Yesterday, two guys came from Vancouver to go bear hunting with me.

One had never shot a big game animal, despite trying for 3 years. The other hadn't shot a big game animal in years, and had recently taken up hunting again.

Last night, we sneaked into a good cut block area. We stayed hidden, and glassed for about half an hour.

Deer started moving into the area, but no bears...I have seen quite a few bears around here, so I was pretty sure one would show.

Sure enough, a bear ambled into view before long. The new hunter had the first shot.

He and I crept up to get a better view. I told him that it wasn't a huge bear, did he want to shot or not?

He decided size didn't matter...It was the best chance he had ever had.

So we made a quick little stalk to get a better angle and get a little closer. The bear was about 100 yards away, uphill. I told him to sit down and shoot when the bear was clear.

BOOM! I was watching the bear in my binos, and it looked like a clean miss, as dirt spew everywhere under the bear.

The bear showed no signs of a hit, just surprise, then he decided that it would be a good idea to vacate the area, and took off.

Before I could stop him, the new hunter TOOK OFF UP THE HILL AFTER THE BEAR!

Anyways, after chasing it for a bit and losing it, he gave up the chase. I was convinced there was no hit, and an inspection of the area (especially where the bear had lingered around and on a boulder) showed no blood etc.

The new hunter was very happy, though as he had at least had a shot!

This mornign we were out early, as the new guy only had the morning to hunt...We saw some sign, saw some nice scenery, but no bear. He left happy, though!

So it's the returning hunter's (RT) turn tonight...

Following a similar procedure, we ended up making a stalk on a bear. Same thing...

I told him it was an okay, but not huge bear. But we only had tonight.

He responded (and I have NEVER heard someone say this before) "I don't want it if it's too big!" (Not enough freezer space.)

So he shot it with his 30-06 using 180 gr Partitions.

Turned out the bear was a little bigger than I thought...it's just over 5' 6", and was probably just shy of 300lbs.

It was shot at about 8:30, and we finished up with it just after midnight. Just got out of the shower, and I thought I'd post this here.

This is me, with his first bear. Note my sylish hunting attire.


The RT left a very tired, but very happy...

I had a good time, too!

Jolly Good Show Gatehouse!

Thanks for the story Gatehouse.

- Do you sell hunts/work as aguide or what??????

Weidmannsheil on a successful bear hunt to all participants! Great story
- mike

Awesome, Gatehouse. Thanks for sharing the story and pics. Work has been keeping me to busy to get out and look for a bear, so I am having to live vicariously through the trips of others.

BTW, I got the videos. Thanks!

Cheers,
Canuck

ps: You dress like a forester. The "stanny" is our uniform.

Nice, nice Gatehouse. Where was he hit?

That's a damn nice looking bear.....well done.

That's got me pumped! I leave in 5 days for Prince George for my first bear hunt.

Good show gate and your friend took a mighty fine bear.

Now that I know what you look like I'll have to keep my eye open for you seeing that I hunt down that way sometimes.

Thanks for all the good feedback

Christer-
No, I'm not a guide or anything like that. I just had some spare time and was happy to help out. It was fun 'playing' guide though!

Canuck-
I still don't know how anyone can go through life without a Stanny...

Smallfry-

He was hit in the chest, taking out the diaphramn. He made it about 40 yards and laid down. He lifted his head as we approached so the RT put another through the neck, settling matters immediately.

And I forgot to tell you guys the BEST part!

The RT had followed my sage advice and shot the bear UPHILL from the road!

I finished cleaning up the skin yesterday...I was pretty surprised when I lay it out on the ground and measured it...

72" X 78"

Squares over 6 feet...

I'm really glad it 'grew' when on the ground, rather than having 'ground shrinkage.'

I'm amazed, as it really didn't look all that big to me when I was glassing it, and I usually see enough bears to be a fairly decent judge, but I'm really glad I was wrong!

TXPO
You're gonna have fun!

[ 05-23-2003, 01:44: Message edited by: Canuck ]

Most of my cloths say "stansfield" on them some place or another. I kinda like the hooded shirts to keep the bugs off my ears though.

Nice bear Gatehouse. I have looked over a few and had a chance at a beautiful blonde one with a medium brown face and chest but he was not that big. Still lots of time.

Get your LEH's in yet?

One look at the picture and I was convinced that it was bigger than 5'6".Nice bear.

Glad to hear the hunt went so well. Thanks for the pic and tell the RT congrats!!!