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Title: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 02, 2017, 07:27:39 PM
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!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 02, 2017, 07:35:16 PM
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.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: 92xj on September 02, 2017, 07:37:10 PM
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!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 02, 2017, 07:50:19 PM
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!

 :tup:  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: cbond3318 on September 02, 2017, 07:52:12 PM
Wow! That Bear has an awesome patch! Congrats to the hunter and you, good
luck this year in all the adventures!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Mark Brenckle on September 02, 2017, 08:24:02 PM
Following along - how close was the earthquake to Yellowstone?  :o
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 03, 2017, 01:52:16 AM
Following along - how close was the earthquake to Yellowstone?  :o

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!  :chuckle:

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.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 03, 2017, 01:57:59 AM
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.  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 03, 2017, 02:27:07 AM
Could it be a Smackout woof?  :chuckle:

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!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Gringo31 on September 03, 2017, 07:23:12 AM
One of my favorite threads to follow....

Good Luck this year to team Bearpaw!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: nwwanderer on September 03, 2017, 07:41:46 AM
Your day two guy is not unusual, way to move forward!!!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: jennabug on September 03, 2017, 07:50:24 AM
Wow! Beautiful day 1 bear!
Looking forward to more stories. :)
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Jpmiller on September 03, 2017, 07:57:03 AM
Love the big chest patch on that bear
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: wsmnut on September 03, 2017, 09:42:01 AM
This thread is the best part of Fall!  I always look forward to it.

Thanks Dale!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: wheels on September 03, 2017, 10:57:17 AM
nice start  always enjoy following
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Twispriver on September 03, 2017, 03:33:19 PM
Thanks for starting this up - I really enjoy your success threads and good luck to all your hunters
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 03, 2017, 04:39:35 PM
In the last couple days I've noticed some of the bigger bucks have rubbed clean. We've also heard a few bulls bugle, the whole woods are just about to go into full-on hunting-mode.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Machias on September 03, 2017, 06:02:16 PM
Beautiful bear Dale!!  NICE woof.  I hope you have a GREAT fall and winter!!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Killmore on September 04, 2017, 08:29:45 AM
Tell us more about your north Idaho area...
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 04, 2017, 08:33:40 AM
Always a great thread, Dale. The bear in the first pic is beautiful! I can't wait to see more.  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bighorn1 on September 04, 2017, 08:49:18 AM
Wish we could have got together this summer Dale but sounds like you had priority's and lots of people to take care of. Hope you have another great season and tell Tara Hi. OH did you catch a Muskie.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 04, 2017, 10:16:10 AM
Following along - how close was the earthquake to Yellowstone?  :o

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!  :chuckle:

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.

Is this elk camp? Looking forward to it.  Maybe I should throw my tool pouch in  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 05, 2017, 10:34:24 AM
Wish we could have got together this summer Dale but sounds like you had priority's and lots of people to take care of. Hope you have another great season and tell Tara Hi. OH did you catch a Muskie.

We made it to North Carolina, we found the kid's house and unloaded the trailer. I tried to organize that deep sea fishing trip I mentioned to you at the Outer Banks out of Hatteras, I hadn't made any reservations because I wasn't sure when we'd get there and be done for sure, so I called to see if I could get on a charter, they had told me there are usually last minute seats when someone cancels, but they were booked full and no cancellations, so I didn't get to go deep sea fishing. We headed to Wisconsin, after an overnight breakdown in Indiana (dodge wobble) we got to Wisconsin. I had some work to catch up on and then it rained quit a bit so I didn't go fishing. I did buy an older North River aluminum boat, and my brother-in-law bought a boat to leave there for the next trip, we visited with Tara's family a few days and headed home with my boat, that I still haven't used. I was a pretty pathetic fisherman this summer! So no muskie! :bash:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Machias on September 05, 2017, 10:42:36 AM
I was a pretty pathetic fisherman this summer!

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, only got out a couple of times this year myself!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bighorn1 on September 05, 2017, 10:58:22 AM
You sure put the miles on the hunting rig glad the air condition worked. I had a good fishing season with regulations to jump through but weather wise it was nice. The fires in Montana and all over the states are going to make people explore new hunting areas. Anyway hope you have a great season as always.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 05, 2017, 11:41:01 AM
Following along - how close was the earthquake to Yellowstone?  :o

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!  :chuckle:

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.

Is this elk camp? Looking forward to it.  Maybe I should throw my tool pouch in  :chuckle:

It is one place that we use.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 05, 2017, 04:53:04 PM
Second Day
On the second day we saw a few more bear and sacked up a big off-color with another white blaze which seems to be the current trend in the bear fashion world!  :chuckle:
Jon the hunter was here two years ago bear hunting and was about the only hunter in camp who didn't get a shot, this bear was just reward for going empty on the last hunt, Jon toppled him with one shot from his 30:06 at about 130 yards. Good going Jon!   :hello:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 05, 2017, 04:59:35 PM
Third Day
Sow and cubs passed of course, another shooter bear spotted but just as the cross hairs were on him he disappeared. Couple other bear spotted but too far.

Fourth Day
Another bear missed in the morning. Another bear spotted at 170 yards in the evening, it was so smokey had trouble seeing him and he slipped away with no shots fired.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Twispriver on September 05, 2017, 08:20:16 PM
That's a great picture of your hunter with his bear - he'll be showing that off  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Timberstalker on September 05, 2017, 08:28:39 PM
Nice bear!  Curious if you have a weight on that last bear, Bearpaw?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Machias on September 06, 2017, 10:58:30 AM
Dale, how's the hides looking so far this year?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 06, 2017, 08:06:07 PM
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.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Machias on September 06, 2017, 08:29:17 PM
 :tup: :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 06, 2017, 08:53:10 PM
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!   :tup:

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!  :hello:

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!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on September 06, 2017, 09:31:40 PM
Sweet Dale! Man, I've gotta get back into hunting those stinky beasts  ;)
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: RB on September 06, 2017, 11:12:23 PM
Nice really enjoy this thread every year looking good so far!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 11, 2017, 11:50:25 AM
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!  :hello:

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!  :tup:

Update: Just got a text, Roger just missed a bull, his arrow hit a limb and we all know what that does!   :bash:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 16, 2017, 03:49:09 AM
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!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 16, 2017, 04:38:13 AM
The next day Steve from Dallas Texas nailed this 6 footer with one shot, he dropped in his tracks. Way to go Steve!  :tup: :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 16, 2017, 04:38:48 AM
Nice bear!!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 18, 2017, 06:54:42 AM
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.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: The Fin on September 20, 2017, 04:49:13 PM
Thank you for sharing.  Looking forward to what happens next. :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 23, 2017, 02:18:57 PM
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!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 23, 2017, 04:34:22 PM
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!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 23, 2017, 05:21:38 PM
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!  :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 23, 2017, 05:40:43 PM
Guide Nick and his hunters have been sitting on that herd all day, finally a 320ish bull is coming, hunters are in position, bull is still coming, dad let's the big bull walk right past at 4 yards hoping his son will get the shot, but the bull winded dad and blew out. Gotta take the shot when you get it!  :bash:

They moved and are on more bulls now, I'm anxiously awaiting more news and hoping for better results!  :dunno:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 23, 2017, 05:53:42 PM
Another text, right now two of the bulls are close and fighting, they can hear the horns clashing loudly!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 23, 2017, 06:15:27 PM
The silence of my cell phone is deafening...  :bash:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: wsmnut on September 23, 2017, 06:45:37 PM
Go get 'em Nick!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on September 23, 2017, 06:59:53 PM
Go get 'em Nick!

