I am home from a long ride in the truck and pure madness in Quebec. After a year of planning and anticipation I got to finally hunt with Jerry Russell, owner and guide, and a few Tradgangers.
I am the first home so be patient...I will humor you with some details until they return but let me tell you, there are some fireworks coming :) When I pulled out there was already one bear down and the rut was beyond cranked.
Jerry runs a great bear camp in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. If you weren't there for bears you'd think you had booked a river fishing camp or a lake trout adventure. It is a stunning place!
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*Waterfall
Aside from the beauty of the place, the bear hunting is awesome. Whoever thinks there are not big mature bears in Quebec is crazy! Of the 20 or so baits I saw cams on or saw myself personally, half had mature boars that showed up to visit the sows. That is exactly what I wanted, and that is exactly what Jerry set me up with.
I had two rookie bear hunters with me, one hunting with wheels (who is now converted and will remain anonymous for this tale) and another who took to the longbow this year. My sole purpose for them coming was to share a camp with first-timers and to get their mind blown. Mission accomplished.
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:campfire:
I had a special bow on this trip, picked up from a new good friend here on TG. I have a thing for Greenstripes. This one has a special place as it was signed the year I started bowhunting. It made the trip with one purpose in mind: mature boar or nothing! Jerry said he could deliver and he did!
The Mastigouche game reserve is 2500 square miles of wilderness, lakes and rivers. Jerry has a BUNCH of baits and 16 tags at camp 1. You really only scratch the surface on his sets and still the furthest baits are an hour away. The roads are bumpy but good and his sets are A plus, shots 12 yards or closer, and because of the many sets, the baits don't get worn out. Here is the land mass that is called Mastigouche:
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*You can get lost here
Upon arrival we settled into camp and unloaded our gear. Our first day was a wash...literally. Rain coming in sheets, we settled into camp life with a cocktail and a snack. Some of us kept there little piggies warm, others enjoyed a book...
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*Foot warmer
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*First edition I been holding on to
The second day we got lined up with our equipment, our digs and a little bit of heaven. La douche, how I love thee. A hot shower in camp is just the best thing ever.
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*Unlimited water supply
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*Home sweet home!!!
I have the feeling that this is going to be good.
The first night on stand you could feel the tension on the ride to the baits. My guys and me would be taking the farthest sets. My set was an old bait that had been re established recently and had not been hunted in six years. There were bears showing up routinely there, and I was beyond excited. It had only been a year since I was in bear camp, but I had forgotten the butterflies! My stomach flipped and flopped as I climbed in, buckled up and gave Jerry the thumbs up.
A light rain started and I eased my rain jacket on. Part of me cringed watching that beautiful bow take the rain. I am sure Papa Bear would have stuck it out...so did I. It wasn't long before my first visitor. I reached for my bow and realized it wasn't exactly the bear I wanted. I got to enjoy the little boar cautiously approach the bait and keep an an out for other bears. That is a good sign!
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*Giant someday
My night was just awesome! Aside from the rain, there was a constant butterfly response to each bear. It was a sustained boil of bears. None would come to the bait, as it seemed my wind and larger bears were on the brain of the smaller bears. At one point I had visuals on 4 different bears at the same time. I had bow shots at 2 of them but weren't what I wanted.
Finally just before dark I saw what I came to the 'Gouche for: behind me a nice sow stepped out from the bush at 25 yards. Behind her was a nice boar glunking his way with her step for step. Out of range for me I watched them slip away, but I was happy! In the dark waiting for Jerry there was a plethora of bear sounds: growls, spits, woofs...they were all around me! Unnerving but wonderful, the sounds of bears in the dark. Right before I could hear the truck coming I hear a metallic thud as the barrel gets slammed under me. Bear camp just got real...
Mike, it was great meeting you and your buds. That was one of the best weeks I have ever spent in the woods.
