Outfitter: Skinner Creek Hunts. B.C. Canada.
Guide, Owner, Operator: Doug McMann
Method: Hounds
Bow: Excalibur Matrix 355 crossbow
Bolt: 18" Diablo Illuminated with G5 T3 broadheads

I also just recently returned from Skinner Creek Hunts, British Columbia, Canada on a Black Bear ('Ghostbird' from Manitoba) hunt with hounds. I had a great trip and got my first Black Bear. Doug and Julie McMann treated me like family and can't say enough about what a great time I had. First time I heard of Doug's operation was on AR when he hosted his first Wounded Warrior in Action Foundation hunt http://wwiaf.org/ . Can't thank him enough for doing that for the last four years!!!







The days normally started around 7:30 am with a light breakfast or eggs and toasted. Whatever you preferred. I'm am perfectly happy with cereal and coffee. Mainly coffee! We would then head out and drive the roads until the dogs nose picked up on a bear. Since it doesn't get dark till 10:00 pm it could be some very long days. Doug told me the best times have been after 2:00 pm so, I settled in to see the some beautiful country.






Day one had us tree a small sow just after 2:00pm. Just like Doug said.



Day 2. Another warm day. We were well into the afternoon (5:00 pm) and still no bears. As we were driving this one particular road when he said the dogs would strike before we reached the top. He was right. The dogs would tree a well rubbed boar about 1.25 miles off the road.








Day 3. The dogs finally strike out before noon. We've been seeing lots of bear sign along this one stretch of road (mostly grizzly) but, the dogs treed a nice sow with a good white blaze on her chest.








We also came across these two little ones and their mother. So cute!



Day 4. At the end of dinner of day 3 Doug's wife Julie asked me if I wanted to keep the crossbow at the main house. I told her no because I like practicing in the morning. The next morning I went out to practice like I've done the last 3 mornings and noticed the crossbow was shooting 6 inches high. Here the hex screws holding the scope to the bracket had come loose. I did have some wrenches but, none that would fit that particular size. Fortunately Doug did. Good thing I was into the habit of shooting in the moring and checking the equipment. Got it back on zero and we were off. Just a little later than the normal 7:30 am start.

We only had gone 500 yards from the driveway when the dogs picked up on a bear. Unfortunately the dogs couldn't zero in on the smell and we packed up the dogs to help a farmer look for his cattle that weren't in a certain meadow. We never did run into the rancher but, saw wolf and grizzly tracks. One or both we're probably the reason why the cattle weren't where they were suppose to be.

Back on the road again and we travel past the entrance to the ranch. 500 yards up the road again the dogs start howling in the same spot as the first time. Doug stops and lets the two top box riding dogs go. Not long those two are on the trail and we release the remaining three dogs. The chase is on! Doug can determine what the bear is doing by the dog sounds (howling, barking) and the gps. He said this bear is walking and doesn't want to tree. Eventually the dogs get the bear to bay up. He said we need to take the rifles and leave the crossbow. No problem. Didn't care what weapon I used and was totally flexible. We also didn't take the packs or binos (this would come into play later). Off we go. At one point we were 50 yards above the bear in the canyon but, couldn't see it. The bear then broke and the dogs bayed it up again. This time we got within 15 yards of it but, the wind swirled and off it went. One more good bay up and the dogs finally got it treed. Finally.



Not having the binos finally exposed itself. We couldn't determine if it was a boar or sow. Big head. Ears to the side. Roman nose. All said boar but, couldn't be certain. Doug said he thought he saw some skin hanging and I thought I saw balls but, couldn't be certain. He said the truck is only 250 yards away and he could get the binos. The bear made the decision for us when he showed a long but narrow white blaze down his chest. As Doug made his way to the truck he told me to keep the dogs motivated. No problem. 20 + years military I should be able to handle that.



As I sat there with the dogs my mind was racing. It's all about the hunt and the experience. I just wanted a good mature boar. Not the biggest but, even if this was a sow... it was a good bear. Especially for my first. Doug brought the packs, my crossbow and the binos. As he looked over bear he asked for my opinion and why he thought it was a boar. I didn't disagree and I'm no bear expert but, everything was telling me the same thing... 'boar.' I decided it was a go no matter what the sex was. At this point we are nearing two hours and it was extremely exciting to this point.

Doug pulls out a set of shooting sticks to help with the shot. Always get the best rest possible. Got a range of 19 yards and Doug talks me through the shot placement. Totally different shooting at something in a tree facing you and not a square block on the ground. As I get ready to release the bear moves. We then wait until the bear face me again and talk through the shot angle. As I line up the bear moves again. Doug says "you archery hunters always take to long." I wanted to make absolutely sure the bolt goes where he tells me to put it. He told me some archery horror stories and I did want to me lumped into that category. He also told me that he wasn't a fan of crossbow hunters (don't practice enough) and mechanical broadheads. Great. That was day zero so, you can understand my nervousness but, I had confidence in the equipment and my skill. The bear proceeded to face us a third time and once again we talk shot placement (lower left center of the chest blaze). I align the shot and told Doug I'm ready. As I watch the bolt enter the bear I tell myself "it's exactly where Doug told me to aim." The bear climbs two feet and falls out of the tree. As it hit the ground Doug says "that's a good bear!" The bear rolls down the hill and within three minutes it's over. After two hours it takes less than three minutes. My first bear!



For those that are interested... just over 18" skull and squares at 6.5 feet. Can't be happier and couldn't care less about the measurements. It's all about the memories and not about the score.




As I said I had a great time hunting with Doug. Hound hunting
isn't for everyone but, sitting over a bait pile isn't either. It's a matter of preference but, if you haven't tried it you should. My wife is now itching to go and trying to work out something for next year.

Great story and beautiful pics......

Waidmannsheil and nice pics, sounds like great time and good memories.

thanks for all the kind words Matt.
We did have a good time and got what you came for.

We will be doing this again one day.

Great hunt. Well done.

Doug, what breeding you got in your pack. Looks like a nice mix of traits there, how do you go about selecting or is it just based on hounds that work for you?

Excellent hunt and result. Big congrats.

Great Pictures, and good job guys!

quote:

Originally posted by zambeziman:
Great Pictures, and good job guys!

when are you coming back.

Hello,

Thanks for sharing your hunt! I enjoyed the pictures as well.

Best,

jpj3

Congrats! Fantastic bear. Great story and excellent pictures too.

You never mentioned...boar? Looks like one.

Cheers
Canuck

Yes... Boar! Sorry about that.

Nice bear. Congrats!