I sent a message, no answer, I'm hoping that's more good news!  :dunno:


Update: Unfortunately it didn't work out.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Ghost Hunter on September 23, 2017, 10:03:15 PM
Man, you just gave me something to dream about!!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 24, 2017, 07:18:06 AM
Helluva cougar pic on your FB page, Dale.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 03, 2017, 08:03:35 AM
I'm sitting watching a bachelor group of 10 bucks and about 10 dos just joined up, there is one real good shooter and one other 4x4 is probably a shooter too. The other guide Nick has both hunters on the other side of the mountain and headed my way. I'm hoping they can get here and get on them.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Brushcrawler on October 03, 2017, 08:22:32 AM
Love this thread. Thanks for sharing the adventures!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 03, 2017, 09:00:56 AM
By the time the other guys got here the deer had moved up the canyon out of sight we decided we're going to wait till tomorrow and try to catch him out in the open again at first light. I couldn't tell on the small phone screen if I was on the right buck, but one of them is a definite shooter.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 04, 2017, 06:44:29 PM
We are hunting my Utah ranch lease for mule deer, we saw over 150 deer yesterday on the property. Last night each hunter had chances at tall with good mass 24" to 26" bucks standing broadside. Multiple misses at both bucks! This morning the guys went after the big buck I spotted yesterday morning, they had him broadside at 256 yards, the deer had no idea anyone was there, it was missed twice! Later in the morning another nice buck broadside at 60 yards, two misses standing and then emptied the rifle at him running away. Fortunately we don't think any deer have been wounded. My fingers are crossed for a miracle!  :dunno:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: teanawayslayer on October 04, 2017, 07:05:02 PM
We are hunting my Utah ranch lease for mule deer, we saw over 150 deer yesterday on the property. Last night each hunter had chances at tall with good mass 24" to 26" bucks standing broadside. Multiple misses at both bucks! This morning the guys went after the big buck I spotted yesterday morning, they had him broadside at 256 yards, the deer had no idea anyone was there, it was missed twice! Later in the morning another nice buck broadside at 60 yards, two misses standing and then emptied the rifle at him running away. Fortunately we don't think any deer have been wounded. My fingers are crossed for a miracle!  :dunno:
nothing more frustrating than that! >:(
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 04, 2017, 09:15:06 PM
That was fast, miracle delivered!
Normally we hold out for the best bucks we can get, at lunch today we decided to let them shoot at any buck they want to shoot that is close rather than suggest passing bucks that are close targets to look for big bucks. This evening right at sundown the "Young Miracle Buck" stood proudly daring any hunter to give it a go. First shot was a hit, then six follow up shots and the deer went down, guide Nick ran over and finished the buck off with his knife. It's not a big buck but the hunter is happy that he hit a deer and that's what matters, hunting is in the eyes of the beholder. Congrats is in order!

The other hunter ran out of cartridges for one gun, we convinced him to shoot the second gun at a target again, 2 shots missed the target, 2 shots in the black. This ranch is way out in Egypt, it's 1.5 hour to 2 hour drive each way to get more cartridges and he only has a few left so we quit shooting, we'll cross our fingers and hope for the best. This hunter killed a 25" buck with us last year, he says he's holding out for one of the bigger bucks, he's missed two big ones so far, I sure hope there's a big "Miracle Buck" on the ranch, maybe the third time will be a charm?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 05, 2017, 11:51:22 AM
Another Buck Down
This morning we missed a dandy mid 160's buck. A smaller buck was spotted later in the morning that was closer and the hunter hit that buck, there was a tracking job into the bottom of a big canyon and another shot finished the buck. The guys are dragging it out now, I haven't seen a photo yet, but they said it's just a young 3x3. I'm disappointed the five big bucks were missed and I'm sure the hunters wished they would have hit them too, I guess that's hunting, but I'm really glad we were able to get him a deer before he ran out of cartridges, I think he has one cartridge left. Congrats is in order again!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: 7mmfan on October 05, 2017, 12:00:10 PM
Wow. Sounds like some range time is needed there, or a thorough check of equipment for something loose.

I've had my days though too. I once shot 8 times in Wyoming at a deer standing broadside at 150 yards. He finally left, and the next buck I saw was 250 yards away, dropped him in one shot.  :dunno:

I've also emptied my gun at a buck standing no more than 60 yards away and then tried in a panic to load my chapstick into my gun thinking it was a cartridge.  :chuckle:

Everyone has their days  :)
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Kit Carson on October 06, 2017, 10:23:29 PM
I've also emptied my gun at a buck standing no more than 60 yards away and then tried in a panic to load my chapstick into my gun thinking it was a cartridge.  :chuckle:

 :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bowhunterforever on October 06, 2017, 10:44:10 PM
 :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 11, 2017, 11:40:16 AM
Idaho Mule Deer
Really big buck spotted at long distance last night, guide Roger and his hunter Tariq are after it this morning, I have my fingers crossed. A nice 24"ish buck missed at 206 yards with Nick. Ray and his hunter had a good buck come in behind them at close range, the buck managed to elude a clear shot, several other bucks spotted with no shots taken, hunters are after them again today.

This buck taken at a drop camp and the message from the hunter: "Thank you Bearpaw Outfitters for your guidance!! Without you I never would have killed the biggest buck of my life! -Tyson"

Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Machias on October 11, 2017, 02:14:14 PM
 :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: HookedOnQuack on October 11, 2017, 05:13:09 PM
Following along, great thread Dale!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 12, 2017, 02:30:09 AM
It's always an eventful week just at the start of my rifle season.

Two days ago we set a drop camp and I was coming off the mountain after dark with the horse trailer, there was a bad wash that I tried to go around and a rock I didn't see in the weeds kicked up and caught and broke one leaf spring, the axle broke loose and hung up on the fender, I had to stop, unload the horse trailer and leave it. We spent part of two days getting the right equipment and getting that axle fixed which set us way behind. I lease horses, I sold my own horses several years ago as it's easier to lease horses and I have an excellent source for first class stock. This year we got a few different horses, they overall are a little bigger, the surprise is that I can't get six in my trailer, so I got on the internet and located a few trailers, made some calls, met a guy after dark, bought his trailer on the side of a back road, I handed over thousands of dollars and he handed over a title, we shook hands and he said "that's some good after dark back road business"!  :chuckle:

We parted and I headed for the lodge to see how the guys there are doing, they saw a couple dozen elk and 13 bucks, they passed a bunch of the bucks, missed 4 bucks, almost got a shot at a really big buck, and wounded a good 4x5 buck which the guide tracked and jumped so he backed off and they have to look again in the morning. Part of the hunters didn't hunt, they didn't feel good, I think it's altitude sickness, they are sleeping at 7800 and hunting close to 9000, they said they feel better this evening, hopefully they'll feel like hunting tomorrow.  :dunno:

At the same time I was visiting the lodge, three of my guides packed in another drop camp after dark, getting back at 2AM, now we are almost caught back up, great job guys!  :IBCOOL:

I had to do a little late night shopping at WalMart, needed more Buddy heaters, some hoses, mantles, new pots and skillets for one of the cooks, 3 cases of TP, some portable propane canisters, and some bee spray for one of the camps that has hornets trying to build a nest in the top of the tent. Oh yeah, thankfully I remembered the printer ink, ran out yesterday!  :dunno:

I had some leftover chicken and now I'm headed up to that camp to deliver the bee spray and a new heater. I better get going, I've got to make the round trip  and get back in time to visit another camp of hunters at breakfast to see how they are doing. Hopefully my next post will have a nice 4x5 buck!  :dunno:



Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 12, 2017, 02:33:03 AM
I had 5 guys cancel from my Utah Ranch Hunt. This hunt keeps getting better and better, if anyone wants to squeeze in a great mule deer hunt please contact me. Some days we see over 100 deer!

Some last year bucks... our first two hunters this year missed 5 bucks similar to the two largest in the photos! All 5 were clean misses, those bucks are still there. :mgun:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: benhuntin on October 12, 2017, 06:38:44 AM
Pm sent


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 18, 2017, 09:04:39 AM
We've been busy with mule deer hunting in Idaho, so far well over 20 bucks missed and 8 bucks killed. Elk season opened 3 days ago, nearly 20 bulls spotted, 2 bulls missed, 1 5x5 killed, we are onto three different big bulls, all well over 300 class, one might go 370ish, probably the biggest bull we've ever seen in Idaho, we've seen him twice, the guide and a father and two sons are after him again today. The bull is in a very rugged remote location that is hard to get to, the father and one son rested all day yesterday, the other son hunted and shot a buck yesterday, all three of them are going with the guide today after that big bull, I hope the dad can make it in, my fingers are crossed for big bull pics!