Stan please chime in with your story as well! I regret only getting a couple of nights with you. We are going to make up for that...can you say Namibia :)
Where was I? Oh, the ride home. It was Father's Day...to a man in the truck they reflected on their fathers, with all of them except me losing fathers in this world. Me, mine is lost as well...but not to the grave. I admired them for their words and the men their fathers raised. It was humbling to hear grown men speak of their dads, knowing each would enjoy the hunt we had all had. I was the last to be picked up, and the ride back is what bear camp is all about. Sharing stories, bearing hearts, being men. That ride in the truck...
When back to base it was an all out feast, stories going, cocktails flowing. Before we knew it, it was time for bed. In one day my checklist was completed: friends minds blown, check. Mature boar spotted, check. Bear camp atmosphere soaked in, check.
I'm tuned in!
Can't wait for the rest!
Bisch
Great stuff. I have been anxiously awaiting some tales from Jerry's bear camp.
Tuned in
This is going to be good! I always enjoy reading your hunting adventures! Nice pictures too! :thumbsup:
Bernie
:campfire:
Love your stories, tuned in!
This is gonna be good! Love it so far..
:archer:
PS:"mine is lost as well...but not to the grave."... I think I understand...keep on being an example.
:campfire:
Been waiting for this one!
Back to our story...
The next day we awoke to a clear sky and warmer temperatures. Coming from 90 degree heat to a brisk morning temp of 46 was refreshing! Aside from one of my campmates snoring like a chainsaw I managed a little shuteye. I work as a healthcare professional...that dude got a script for a sleep study after we hit the states :)
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*A clear day for a hunt
After drying out some gear, shooting and getting another nap, it was almost time to get after it. One of the great things about bear camp is it is a gentlemanly sport: you stay up late having a cocktail and telling stories, you sleep late, eat well and THEN go to hunt. For a guy used to getting up early and hitting it hard, it takes some getting used to. I did it though :saywhat:
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*My buddy getting practice in
I again would be way out, this time at a bait where another hunter the previous week had killed a nice sow. A big boar rolled in soon thereafter, so we knew there was one there. I climbed in, buckled up and once again gave Jerry the thumbs up after getting my bow nocked up and video camera set.
The first visitor got my heartrate going immediately! The first bear showed herself an hour into my sit. It came in cautiously, more for other bears in the vicinity than for me, which is good. If THIS bear was nervous about other bears then this bait was pretty ok by me.
I took a few photos and video and enjoyed watching this bear. I never took the bow off the hook as this was a rolly polly sow...maybe a big boar would follow her in...she spent a good 10 minutes there. A couple of times the wind shifted and she got a nose full. This got her nervous and she would go away a spell but return once the wind righted itself.
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*Big bottom girl
After awhile she wandered off and I was left to my own devices for a couple of hours. I got to soak in bear camp memories already made this trip and ones from the past in a dapple of sunlight that was just enough to be comfortable. It was almost too nice and I caught myself heavy lidded :) I started thinking about my current set and realized, at least in my opinion, this was a perfect place to kill a bear: a pond to the left representing an obstacle that critters had to go around to get there with the stand at the apex. It had cover all around with a deep gorge some 200 yards away that stayed wet year round, a cool place for the bears to hole up during hot weather. Jerry had done his homework with this one. As I stood to stretch my legs to ward off the sleepiness I see a bear approaching upwind and immediately recognize it as a mature boar...
Mike
You are great story teller!!!
:coffee:
:campfire:
:campfire:
:campfire:
:campfire:
Keep it coming mike can't WAIT FOR THE REST!!
luv it :campfire:
I was busy at the dealership this afternoon and couldnt wait to check this thread. Guess somebody fell asleep from the long drive:)
My apologies gents...seems 8 days away was tough on the fam. Kids needed a double feature movie, a pound of popcorn, and some Pop time.
I will finish up as I just got word the other guys have rolled out. Their stories are more interesting than mine ;)
So as I stood there was a boar on the trail behind me. If I have my wits he is a dead bear. But the moment was lost as he had company...the lady friend he was trailing was taking him around the pond. So I wait...but not for long.
