Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017

[bearpaw]

It's been one of our busiest summers ever, our youngest daughter finally graduated college, she got married, and we moved her and our son-in-law to North Carolina where she started her first full-time Pharmacy job in the Pharmacy at the NC University Veterinary School. We added another large guide area to our business and I also spent much of August remodeling the home and landscaping at one of our guide areas and another week expanding the yard at our Colville home. After all that I was really ready for hunting season to start.

Yesterday we started our fall bear hunt here in Eastern Washington. One bear came out by one of the hunters at 30 feet, but when he turned to shoot it ran out of sight. Numerous other bear were spotted but didn't offer good shot opportunities. Finally one bear presented a good shot opportunity, it came out paused then went in the brush again, then moved into position to feed on some berries, Klara got on the bear and whammo, bear down! The first bear down for the season was taken by a lady on her first hunt ever, she made a one shot kill on a nice bear with a huge white blaze the first day of her hunt, congrats goes to Klara, nice going young lady! 

[bearpaw]

Guide Nick texted me a couple hours go, there was an earthquake in southern Idaho, it was a 5.3 centered in Afton WY. Nick said it shook photos of the wall and the new TV wall mount and TV was bouncing pretty good, he thought the house was coming down, said he got out of the house as fast as he could. Afterward he picked up the photos and hasn't found any real damage, I'll check the basement walls when I get there, fingers crossed.

[92xj]

Congrats on the bear and good luck this season Dale. I wish you and your hunters great success and great friendships built. I wish I was closer.

And hoy crap about the earthquake. Hopefully no damage is found!

[bearpaw]

Congrats on the bear and good luck this season Dale. I wish you and your hunters great success and great friendships built. I wish I was closer.

And hoy crap about the earthquake. Hopefully no damage is found!

  

[cbond3318]

Wow! That Bear has an awesome patch! Congrats to the hunter and you, good
luck this year in all the adventures!

[Mark Brenckle]

Following along - how close was the earthquake to Yellowstone? 

[bearpaw]

Following along - how close was the earthquake to Yellowstone? 

Turns out there were 37 earthquakes centered at different areas between Soda Springs ID and Afton WY. Most were about 5.3 in magnitude, these areas are 2 to 3 hours from Yellowstone. Nick has never been around an earthquake before, scared him pretty good, he said he thought the house was coming down! 

The house was built in 1936, it's really pretty interesting working on it. After the work this summer I've remodeled 70% of it now, hope to finish the rest by next summer and put a new roof on top. I work on these projects whenever money and time come together.

[bearpaw]

WA Bear - Day 2
A father who killed a bear with us about 6 years ago brought both of his son's for a hunt. Today the oldest son who has a rifle set up for 400-600 yard shooting had a bear at 25 yards, missed twice, all he could see was hair in the scope, guide did not see or find any sign of a hit. We saw a few other bear but no shots and overall a slower day than the first day, we are hoping for a better day tomorrow. 

[bearpaw]

Could it be a Smackout woof? 

Just kidding, actually it's a big north Idaho male wolf we just got back from the taxi that measures over 80" after tanning, but I guess the way these wolves wander it could be a Smackout Wolf! Brian estimated the big he dog weighed about 130 pounds in the round, he sacked him up last winter while cougar hunting in our cougar/wolf/bobcat area.

With the business acquisition I mentioned this summer we tripled the size of our north Idaho outfitting business, I was booked for cougar this winter, but now we have 8 more cougar/wolf/bobcat hunts available. With the acquisition we also tripled our number of spring bear hunts for next spring, I've got room for more spring bear hunters using hounds/bait in May and June.

This wolf hide is even more impressive to see/hold in person!

[Gringo31]

One of my favorite threads to follow....

Good Luck this year to team Bearpaw! 

[nwwanderer]

Your day two guy is not unusual, way to move forward!!!

[jennabug]

Wow! Beautiful day 1 bear!
Looking forward to more stories.

[Jpmiller]

Love the big chest patch on that bear

[wsmnut]

This thread is the best part of Fall!  I always look forward to it.

Thanks Dale!

[wheels]

nice start  always enjoy following