We have one hunter in camp who is tagged out with two bucks and the 5x5 bull, he wanted to take home lots of meat. First day he hammered the 3x3, on the third day he nailed a world record smallest 3x3 (camp humor, it actually has 3 points on each side at least an inch, but is barely legal) and he got the 5x5 bull yesterday. He was downstairs playing his guitar and singing this morning. No kidding! I hear him playing and singing again right now! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 18, 2017, 09:12:10 AM
Usually when bucks are in velvet it's because they have no testes, jimmy hit this deer you know where, so we really don't know if he blew them off or if the buck never had any? It was a 1 shot kill, I guess that can be a deadly shot!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 18, 2017, 09:17:29 AM
Still looking for 3 more hunters for the Utah deer hunt last week of October or the first 10 days of November.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 18, 2017, 09:18:23 AM
Rough roads have been taking their toll, we have three trucks broke down, guides had to go to town yesterday at lunch to buy parts, sensors, brake lines and rent a welder to weld a shock mount back in place. Every available vehicle is being used or broke down at the moment!  :yike:

I was talking to the local taxidermist, the winter kill was worse than F&G thought, he said a lot of hunters are not seeing much, I'm really happy we have see as much game as we have considering most other hunters aren't seeing much.  :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: quadrafire on October 18, 2017, 09:24:21 AM
Sorry to hear. Adds a lot of stress for you and the guides.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 18, 2017, 09:33:01 AM
Sorry to hear. Adds a lot of stress for you and the guides.

 :chuckle: there's always some stress, the guides want to be successful, that's part of what makes it all so much fun too
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: quadrafire on October 18, 2017, 09:44:28 AM
Sorry to hear. Adds a lot of stress for you and the guides.

 :chuckle: there's always some stress, the guides want to be successful, that's part of what makes it all so much fun too
I'd think all those misses would be stressful for the guides as well
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 18, 2017, 09:53:01 AM
Sorry to hear. Adds a lot of stress for you and the guides.

 :chuckle: there's always some stress, the guides want to be successful, that's part of what makes it all so much fun too
I'd think all those misses would be stressful for the guides as well

The misses on big animals is the toughest thing of all. This year so far every big animal has walked.  :bash:

Right now one guide has the father and son set up watching an elk herd and deer, they made it in to the tough spot, they saw a 4x4 buck but didn't get a shot, they saw a 2 point bull but he didn't offer a good shot then got in the brush, there's also a 6x6 bull in the brush, they are waiting for a shot right now at any of those animals all within shooting range if one will move in the open again.  :)

Also got a report from another guide, one of his hunters missed a large coyote or wolf a little while ago, both are open season here, they also saw a small buck this morning.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: quadrafire on October 18, 2017, 09:54:26 AM
I'm glad you post this thread every year. I love reading about hunting from a guides perspective
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Machias on October 18, 2017, 09:54:48 AM
VERY Exciting!!!!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 18, 2017, 10:06:11 AM
I'm glad you post this thread every year. I love reading about hunting from a guides perspective

I thought some people would like to hear a guides perspective so I write it sort of that way on purpose. The adventure and the ups and downs are addictive, it's definitely not for everyone, but is like drugs to the ones who enjoy it. I had one guide quit in the middle of a hunt a few days ago, I think he lost a loved one at home so I can't fault him for needing to leave. I had another guide drive down overnight from another hunt location to take his place, halfway here he blew a head gasket, I made a midnight drive to get him in time for the morning hunt, he is using one of my spare trucks. Brian my son went and got the broken down truck yesterday and hauled it back to Washington to have a trusted mechanic check it out. 4 wheel drive went out out on another truck, but we have to keep driving it for now until I find another truck to buy.

Washington
We scaled back our Washington deer hunts last year to keep success rates high after the blue tongue die off a couple years ago. So far since the season opener last weekend the wife and her guides are running 100% kill. So the strategy is working well.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 18, 2017, 10:11:00 AM
Every year we find animals that have been shot before. Sometimes we even get animals later in the season that our hunters have shot earlier in the season and they are usually mostly healed already. I am constantly amazed how well wounded animals heal. Yesterday I found a broadhead in the shoulder blade of a mule buck when boning him out, it was completely healed over and gristle had formed around the broadhead.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Machias on October 18, 2017, 10:38:50 AM
 :yike:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Jpmiller on October 18, 2017, 01:36:39 PM
Is it common for your hunters to have as many misses as this year?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 19, 2017, 06:27:43 AM
Is it common for your hunters to have as many misses as this year?

We see a lot of misses most years, I think the biggest difference this year is that all the biggest animals have been missed so it seems worse. I thought about not mentioning the misses, but missing is part of hunting. When I first started hunting I would get buck fever so bad I couldn't hit anything. I missed deer for 3 years, I shot about a box of shells each year at bucks, finally on the 4th year I started controlling my excitement better and started hitting what I was shooting at and since then I've done better, so I definitely understand there will be misses in hunting for all sorts of reasons including the excitement that is involved, especially when large animals are seen.

I think the best way to reduce misses is to reduce variables. We try to shoot weapons before a hunt begins, if there is time. In my experience roughly half the weapons being carried by hunters are not properly sighted in, we see some that won't even hit paper at 50 yards. Sometimes this is due to buying an already scoped rifle and assuming the scope is sighted in, sometimes guns get bumped or dropped, and sometimes the mounts are not tight, sometimes it's a change in ammo. My advice is to shoot whatever weapon and ammo you are going to hunt with before you go hunting every year. It never hurts to make sure your gun is well sighted.

Shooting technique is another important aspect in hunting. A good portion of hunters do not possess good shooting technique and that multiplies the likelihood of missing when hunting. I try to help by advising techniques to improve shooting skills when I see the need. I think most hunters could improve their success rate greatly by learning better shooting techniques.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 19, 2017, 07:33:03 AM
Quote
Right now one guide has the father and son set up watching an elk herd and deer, they made it in to the tough spot, they saw a 4x4 buck but didn't get a shot, they saw a 2 point bull but he didn't offer a good shot then got in the brush, there's also a 6x6 bull in the brush, they are waiting for a shot right now at any of those animals all within shooting range if one will move in the open again.  :)

As the day progressed the bull began bugling again, eventually the guide and hunter decided to carefully move in, they got to about 200 yards and saw the bull, two shots were taken but both were misses and the bull and cows ran off.

Yesterday was a fair day we got two more mule bucks in Idaho, one of them was a pretty good one, and they killed another whitetail buck in Washington.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 21, 2017, 03:52:27 AM
Another day more stories...

In Washington we sacked up another whitetail buck completing the hunt for a group of four hunters. Another group of two has one buck and has missed a big buck so they are still hunting for their other deer in the morning, and a new group of 4 hunters begins hunting in the morning. We are still running 100% on our whitetail hunts in Washington this year!

In Utah I finally sold two of the cancelled hunts, those hunts will take place soon, I've still got three tags available which are good until Nov 10.

In Idaho two bull elk were missed, one bull called in to 150 yards but couldn't get a clear shot, two more bulls stalked to within close range in the brush but no good shot opportunity, two more bulls spotted that we are going after in the morning, one wolf seen but no shot opportunity, and a lady hunter showed up the guys in camp by dropping a nice mule buck the first morning of her hunt. Way to go Kris!  :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Wacenturion on October 21, 2017, 09:02:10 AM
Always enjoy this thread....... :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 21, 2017, 10:59:49 AM
Washington
The new group, a family of 4 hunters already has two bucks for the adults and one doe this morning for one of the kids, just need another doe and they are tagged out. Another young hunter in camp is color blind and can't hardly see deer. Her dad has taken his buck and dad has seen two more bucks with the daughter but she has trouble seeing them due to color blindness. They are such nice people I really really hope she gets her deer. FINGERS Crossed!