She took him around right into the bait. Throwing caution to the wind...really. My wind was drilling them right in their faces. The fat sow didn't care. The boar, let's just say he had me from the start. Either his stomach or somehwere south of there brought him to me. On alert. Full alert.
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*Blackie
Cautiously he came as I readied for a shot. He came but was cautious as all get out. He finally gave me what I wanted, perfect broadside under 15 yards, but spooked as I drew.
More coming...
You got me on the edge of my seat, Mike!
Bisch
Sorry Bisch...I got lots of 'spainin to do to the Mrs. Seems I kinda booked a trip to Namibia while on this hunt. I bought her a case of her favorite wine and cooked her dinner. Let's hope it's enough :saywhat:
So the boar is cautious. He is black as the Ace of Spades, and big enough for me. I drew once and he whirled. I should have held my draw and dropped the string but I double clutched. When he stopped again I redrew. Unfortunately the rain from the day before created a natural draw check click with my bow. I had never heard it before until then. The boar stopped with his leg back when I reached full draw, and I could not, not shoot. Self control lost on a bear I wanted so bad. I dropped the string and therefore broke the cardinal rule of hunting any animal with a large bone structure: I hugged too close.
I hope the video loads as it tells the story. I shot 2 inches lower than I intended, but thought I got heart. Here it is if you will humor me:
http://youtu.be/xBb1WIdvJ4k
I replayed the video on the screen of my camera even as another bear hit the bait. I knew it was close but had my fears it was too low. I let the night slip away and asked the Man upstairs for help should it be his will. I knew I had made a marginal shot, and I knew sleep would not come tonight. The ride home for me hurt. I have not lost many animals. I know it happens, but I hoped it was not today. Not this animal.
After viewing the camera footage with Jerry he too thought I was low, but close. We hatched a plan for an early look in the am with his tracking dog "Bear", 57 pounds of energy and will. I went to my cabin with my guys and tried to let the nightcap wash away the pain. It didn't help much.
The am came slow but as I was getting my clothes on someone burst into our cabin to say Jerry was very sick. They weren't sure possibly a kidney stone. With me being medical I grabbed my kit and headed the 1/4 mile to the base camp. I had very little in my kit as border crossings spook me. Had it been Colorado or anywhere in the US and I could have taken out your appendix or treated your open fracture. Here it was a suture kit, some Tylenol and some injectable Dexamethasone. Basically, I was useless. I did give him a shot that he never felt...as the pain of renal colic is nothing short of blinding. Evan, another hunter and a friend of Jerry's, made our way quickly to the Mastagouche Headquarters. Evans French is far better than mine and we found that the nearest hospital was Louisville. Another hunter, John, agreed to transport Jerry there while we kept things going. It was a team effort. Everyone did a part and we kept up with things as best we could. One thing of note: Jerry is a tough SOB. Retired firefighter. Rescue swimmer. Bear guide. They don't come tougher. To see him in agony was miserable for me as I could do none of the things I have been trained to do. Knowing he was getting to a hospital made me breathe a sigh if relief. I had almost forgotten my wounded bear. Almost.
After Jerry's evac, we contacted Claude, Jerry's partner in camp 2. Like a champ he responded to the bell in the 12th round. With Evan's help we tracked my bear. First by sight, good blood in the beginning then as we hit the 100 yard mark I put my hand on Claude and did the best I could with the language barrier. It was heart or nothing my friend. It was nothing. After 150 yards the sparse blood revealed my arrow, broken at 3 inches from the Ace standard. We consulted each other and brought Bear, the childlike beast of a dog to help.
After 500 yards we agreed that my boar was healthy. Wounded yes, but not fatally. At least as sure as we could be. I thanked Mr Claude for his patience and his work and hugged that damn dog like it was my kid. It all rushed in as I walked out quietly. My hunt was over.
