Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Guy on May 21, 2009, 04:30:24 PM

Title: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: Guy on May 21, 2009, 04:30:24 PM: Anyone used Dale Denny's Bear Paw Outfitters?

Comments? Success? Good, bad & ugly?

Primarily interested in a black bear hunt... Have never taken a bear.

Thanks, Guy
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: jackelope on May 21, 2009, 04:34:41 PM: he's on the boards here, goes by bearpaw. he's also a site sponsor, not that that answers your question i guess, but anyway. i haven't used him but have looked into it and plan to one of these days.
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: Guy on May 21, 2009, 04:46:28 PM: Yup. Site sponsor. I need to just call the guy... Figure out if I'm up to spending the cash for a hunt for me and my son... Hmmm...
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: Navyhunter on May 21, 2009, 04:51:39 PM: Though I've never spoken with bearpaw, I've been in touch with him from where I'm at via email. He's always quick to respond and is willing to help us hunters out that can't seem to find the time to scout on our own. That in itself says a lot about his outfit. I intend to give him some business when I return. It's not much, hope it helps.
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: Wayne1 on May 21, 2009, 05:12:03 PM: Remember years ago when Dale was just starting off... I shot and wounded a bear on my property.... Called Dale up to see if he could help me find it.... and mind you... I had never spoke to him before this... Within 1/2 hr. he was on my place with his hound's.. another 1/2 hour later his hound's had my bear tree'd.... He even drug the bear down the mountian for me... Asked him what I owed him... he said "Not a thing"... Trust me... he still went home with some green in his pocket..... He's a stand up guy, and over the years since we both live in the same town... I've heard nothing but great comments about him. :brew:
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: wsmnut on May 21, 2009, 05:29:23 PM: My son and I hunted Whitetails with his outfit at their home in Colville. Nice operation. Lots of enthusiasm and expertise. If their bear hunts are anything like our trip you will see plenty of game and have a good time.

Good Luck!
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: huntnphool on May 21, 2009, 05:30:31 PM: Come on nut, you can't post like that and not include pics ;)
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: boneaddict on May 21, 2009, 05:34:23 PM: I lived in Chewelah and worked in Colville for 5 years. As you know I am a fairly avid outdoorsman. I heard nothing but good things about him. I worked with a nurse who kinda had the inside scoop about him and his outfit. I'm fairly confident he knows whats up. His responses and posts on this board also tell me he knows his stuff. :twocents:
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: Hunting Cowboy on May 21, 2009, 08:44:16 PM: I don't mean for this to be long response, but......

I hunted with Bear Paw Outfitters in the late 90's for Black Bear. I stayed at their lodge for 5 days once on a self guided hunt and then a year or two later I booked a 5 day bear hunt. Dale was in Montana at the time of my guided hunt so his son Brian served as my guide. Dale's wife Tara provided daily breakfasts, dinners and sack lunches. I felt like I made some new friends by the time I left for home. They really do provide a friendly, down home kind of hospitality. The whole family seemed very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about all aspects of hunting. At that time they had just added onto the lodge and I enjoyed seeing their remarkable display of family trophies. I'd never been on a guided hunt before that experience.

My trip took place in late August (since that was the only time I had in my schedule) and we located bear every day sometimes two or three. I'd have to review my journal for more specifics but we saw several blackies as well as a variety of color phases in all sizes. I just couldn't get the stars to align. Where we were locating them iwas surrounded by tall, heavy brush that was difficult to get close enough for a reasonable shot distance. The distances to the bear were pushing 600 yards. Brian was still in High School at the time but he knew the area well and how to locate animals.

I saw lots of bear but I did go home empty handed. (Maybe I'll elaborate more on one particular story sometime) Later that fall I did kill my first bear hunting by myself in an area I found here on the westside. It was an 8-1/2 year old boar that weighed about 225 lbs. (Butcherboy from this Hunt-WA site happened by and helped me pack out my first bear)

I learned a lot about bear hunting that week with Bear Paw and during the next four years I was able to kill three bear.

I believe my trip was worth the time, money and effort, which at that time was a very reasonably priced hunt. I met some great folks and like I said, I actually learned a lot about hunting bear.

One more little story that will illustrate the type of guy Dale Denny is......(I hope he doesn't mind my sharing this story) When I was there on my self-guided hunt, Dale had a disabled hunter in camp who booked a bear hunt. this hunter was in a wheel chair and required a great deal of assistance. Dale was simply amazing working with this hunter. The hunter was very determined and I was so impressed that Dale would/could accommodate his needs. Dale personally took him out everyday doing everything he could do to put him in a position to kill his bear. When I left, the hunter had not killed his bear, but he didn't leave empty handed. Remarkably, he and Dale spotted a cougar on their way into their hunting area and somehow Dale was able to get him into a position to kill that cougar. It's rare enough just to catch a glimpse of a cat in the wild let alone shoot one. If I remember right, as they were taking that cat down to the taxidermist, they stopped to pick up a few lotto tickets as well.

Those are but a few of the great memories I have while hunting with Bear Paw Outfitters and If you're looking to book an outfitter, I would highly recommend them.
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: wsmnut on May 21, 2009, 08:57:37 PM: Huntnphool, this is the only picture that counts. Dale's wife Tara set us up to hunt with Dale's freind Kelly. He was a perfect relaxed gentleman and we learned a lot about the area and the history of almost everything around. It was a great experience and a good break from chasing the wily Mule Deer.
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: Machias on May 21, 2009, 09:54:52 PM: Sweeeet photo, congrats!!!
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: Moosehunt on May 21, 2009, 10:11:44 PM: I hunted for Turkey with Dale and BearPaw back in the 90's. I stayed in a cabin on their property and was treated as family with the other guests for meals and such. Food was excellent as were accomodations. Hunting....well I was new to Turkey hunting. My wife bought me this guided hunt. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't get to relive it. I shot two birds on that trip.....the biggest Merriams I've ever got to date....10 1/2 inch beard, now hangin on my wall. On that trip we saw a beautiful cinnamon bear on a logging road no more than 20 yards away. I shot my first bird with Dale and my second ( 8 inch beard that looks like a broom) with one of his guides. Top Notch!!
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: Guy on May 22, 2009, 10:20:56 AM: That's all great info guys! Thank you.
Title: Re: Bear Paw Outfitters?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 23, 2009, 04:17:02 PM: I have never hunted with them, but have heard only good things about them up to this point. Poked around their booth at some Sportsman's shows. Seemed like genuinely nice fellers.