Idaho
We have hunters in the area again where the wolf was seen yesterday. Some ranchers told us they got a couple wolves, I sure hope someone gets this other wolf, so far we don't have any known wolf packs in that game management unit and I'd like to see it stay that way. I texted a couple of my guides, there have been a few small bucks passed this morning and does seen, but no word yet on any bucks or bulls taken.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: pygmy1985 on October 21, 2017, 11:07:28 AM
Every year we find animals that have been shot before. Sometimes we even get animals later in the season that our hunters have shot earlier in the season and they are usually mostly healed already. I am constantly amazed how well wounded animals heal. Yesterday I found a broadhead in the shoulder blade of a mule buck when boning him out, it was completely healed over and gristle had formed around the broadhead.

It's actually pretty amazing that it could heal.  I'd expect with the constant walking motion, the razor edge would continue to cut the skin, and not allow healing. Or, that there would be a big nasty infection set in. Wow!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 21, 2017, 11:48:06 AM
Every year we find animals that have been shot before. Sometimes we even get animals later in the season that our hunters have shot earlier in the season and they are usually mostly healed already. I am constantly amazed how well wounded animals heal. Yesterday I found a broadhead in the shoulder blade of a mule buck when boning him out, it was completely healed over and gristle had formed around the broadhead.

It's actually pretty amazing that it could heal.  I'd expect with the constant walking motion, the razor edge would continue to cut the skin, and not allow healing. Or, that there would be a big nasty infection set in. Wow!

That's exactly what I used to think, but we've found quite a few broadheads in animals, lots of times in the shoulder blade, usually gristle is formed around them and the animal acts fine, usually we don't know the animal has been wounded until we are skinning and boning. This year we had a bow hunter who hit a 6x6 bull high on the shoulder blade, we looked that night and the next day but the bull didn't even bleed much, I told the hunter I expected the animal to heal up, it will be interesting to see if we get that bull in the future.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 21, 2017, 05:27:14 PM
We've had some good shooters lately, they are stacking up the deer in Washington and we are doing better at killing the deer we shoot at in Idaho. One of the hunters almost had another bull this morning but couldn't get quite close enough for the shot. Just a few minutes ago Kris' husband Mike dropped this nice mule buck, congrats Mike!  :hello:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 24, 2017, 12:45:44 PM
Had an exciting hunt this morning, spotted critters at 900 yards, made a move on them, it's pretty open country, they spotted us at 650, I said "can you shoot at 650", he said I'm deadly at 400, I'll give it a try" so we settled in for the shot, I ranged 650 on the money, he paused breathing, kaboom goes the 338, reload shoot again, I think you were over him, kaboom, shoot again your still high or he would run, he lowered aim again, kaboom, you hit him, I seen him hunch up before he ran.

We waited 1 hour then headed over, we were getting close and I saw a magpie fly up, we walked another 20 yards and there he lay. Just got done gutting and found out it was a 650 yard heart shot. Last day of the hunt, I love it when a plan comes together.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: wsmnut on October 24, 2017, 02:43:15 PM
Nice!
Beautiful day for it!!!
Congratulations to both of you!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 28, 2017, 10:11:30 PM
He wasn't a big bull but we had a great hunt, we walked straight toward the elk in totally open ground for quite a few yards cutting it down to 650, when they finally spotted us Ron proved he definitely has the capacity for long range shooting. He had never shot past 450, but he said he could hold a real good group at 400 so I figured he could do it. When he set up for the shot he figured a little too high with the first two shots, but I watched his barrel and could tell he was rock solid and figured we could walk in the shots, the third shot put us in paydirt and was Ron's longest shot ever by about 200 yards.

I called Troy my wrangler and had him bring the mule, all the horses were out with guides and hunters and the experienced mule had an injury, so all we had was the less experienced mule "Clowie". I gutted and skinned one side of the elk while waiting for Troy to get there. Just as he walked up leading the mule, Clowie caught a good whiff of elk and spooked. Troy wasn't expecting it and Clowie headed back towards the trailer!  :(

Troy caught Clowie about halfway back to the trailer and brought her back, this time he tied her a ways off. I layed down a cloth Troy brought and finished piecing out the elk, we carefully introduced Clowie to elk, got her all loaded and we headed back to the trucks. Even though Ron has killed bigger bulls he is mounting this bull to remember the hunt that we had, the shot, and the young crowned antlers.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 28, 2017, 10:25:14 PM
Guide Daniel filled out his last hunter with the first 4x4 buck they spotted, she wanted the first 4 pointer, another good shooter, this lady hunter "Cora" dropped him at long range with her .270 long range setup. (sorry I can't remember the exact yardage but it was a good shot)
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on October 29, 2017, 12:51:09 AM
Randall traveled here from the midwest, he had never mule deer hunted. Dustin put him on two large bucks that he missed during the hunt and on the final day he connected with this fork horn. Congrats Randall!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on November 04, 2017, 02:18:47 PM
Ron Del Grosso, age 75 traveled to Idaho for his first mule deer, after dropping this buck he was unable to get up the mountain to it, but he was ecstatic when we brought it down to him. Congrats Ron!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on November 04, 2017, 02:20:08 PM
I was able to sneak out for a day of hunting for myself. He's not a big buck but he was the best I had spotted and it was 5pm, I figured he would do.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bowhunterforever on November 04, 2017, 02:35:08 PM
Nice buck dale :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: steeleywhopper on November 04, 2017, 02:37:48 PM
Just curious if you make guides watch the clients shoot their guns at targets before you take them out hunting? Sounds like lots of missed opportunity from poor shooting. Not knocking you or the outfit but if I paid good money for a hunt I’d be shooting like crazy to make sure it counted when it was go time.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on November 04, 2017, 05:29:14 PM
Jon nailed a big Washington bear with us in September, he and his brother Carl came back out to Idaho for a November cow elk hunt. We went to a spot I expected to find elk, the wind was blasting strong gusts that pushed us all over the highway on the way to the hunt area. As dawn broke I glassed the hillsides for critters, but everything was bedded down out of sight trying to avoid the wind. I went to a little different area and we hiked out a ridge glassing as we moved from spot to spot, but nothing was moving. We headed back up the ridge to move over onto the next ridge and suddenly spotted 5 or 6 elk, They were roughly 200 yards, I didn't bother ranging, I was on them watching for a hit, Jon shot first and his cow dropped like a sack of potatoes, Carl pulled the trigger and click, misfire!

Reload, shoot again, Carl pulled the trigger again and it appeared he missed, and then the elk ran out of sight. We sat tight and watched for a few minutes, then we went over to Jon's elk and he finished it off. We joked around a bit with Carl, I asked him if Jon did his reloading, we snapped a few photos and I started to gut. Jon and Carl went to look for blood where Carl had shot. I told them if they couldn't find blood to walk all over and see if they could find the elk. They couldn't find any blood but after walking around Jon hollered "here she is" he had found her.

We had to take back some of the ribbing we had been dishing out to Carl, in fact he made a better shot than Jon, but the elk didn't show any sign of being hit and ran a ways before dropping. By now my knife was getting pretty dull, I had done a bull the last day of bull season, done my buck, and had done Jon's cow, it wasn't getting the job done very well on Carl's elk so Carl dug out a custom knife he wanted me to try, I used it for a few cuts but the edge disappeared quickly, so Jon dug out his knife. It was good and sharp and I was able to make good headway.

I was cutting down the backside of a rear leg and I didn't have quit a tight grip, my hand slipped a little on the knife handle and I cut my index finger pretty bad on the first part of the blade where it comes out of the handle, there was no hilt on the knife, I should have had a tighter grip. I was bleeding pretty good and Carl dug out the first aid kit, I had to lay down I started to get light headed, Carl taped a piece of gauze around the wound and I slipped on a new plastic glove the best I could. I finished Carl's elk, and we got them out. After getting back to camp I hung the elk pieces up and boned out my deer. It was too late for the DR office so I waited till the next day.