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*My hero
I called John on my sat phone to check on Jerry and decided I was camp cook now. I'd help all I could. Sure we would love to go into some fantasy ground hog day scenario where we stay at the "Edge of Tomorrow" and right all of our wrongs. I have looked at my video hundreds of times and tried to will the arrow 2 inches higher. It doesn't happen.
We hunt these critters and love them. To try and explain this to a nonhunter or an anti is pointless. I think, as tough as it is, we tell the tale. I have not lost many, but this bear is lost. Perhaps to another hunter, but I believe in my heart, not to my arrow. I did all I could. Bear and Claude and Jerry did everything right. The bow performed, the hunter did not. It is a gut check for me, and will be for some time, but it is truth.
So, after a long few days I am home with family. Jerry made it back, and like the professional he is, sucked it up. He is as good a guide in the business and tougher than woodpecker lips. I shook his hand, thanked him for the opportunity and booked for next year. When I am over this I will be ready, again. However, This is not the end of Mastagouche Madness, only the start. We got hunters to tell their tales. It is awesome! Until then, toast the big black boar, say a small prayer for healing, and let's tip our hats to the wild beasts we love :campfire:
Looked low. Musta grazed him. Tough loss, fun hunt, there's always next year! Looking forward to the rest of the hunts.
Great story Mike, and as they say "Some days you get the bear and others the Bears get you". At least there is some consolations that in your case the Bear will live another day, and be wiser for it.
What a great story..... Really enjoyed it. And I do believe a black bear hunt with them is now on my bucket list :)
I replayed the shot many times. Sometimes it looks good. Sometimes low. Its SO CLOSE! Sounds like the BH hit the far leg, maybe? And the clicker noise?? Weird!
You can only do so much. And you did it all. You made the bear a lot smarter is all. Good luck in Namibia.
Great story Mike , I was on pins and needles wondering how everything turned out for you guys. Sorry it didn't work out for you. I will post mine up on Monday . It was the most fun I have ever had in the 5 or 6 hours I was on stand. Hopefully will share a Mastgouche with you guys again.
Mastigouche camp ( dang iPhones )
Thanks for sharing. I know the kidney stone business! Started the first of a 9-day elk hunt in 2006 with my first (and only please God) at 4:30AM in a tent in the mountains north of Ft.Collins. CO. Three days of agony later and emergency surgery and it was gone but not the last of the ordeal. Oh, and $13,000.
Mike - I am so sorry to hear the end result but what an exciting hunt and great narration. I am curious - did you mean 45lbs instead of 75lbs for Bear the tracking hound? I have Bears litter mate and twin sister and she is only 37lbs and the breed is large at 50. I have not spoken with Jerry since the bear season started but last I heard Bear was ahead of here in body weight by 5-10lbs and seemed normal for male/female of the breed. The reality is there is very little information regarding this breed in the states but I can say they have a nose and a knack for tracking.
I am looking forward to hearing the tracking stories of Bear the wonder hound as much as anything else from this springs bear hunt as it will not be until fall before Molly gets to test her skills on real game.
Oh, and it sure would be a bonus to have a Dr. in a remote camp - even if supplies were limited.
Thanks for posting your story - great read!!
Dang Mike! I did the same thing last year at Bear Quset! They told me all week; "Whateve you do, don't shoot low like you would on a whitetail!".
That's exactly what I did! After a 2 mile track, we knew he was out there for another hunter to take!
Bisch
Great story telling Mike! Sorry to hear about the low shot, take some peace in that the bear is fine. Waiting for the rest of the stories with anticipation. Thanks!
Thanks guys! Bisch I really think autopilot took over. A lot of times a look a little lower on whitetail deer as they drop some. Not quite like they do in your neck of the woods, but some. Perhaps it was not picking a spot. Either way it ended up bad.
Bobby, you are correct on the weight! Meant to say 57 pounds as that is what I was told Bear weighed at his last check up. I am so curious about that breed for not only a working dog but a family pet. He would be perfect for a family living in the middle of nowhere (us) and to work local tracks. I know they are hard to find but a Bovarian Mountain Scent Hound is one of the coolest dogs I have ever been around!
