Calling all (Week 2) "Bear Quest 10" Guys

23feetupandhappy · April 30, 2016, 12:18:00 PM

We are about 50 days out from our hunt

I have given names but not your usernames.
Just thought it would be good to have a spot to post your preparations for this hunt as well as getting to know each other.

So what's you Setup, Arrows and Gear that your using?
First time bear hunting?

First time bear hunting for me

Here's my setup....

Black Widow PTF
47# at 28"
Gold Tip Arrows tipped with a 175gr 3 blade VPA total arrow weight 503gr

KAZ and I will be traveling from Eastern Iowa.

ron w · April 30, 2016, 02:12:00 PM

Not going this year but my set up was very close to yours, Zipper ILF with Dryad Static limbs, 45#, Carbon Express weight forward shaft, Ace Standard with about 225 gr up front, Total 575gr. Complete pass thru at 7 yards and the boar was dead in less than 10 seconds. Your going to love it........

23feetupandhappy · April 30, 2016, 02:24:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
Not going this year but my set up was very close to yours, Zipper ILF with Dryad Static limbs, 45#, Carbon Express weight forward shaft, Ace Standard with about 225 gr up front, Total 575gr. Complete pass thru at 7 yards and the boar was dead in less than 10 seconds. Your going to love it........

Your Story from last year was epic Ron!

Looking forward for our adventure

KAZ · May 01, 2016, 06:31:00 PM

Great Thread & Idea Ben

I haven't decided for certain on the "special medicine", but the bow is for certain, and the arrow configuration most likely....

Black Widow 54" KB (53lbs @28"Draw)
Kanati Dual Arc Pro Screw-on Quiver
Beman MFX Classic 400s w/Aluminum Footings, 50 Grain Brass Insert, VPA 250 Grain 3-Blade 1-1/4" Cutting Diameter Broadheads
Total weight 650 Grains

I'm looking forward to a wonderful adventure with a bunch of great folks. Lord willing, I'll have some up close & personal interactions with large black bears too...

Matty · May 01, 2016, 07:05:00 PM

This will be my second BQ! Tom puts on a great hunt. I shot my last bear on the first day which left me with plenty of time to check baits and go fishing. I'm gonna be a little more picky this time hold out for a bigger bear. I think I'll be taking my Journeyman longbow Macassar Ebony 50#@28" and some surewood Doug fir tipped with woodsman broadheads. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

jsweka · May 01, 2016, 08:11:00 PM

This will be my first first time bear hunting too. I'm going with a reverse handle Hill Style bow of my own making (and that I made especially for this hunt) and some douglas fir arrows made by Gary Hall tipped with Magnus broadheads.

I was a little worried that some things at work were going to spoil my bear quest plans, but those have been alleviated. I can't wait!!!!

Matt might be picky this go around, but I sure won't be. As long as it's not a sow with cubs or a cub, I'll drop the string on the first one that gives me a good shot.

Each of my practice sessions these days begins and ends with some <10 yard shots. I call these my "Bear Quest shots". It's a good confidence builder.

I also can't wait to meet those of you that I haven't met before.

jsweka · May 01, 2016, 08:20:00 PM

Although it was not on Tom's list of "to bring" items, I encourage all of you Week 2 hunters to bring a pair of ear plugs. Gary Hall's snoring is legendary!!!

23feetupandhappy · May 01, 2016, 08:31:00 PM

Looking forward to our hunt Matt and Travis :

23feetupandhappy · May 01, 2016, 08:41:00 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jsweka:
Although it was not on Tom's list of "to bring" items, I encourage all of you Week 2 hunters to bring a pair of ear plugs. Gary Hall's snoring is legendary!!!

23feetupandhappy · May 01, 2016, 08:43:00 PM

What's your setup John?

23feetupandhappy · May 01, 2016, 08:50:00 PM

Oh ya John, that's a sweet setup!!!!!

I think I'm in your boat, first good shot, and the string will be dropped

Matty · May 01, 2016, 09:05:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by jsweka:
Although it was not on Tom's list of "to bring" items, I encourage all of you Week 2 hunters to bring a pair of ear plugs. Gary Hall's snoring is legendary!!!

I don't think I've been on a trad gang group hunt where the snoring hasn't been EPIC! I'll be falling asleep every night with my noise cancelling headphones on and loud music.
As far as shooting goes. I'd practice those real close shots!!

23feetupandhappy · May 02, 2016, 01:25:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Matty:

QuoteOriginally posted by jsweka:
Although it was not on Tom's list of "to bring" items, I encourage all of you Week 2 hunters to bring a pair of ear plugs. Gary Hall's snoring is legendary!!!
I don't think I've been on a trad gang group hunt where the snoring hasn't been EPIC! I'll be falling asleep every night with my noise cancelling headphones on and loud music.
As far as shooting goes. I'd practice those real close shots!! [/b]

How close was your shot on your bear Matt?

Matty · May 02, 2016, 05:54:00 PM

Having asked everyone that week. I had the longest shot at .......eleven yards. (Black Label tree stand) I think the closest one was about 4 yds by PV from the ground blind. He recorded it too, but something happened and it got recorded over.. You'll see if you get to tend to some of the baits. They are close set ups.

ghall80 · May 02, 2016, 06:26:00 PM

John as long as you dont try and sneak up on me at night you will be fine !!

You just had to tell everyone about my snoring
LOL

I will be using a Sweka bow for sure will do pictures and a better write in the morning when I can think of something smart to say on Johns behalf

CANT WAIT TO GET UP THERE!!!!

ghall80 · May 02, 2016, 06:38:00 PM

Honestly I would be more worried about John and his camera hes like a sniper with that thing.

Always managed to get me at the worst moments and snap a picture

But on a good note he makes a great bow. Shoots great smooth and quite and takes a beating

My bow limb tip draws maps in the dirt, can tell how deep the water is in a swamp and can even slide down the pine trees in Maryland when you forget a tow rope with out breaking. They are like a timex takes a liken and keeps on shooting.

And Sweka bows has the best looking spokesman for the bows he looks like a Ginger Brad Pitt with a beard, just look at that sexy dude in the middle

23feetupandhappy · May 02, 2016, 07:27:00 PM

4 - 11 yards.........

I'm guna need to work on my breathing skills more then my shooting skills

that's close!

What was the average height of the stands?

jsweka · May 02, 2016, 07:55:00 PM

Gary - You keep beating up the bows I make for you and I'm gonna quit making them for you!!

Matty · May 02, 2016, 09:01:00 PM

The stands are pretty low too. 7 feet maybe. Tom will chyme in here soon I bet.

jsweka · May 02, 2016, 10:32:00 PM

4 - 11 yards, 7 feet off the ground...That sounds like a slam dunk shot opportunity, but then I start realizing that I have never been that close to a bear before.

Sure, I've been practicing that close, but is there really anything you can do to prepare yourself for a bruin encounter that close? How do you keep calm enough so that you don't pinch the nock off your string and dry fire your bow?