In the morning we cut the elk up a little more to get them into coolers and Jon and Carl headed home. I made sure Jon took the "killer knife" when he left, LOL. I went to the DR who told me I waited to long for stitches, so he cleaned it some more, bandaged it carefully, gave me a tetnus shot, and prescribed some antibiotics. He expects it to heal up ok and thankfully I didn't cut the main tendon. He told me to keep it dry and not to do any dish washing, oh darn it!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on November 04, 2017, 05:34:25 PM
Just curious if you make guides watch the clients shoot their guns at targets before you take them out hunting? Sounds like lots of missed opportunity from poor shooting. Not knocking you or the outfit but if I paid good money for a hunt I’d be shooting like crazy to make sure it counted when it was go time.

Well that's the first question I would ask too!  :chuckle:
We normally have everyone shoot before hunting, most of the misses were done with guns we knew were sighted dead on, people just get really shook up when they see big animals. How else could anyone miss a huge elk twice at 187 yards! It just happens!  :dunno:

The shooting has been better now that we are later in the season. I think the buck I killed was the last animal that was missed, yes I missed him standing, before hitting him after he took off running! I was just giving him a warning shot, a fair chance so to speak!  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on November 04, 2017, 06:06:42 PM
Here's a nice buck taken by one of the hunters who bought one of my cancellation hunts in Utah. He passed numerous bucks and on the last day of the hunt decided to pull the trigger on this buck. This buck had an absolutely massive neck! Congrats to Randy from California, nice shooting buddy! :hello:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: wsmnut on November 04, 2017, 08:04:43 PM
Nice buck Dale! 
Sorry about your finger.  I hope it heals quickly.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Jpmiller on November 04, 2017, 08:22:51 PM
The doc didn't tell you he needed to open your cut back up so he could stitch it? That's what mine always says lol "it's already closed I'll have to open it so I can close it"

I always decline.

On a more positive note are your Idaho cow elk hunts a draw tag or OTC?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on November 04, 2017, 09:55:47 PM
Nice buck Dale! 
Sorry about your finger.  I hope it heals quickly.

I'm usually a pretty quick healer.  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on November 04, 2017, 09:57:55 PM
The doc didn't tell you he needed to open your cut back up so he could stitch it? That's what mine always says lol "it's already closed I'll have to open it so I can close it"

I always decline.

On a more positive note are your Idaho cow elk hunts a draw tag or OTC?

The doc said I waited too long to stitch, I knew it would be borderline but I had work that needed done.

The cow hunts are OTC, tags are still available in Idaho or Utah.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on November 06, 2017, 09:51:07 PM
The doc didn't tell you he needed to open your cut back up so he could stitch it? That's what mine always says lol "it's already closed I'll have to open it so I can close it"

I always decline.

On a more positive note are your Idaho cow elk hunts a draw tag or OTC?

The doc said I waited too long to stitch, I knew it would be borderline but I had work that needed done.

The cow hunts are OTC, tags are still available in Idaho or Utah.

Tags are only available in Utah, Idaho is sold out!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on November 16, 2017, 10:12:34 AM
We've been busy with moose hunters in Idaho, mule deer hunters in Montana, and late whitetail hunts in Washington, animals are hitting the ground, hunting has been real good for us.

Due to extreme winterkill on our usual ranch in Montana we are not hunting it for at least a couple years, we did find a new excellent ranch further east that was not impacted heavily by winter. It has mostly mule deer, some whitetail and elk. Because we acquired the ranch late in the year we only were able to book two hunters. Unfortunately just before their hunt one of their father-in-laws passed away, so they had a funeral to attend and only 1.5 days to hunt, they said they were going to shoot the first horns they saw and head for home. Within 5 minutes of Joe dropped his buck, they gutted it and started hunting again they only went a few hundred yards and Travis dropped his buck, by 8:30 am the first morning they were completely done and left very happy. Nice shooting Joe and Travis we look forward to hunting with you again next year!  :hello:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on November 16, 2017, 10:28:15 AM
Due to blue tongue a couple years ago I cut back our number of whitetail hunters in half last year and this year. The strategy has paid off, both early and late season so far we've had 100% shooting opportunity with only one hunter leaving without a deer and that person was on two bucks, so it's been excellent hunting. Guide Daniel and his hunter pose with a nice 5x6 taken during the late hunt, 4 more bucks have been taken, and we have a few more hunters who just started hunting, I'll share more photos when I get them.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 16, 2017, 11:20:43 AM
 :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 04, 2017, 12:28:26 AM
Well it's been 30 days since I tried to lop off the finger, just as the doc said it has healed pretty well. There's still a lot of numbness around it but I've been working it a lot and have most use back.  :)

Sight Your Gun Before Hunting
It's been pretty interesting this entire season. We've had some great shots made but we've also had nearly all the best trophies missed due to improperly sighted rifles. I recommend shooting your weapon after you arrive at your hunting destination before you begin hunting. In November two moose hunters refused to shoot their rifles and both missed moose, one hunter missed seven shots at two good bulls on the third day and the last day of his hunt. Another moose hunter missed four shots at probably the largest moose we've ever put a hunter on, a day after missing he finally shot the gun and discovered it would not even hit paper, he was hunting only for a trophy moose, there were only two days left to hunt, he passed several more small to medium bulls but we never found another large bull, 71 moose sightings on that hunt, 34 bull sightings. Those two moose hunters went home without a bull because they refused to check their gun. I can't stress enough how important it is to shoot your gun!

Wolf Worms In Washington
Our other moose hunters in Idaho and Washington shot very well and were successful. One thing that has become very obvious, it seems every NE Washington moose we've taken the last few years is infected with wolf worms, the lungs are filled with cysts and even the hearts are infected with cysts now. Some lungs were so infected this year we are not sure how the animal was able to breath. At the same time we are not finding any wolf worms in Idaho, we don't have near as many wolves there, nothing like the high wolf population here in Washington. We saw wolf tracks in several of the Washington moose areas we hunted, the wolves know exactly where the moose are at and not only are wolves eating our moose, I think the worms they spread are probably impacting our moose too! Here's a photo of a Washington moose and his heart, I wished we would have taken a photo of the lungs, the lungs were totally riddled, I mean full of wolf worms.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 04, 2017, 01:09:33 AM
Here are four more mule deer taken on one of the ranches we lease this year. Congrats to the four hunters, some great shooting on some great bucks!  :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 04, 2017, 01:11:28 AM
Cougar and Cow Elk Hunting
We usually start cougar hunting in December. The first week or two can be a challenge with snow conditions but we usually get some real good cats. This year is no exception, we have a group of three hunters, two cougar hunters and one cow elk hunter, we killed a cow elk on Dec 1 and had passed a couple smaller cats, today we killed a nice 140-150ish tom cougar. We have one more cougar hunter in camp, hopefully we'll get him filled out shortly. I will post some photos when I can.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Rainier10 on December 04, 2017, 08:42:28 AM
I'm just here because I am going to be there next week.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Gringo31 on December 04, 2017, 01:54:24 PM
Need some Ruby pics!

(or is it Rudy)

Love the cat pics the best...  Good luck!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 04, 2017, 02:31:10 PM
This is yesterday's tom photos! We found 6 cats today and ran another tom today but he headed into some low country with no snow and the tracks weren't fresh enough for the dogs to follow without snow, we lost him, we'll be back out tomorrow after another cat.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 04, 2017, 02:36:35 PM
Need some Ruby pics!

(or is it Rudy)

Love the cat pics the best...  Good luck!  :tup:

I'll make it a point to get some Ruby pics!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: RB on December 04, 2017, 02:45:53 PM
Wow nice Cat!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: MooseZ25 on December 04, 2017, 02:53:32 PM
One of the two moose that I was on this year had wolf worms too Dale.  This one came out of the Black tail drainage.  The game department says they are safe to eat. :dunno:  What are your thoughts on that?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Axle on December 04, 2017, 04:06:11 PM
Quote
One of the two moose that I was on this year had wolf worms too Dale.  This one came out of the Black tail drainage.  The game department says they are safe to eat.   What are your thoughts on that?

 :yeah:
Not to jack the thread - but what if you grilled a burger and left it pink in the middle?

I know this isn't the right thread for this - but wolfbait did strongly warn about this. I know many are concerned.