More hunters up! Stan, Brucker and John got tales to tell :)
Mike, great story and pics. Sorry you didn't come home with a bear but glad you had a great hunt. Now let me hear about this Namibia hunt you're going on...
Joe
Great tale as usual big fella! Sure broke my heart to get that text. I know both wounds will heal in time. A Yeti in Africa? Who'd a thunk it :)
Awesome awesome thread! I have a lot of experience with bears and I can tell you that they have unimaginable healing powers. I'm sure all you did was widen him up a bit.
dang. great story and killer hunt though.
Great story telling Mike, as bowhunters we all, or most of us that hunt a lot, have had I moment like this one. Your story was an instant replay of a hunt I had and it still hurts me to think about it ... your location looked truly awesome.
Great story, thanks for sharing with us,
When you have been at this a while sometimes things happen, I'm sure most of us have been there, doesn't make it any easier but you're not alone,
Meant to say widen.
Is his bear dog a redbone? I love some hounds! In fact there is a lazy little walker laying next to me on the couch.
Mike, thanks for taking us along. Sometimes things don't work out like we plan regardless of all the preparation that goes into it. Take solace knowing that guy is out there breeding right now and maybe a little smarter as a result of the outcome. I too have fallen victim to the dreaded Bear Takedown "click" at the most inopportune time.
:archer2:
Etter - it is a Bavarian Mountain Blood Hound - you will have to Google it to find out what it is because there may only be about 50 standing in the US - European tracker and they are all nose but don't have the "kill anything that moves" prey drive that many of the tracker breeds have and make great lap dogs off season. Well, except for the chewing - my Molly has eaten a lot of shoes in the few months I have had her :)
Been waiting on this story MIke. Sorry for the loss, but I bet that bear recovered no problem. Mother Nature has a way of healing critters up quick.
Pic test run
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-Story coming soon!
You can't post a picture like that without a story.......and more pictures!!!!
Great story!!
I'll join in with my own pat of the tale, presently.
Having to deal with a lot of stuff at home right now, but I'll get to it soon!
Great story and hunt! It's a game of inches sometimes!
Great Recap Mike. sorry about your Bear.
:campfire:
Mike,
Great story as always! Enjoyed. Sorry your arrow didn't go where planned but that is hunting. Take solice in a bear that will be there to chase another day!
Thanks everyone! Jerry had a great spring. I am blown away by the numbers of bears, the clean sets, and the camp in general :campfire:
Same thing happened to me on my 1st shot at a bear.....but i still have great memories and the arrow.
glad all returned well.
thanks for sharing...... :campfire:
Mike I sure enjoyed the story. I so hoped for a better outcome but it is bowhunting and some times things just go wrong. After you left the rut went from wild to chaotic and we saw crazy action at every bait. The bait you hunted your first night (lefty) produced some crazy action and a true monster fell to another Trad Gangers recurve. His story is coming soon.
I really enjoyed hunting with you and the other Mikes in camp. I look forward to your return and can tell you without hesitation that you need to bring that bow back for the redemption hunt. Next year you will be the first to hunt a string of baits West of the big river that has not been hunted for over 15 years. Start sharpening those arrows...
Jerry! I am ready to rumble!!! If those baits are better than the ones you had me sit I am gonna need a stress test :)
I had a blast my friend. Give Bear the superpup a pat for me, and tell Evan hello :campfire:
Just read this entire thread again. I know turkey hunting is next but bear camp is right around the corner. Tons of Tradgangers in camp this year and I am getting all jacked up for 2015!
3 months and some change Jerry :) Can't wait!!!
Mike looking forward to Jerry's bear camp again . Hope to see you guys again , lots of action and a great camp. Let's get ready!
Good stuff! Wish I was going oh so bad.....
It wont be long now. Turkey season and then its off to the wilderness. Had a great time last year and expect the same this year.
Jerry has a top notch camp with lots of bears.