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Author Topic: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt  (Read 2319 times)

Offline Rob

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Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« on: June 03, 2019, 08:50:04 AM »
Well, we did not fill our tags - but not for lack of trying!

Made 4 trips to the Curlew/Kettle Falls/Republic area and spent 13 long days in the field hunting.  Schedules won't allow for another trip even though the season is still open.

I can say I learned a lot about bear hunting, and a lot about unit 101. 

All told I would say we spent a total of 140-150 hours in the field:  13 hours a day for the 8 full days, and 8 hours for the 5 half days we were in town.  We easily drove 1,000 miles on back roads and between hunting locations (add another 2,250 miles in "commute miles" between home and the unit).  In addition we hiked 5-10 miles a day and called at least 2 or 3 times a day on most days.

We laid eyes on a total of 11 bear - 2 sows, 5 cubs and 4 singles.  I did not have a shot opportunity and my buddy missed one shot (Buck fever is a real bummer!  He pulled an easy seated shot - shooting underneath it at 126 yards)

We saw moose, deer, coyote, turkey, and one large wolf track. We also cursed at the grouse that exploded in-front of us with no notice giving us heart-attacks.

Here are the thanks:
Big thanks to Bearpaw.  Bought a set of Maps from Bearpaw and I highly recommend them.  For those wondering there were  10 to 12 different locations provided with commentary and suggestions.  We looked at all of them and found fresh sign in nearly every one of them.  I kept in contact with Dale and provided updates on the progress of our efforts and he weighed in with additional feedback and suggestions throughout the season.  Very impressed - had budget allowed we would have booked a guided hunt with him!

HUGE thanks to Tracker0721.  He lives locally and reached out to us asking if we wanted any ideas.  We took him up on this and he went above and beyond giving us great suggestions, and even agreeing to go out with us and show us the ropes one evening (taking some time off work to do so too!).  Additionally he arranged access for passthrough of some private property so we could avoid a steep climb to a promising area.  (my buddies torn meniscus thanks you!).  It was while hunting with Tracker0721 that my buddy got his shot opportunity.

Also a big thanks to Campmeat.  We chatted on the phone for a good hour and he provided some sound advice that put us onto some bear sightings towards the end of our trip. 

General thanks to the Hunt-Wa community.  Lots of info buried in former threads that we were able to mine out and use to help.  Good info on hunting techniques and methods.  and a shoutout to 6haase6 for info provided on his successful hunt last year.  As always I am consistently impressed and humbled by the great community we have here.  There are some squabbles from time to time and many of us are quite colorful individuals, but by far we are all on the same team. 

Thanks for a fun, hard hunt!
« Last Edit: June 03, 2019, 09:01:47 AM by Rob »
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

Offline Boss .300 winmag

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2019, 08:54:58 AM »
Sounds like you had a blast.👍

But that’s best hunting, sometimes it’s easy, and sometimes it’s a bear.🤣
"Just because I like granola, and I have stretched my arms around a few trees, doesn't mean I'm a tree hugger!
Hi I'm 8156, our leader is Bearpaw.
YOU CANNOT REASON WITH A TIGER WHEN YOUR HEAD IS IN ITS MOUTH! Winston Churchill

Keep Calm And Duc/Ski Doo On!

Offline Rob

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2019, 09:01:07 AM »
We did indeed!

Photo of the big SOW with 2 cubs we saw near a location suggested by Campmeat.  She was 1250 yards out so not the best photo (cell phone via spotting scope)

_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

Offline CaNINE

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2019, 09:07:50 AM »
a great example of what this forum is all about.  good to see the broader team reaching out to help with guidance and direct help.   :tup:

thanks for sharing Rob
The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

Proverbs 12:27

Offline pashok23

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2019, 07:48:12 PM »
Campmeat is a great guy for sure :tup:

Offline Pac_NW

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2019, 08:09:42 AM »
Great post! I might have to add onto this thread with my Sherman adventure. I went up the weekend of the 1st with my sister, she spotted her first bear, but unfortunately no shot. I have this Saturday to give it one last go. Will be a marathon of a day, but what the hell, I want that bear!

My plan with the weather is to start up high before it gets too hot, then mid day drop into some valleys with active streams.

Offline Rob

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2019, 08:27:37 AM »
Good luck and go fill that tag!
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

Offline dune

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2019, 10:03:53 AM »
I wouldn't  worry  about  the heat I shot my bear in 121 at 1 PM 80 degrees 2 weeks ago fawns have  dropped  bears will be moving all day find big clearings  glass all day should be able to get it done :hello:

Offline Rainier10

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2019, 10:35:13 AM »
a great example of what this forum is all about.  good to see the broader team reaching out to help with guidance and direct help.   :tup:

thanks for sharing Rob
:yeah:
Pain is temporary, achieving the goal is worth it.

I didn't say it would be easy, I said it would be worth it.

Every father should remember that one day his children will follow his example instead of his advice.


The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HuntWa or the site owner.

Offline 6haase6

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #9 on: June 11, 2019, 11:59:16 AM »
Sorry the info I gave didn’t pan out in a dead bear. Glad you had fun. Last year was my first time hunting in the spring and man is it fun.
Slinging arrows and flinging lead is in my blood!

Offline Pac_NW

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #10 on: June 12, 2019, 12:59:52 PM »
I wouldn't  worry  about  the heat I shot my bear in 121 at 1 PM 80 degrees 2 weeks ago fawns have  dropped  bears will be moving all day find big clearings  glass all day should be able to get it done :hello:

Thanks dune! That's helpful

Offline Rob

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #11 on: June 12, 2019, 01:22:12 PM »
Sorry the info I gave didn’t pan out in a dead bear. Glad you had fun. Last year was my first time hunting in the spring and man is it fun.

Regardless the help was greatly appreciated!
_______________________________________
Sit tall in the saddle, hold you head up high.
Keep your eyes fixed on where the trail meets the sky.
Live like you ain’t afraid to die.
Just sit back and enjoy your ride
  - Chris Ledoux

Offline Milkman

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Re: Thanks! No Sherman Bear this year but had a great hunt
« Reply #12 on: June 12, 2019, 01:53:14 PM »
Sounds awesome nonetheless.  Good on ya for the hard work.

 


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