Perhaps another thread in this topic would be appropriate.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 06, 2017, 12:41:07 PM
One of the two moose that I was on this year had wolf worms too Dale.  This one came out of the Black tail drainage.  The game department says they are safe to eat. :dunno:  What are your thoughts on that?

Anything is safe to eat including wolf itself if you cook it well done!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: WA hunter14 on December 06, 2017, 12:58:52 PM
What did the hide measure on that tom?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 06, 2017, 01:14:59 PM
Yesterday we started a tom and female at daylight. The tracks were hot, the dogs struck in the dog box, we found a couple foot prints in a little snow but started the chase on mostly bare ground and was on bare ground quite often during the day. We're not sure how long the cats stayed together but the chase lasted until after 2:00 in the afternoon. We were treed or bayed at least a dozen times and the cat(s) would jump and run again. About 2:00 pm Brian made it to one of the trees before the cat jumped but the hunter didn't get a shot, the cat headed back down the mountain toward Chuck and I, they came within a couple hundred yards and bayed up, I could tell by the dog barking the cat was bayed on the ground, then the cat broke and ran 100 to 200 yards and went up a tree about 100 yards from the road where we started the chase on. This time the hunter made it to the tree and shot the cat as it was getting ready to jump again. We ended up with the female rather than the tom but Scott was happy, he had already killed a tom with us on a past hunt. Here's a photo of Scott with the cat and a photo of Ruby and one of the hounds. Sorry about the low quality pics, sometimes cell phone pics aren't very good.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 06, 2017, 01:26:26 PM
What did the hide measure on that tom?

We didn't measure that one but it probably skinned out somewhere around 8 1/2ish feet.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 06, 2017, 01:30:27 PM
We are tagged out and waiting for our next hunters. The boys were out scouting around this morning and found 4 cats, 2 were toms, one is a really good tom! They are trying to get his approximate whereabouts pinned down for the next hunt. :tup: @Rainier10
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Rainier10 on December 06, 2017, 01:51:36 PM
We are tagged out and waiting for our next hunters. The boys were out scouting around this morning and found 4 cats, 2 were toms, one is a really good tom! They are trying to get his approximate whereabouts pinned down for the next hunt. :tup: @Rainier10
:tup:  I am sooooooo looking forward to this hunt.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: wheels on December 06, 2017, 02:12:08 PM
some nice cats there
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: WA hunter14 on December 06, 2017, 02:44:02 PM
Right on sounds like a good time, you sure you don't want to hire another lion guide  :chuckle: ?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Jpmiller on December 06, 2017, 05:45:20 PM
What's your average success rate on the lion hunts?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 07, 2017, 07:30:14 AM
What's your average success rate on the lion hunts?

My goal is to be 100% every year, we run 70% to 100% most years, last year we were 100% shooting opportunity, 13 for 13. Over the last few years we have greatly expanded our hunt areas, we now have multiple hunt areas in northern and southern Idaho, if snow isn't good in one area we can usually hunt a different area, this year we are just getting started, 2 cats for 2 hunters so far. I still have some openings this winter if you want to go cougar hunting, wolf can also be taken if seen, and during bobcat season bobcat might also be taken. You are welcome to contact me directly for specific questions?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 07, 2017, 07:39:05 AM
Looks like you have a lot of happy customers, Dale. :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Machias on December 07, 2017, 11:56:17 AM
We are tagged out and waiting for our next hunters. The boys were out scouting around this morning and found 4 cats, 2 were toms, one is a really good tom! They are trying to get his approximate whereabouts pinned down for the next hunt. :tup: @Rainier10
:tup:  I am sooooooo looking forward to this hunt.

Good luck!!!!!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Timberstalker on December 08, 2017, 05:17:17 AM
We are tagged out and waiting for our next hunters. The boys were out scouting around this morning and found 4 cats, 2 were toms, one is a really good tom! They are trying to get his approximate whereabouts pinned down for the next hunt. :tup: @Rainier10
:tup:  I am sooooooo looking forward to this hunt.

Nice. When is this occurring?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Britt-dog on December 08, 2017, 09:45:40 PM
Really enjoy following this thread.

I am always disappointed to hear about missed opportunities or worse, simply because people refuse to practice with, or zero their weapon.

Do you think it would work for you to have a policy making it mandatory your hunters check their zero after arriving at camp?
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 19, 2017, 09:22:30 AM
We had a great time hunting with Rainier10 and his two buddies. There are four of us cougar guides, we also had one other hunter in camp "Scott" who is also a great guy. A lot of cats had moved between hunts, before Rainier10 got here and after the last hunt ended. We hunted hard and after about three slow days we started finding fresh cougar tracks, even before we got fresh snow, unfortunately we simply had terrible luck, I can only think of one other hunt through the years where we had worse luck and that hunter eventually killed a nice tom with me in Idaho, but he had a lot of days into that cougar.

The days sort of run together in my memory but the guides and hunters tried walking at least three big toms and couldn't gain on the tracks, the cats were moving covering country, one of those a really big tom marked 26 spots that they saw as they followed that cat before having to give up and come out. We ran one tom that got crossed up with another tom track and ended up with the guides and some of the guys walking in to recover the mixed up hounds off the mumbo jumbo of tracks. My hunter and I turned loose on a cat that we thought we had treed at the bottom of the mountain by the river. One of the guides was down listening from across the river, he waded the river and hiked 500 yards up the mountain to find the dog hung up in rock bluffs. It was bare ground, he searched the area well but no cat, so he waded the river again and brought out the hound.

On the last evening of the hunt my hunter and I had gone to the top of a mountain, we turned around and headed back down, I told him that it was late in the day to be turning loose but if we see fresh tracks in our recent tire tracks we'll run it. On the way out we found a female with a kitten, the tracks couldn't be an hour old but wouldn't you know, we couldn't go after them obviously. We drove a couple miles and I said it again "if we were lucky enough to find fresh tracks in our tire tracks I think there's still time to run a cat", we didn't go another hundred yards and there they were, fresh cougar tracks, looked like a young tom! Time was short, we had less than two hours to chase the cat, catch the cat, get to it and kill it. You cannot legally hunt cougar after regular shooting hours. I called two of the other guides who said they would come and help, they themselves had been on an all day hike on a big tom that they had to pull off of because it still had snow in it's tracks so they were still at least 12 to 15 hours behind it so they had to quit and come out, but they came to help us.

I prepped the hounds as quickly as possible, the dogs were crazy excited, I think they could smell the cat before I took them to the tracks. Immediately they blew up upon sniffing the first track, I cut them loose, they struggled to get up the super steep cutbank and the hillside was one of the steepest around but they were going and barking loudly. I said "that cat can't be far"! In about 20 minutes we were treed, we drove a short distance and could hear the dogs well, probably a couple hundred yards up the cliff like hillside. My hunter headed in, I was gathering additional gear, the two younger guides arrived and one of them immediately headed up with the other two hunters. They all got to the tree about the same time but couldn't find the cat. They searched all the trees and I told the other guide to make a big circle around the outside of all the tracks to find where the cat might have left. He did it and nothing! I told him to follow the back track of the hounds, sure enough he found the cougar tracks where it had jumped out and back tracked on the old tracks. Looking back I think the cat jumped when the dogs first treed it before they were locked in on the tree, otherwise the dogs would have seen it jump. these cats have learned all kinds of tricks in order to survive in wolf country.

Twice Daniel leashed up the dogs, took them to the tracks and both times they went back to the tree, they just knew the cat had been in that tree. Daniel was going to leash them up and follow the tracks with the dogs on leash for a few hundred yards and then turn them loose again. By now it was starting to darken, I looked at my phone clock, there just wasn't time to run the cat, get to it, and kill it within legal shooting hours. It was a tough thing to do knowing we could quickly catch the cat again, but to stay within the law I had to call off the hunt.  :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

Fortunately earlier that last day one of the guides had caught a cat for Scott, it jumped three times before he could shoot, but they finally got it in the fourth tree. So we only got one cat and that sets our success this season back to 50%. Hopefully Rainier10 and buddies can come back again later in the season for a few days so we can try to fill their tags.

