Dates: May 21st / May 27th 2017
Area: Tatlayoko Lake, British Columbia
Guide: Doug McMann aka Chilcotin Hillbilly
Rifle: Remington 700 bld in a 30-06
Ammo: 180 gr Remington Cor Loc
Hunters: John Andersen & Jytte Mejnertsen
Observers: Lone (Johns wife) & Finn (my husband)

Dreary wet November days last year. A television program suddenly gets my attention. Black bear hunting in Alberta. There and then I decide it is time to do exactly that.

A hunting buddy of mine had talked of this for years, so I contacted him and told him we were off to Canada to hunt black bear.

Chilcotin Hillbilly had an offer on AR for black bear hunts 2:1 at around this time, and with his stellar reputation, it was quite easy to decide to book with him. Done!

My husband and I spent a few fine days in Vancouver before flying out to Williams Lake. My favorite kind of airplane, small and nippy!!! The views from my seat were spectacular.

I did make a video, but it won't load. So a picture from the inside of the plane instead.



John and his wife had headed directly to Williams Lake and were there to welcome us. We stayed at the Best Western for one night, it was situated right next to the Laughing Loon, a great place to eat and have a few drinks.

Next morning Doug McMann was on hand to pick us up and the drive towards Tatlayoko Lake began. Less than three hours, but time was of no importance, the country side was breathtaking.



Wild horses no less.

On arrival Doug's wife Julie welcomed us with some lunch and then we were driven up (for the first and last time) to our lodgings. A real Canadian log cabin with a view unlike any I have ever seen.



We drove out to check the rifle, or actually to let Doug see how we handled ourselves with a weapon. It turned out ok, so John and I flipped a coin to see who would have the first go at a black bear. John was up!

Next morning I was up before the birds. Jetlag. Sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee, this is what I saw.




The hounds


They were brave, they were very smart and they were hard working. We got used to their singing as we drove the areas, and saw them work the challenging terrain. They did exactly what they were meant to, and treed a black bear for John.



Perfect shot delivered, a beautiful bear.

My turn

Wednesday, May 24th. The dogs had worked hard several times. The wind was swirling, the temperature had dropped considerably that day, from 25 degrees C to 11 degrees C. It was around 1.00 pm and we'd eaten our lunch sandwiches, watching and listening to the hounds working, barking their special song.

The pitch suddenly changed and Doug informed me that Spider:


had a bear treed.

One hundred meters from the gravel road, but one hundred meters I will never forget. Very steep terrain, after crawling over fallen trees I crawled up on all four, finally in line with my bear. Took the shot and my dream had come true. A handsome boar with the most amazing cream chest marking.



Very difficult setting up for trophy pictures because it was so steep, but you can see he is a nice bear and I was happy.





Doug all but carried the bear out to the road.



From the left: Jack, Spider, Ranger and Oscar. We got to know the dogs well.

Back at camp, Doug skinned my bear. I got to help out a bit.



There were a couple of days left in this paradise and Doug showed us some more of the amazing countryside and the last day the guys went fishing at Lake Tatlayoko for rainbow trout. Caught two!



We also stopped at a saloon.



So a dream did come true. With one of Canadas finest and his dream team of hounds. I have a few things left on my bucket list, wolf for one. Maybe, just maybe.

Thank you Julie for amazing meals and attention and thank you Doug for this awesome hunt.

Goodbye Canada, what an beautiful country.

Last night in Vancouver:



Jytte

Hei Jytte,

Congrats on a nice bear Looking forward to hear more about this in camp in Dande in 4 weeks

Morten

I always found the running hounds is a great way to hunt bears.

I shot them over bait, spot and stalk and with hounds.

Hounds are the best, spotting next, Then baiting.

Sounds like a great hunt.

Looks like all of you had a great time and got to see some spectacular scenery, congratulations.

GLAD YOU ENJOYED OUR BEAUTIFUL B.C.

The white "V" on the chest is a genetic thing for black bear .Not all that common but we've had it here in the Catskill Mtns !
Nice catch !

I'm so glad you had an awesome trip!!! Isn't that daily view incredible!? Sounds like the fishing was a little slow or Doug kept all the good tackle hidden. Doug runs a first class operation and the dogs are exceptional. Need to get my wife up there one day to hunt bears but, I really need to get into the alpine to hunt deer.

what a great time hunting with Jytte and the whole crew from Denmark. We definitely made some new friends and had a great time doing it.
thanks for sharing our piece of paradise.