Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017

[Machias]

Dale, how's the hides looking so far this year?

[bearpaw]

Nice bear!  Curious if you have a weight on that last bear, Bearpaw?

Didn't weigh him but figured 280.

Dale, how's the hides looking so far this year?

About average for early Sept, OK but not like October or spring hides.

[Machias]

 

[bearpaw]

5th Day
In the morning a good bear spotted, just as the cross hairs settled on him the bear turned and disappeared into the brush again. That was the last chance for Joe, he had to leave early at lunch to get back to work. Come see us again Joe, we'll finish the hunt!   

In the evening Dallon got on an average young male color phase and hit him hard, they started to track the bear and ran smack into it, the bear went up the nearest big tree and Dallon nailed him again, the bear returned to earth, needless to say Dallon was a very happy 17 year old with his first bear ever. Dallon's brother Gavin missed a couple bear earlier in the week but didn't get another chance, one of his best friends was killed in a car accident so they had to leave for home. Very sorry for the bad news you received Gavin. Thanks again for hunting with us Dallon and we'll see you next spring Gavin for an Idaho spring hunt, remember, the third shot is a charm! 

Logan (Jon's son) killed a bear two years ago with us and is the last hunter in camp on this hunt, he was on a really big bear twice at only 30 yards in heavy cover in the evening with Ray but just didn't quite get the shot. He and Ray are back after that same bear this afternoon and evening, I haven't heard if they found him again or not? My fingers are crossed but time is getting short, it's not looking good! 

Here's a "right at dusk" cell phone photo of Dallon's bear!

[WapitiTalk1]

Sweet Dale! Man, I've gotta get back into hunting those stinky beasts 

[RB]

Nice really enjoy this thread every year looking good so far! 

[bearpaw]

WA BEAR
Guide Ray and hunter Logan did not get that big bear the last evening, Logan and his dad "Jon" are going to come back for another bear hunt, they want to do a spring hunt in Idaho next time. Thanks again guys! 

IDAHO BEAR
We just started two hunts last night, the hunters arrived about 3 pm we had them on baits shortly afterward, one of the guys shot a nice bear, guide Max couldn't find the bear so went back to the house and got Brian and Ruby the blood tracking dog. Ruby couldn't find a single drop of blood, so we are pretty sure the bear was not fatally hit or possibly missed. The hunt goes on for both hunters!

IDAHO ELK
We are hunting elk in Idaho now too, we've been on bulls about every day, a few shots taken and missed on raghorn bulls, a 1x3 passed at 18 yards, and some big bulls called in but no shots were possible on the big bulls yet, always a tree in the way or something. Guide Brian had another big bull at 75 yards this morning but the wind shifted. Two guides "Roger and River" are hunting for themselves this week, they passed several small bulls, then Roger called in this 5x5 bull and River arrowed it. Congrats River! 

Update: Just got a text, Roger just missed a bull, his arrow hit a limb and we all know what that does!   

[bearpaw]

The elk quit bugling the last few days but we killed two more big bear, this bear taken by Adam measured 6-7 x 7-3, so it squared 6-11, one of the biggest this year. Adam missed this bear the first night of his hunt, as luck would have it he saw it again the second day and dropped him. Good job on not getting discouraged and getting it done Adam! 

[bearpaw]

The next day Steve from Dallas Texas nailed this 6 footer with one shot, he dropped in his tracks. Way to go Steve! 

[Ghost Hunter]

Nice bear!!

[bearpaw]

Spike Bull passed yesterday by one hunter, another guide called in a big bull to 35 yards yesterday but they couldn't get a clear shot, bull finally winded them and whirled. We also have two first time lady bow hunters, they have seen eleven bucks and missed five so far, hunt is only half over so hoping they get more chances, sooner or later they are going to nail a buck.

[The Fin]

Thank you for sharing.  Looking forward to what happens next.

[bearpaw]

The ladies didn't connect with any bucks but had many opportunities, they both killed rifle bucks with us last year but are not giving up on archery hunting, they have already rebooked for archery next year.

We've been elk hunting in Idaho and it has been really tough, one of our toughest archery hunts ever, the elk quit calling a few days ago, we've had several days of rain and snow then finally the weather broke and bulls started talking again yesterday. One bull was called in to 50 yards but the hunter thought it was a little too far for him. They are back after those elk today, they are out of cell service, I don't know what is happening with them.

Another guide with two hunters finally found a herd with 9 bulls and 20 cows this morning, they've been within 150 yards or less of the herd all morning, there are eight 6x6 bulls and one 4x5 bull, right now they are within 80 yards of 5 bedded bulls, the guide had to quit calling, they are waiting for the herd to get back up and hoping the wind doesn't blow it for them. Both hunters shoot long bows and need 30 yards or less, today is the last day, my fingers are crossed for a happy ending.

My computer was broke down for a few days, got it fixed, so I'm busy with paperwork today, the suspense is agonizing!

[bearpaw]

Here's a bull that come in close, between the guide and the hunters, about 5 yards from the guide, when the bull winded them and whirled it almost ran over one of the hunters, needlessly to say the hunter did not get a shot!

[bearpaw]

The hunters who were on the bull yesterday at 50 yards just got back. They said the bulls were talking pretty good again and at least a couple were coming closer, suddenly a bull that had come in silent bugled just over the roll of the hillside in a different direction than anticipated, guide Roger motioned to the hunters to get ready and for one of them to move quick to a slightly different position, Lance started to move but he could see the horns coming into view up the hill and had to freeze, then the whole bull walks right up in front of him, he couldn't move to draw, the bull is literally standing 15 yards from Lance and they are staring at each other, suddenly Jason who was to the left of the bull releases and Lance watches Jason's arrow go through the bull! The bull only went a few yards and dropped. I love it when a plan comes together. The Wisconsin boys are tickled, I think they will be putting away some serious beer tonight!