The next morning the guys left, I went on top of a mountain to get cell service and take care of a few things. Coming out I got stuck pretty bad, I shoveled a bunch but was working the 4x4 pretty hard trying to get out and blew up my front drive line cv joint. uuugggghhhh  I had to shovel snow and chip ice for nearly two hours but was able to get the truck out and off the mountain in about 15 inches of snow in two wheel drive. I felt very lucky to get out without having to leave the truck in the middle of this huge snow storm. I was afraid it might get snowed in so bad I would need snow removal equipment to get it out. It's supposed to dump 3 to 4 feet of snow up high. After getting out I went to town and found out all the parts parts are not available in the whole northwest, they are back ordered already and a week and a half out on delivery.

Fortunately I was able to order a whole new front driveline from rockauto.com and it should be here in three days. I could use a suburban to hunt but right now we are waiting for the storm to stop, it's dumping snow so fast nothing is moving and by morning any tracks that were made are covered by too much snow anyway.

Here's a couple photos of Scott's cat.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: headshot5 on December 19, 2017, 10:10:53 AM
Did he shoot it with a 223 or a 300 blackout?  Just curious.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 19, 2017, 11:07:10 AM
Did he shoot it with a 223 or a 300 blackout?  Just curious.

I think he said it was a .223, we've had lots of cats killed with .223's.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Rainier10 on December 19, 2017, 11:46:49 AM
Did he shoot it with a 223 or a 300 blackout?  Just curious.

I think he said it was a .223, we've had lots of cats killed with .223's.
That is what I recall from our dinner conversation at the tavern.  Scott was a solid guy and I was glad to have met him.  Really glad that he was able to connect.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 19, 2017, 02:18:04 PM
Did he shoot it with a 223 or a 300 blackout?  Just curious.

I think he said it was a .223, we've had lots of cats killed with .223's.
That is what I recall from our dinner conversation at the tavern.  Scott was a solid guy and I was glad to have met him.  Really glad that he was able to connect.

Yes, totally agree, Scott was a super good guy too. Once you get caught up with your life and business and can afford to take a few more days off, let me know and we will finish the hunt!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Rainier10 on December 19, 2017, 02:44:42 PM
Did he shoot it with a 223 or a 300 blackout?  Just curious.

I think he said it was a .223, we've had lots of cats killed with .223's.
That is what I recall from our dinner conversation at the tavern.  Scott was a solid guy and I was glad to have met him.  Really glad that he was able to connect.

Yes, totally agree, Scott was a super good guy too. Once you get caught up with your life and business and can afford to take a few more days off, let me know and we will finish the hunt!  :tup:
Will do.

I assume you guys are going to be on snowmobiles when this weather finally breaks.

I also assume you will be done binge watching "justified" by then.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 20, 2017, 02:36:22 PM
Did he shoot it with a 223 or a 300 blackout?  Just curious.

I think he said it was a .223, we've had lots of cats killed with .223's.
That is what I recall from our dinner conversation at the tavern.  Scott was a solid guy and I was glad to have met him.  Really glad that he was able to connect.

Yes, totally agree, Scott was a super good guy too. Once you get caught up with your life and business and can afford to take a few more days off, let me know and we will finish the hunt!  :tup:
Will do.

I assume you guys are going to be on snowmobiles when this weather finally breaks.

I also assume you will be done binge watching "justified" by then.  :chuckle:

I'm home waiting for a front driveline to repair my truck, Daniel went home for the holidays, two of the guys are out hunting and I can't reach them yet today so I'm pretty sure they are walking or running a cat in big remote country again today. We figure one more snow and it will be snowmobiles. I'll keep you posted as soon as I know more.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: 2MANY on December 20, 2017, 03:05:38 PM
Looks like fun.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on December 31, 2017, 08:38:17 PM
Andy passed on some females last week just before Christmas, he went home for xmas and was going to come back, then it started snowing, we had heavy snow for several days, now we have gone from almost no snow to almost 4 feet of snow!  :yike:

I contacted Andy as soon as I could see an end to the storm, "Can you come over on the 31st and hunt, the weather is looking good, the storm is ending!" Andy replied, "When do you want me there?", I told him to come about 3AM. Andy came early, he and Brian broke trail in deep snow all morning on snowmobiles and finally found a track, they checked some more roads and that was the best track they had so they gave it a try with the hounds. It was an older track and took quite a bit of work, most of the day in fact! But Andy finished the year right, today he nailed this nice Idaho tom cougar with guide Brian. HAPPY NEW YEAR ANDY!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Gringo31 on January 01, 2018, 08:27:39 AM
Awesome!

Way to start off the new year!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Kit Carson on January 01, 2018, 08:22:22 PM
Sweet! Happy New Year!  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on January 11, 2018, 01:49:42 AM
Rainier10 and Kenny were able to return after New Years Day, I found two older tracks on my first run early in the morning, a female and tom traveling together, Brian and I checked additional areas but that was the only tracks we found and so we elected to try and run those cats. The tracks were cold and the dogs had quite a lot of trouble, the cats had circled while hunting and at times the dogs were separated trying to figure out all the tracks. At one point two dogs were hung up in one area for some time so Brian snowshoed in to see what was happening, we were getting late in the day and you don't want dogs out in wolf country after dark, there were cougar tracks everywhere and the snow was frozen hard under the trees where the cats wouldn't leave any prints, Brian tried to round up some of the dogs and I snowmobiled back toward the beginning to catch some of the dogs, we got all but two dogs rounded up.

Thirteen and Lady were coming up a canyon, I headed there on snowmobile but thirteen beat me across the road, she would not come back when I called her name, I looked around and sure enough there were two cougar tracks crossing the road. I was sure I had not missed them earlier, they must be fresh tracks, the dogs must have finally caught up with the cats and jumped them. Brian got there just as Lady crossed the road about 100 yards behind Thirteen, we could have grabbed Lady but decided to let her go and to turn additional dogs into the chase behind them both. Thirteen would be in grave danger after dark alone and I had seen one wolf track a few miles further up the road, so we knew that wolf might be close enough to hear a hound and who knows how many more wolves might show up if that one starts howling when it hears the hound after dark?

We didn't have much time, the dogs needed to catch these cats quick and we needed to get there before dark to shoot a cat if we were going to get one. The chase was moving fast now the dogs covered ground quick, I went and got Rainier10 and Kenny who were waiting at an overlook. I quickly explained what had happened and that we needed to move out. We headed up the snowmobile trail, we passed Brian who was trying to find a turn around spot and stopped to check the dogs, they were still in front of us. We went further and stopped again, we had gone too far, now they were behind us and sounded treed. I called Brian on the radio and he said he was parked right below them and headed in as quick as possible, I told him we would head in as soon as we got there.

We went further up the road and found a turn around and headed back, we parked at Brian's sled. I told Rainier and Kenny to take their weapons, headlamp, and tags and to head in towards the barking hounds as fast as possible. Brian called and said to try and stay to the left in the big timber on the ridge, it was easier going. I told them "Don't wait on me, I am getting stuff together and will follow. When you get there after Brian ties up the hounds shoot the cat, don't wait on me!" I gathered my stuff but my radio was going dead I had to change batteries and I headed up the hill, dang I forgot my pistol, I went back down to the snowmobile to get it and then headed up again. We do not go into wolf country without protection, Brian has been stalked by wolves after dark more than once in the past, it scared the dickens out of him having wolves parallel him and howl on one side of him or the other, the hounds were afraid of the wolves too and kept very quiet during that whole hike out! It was as if they knew those wolves wanted to eat them!

Back to the story, I was almost halfway in, Brian called on the radio and said he was at the tree and could see one cat. I told him the guys were quite a ways ahead of me and if they got there not to wait, if they had a good shot do it, don't take a chance of the cat jumping by waiting on me. I made it about halfway and Brian called again, Rainier was there, the cat was nervous, he was going to shoot it. We really got lucky as it turned out the tom had treed and the female kept going, more often it seems the female will tree first and the tom keeps going, sometimes you catch both cats, but this time we caught the tom. Rainier made an excellent shot with his bow and the cat fell to the ground dead. Awesome shooting Rainier, congrats!  :tup: :IBCOOL:

Later that night rain started, it was raining in the morning with a couple days of rain in the forecast so the guys went home again.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Gringo31 on January 11, 2018, 08:02:03 AM
 :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup: :tup:


Awesome!  Way to go guys!

Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on January 11, 2018, 09:47:06 AM
Matthew arrived from Michigan, we got some fresh snow that evening, the next morning was perfect, we found 19 tracks, most were older tracks, 4 were older tom tracks, 4 were fresh female tracks that we passed. There was a small loop that I could make with the truck and we were just about finished for the day, I told Matthew that we had 1 mile left that was a good crossing area, we came over a rise and I thought I saw coyotes in the road, we both looked through binoculars and it was 3 cougar about 150 yards away. The smallest one saw us and jumped off the road, the two larger ones stood and looked at us, it appeared to be a female with two mostly grown yearlings. We watched them for a minute and then I drove down, the dogs struck from in the dog box, I got out and checked the tracks, yep, a female with a yearling tom and yearling female. The next day we hunted hard looking for a tom but only found three more females which we passed. That evening it began raining heavy and rained all night, we were out early in spite of the rain and began hunting. I was pretty wet from using the snowmobile and atv but kept hunting, we had found three rained out tracks that were unrunable because the bottom of the track was totally washed out to bare ground. I knew we were losing our snow so I told Matthew if I could find a track in deeper snow we might be able to run it.

Against All Odds
I kept hunting and went to a mountain where we had seen a tom track the first day, I knew there would be deeper snow and hoped that would make a difference. I didn't find the track until mid day, the dogs could barley smell any scent in the washed out tracks and moved pretty slow on the track, but amazingly they caught up and jumped this nice tom, it made a mad dash to lose the dogs but they treed it in a big fir. The cat scaled right at 150 pounds, congrats Matthew!

A photo of a fresh female track we passed, a photo of the cats we saw in the road, and a photo of the tom Matthew nailed.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: KFhunter on January 11, 2018, 09:50:48 AM
that's awesome  :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Gringo31 on January 11, 2018, 11:06:49 AM
I love the conservation side of the talent you have in what cats you chose to go after.


Nice job Dale!
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 11:41:03 AM
I love the conservation side of the talent you have in what cats you chose to go after.


Nice job Dale!
:yeah:
They really do try to shoot only mature toms.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on January 11, 2018, 11:55:47 AM
I love the conservation side of the talent you have in what cats you chose to go after.


Nice job Dale!

We prefer to take toms, we can't always find a tom and if a hunter wants to take a female so that they have a successful hunt we are OK with that too, females need managed too, but we try to get the best cat we can. It's actually really fun looking at the tracks, judging what animal you think you have found, and then finding out how close your estimate is. We have been pretty close on all the cats we've taken this year and most years. I had Matthew's cat pegged at being a 140ish pound tom, as it turns out he had a full belly and weighed 150. We are right about sex and within 10 pounds on weight most of the time.

Oddly enough we killed another nice tom last year only about 300 hundred yards away from where Matthew's tom treed, and there have been others taken nearby through the years. Cats use traditional hunting areas and crossings between hunting areas generation after generation. Usually cats and bear will pick out a bigger tree to climb when treed, lots of times you can pick the tree before you can see the animal. it's really very interesting the little characteristics you see with these amazing animals. Even though we can no longer cougar hunt with dogs in WA, I could mark cougar crossings on a map in NE Washington where I used to find cats before hunting was outlawed, you could go to those spots and probably within a week find cougar tracks within a few hundred yards.

Another interesting thing is how many people live right where cougar like to hunt or cross and don't know they are living right in cougar central, sometimes there are even traditional cougar crossings or hunting areas right next to city limits! I have knocked on doors through the years more than once and showed homeowners where a cougar walked within 50 yards of their house, sometimes cats even walked up and looked into the house through windows, or walked between a house and shop, or went under the porch or into the barn, usually the people were happy to have us hunt the cat!  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 11, 2018, 11:59:35 AM
Have you notice that cougars are have pretty much a routine when they will come thru an area? I know on some of my cam pics of them they seem to cycle thru pretty much to the day.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 12:11:14 PM
I can say on multiple days we saw multiple tracks in the same area, like within hundreds of yards of each other.  I was shocked at how many cats there are out there.  At first I was amazed at how quick they could pick up on the tracks.  I mean there are deer, elk, wolf and moose tracks in the snow everywhere.  We would come around the corner to a sea of tracks and my guide would stop and get out, he had seen a cougar track.   A mile later another sea of tracks and we would just blow on by, no cat tracks.  By the end of our hunt when we came to a set of cougar tracks I could pick them out of the sea of deer and elk tracks.

I am pretty much a cougar guy now.  :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 11, 2018, 12:22:16 PM
 :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Rainier10 on January 11, 2018, 12:26:03 PM
Also we released the dogs on a cat two weeks before we released them on the cat that I killed.  The two release spots unbelievable close and where the cat went both times was basically the same spot, just one time he got away and the second time he treed.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on January 11, 2018, 12:39:39 PM
Have you notice that cougars are have pretty much a routine when they will come thru an area? I know on some of my cam pics of them they seem to cycle thru pretty much to the day.

I think a lot depends on when the cat makes a kill and what it kills or if it's a tom looking for a female or marking territory. For example they say studies indicate a female has an average 10 square mile territory while a tom territory averages 100 square miles, this has seemed to me to be a good average of both size of territories. One thing that I think is under stressed is that a several cougar can overlap in the same territory, even several toms. Also a deer will feed a cat for almost a week and then the cat will go hunting again. An elk feeds a cat much longer before they go hunting again. Most cats prefer to hunt deer, especially mule deer if mule deer live in the area, some cats focus on elk if they live in the area, all cats are opportunists and will eat what gets in the way including but not limited to birds, rodents, moose, wild sheep and goats, porcupines, beaver, pets, livestock especially goats and sheep, other predators, and even other cougar!

But yes, generally cats seem to move every week or so and a good storm or warm up will really get them moving.

Matthews tom had moved about three days before I found his tracks the first day we hunted, we hunted for three days and I found his tracks again only a mile or two away after about a week after the cat had hunted the week before. (it appeared to be the same cat by the tracks but no way to know for positive)

I can say on multiple days we saw multiple tracks in the same area, like within hundreds of yards of each other.  I was shocked at how many cats there are out there.  At first I was amazed at how quick they could pick up on the tracks.  I mean there are deer, elk, wolf and moose tracks in the snow everywhere.  We would come around the corner to a sea of tracks and my guide would stop and get out, he had seen a cougar track.   A mile later another sea of tracks and we would just blow on by, no cat tracks.  By the end of our hunt when we came to a set of cougar tracks I could pick them out of the sea of deer and elk tracks.

I am pretty much a cougar guy now.  :IBCOOL:

 :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 11, 2018, 01:02:04 PM
So Tom cats don't seem to be as territorial as say a wolf pack?     It seems I remember on one of my old RMEF magazines there was a story in there where the writer told of coming across I think it was 8 elk or deer killed by a cougar or cougars in a small area. The just of the article I got was that the cougar or cougars killed for the joy or it as none of the animals were eaten or buried. Now it could have been a mother with offspring killing to teach but that's not the impression I got from reading it. I wish I had kept which magazine it was in but do have all my RMEF mags in a box.
Title: Re: Bearpaw Season - Fall 2017
Post by: bearpaw on January 11, 2018, 01:43:06 PM
So Tom cats don't seem to be as territorial as say a wolf pack?     It seems I remember on one of my old RMEF magazines there was a story in there where the writer told of coming across I think it was 8 elk or deer killed by a cougar or cougars in a small area. The just of the article I got was that the cougar or cougars killed for the joy or it as none of the animals were eaten or buried. Now it could have been a mother with offspring killing to teach but that's not the impression I got from reading it. I wish I had kept which magazine it was in but do have all my RMEF mags in a box.

I think some toms are very territorial, but several toms may overlap, and there may be numerous females in the same area.
Put a cat in a room with 20 mice and see how many survive, I think when hunting is easiest is when you will see sport killing.
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