Bearpaw Season - Fall 2016

[bearpaw]

I got a call from Ryan this spring, he had asked his son Brayden what he wanted as a high school graduation gift and Brayden's dream is to shoot a black bear, so Ryan called to set up a black bear hunt. When they arrived Brayden shot his rifle and it hit well, but on the first hunt day he shot at a nice bear and missed, then on the second day he shot at another nice bear but missed. We decided Brayden better shoot the gun at a target again and that's when we figured out that his 7mm was randomly putting shots all over the place. He swapped guns but on day three and day four Brayden had no shot opportunities, he was pretty bummed about missing two bear. Today was day five, the last day and they could only hunt half a day, they saw four bear this morning but couldn't get any shots, finally Ryan said they better leave, amazingly on the way out they spotted a big bear and Brayden put one good shot on the bear dropping him in his tracks. The big headed blackie is a dandy, the best bear we've taken this year, I wonder if somehow Brayden was meant to miss those first two bear. His smile says it all, congrats on a dandy Brayden!
 

[Killmore]

Very nice, what would you guess the last bears weight at?

[cooltimber]

congrats,Wendy

[bearpaw]

Very nice, what would you guess the last bears weight at?

I think that bear should have weighted over 300 but he wasn't very fat so I don't think he weighed that much. We didn't weigh him so I'm not exactly sure what he did weigh. He sure had a nice big head and thick fur for a big bear, the bigger bear usually don't have as nice of fur as the smaller bear, but this big boar's hide was awesomely thick and furry.

[bearpaw]

Spencer had a good sleep and headed out after lunch today to try Plan C, he was only gone a few hours and returned with a bloody arrow. He said he hit the buck good and it walked off and seemed wobbly, he said he didn't see much blood and didn't keep following the buck. I told him that was best, the buck will have a chance to die and I sent Daniel with him to help blood trail the buck. My fingers are crossed that they find the buck!

Daniel followed the limited blood trail and tracks for a pretty fair distance until the buck stood up from his bed and ran uphill, he stopped and looked back, Daniel could see that the arrow hit low in the brisket apparently missing all vitals. The deer ran off so they checked the bed, very little blood, we all figure that the buck will most likely heal up. Spencer is out hunting again today in a different area where there is a lot of sign.

Yesterday Spencer saw does and fawns but no bucks, unfortunately he had to leave a day early due to work. He said he'll be back in the spring for more turkey hunting and next fall to look for the buck he almost got, and which will be bigger next year! He said this was his first archery hunt so he was pretty happy that he almost got that buck. Thanks again Spencer, we really enjoyed having you here for the hunts this year! 

[bearpaw]

Another bear down, congrats to James who made an excellent shot on this off color boar. 

[bearmanric]

Great storys Dale. Lots of Happy Hunters. Rick

[bearpaw]

Guide Daniel called in a 6x6 to Harry who put one arrow where it belongs and the bull didn't go 100 yards. Congrats to Harry on his first archery hunt.

[bearpaw]

Guide Nick called in another dandy 6x6, one arrow in the right spot did the trick! 

[bearpaw]

Roman poses for his first bowhunt, a one shot kill, nice shooting and congrats Roman!

[Taco280AI]

Great pics 

[bearpaw]

This blackie is the best bear we've taken in 2 or 3 years! Taken with a .50 Beowulf in an AR platform!

[bearpaw]

THE FIRST
Three hunters arrived yesterday, we relived a few past hunts, they shot their guns, we had to resight two of the guns, and then they were ready for the hunt. Rick Sr and Rick JR have hunted three times previously with Bearpaw Outfitters, on the last hunt Rick Jr killed his biggest buck ever, but this was the first ever big game hunt for Rick's "son-in-law" Dan, and Rick Sr was hoping to get a buck something like Rick Jr got on the last hunt. They all wanted to hunt together so they could experience each other's hunt so Nick told them when to be ready in the morning and everyone settled in for the night.

In the morning guide Nick headed into the high desert mountains with all three hunters. It wasn't long, the first thing in the morning and a handsome 4x4 steps out, it was the first big game hunt for Dan, the first day of the hunt, the first chance at a buck, he couldn't resist, whammo, and Dan had his first ever buck down! What an exciting time for Dan and his family, congrats on a dandy 4x4 Dan!

THE STUD BUCK
As the day progressed Nick and the hunters glassed numerous average type bucks and spotted elk, they watched a big 350ish bull bugling and herding his cows, they were having a great day to say the least. In the evening they spotted two different pairs of big bucks, both in more remote areas. They decided to go after one pair of big bucks and got into range of both bucks. Rick SR dropped one of the bucks but the other big buck got away. As they approached the buck and it was an emotional time for Rick Sr, he had finally taken the big buck he has dreamed about his entire life. They snapped lots of photos and Nick dressed out the giant buck for packing out. The first text I got read "Stud Buck Down!" What a great day of hunting, family, big bulls, and big bucks, it really doesn't get any better than that, congrats to everyone involved!

(these photos are all I have right now)

[deerhunter_98520]

Awesome bucks! Congrats to the family!

[WA hunter14]

have an idea what the bear weighed?