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The weather in AK can be really awful. Personally, i was weathered in a small bush cabin which was smaller than my living room with 2 other guys for 2 weeks. The weather was so bad that we could not hunt. A lot of people could not handle something like this. If you go to AK , go prepared. If things go bad weather wise , just roll with it. There is nothing you can do. | |||
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Going with Jimmie and glacier guides in 2012. I booked the hunt in 2009. | |||
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I really wanted to go hunt brown bear a few years back. If I recall correctly, it was about four or five safaris to Africa ago.  Mike | |||
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I know Mike, I really want to take my 500 Jeff to Africa too ... Gonna try and do both Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Thanks, Rod. I corrected my post. I also misspelled my own name! That's what old age does to you. Bill Quimby | |||
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I live in Africa, so I've not got to bears yet and accordingly no insight on the actual hunting of bears... I think you may want to consider what you think will be possible for you in a few years time; financially (which is likley to increase most in price), "environmentally" (is there risk that one of the opportunities will be closed down forever at some point), physically (which is more demanding and are you still likley to be able to do that in a few years time). | |||
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You can get the true experience of an AK bear hunt without even leaving town. Pick the crappiest, coldest, windiest day of the year. Put on hip waders. Carry a heavy rifle. While you walk around briskly in your back yard, have your wife spray the garden hose in your face (she'll be happy to do this). While you're walking, tear up $100.00 bills. AK without leaving town!!! | |||
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 ____________________________________________ "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchett. | |||
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lol almost sounds like what I've heard about the Alaskan Bush Co. Only the girls aren't wearing hip waders, they're getting sprayed with water, and I'd be throwing $100 bills around! Somehow that sounds like more fun ... Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Lots of us can get on the back of a truck between excellent meals and ride around until they see buffalo or their sign then walk a couple miles on level ground in their shorts with the staff carrying his water, lunch, extra ammo and even his rifle if he wants. Both hunts can be a challenge but show me a hunter that has been on a Brown bear hunt however and that hunter gets more respect. ALLEN W. JOHNSON - DRSS Into my heart on air that kills From yon far country blows: What are those blue remembered hills, What spires, what farms are those? That is the land of lost content, I see it shining plain, The happy highways where I went And cannot come again. A. E. Housman | |||
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I hear you. Just go into any Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops; no shortage of mid 30 inch or smaller buffalo mounts when compared to the bear mounts. Why is that? | |||
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I agree with what JohnDL says about this. I have hunted griz in British Columbia and traded insults with the ones on Kodiak Island. The weather can be worse than anyone in his right mind could possibly imagine. It can rain, snow, and be sunny all in the same day, but the odds are more on the side of rain/snow/cold. If health permits, do the Brown bear hunt first while you can still stand the misery. Then go to Africa and enjoy hunting to the fullest extent possible in a nice, comfortable, well-appointed camp where creature comforts are second to none. Most of my money I spent on hunting and fishing. The rest I just wasted | |||
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My prespective and it is only mine. I wanted to do a BB hunt years ago and I made the "mistake" of hunting Africa, now I don't even think about BB hunting. | |||
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Everything is better in africa. | |||
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DOJ and Shootaway:  | |||
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Here's my thinking: I can always hunt the USA (and perhaps I'm wrong on that point), but while travel to and in Africa is 'safe', I'd want to have that experience now. Phil Massaro President, Massaro Ballistic Laboratories, LLC NRA Life Member B&C Member www.mblammo.com Hunt Reports- Zambia 2011 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1481089261 "Two kinds of people in this world, those of us with loaded guns, and those of us who dig. You dig." | |||
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Chuck, If you knew that this would be your last year on earth and you could only do one hunt, would you want to chase buffalo or bears? ____________________________ If you died tomorrow, what would you have done today ... 2018 Zimbabwe - Tuskless w/ Nengasha Safaris 2011 Mozambique - Buffalo w/ Mashambanzou Safaris | |||
