am at peace with that and going home empty handed.
It just gives me an excuse to book with Jeff again next time...
Dang!!! Double Dang...I didn't want to hear that. I can't tell you how many times I haven't picked a spot, I missed a moose, a whole dang moose at 15 yards once and yup you guessed it right over its back. I won't say don't feel bad because that shot will haunt you for a longtime and you'll see the arrow flight every time you think about that shot. But in the end it still makes for a good story and all you have to do is try again. The thing with guided hunts is there's so much pressure to score sometimes we defeat ourselves.
Ah, that's tough, mate. But you have a great attitude about it. Better luck next time. You still hunted properly.
Sounds like you had a great time. Have been following this and was hopeful for you, and still am for the next time. :thumbsup:
No worries bro
that kinda stuff happens to even the best of shots once in a while..
You will get one next time :bigsmyl: :)
we have all blown shots that we consider chip shots, you're not alone there mate. some goals it seems, are destined to be hard to obtain. when you get one it'll be worth it!
great pics and story, looking forward to more.
At least you didn't shoot it up the nose :rolleyes: like me Al. Jeff is a hell of a good guy and the area is about as pretty as it gets. Hard to beat that.
So what about the grizzlies? I've seen a pile of them there and got up close to a few. Amazing animals. What's your story with them? Did you get to sneak up on any for a pic or two?
Thanks guys for the kind words and yes, when I send and arrow through the lungs of nice bruin it'll be worth every minute spent in preparation...
As for the Grizzlys... They were about but never in the areas I was hunting. I did get some pics but they are on my SLR and as mentioned I won't be able to download them for a day or so. I'm currently in Sydney airport, heels up and enjoy a nice cup of Aussie tea!
It happens to the best of us...no worries brother!!
Sounds like an awesome hunt regardless of the outcome :clapper:
Great Hunting story, I look forward to your photos. I think I would have a hard time focusing being that close to a bruin, on the same playing field.
Well, I can certainly relate to this story (as ozzy clint can surely attest to.....hi Clint)!
I went all the way to Australia from Texas and managed to miss a couple goats.......AND A RED STAG!!!!! In my own defense though, I was on the bottom side of the world, and as so, was standing upside down, which was a stance I had not practiced beforehand! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
It was still one of the best hunts I have ever been on! Thanks again Clint and Mick!
I'm sure you will get him next time, Al!
Bisch
Great hunt Al! Sounds like a lot of fun! Bummer about the outcome, but it gives you a better excuse to come back out.
Beautiful country. Sorry to hear about the miss. Better than NOT getting a shot at all. You may have missed, but you WON! You got close enough for the shot. You just saved yourself a lot of work:)
Lets see pics of your bow.
Guys I'm downloading some pics now of the country side, the bears and also for Keith, my bow...lol.
Stay tuned guys...
ak.
Waiting patiently... :campfire:
Hi again guys...
Well here is a pic of "My Bear" that I stalked in on and missed...lol.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_8157_zps1be81063.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/IMG_8157_zps1be81063.jpg.html)
And here is a sow in another open type field... she knew we were there and she could also hear the camera shutter as well...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_8185_zpsb5c6dffd.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/IMG_8185_zpsb5c6dffd.jpg.html)
And some of the local scenery...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_8168_zpsb52d581f.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/IMG_8168_zpsb52d581f.jpg.html)
And the local post office... still in use today!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_8406_zps9f54a7cb.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/IMG_8406_zps9f54a7cb.jpg.html)
I don't know why my pics are not as sharp once downloaded to Photobucket... must have to check my settings.
And this is what its like in the rainforest/woods... dark, green and full of bugs/mosquitos !
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/IMG_8229_zps889ea9e8.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/IMG_8229_zps889ea9e8.jpg.html)
Cheers guys for all the well wishes whilst I was on the journey. It was something else to see that part of the world and I'll be back for sure, not next year as I'm off to Africa again but in 2016 I'd say.
ak,
what amazingly beautiful country
Oh and here are some pics of my Huntsman recurve. Its 62", 62# at 29" and I named her "Zulu"...
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/4_zpsa3bd7019.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/4_zpsa3bd7019.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/3_zps74ee6c4a.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/3_zps74ee6c4a.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/2_zps69e2420e.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/2_zps69e2420e.jpg.html)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/Longbow_lad/5_zpse081f81a.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Longbow_lad/media/5_zpse081f81a.jpg.html)
Ouch! Real pretty bear. Sorry that you missed, I've been there a time or two. :knothead:
Darcy :campfire:
Great pics Al!
Bisch
Saw Wheat bow man
The camo looked like a perfect match.
Any bad miss is better than a bad hit. Misses happen and just think he'll be that much bigger next time. Thanks for sharing!!
WOW! Beautiful bow! Thanks for posting pics.
Beautiful place!
Beautiful bow! Those limb tips that Mr. Kimber does are something else...
Yeh... Mark sure is a craftsmen of the highest standard and one hell of a hunter to boot.
ak.
QuoteOriginally posted by Big Ed:
Any bad miss is better than a bad hit.
Exactly! And what a stunning bow you have! I know all too well the disappointment of a miss and the resulting mental thrashing that a person gives themselves after...I feel for ya, brother! Thanks for sharing such an awesome experience with us. A dream huntfor sure!!!
Thanks for sharing!