Rufous' 2010 Dayton Unit Spring Bear Hunt

[bucklucky]

Point system is great, at least everyone has an opportunity to draw. Just have to be one of the lucky ones 

Congrats Rufus! Thanks for posting all them great animals you have killed !!

[Rufous]

I think maybe they keep giving me a spring bear tag because I tend to fill the dang thing. I cannot believe how many tags go unfilled. It is just not that hard to fill a spring bear tag and the Fish and Game presumably wants some bears dead. Just funnin' y'all a bit.

[gramps]

Glad you got drawn again...not...just kidding.  My brother and I did not draw this spring.  Good hunting..I think you know where they are gonna be.

[Rufous]

I got in a 6 mile hike this afternoon in some prime bear habitat. Thought I might see one or at least some tracks but didn't. I did see some lion tracks laid down since Thursday nights snow though. It may be a bit yet before the bears are out in force over here in the Blues.

[Deep Forks]

  Awesome bear   Sure you have a little luck but I tend to think you put your time in scouting and observing they're behavoir.  You have to have knowledge to continually take large boar's and the patience and persistance to not pull the trigger on sow's and small boar's.   Congrats. that 500 is out there waiting for you.    

[high country]

good lord I thought I was lucky at pulling tags, you DO buy lottery tickets I hope. given the track record I bet you smoke a winner.....and pull a tag next year too.

[bowhunterforever]

Nice bears and moose!

[finnman]

Hate is such a strong word, but you must hate bears Rufous!!! I don't think anyone who loves them could kill that many!!! Congrats on the tag!

[whacker1]

wow, you need to buy a powerball, lotto, and a few scratch tickets each night when you come home from hunting.  Ride the luck wave as long as you can.  Great bears and pics.

[Rufous]

Finnman, it is an odd contradiction but I know you and most of the rest of you will understand it when I say I actually really like bears. I think they are an interesting animal and I get a thrill out of seeing them and watching them whether I am hunting them or not. I think they are pretty tasty too! They are my favorite animal to hunt so far for sure.

[heavy hauler]

cool pictures   for sure.    will you be able to get into where you want to go hunt or will there still be to much snow?it looks like you have it figured out

[Rufous]

Well guys despite the relatively mild winter it will be a while yet before we can access the higher elevations in the Blue Mountains. This photo was taken at 5200' elevation. I started my hike today at 4200' and ended up doing about a 4.25 mile loop.

[Elkstuffer]

nice job. but you all can see that the point system sucks .

I don't think Rufous shares your opinion BENCHLEG

Rufous, you are a bear killing machine. Very impressive. Especially the fact that you keep pulling these tags. I have 7 points now. Hopefully I'll have the time to cash them in next year.

[Rufous]

I am totally stoked. I got permission to hunt a very large chunk of private land that has a locked gate. I have seen plenty of bears in this property while glassing from public ground over the years and have wanted to hunt it. Finally I was able to get permission. I have to work tomorrow but Friday morning I am heading up to the Dayton unit to start scouting/hunting this property. I did a pretty good hike last Saturday near this property but did not see any bears or sign of bears out yet. I did see 3 spike elk that had made it through last seasons elk hunt as well as a bunch of deer and turkeys. Good luck to all you bear hunters this opening weekend.

[hogsniper]

Looking forward to your updates Rufous!  Cant wait to see what you put down!      Keep us posted!!!