Snow, ptarmigans, and bears (oh my)!

[shanevg]

Sorry, I just couldn't help the "oh my". 

I went up hunting this past week and finally was able to get into some bears.  We encountered a lot of snow, a bunch of ptarmigans, and two bears.  Unluckily, it was 4 p.m. before we were able to begin stalking on either bear.  We got with in 300 yards of one but we were cliffed out and it would have been at least a 1.5 hour trek just to get down to the bear so we had to pass on the shot.  Later we got within 180 yards of the second but he caught our scent and took off running just before it got dark.  We had a lot of fun but it was a long day, at least we got some good pictures!

[saylean]

Nice work Shanevg. Cool bird photos. Looks really pretty up there.

[popeshawnpaul]

Nice.  Ptarmigans are really rare to find in WA and I know a lot of people who try to find them and never do.  Great stuff Shane.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Nice Shane.  One of those spots looks a little familiar....

-Steve

[robb92]

Good pics thanks for posting them

[Bearhunter]

Shane I know where that bear is, and you know how I like to shoot them so you better get back up there before I do   Just kidding I dont have time this year to bear hunt, but you should get after him sounds like he was all of 400+ which is an unbelievable good bear for the wetside, go get him I wanna see some pics.  You can get to him from where you park, and side hill around along the river.....

[WAPITIHUNTER]

Nice pic's man! Love the snow chickens!!

[boneaddict]

To the heck withthe bears.  I'd have spent the WHOLE day chasing those birds.  I'm with Pope, that is an awesome find in Washington.   VERY COOL!

[Bearhunter]

You guys want to snap some photos of Ptarmigan, Sauk mountain were the women was shot usually holds a few.  I have seen them up on top several times in the rocks.

[popeshawnpaul]

Mount Rainier holds a few as well but they are rare to see up there.  I've seen them up really high a few times but it's not easy to find them.  I recently went to BC and Alberta and it's difficult to find them there although i did one day and shot 300 pictures on them.  It's a good find and thanks for the tip Bearhunter.

[boneaddict]

Thanks Bear.  I've ran into them in the Pasayten, but I was riding a helicopter to get there.  Thats a LONGGGGGG hike.

[shanevg]

Yeah, in the spot I was in this weekend I've never not seen ptarmigans.  If you guys are ever up here I can point you in the right direction. 

Also, Ptarmigan Ridge holds some ptarmigan.

[Jeffrey]

Have never seen a Ptagmigan in he wild before...way jealous here!!!

[Blackfoot]

I've also seen a few ptarmigans in the Pasayten, but it's a trek.

[JAMMER55]

Awesome bear pics! Go get 'em man!