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I had a very close call this year (I was in very good shape and ended up with an unexplained viral infection of the heart muscle that put me into Class IV CHF), so that's not a theoretical question for me. A big brown bear is the answer. But I don't want to go bear hunting in Alaska if my health is going to severely limit my chances of success. I want to do both badly. I'll gauge my health this summer and if I'm not in decent DIY elk hunting shape or close to it, I'll book a top flight buffalo hunt (Mark I'll be calling you). If I'm healthy enough to hunt elk, I'll be finishing up my research and be booking a brown bear hunt. Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Viral Myocarditis and/or Endocarditis is a real Sum-Bi%*# of a condition. Hopefully you have retained reasonable muscular, valvular and electrical cardiac function and your rehab has gone well. IF --you are progressing well AND-- you truly want to get a Big Brown-- get with your cardiologist and inform him/her of your plans and get on a regular conditioning program. (Hopefully they have hunted.) Buffalo can be a minimally or extremely physical hunt-- unless you hunt/shoot from a boat the bear hunt will be VERY physical. (As a physician, hunter and past myocarditis patient, that's my advice.) DuggaBoye-O NRA-Life Whittington-Life TSRA-Life DRSS DSC HSC SCI | |||
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Thanks DuggaBoye, I'm working myself back into shape after having an ICD/CRT put in during January (the virus caused nerve and heart muscle damage). I find out on St Patty's Day how I'm doing (I have my first echo cardiogram since the operation scheduled a few days earlier). I plan to have my first drink (just one) since August either way on St Pattys. If I'm not going to get better, there are far worse ways to go then on a brown bear hunt or on safari.  Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Your African camp is likely to be MUCH more enjoyable than your Alaska experience. (Unless you enjoy a spike camp with no fire in a dome tent when you are wet and cold).  I agree with others who have posted here that a standing brown bear mount will take over any trophy room and your guests wont even notice the buff horns. The size of a boars muzzle (and paws) puts an African Lion to shame. Still, I prefer Africa. It is cheaper to hunt elephant cow and buffalo bull with a few PG thrown in than a top notch brown bear hunt. If you love Alaska you can always fish or hike it more cheaply. Nice thing is, you can justify purchasing a 375 or 416 either way. Andy | |||
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I was goat hunting on Kodiak and had some of the worst weather I can figure you'd run into - if flipped some (hypothetically) secured planes over back in town. However, if you are talking a cabin to sleep in and probably a river or lake to hunt near with a salmon run? Takes most of the misery out of it in my opinion. The cabin bit especially. If you can dry off you and your stuff, get warm, have a decent meal, etc. it makes it miles better. P.S. - if it were me, I'd do Kodiak over the Peninsula. Word locally in Anchorage about the Peninsula (I've never hunted there) is that it can be overrun with hunters during the relatively brief season. Unless your guide is paying for exclusive rights to native land - but then if he is, you can probably do Kodiak for the same $$$$. | |||
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This thread has been very helpful. Looks like I do Brown Bear first while I can. Seems geysers can still kill buffalo. | |||
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that's roll on the floor funny. probably true too. Brian H Longmont CO | |||
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I would hunt the buffalo. I just love the african experience so much that it would be my choice. Best of luck in your decision! Tom Addleman tom@dirtnapgear.com | |||
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I've been blessed to have hunted brown bear three times and cape buffalo three times. They are both great, but different, hunts. I'd go bear hunting first because it is more physical and more demanding due to climbing and the weather.Either way, do them both!! | |||
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I've have done brown bear boats hunts in SE AK about ten times. It is the easiest and cushiest hunt of my year - pretty sweet - sleep in a warm bed, sleep in every morning, showers, fresh shrimp and crabs every night, dry boots & clothes every night, fish midday if you choose, stay on the boat when weather turns to crap. Nearly anyone who can walk can do this - particularly if you've got a guide helping you. Not suggesting to choose bear over buff, but if you want to do bear this is a very doable option. Antlers Double Rifle Shooters Society Heym 450/400 3" | |||
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Booked a brown bear hunt with Mark Young and John Peterson for this coming fall. Going shopping for a stainless/synthetic 375 H&H next week ... Guess I'll save my 500 Jeffery for Africa a couple of years down the road.Thanks all! Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Good for you Chuck....I'm sure you'll have a blast. Have you decided what your looking for in a SS 375? So when do you start planning your Buf hunt?  Rod -------------------------------- "A hunter should not choose the cal, cartridge, and bullet that will kill an animal when everything is right; rather, he should choose ones that will kill the most efficiently when everything goes wrong" Bob Hagel | |||
