Bearpaw Season - Spring 2023

[Rainier10]

Do you keep a running camp count on turkeys? It looks like you had a good season.

Yes, my wife keeps track of the total number and where every bird was killed, also how many misses. Two years ago was our most birds taken, this year will probably be about our 6th to 8th place for total birds, part of that is due to quite a few of the hunters only wanting one bird. This year we did have had the highest percentage of adult birds ever. The hunters were very selective, only three jakes were taken.

Three Jakes, nice job leaving some for next year. Conservation at its best right there.

[bearpaw]

Do you keep a running camp count on turkeys? It looks like you had a good season.

Yes, my wife keeps track of the total number and where every bird was killed, also how many misses. Two years ago was our most birds taken, this year will probably be about our 6th to 8th place for total birds, part of that is due to quite a few of the hunters only wanting one bird. This year we did have had the highest percentage of adult birds ever. The hunters were very selective, only three jakes were taken.

Three Jakes, nice job leaving some for next year. Conservation at its best right there.

We are happy about getting nearly all mature birds but it’s really a reflection of the hunters we’ve had this year, the majority held out for mature birds. If a hunter sees a jake and wants to shoot it we usually let them. But we do have a couple properties where part of the arrangement is to only hunt mature birds. After hunting those properties that way I can say we’ve proven to ourselves it really does work best to only shoot mature birds.

[bearpaw]

Ben from Arkansas is trying to finish his one season slam, he just arrived this afternoon in time for dinner and only had 1 1/2 days to hunt, so Zach took him out right after dinner where he pre scouted some birds this morning. It worked out great, within 30 minutes Ben completed his slam with a 20 yard shot, very well done guys!

[bearpaw]

Another nice color phase that we will be looking for!

[passman65]

Another nice color phase that we will be looking for!

 

[b23]

Another nice color phase that we will be looking for!

That's a healthy looking one that would certainly put a smile on someone's face.

[bearpaw]

Another nice color phase that we will be looking for!

 

He came in during daylight, so odds are good we get him unless he goes nocturnal, the nocturnal ones are more of a challenge!

[bearpaw]

The guides had another day off, Zach already filled a tag so Daniel was the designated shooter this morning, this has got to be the worst fan I’ve ever seen on a bird, it appears maybe at some point a predator must have almost had a meal but pulled most of the tail feathers and they are just starting to grow back. One of a kind bird and being drenching wet didn’t help the appearance any either.

[bearpaw]

Shane from Texas with a nice Idaho color phase 6’ boar taken with guide Brian on the first morning of his hunt. Not the bigger one in the previous photo but a good one. Way to go guys.

[bearpaw]

We had a better than average bear missed this morning, guides are going to shoot the gun again just to make sure the sighting is still right. Had to pass another bear because the guys are pretty sure it’s a sow that has cubs, even though cubs weren’t with the bear it wasn’t worth the risk that it’s the same bear.

We have another big black bear located that the guides will be focusing on hunting, hopefully he goes home with one of our hunters this spring. We still haven’t gotten that last big color phase bear either yet.

I still have a couple June dates available if anyone would like to go on a good bear hunt?

[bearpaw]

Another long beard taken on our Montana Merriam’s Turkey Hunt, good job Derek! We are now booking for fall 2023 turkey hunts and spring 2024 turkey hunts in Washington and Montana.

[bearpaw]

Ooohhhh, I think I ate too much! A good one stretching out after a big meal!

[bearpaw]

Larry from Washington nailed his Idaho bear this morning with guide Grant, good job boys!

[bearpaw]

Chad from Texas nailed this Idaho color phase yesterday with guide Gilbert. We have a couple cancelled bear hunts available in June at a $500 discount.

[bearpaw]

Another nice chocolate bear that showed up this week, hopefully he goes home with one of the hunters this season.