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I've pretty much decided to go with the Remington XCR II in 375 H&H. I may have the bolt handle welded on, but other than that I've hunted with Remington 700s my whole life and have never had a single reliability issue with them, and they've always been incredibly accurate. If Winchester made their Extreme Weather M70 in 375 H&H I would've been very tempted though. I had been talking to Mark Young about a 2 buff hunt out of Masailand Tanzania since I went to SCI Reno in 2009, though it's a very expensive hunt. I also just sent in two tickets for the Keegan raffle (I'll keep my fingers crossed and it's a great cause). I'll start researching it seriously after I get back from Alaska. I plan to go to the SCI convention in Vegas in 2012. Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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I did the bear hunt first. Got an honest 8 1/2' bear at 13 yards. It was a great hunt. Link to hunting report is here ... http://forums.accuratereloadin...8521043/m/6461076361 I want to thank you all for all of the great advice. I plan to go to the SCI Convention in Vegas this coming Feb and start to plan that African Safari. I hope I get to meet some of you. Thanks again. Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Congrats Chuck! Being that close to a large brown bear is an experience you'll always remember. Antlers Double Rifle Shooters Society Heym 450/400 3" | |||
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I just saw your report. Fantastic! Now, you deserve the safari experience. I did a peninsula hunt in 1992-wet tents, horizontal rain and all. It was demanding, but glad I did it. I've been to Alaska once, and Africa five times. Do the math. | |||
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Your body will allow you to hunt buffalo longer than it will allow you to hunt brown bear. Go kill a bear first. Keith O'Neal Trophy Collectors Consultants Po Box 3908 Oxford, AL. 36203 256-310-4424 TCChunts@gmail.com All of your desires can be found on the other side of your fears. | |||
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Have hunted both a lot, and taken multiple of each. Buff easier and a generally more successful. but a big brownie is the most impressive critter around. Bear getting very expensive with top outfits, maybe a consideration. More to see in Africa though. Head to head the buff is the better hunt, and the bear the better trophy in MHO. Good luck either way. Dave Fulson | |||
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First of all, congratulations Chuck on a real nice bear and what I'm sure was an outstanding hunt. I have to agree with Dave on his points. Having hunted both of them, I will always remember hunting Brown Bears, they are an incredible animal and the hunt itself is memorable (for mostly good reasons not including weather). The analogy about going in your backyard in a storm and having your wife wash you down with a hose isn't far off, at least for fall bear hunts. The weather on the Alaskan Peninsula and Kodiak is pretty wild in the fall. Of course, hunting buffalo is about as good as it gets, and I've gotten to do more of that than Brown Bears. I never got soaked or froze to death hunting buffalo, only footsore and sweaty. I'd like to shoot one more Brown Bear in my life. I'd like to shoot quite a few more buffalo. Both hunts provide incredible memories. | |||
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If comfort and nicities of camp life are a priority - go to Africa. If you don't mind a little discomfort and enjoy working for your trophy - come to Alaska  Anyone who claims the 30-06 is ineffective has either not tried one, or is unwittingly commenting on their own marksmanship Phil Shoemaker Alaska Master guide FAA Master pilot NRA Benefactor www.grizzlyskinsofalaska.com | |||
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I agree with Dave as well. To me the buffalo hunting, or any DG hunting in Africa is more fun, but a big Brown Bear trophy is the most impressive animal. When someone new comes into my trophy room, they walk right past the Elephant Tusks, Buffalo, and Lion, and right up to my bear. After 2 successful hunts, I still haven't hit the 10' mark on a Brownie, and maybe never will, but I want to try it at least one more time. You certainly see some beautiful country on the bear hunt. Like Phil says, it is less comfortable than Africa, but in the end, it's worth it. | |||
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If I end up being in good enough shape physicaly and financially and go for brown bear again (after buffalo!) I won't shoot anything less than 10' and be prepared to go home empty handed. I've heard the only way to get a 10 footer is to pass on everything smaller lol ... I'll be looking to book with Phil or Gus Lamoureux on Kodiak, but next Africa! Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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Regards, Chuck "There's a saying in prize fighting, everyone's got a plan until they get hit" Michael Douglas "The Ghost And The Darkness" | |||
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